Leading from the Heart: Crystal Allen Dallas at the C-Suite Summit for Black Women Executives

When our founder and CEO, Crystal Allen Dallas, accepted the invitation to attend the C-Suite Summit in Carlsbad, California, she knew this wasn’t going to be a typical business conference. This gathering of Black women leaders was designed to be a space for renewal, authenticity, and collective strength—exactly the kind of environment that aligns deeply with Excel Business Concepts’ mission.

A Summit with a Soul

Hosted at the elegant Park Hyatt Aviara, the summit carried the theme of “Resilience.” It aimed not just to elevate professional capacity, but to let attendees drop their masks and reconnect with purpose and healing.

One deliberate design choice: name tags listed only first names—not job titles or corporate affiliations—emphasizing the person before the position. Crystal felt immediately welcomed into that ethos: to bring her full self, not just her résumé.

Moments that Sparked Transformation

Over the four-day retreat, Crystal engaged in sessions that balanced heart, mind, and wellness:

• Health & Leadership Integration: The summit didn’t shy away from real conversations. In “Power, Position & Prevention,” participants discussed holistic wellness—mental health, menopause, emotional resilience—as integral to leadership, not separate from it. Crystal reflected on how leaders often neglect their whole selves in service of performance—and how vital it is to restore that balance.
  

• Reclaiming Joy & Purpose: At “Jump into Joy: Reclaim the Life You Were Created to Live,” attendees explored the tension between ambition and well-being. For Crystal, this was a moment of permission—to imagine success on her own terms, not according to external benchmarks.
  

• Courageous Conversations & Emotional Reset: In closing, Dr. Wizdom Powell led a session on resetting emotionally and aligning head and heart. She observed that leaders are too often taught to show up from the mind alone—creating dissonance between what we think and how we feel. Crystal left resolved to lead more wholly—with vulnerability, compassion, and clarity.
  

• Intentions that Take Root: Summit attendees placed affirmation cards on an “intention tree” at the resort. After the event, the tree and its messages would remain planted on the grounds—a literal and symbolic reminder of the seeds planted within each leader.

Lessons Crystal Brings Back to Excel

Attending the C-Suite Summit was not a passive experience for Crystal—it was a pivotal moment of reflection, renewal, and rededication. Here are a few takeaways she’s carrying into her leadership of Excel:.

1. Wholeness is a strength, not a liability: Leadership rooted in authenticity—where emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health are honored—is more sustainable and powerful.

2. Allow space for transformation, not just transactions: Conferences should not always be about networking or strategy; they can be incubators for inner growth and creative reorientation.

3. Community is one of the greatest accelerants: Sharing stories, struggles, and purpose in a supportive cohort can spark breakthroughs that solitary effort rarely does.

4. Intention plus action = growth: The affirmation tree is a beautiful metaphor: it’s not enough to speak aspirations; we must plant them, nurture them, and let them transform us over time.

Attending the inaugural MVAAFF C-Suite Summit last year was a deeply moving experience that helped me reconnect with my “why” and reignite my purpose as a leader. This year’s theme of resilience resonated just as strongly. It was refreshing and empowering to connect with women who are navigating similar journeys. The Summit is truly a must-attend experience for anyone committed to personal and professional growth.

What’s Next

As Crystal returns home, she carries new insight and renewed energy for her role at Excel Business Concepts. Expect to see this influence reflected in our upcoming programs:

• More opportunities for members and clients to engage in holistic leadership practices

• Workshops around emotional intelligence, resilience, and wellness in business

• Deeper emphasis on purpose-driven strategy (not just performance metrics)
  

Crystal’s time at the C-Suite Summit reaffirmed something we already believe at Excel: leadership is not just about what you can do, but about who you are. And when leaders are whole, their organizations flourish.