eWomenNetwork Expands Tampa–St. Petersburg Presence Under New Managing Director Mary Gooden

October 2 “The Power of the Room” gathering at COhatch St. Pete brings women in business together during a month celebrating women entrepreneurs

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 28, 2026 — As October begins a month of celebrating women entrepreneurs, eWomenNetwork is expanding its Tampa–St. Petersburg presence under the leadership of incoming Managing Director Mary Gooden, a speaker, entrepreneur, publisher, and community builder relocating from New Orleans to St. Petersburg.
Gooden will welcome women in business from Tampa–St. Petersburg and across the greater Tampa Bay area on Friday, Oct. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. ET for an eWomenNetwork Accelerated Networking Experience (ANE), “The Power of the Room: Where Relationships Become Opportunities.”

The event will be held at COhatch St. Pete, 15 8th Street N in St. Petersburg, with COhatch St. Pete sponsoring the gathering. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.

The timing coincides with National Women’s Small Business Month and St. Petersburg’s #StPeteSupportsHer initiative, which celebrates female entrepreneurship throughout October.

For Gooden, the timing feels especially meaningful as she begins building relationships throughout her new community and creating opportunities for women to come together in person.

“I’ve experienced firsthand what can happen when the right women get in a room together,” Gooden said. “We have real conversations. We build relationships. We share resources, ideas, and opportunities. There is something powerful that happens when women genuinely get to know one another, and I’m excited to create more opportunities for that throughout Tampa–St. Petersburg.”

Gooden currently serves as Managing Director of eWomenNetwork’s New Orleans chapter and is transitioning her leadership to Tampa–St. Petersburg as she relocates to the area.

Her connection to St. Petersburg began several years ago.
“St. Pete stole a piece of my heart back in 2022, and I’ve been creating the space to get here ever since,” Gooden said. “Now I have the opportunity to call this community home and contribute to it. I’m excited to meet the women who are already doing incredible things here, build relationships, collaborate, and see what becomes possible together.”

Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Sandra Yancey, eWomenNetwork reports connecting more than 500,000 women entrepreneurs through 118 chapters and hosting more than 2,000 in-person and online networking events annually. Its foundational goal is to help one million women entrepreneurs each achieve $1 million in annual revenue.
Giving is also part of the eWomenNetwork community. The eWomen Foundation supports the financial and emotional well-being of women and children and reports awarding 177 cash grants to nonprofits and 240 scholarships to emerging female leaders. The International Femtor Awards recognize women for their accomplishments and for helping other women rise.

As Managing Director, Gooden plans to grow the Tampa–St. Petersburg community through ongoing networking experiences, relationship building, collaboration, and opportunities for women to support one another personally and professionally.

The Power of the Room on Oct. 2 will offer women throughout Tampa–St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area an opportunity to meet Gooden, experience the eWomenNetwork community, build new relationships, and discover the opportunities that can begin with simply getting in the room together.

EVENT DETAILS
The Power of the Room: Where Relationships Become Opportunities
eWomenNetwork Tampa–St. Petersburg
Accelerated Networking Experience (ANE)
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
2 to 4 p.m. ET
COhatch St. Pete
15 8th Street N
St. Petersburg, FL

Sponsored by COhatch St. Pete
Space is limited. Advance registration is required to attend.

Media interviews and event coverage are welcome.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mary Gooden
Managing Director
eWomenNetwork Tampa–St. Petersburg
Email: ma********@***********rk.com
Phone: 757-589-2767
Website: https://www.ewomennetwork.com/chapters/518