Women’s Empowerment Summit 2026: The Women Who Make Us Braver

Meet Anita Merchant: The Financial Fairy Godmother You Didn’t Know You Needed, but Absolutely Do

Welcome to our Women’s Empowerment Summit 2026 spotlight series — a behind-the-scenes introduction to the powerhouse women who will be speaking on February 21 at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. Each panelist brings a unique lens to women’s growth, courage, and connection. Today, we’re highlighting Anita Merchant, who will be presenting on Banking and Building Credit.

If you’ve ever wished someone would sit you down, pour you a cup of coffee, and explain credit, savings, banking, and financial decision-making without making you feel judged… Anita is that person.

She’s spent more than two decades in banking, and in that time, she’s become the kind of leader people follow because they trust her, not because they have to. She’s warm, she’s practical, and she has zero interest in making money feel intimidating.

What I love most is that Anita’s not just a banker - she’s an entrepreneur. Multiple businesses. Rentals. Vacation properties. She’s lived the spreadsheet and the risk. She’s built the plan and the pivot. She doesn’t just understand money; she understands women managing money.

And she knows how to turn financial stability into confidence.

At the Summit, Anita is going to demystify finances in a way that will make you want to high-five her. She brings both expertise and lived experience - the perfect mix of “here’s what the numbers say” and “here’s how your life fits into it.”

If you’ve ever wanted to feel more in control of your financial world, Anita is your woman.

This feature is part of our Women’s Empowerment Summit 2026 speaker series. Ready to learn from these incredible women in person? Join us on February 21 at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. Tickets are $140 — secure your spot here!