Port Huron 6/10/2026

You Don’t Have to Carry It All: What the Camino Taught Me About Trust

Speaker:Karen Palka, Founder & Executive Director at A Beautiful Me, Inc.
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 800 Harker St., Port Huron, MI 48060
Cost: $20 if RSVP by Friday, June 5; $30 after deadline
Click here to register!

Info: A reflective and empowering talk using the Camino de Santiago as a metaphor for learning to let go, redefine rest, and trust the journey

Bio: Karen Palka is an entrepreneur and founder of the nonprofit A Beautiful Me, empowering females of all ages for more than 18 years and reaching over 13,000 girls in southeast Michigan. Through personal storytelling, including walking the Camino de Santiago, Karen encourages women to trust the journey and release what they were never meant to carry.

Karen is a beach-walker, Bug-driver, laugh-er, and encourag-er who believes in the power of women walking forward together.

Spotlight Speaker: Samantha Jay, Director of Sales at The St. Clair Inn

Samantha Jay is the Director of Sales at the St. Clair Inn, bringing more than a decade of experience in hospitality sales, event strategy, and team leadership. She is known for her results-driven approach, strong client relationships, and passion for creating memorable guest experiences.
Samantha has been a member of NACW since 2017. During her time, she started on the Port Huron board as the Hospitality Director and then moved into the VP role, eventually capping her time on the board as President of the Port Huron Chapter. After completing a term as an at-large member for NACW National during her Port Huron presidency, Samantha also completed a term as President for NACW National.

Outside of her hospitality career, Samantha is deeply involved in the volleyball community as a certified official with the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials, and USA Volleyball. Currently a USAV National-level official and National-level Scorer, Samantha earned the Bronze Whistle Award in 2023 for finishing top in her Junior National certification class in Chicago, Illinois. Samantha also serves as board secretary for East Side Volleyball Officials Association and previously played collegiate volleyball at Concordia University Ann Arbor.
Known for her leadership, attention to detail, and passion for both hospitality and athletics, Samantha brings the same dedication to excellence whether she’s leading a sales team or officiating on the court.