Since it's journey began in 2008, PURE has hosted five conferences and numerous events for women around the country.  Our weekend spiritual retreats are designed to give women the chance to get away, reconnect with God and to connect with other women who share their similar passions and beliefs.  Each of our events and regional conferences are designed around the specific women in that region and address topics relevant to women including - work/life balance, eating disorders, struggling with forgiveness, marriage, motherhood, women in media, faith and politics, and more!

pure 2011 - austin, texas - february 18th-20th
the hyatt regency lost pines

pure 2009 - hershey, pa - october 23rd-25th
the hotel hershey resort

pure 2009 - sonoma, ca - july 24th-26th
the sonoma mission inn & spa

pure 2009 - austin, texas - May 1st-3rd
the hyatt regency lost pines

pure 2008 - lake george, new york - october 24th-26th
the sagamore resort

Past Connect Session Leaders:

	Megan Alexander is a correspondent for the national television show "Inside Edition". Based in NYC, Megan covers everything from politics, to entertainment, business, medical and human-interest stories. She has interviewed countless celebrities such as Robert Redford, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Hugh Jackman, Kathleen Turner, Nicole Kidman and Carrie Underwood. She covered the 2008 Election, traveling to both Obama and McCain events. Megan is a regular on the red carpet, reporting on music awards shows, movie premieres and celebrity events. She believes every job is a mission field and feels specifically called to the media industry. www.meganalexander.com or www.insideedition.com
	Natalie Grant is a critically-acclaimed artist and was named Christian music's top selling Adult Contemporary female solo artist in 2005 and 2006. In additional to her life on the stage, Natalie is enjoying her new role as 'mom' to twin one-year-old girls. Natalie has a powerful testimony of how she has overcome her battle with bulimia. Natalie’s personal testimony is sure to inspire the women of PURE! www.nataliegrant.com
	Kristen Milligan was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 30 with three young children. Six years later, her life is rich and full of joy even while she continues to face her illness. An author of three books, Kristen Milligan and her husband Deric founded Inheritance of Hope, a non-profit organization serving young families who have a parent with a life-threatening illness. Kristen is the mother of three children, ages 10, 8, and 6. www.inheritanceofhope.org
	Ruth Meek has a passion for helping women to redeem important areas of their lives. A real estate agent with Briggs-Freeman, Ruth currently works with her husband on development projects. She was previously in sales with IBM, a flight attendant for Muse Air, a teacher at Providence Christian School of Texas, and an Etiquette Coach. Ruth’s passion is to speak to Christian women about Christmas, sex and silence. She has lived in Dallas for over 25 years. She is a native of Jackson, Mississippi and a graduate of "Ole Miss". Ruth is married to M. Stephen Meek. They have four young adult children. The Meeks are all active charter members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
	Melissa Tamplin is a bilingual broadcast journalist with more than ten years of experience in television news. Melissa worked as a news anchor and reporter in six different markets - including most recently at WNBC-TV in New York and WFAA-TV in Dallas. She has a passion for connecting people to one another to help them reach their greatest potential for personal growth and social change. Melissa is currently completing her first non-fiction book which focuses on her personal journey as a journalist through grief and traumatic loss. Melissa holds an MA in Journalism from Columbia University and a BA in Spanish and Communications from Baylor University
	Ashley Evans Boone has a passion for women’s ministry. Ashley leads and coordinates a ministry to young women at Park Cities Presbyterian Church. Ashley worked at PCPC for three years and previously served on staff with Young Life for five years. Ashley has a Masters of Arts in Religion from Westminster Theological Seminary. She is passionate about teaching God’s Word to women in order to help them understand it and be changed by it. www.ashleyevansboone.com
	Lauren Belle views outlets as diverse as choral conducting, teaching, coordinating events, and directing children’s ministry as opportunities to share her love for Christ and encourage others to flourish within the boundaries of their God-given design. Lauren has organized, spoken and performed in venues across the U.S. as well as in Europe, Russia, Korea, Canada and Mexico. Her CD, Testimony of Grace, was released in 2004 and her first book, The Blessing of Boundaries, was published in 2005.
	Laura Wilcox has been impacting the lives of women at universities and in the business and professional world through her work at Campus Crusade for Christ for nearly two decades – in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Russia. Laura graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies. Her passion is to unveil good gifts of God’s love to His daughters through the study of His Word. Laura places a premium on believers coming together to give and receive the love of Christ. Laura recently released her first book Capture My Heart, Lord which is perfect for group or individual studies. Laura makes her home in Houston, TX.
	Pam McWilliams is Vice President and General Manager of Direct Response for Nutrition 21, Inc., a nutritional bioscience company. Pam previously consulted with Propeller who specializes in creating brand strategy, marketing and development for families and faith-based consumers. She had the opportunity to work closely with NY Times Best Selling Author, Jordan Rubin who wrote "The Maker’s Diet". She also served at Bee Alive, Inc., a health and beauty company as Exec Vice President for 21 years. Pam has an excitement and passion for health and wellness. It is her desire to see God’s people have an abundant life, not only in their spirit but in their mind and body as well.
	Trudy Simmons is the co-founder of the Seven Bridges Marriage ministry with her husband and desires to help couples grow closer to Christ and understand God's design for marriage. Trudy has a degree in Biblical Studies and Christian counseling, is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), certified in “Marriage Works” curriculum offered by the AACC and Light University, and trained in PREPARE/ENRICH marital counseling and education programs. Trudy is the owner of a glass label company, has owned a personal training business, and has been featured as a fitness writer and model for Women's Health & Fitness and Pregnancy magazines. The Simmons have a 3-year-old son. www.sevenbridgemarriage.com
	Ginna Crocker was born and raised in San Antonio. She graduated from Baylor University and served as Youth Director at Alamo Heights Methodist Church. Ginna taught elementary school and currently owns "Good Gifts" - an invitation business. Ginna is married to her husband, Michael, who has served as a pastor at AHUMC for the past 8-years. The Crockers are parents to 2-year-old Corbin and 3-year old Grace, their special needs child who has deepened their walk with God.
Carolyn Dunegan is a licensed chemical dependency counselor and a Pastoral Therapist. She has worked with individuals and families struggling with compulsive behavior in secular and Christian program. Carolyn incorporates her own recovery from codependency and eating disorders into her care and education of clients. Carolyn believes that, as Christians, we must dare to believe in wellness as an inheritance and a birthright in the Spirit. Carolyn teaches a women’s bible study in Dallas with a focus on the supernatural face of God and God's desire that we would experience Him intimately, affectionately and in the supernatural.
Christine Garde is co-founder and Executive Director of CouldYou?, a non-profit that awakens and develops more purposeful living in order to alleviate poverty. She collaborates with board members on enterprises designed to engage philanthropists, including individuals, foundations, large and small corporations, and organizations interested in partnering with CouldYou? to support it's mission. Christine brings 16 years of experience designing, assessing, and implementing a series of community-based social and economic programs. Christine has a passion to nurture purposeful living in the philanthropic community so as to alleviate poverty in a meaningful way. www.couldyou.org