Saturday, March 7, 2026
REEF Ocean Exploration Center | Key Largo 

Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Polk
to Keynote EMPOWER YOU

Amanda Polk, Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion rower, will keynote EMPOWER YOU, a full-day women’s event hosted by Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) on Saturday, March 7, at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo.

Polk, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Rowing Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, will deliver a keynote titled, “Striving to Be the Best in a Competitive World.” Drawing on her years of elite athletic training and global competition, Polk will share practical lessons on resilience, consistency and sustaining high performance that can be applied in everyday life.

A standout athlete at the University of Notre Dame, Polk earned four All-American honors and became the program’s most decorated rower. She went on to train with the U.S. National Rowing Team in Princeton, New Jersey, earning five World Championship titles. After serving as an alternate at the 2012 Olympic Games in London – a disappointment that fueled her determination – she earned a seat in the U.S. Women’s Eight event in 2016 and helped secure Olympic gold for Team USA.

“It’s an honor and a thrill to welcome Amanda as our keynote speaker,” said Upper Keys BPW President Patricia Milian. “Amanda’s story is both extraordinary and deeply relatable for every woman striving to be her best self.”

EMPOWER YOU is expected to draw more than 100 women for a day of connection, learning and growth. In addition to Polk’s keynote address, attendees will participate in breakout sessions, a Women’s Business Expo, interactive health and wellness activities, and Spark Tank LIVE, a competitive showcase highlighting innovative business ideas from local entrepreneurs. 

“We set out to create an event that rivals big-city women’s conferences,” said Milian. “Securing an Olympic gold medalist as our keynote speaker has exceeded our hopes for our first year, and we look forward to announcing more exciting news soon.”

Net proceeds from EMPOWER YOU will benefit Upper Keys BPW programs for working women, including their Adult Women’s Scholarship Program, which awards thousands of dollars annually to local women pursuing career education and training.

SPACE IS LIMITED - RESERVE YOUR SEAT >