empowerHER returns to Showcase with a session built on honesty, courage, and the power of women leading from wherever they stand. This isn’t your typical session — it’s a life session. Rooted in real stories and shared experiences, empowerHER creates space for growth, connection, and meaningful reflection for anyone committed to supporting women in the building and hardware industry. 

Join Holly Stofa as she shares how she went from “super shy” to “super spy” — ultimately becoming a CIA Operative of the Year. Through raw, unfiltered storytelling, Holly reveals how authenticity becomes a strategic advantage, how confidence is built (not gifted), and how staying grounded in who you are can shift the way you lead, communicate, and thrive under pressure. 

empowerHER is a space where real stories spark perspective. A space for women — and allies — who want to build stronger relationships, understand their team’s strengths, and communicate with clarity in any situation. 

Why Join 

• Learn to thrive in high-stakes environments by understanding your strengths, your team, and the power of authentic leadership. 

• Build meaningful relationships through trust by learning to read the room, understand others’ roles, and communicate with clarity. 

• Develop the courage to lead — even when you’re scared or unsure, and discover how confidence is built through action, not perfection. 

• Walk away with practical tools for resilience, self-awareness, and growth, rooted in Holly’s real experiences — from global intelligence work to coaching young athletes. 

• Grow alongside women and allies who believe in showing up for themselves, their teams, and their industry. 

empowerHER is about showing up, elevating each other, and growing from the ground up. 
Everyone is welcome. The experience is designed with women in mind. 

About Holly Stofa  

Holly Stofa transformed her journey from a shy small-town girl into an award-winning CIA covert operative and senior leader. Named Operative of the Year, she mastered trust-building, authenticity, and high-stakes communication across global intelligence missions. 

Today, Holly is a certified executive and performance coach who helps leaders build confidence, strengthen relationships, and unlock their full potential. She is also a published author, mom of three, and longtime coach known for bringing energy, honesty, and heart into every space she enters.