Spark Events

Spark Events

The SPARK Academy and SPARK Retreat are cornerstone experiences in the SPARK ecosystem — intentional spaces where women leaders step out of the noise of daily demands and into deep clarity, courage, and community.

These staple gatherings aren’t just events; they are powerful reset points — designed to elevate thinking, strengthen confidence, expand networks, and ensure women leaders don’t just perform… they truly thrive.

The SPARK Academy and SPARK Retreat are cornerstone experiences in the SPARK ecosystem — intentional spaces where women leaders step out of the noise of daily demands and into deep clarity, courage, and community.These staple gatherings aren’t just events; they are powerful reset points — designed to elevate thinking, strengthen confidence, expand networks, and ensure women leaders don’t just perform… they truly thrive.

Spark Academy

Elevate and Thrive
Spark Academy Video
SPARK Academy Coming Fall 2026

The SPARK Women Leaders Academy is a high-impact, immersive learning experience designed to sharpen your leadership, expand your influence, and accelerate to the next level. Step out of the day-to-day and into strategic growth — with the tools, insights, and community to thrive.

What you gain:

  • Strategic clarity & direction — Reconnect to your North Star, refine your priorities, and leave with a clear path forward
  • Confidence & executive presence — Strengthen how you show up, speak up, and lead with authority
  • A powerful network of women leaders — Build meaningful relationships and strategic alliances that expand opportunity.

Spark Retreat

Reset, Realign, and Renew
Spark Retreat Video
Next SPARK Retreat Coming Early 2027

The SPARK Retreat is a deeply restorative and transformational space for women leaders to slow down — without falling behind. It’s where you reconnect to yourself, your values, and what truly matters, so you can lead from alignment, not depletion.

What you gain:

  • Deep alignment & reconnection — Step out of the noise and return to what’s true for you: values, energy, and purpose
  • Courage to redesign what no longer fits — boundaries, roles, expectations — and leave ready to act.
  • Renewed energy & sustainable resilience — Restore your capacity and build practices that support your long-term vision

Spark Academy

Elevate and Thrive
Spark Academy Video
SPARK Academy
Coming Fall 2026

The SPARK Women Leaders Academy is a high-impact, immersive learning experience designed to sharpen your leadership, expand your influence, and accelerate to the next level. Step out of the day-to-day and into strategic growth — with the tools, insights, and community to thrive.

What you gain:

  • Strategic clarity & direction — Reconnect to your North Star, refine your priorities, and leave with a clear path forward
  • Confidence & executive presence — Strengthen how you show up, speak up, and lead with authority
  • A powerful network of women leaders — Build meaningful relationships and strategic alliances that expand opportunity.

Spark Retreat

Reset, Realign, Renew
Spark Retreat Video
Next SPARK Retreat
Coming Early 2027

The SPARK Retreat is a deeply restorative and transformational space for women leaders to slow down — without falling behind. It’s where you reconnect to yourself, your values, and what truly matters, so you can lead from alignment, not depletion.

What you gain:

  • Deep alignment & reconnection — Step out of the noise and return to what’s true for you: values, energy, and purpose
  • Courage to redesign what no longer fits — boundaries, roles, expectations — and leave ready to act.
  • Renewed energy & sustainable resilience — Restore your capacity and build practices that support your long-term vision
Sneak Peak at Prior Conferences

Academy Attendees (1)

Academy Attendees (2)

Academy Attendees (3)

Academy Attendees (4)

Academy Attendees (5)

Academy Attendees (6)

Academy attendees with Bernadette

Bernadette speaking to attendees

Attendees listening to Bernadette speak

A group shot of attendees with Bernadette

Sneak Peak at Prior Conferences

Academy Attendees (1)

Academy Attendees (4)

Academy Attendees (2)

Academy attendees with Bernadette

Attendees listening to Bernadette speak

Bernadette McBurnie

© 2026 Bernadette McBurnie. ® All Rights Reserved.

Stay connected with Bernadette

Bernadette McBurnie

© 2026 Bernadette McBurnie. ® All Rights Reserved.

Stay connected with Bernadette

Send a message to Bernadette





    Bernadette Profile

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    More about Diana Valler

    More about Michelle Wimes

    More about Laura Bream

    Laura Bream is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for a a large and highly successful privately held family business.
    Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to helping others in their career journey.
    She holds over 20 years in Human Resources experience.

    Laura has a passion for arts and supporting arts in the Modesto community (Vice Chair on the Modesto Symphony Board).
    She holds a Bachelor’s and master’s degree in music Vocal Performance.
    She is a trained opera singer – mezzo-soprano.

    More about Giana Lozano

    Giana’s story is proof that women who experience adversity can find light at the end of the tunnel. Giana’s life drastically changed when she lost her mother to cancer when she was 23 years old. However, Giana found life in her mother’s passing and was inspired to turn her life around— from not working or going to school to attending one of the world’s most prestigious schools— she aimed high because she knew life was too short not to.

    Her belief in “trusting the process” and “everything happens for a reason” is exemplified in her journey— from working retail, to becoming a makeup artist, to her current role as a Product Marketing Manager— she emphasizes the importance of embracing all past selves because it has allowed her to grow in ways she never thought possible.

    Giana Lozano is a Product Marketing Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where she combines her love of storytelling and being creative.

    I’m interested in attending the
    WOMEN IN BUSINESS ACADEMY

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    More about Aisling Blake

    Aisling’s story is a testament to unyielding determination, audacity, and the unwavering belief that women can excel in whatever they set their minds to. She’ll share stories of her bold choices, which often led to extraordinary opportunities and personal growth.
    Aisling was a force to be reckoned with on the squash court, but her journey went beyond the game.

    Aisling Blake is a former professional athlete who has embarked on a life journey that reads like an inspiring novel:

    More about Vivian Faustino

    At a young age, Vivian refused to be defined by conventions and societal norms. She embraced her strengths, found opportunity, and pushed beyond the doubts of others to forge a path to success.

    Vivian founded the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) in 2018, with the mission of making entrepreneurship education experiential and inclusive. CCSF was awarded the 2021 Entrepreneurial College of the Year by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.

    International Business Lecturer and Former Assistant Director, Center for Business Studies and Innovation, Asia-Pacific, University of San Francisco (USF).
    Award-winning educator who teaches entrepreneurship and international business at the University of San Francisco and City College of San Francisco.

    Vivian Faustino started as an entrepreneur while raising three kids as a single parent and building an 18y corporate career, in Asia and North America and serving in senior leadership roles.

    Vivian received the 2020 Canvas Educator-of-the-Year Award and 2023 Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award from USF and was selected as one of 2023 top five Female Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year by the Triple E Awards.

    WOMEN
    IN BUSINESS ACADEMY

    OCTOBER 5, 2023
    TORONTO, CANADA

    YES, add my name to the waiting list

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    More about Liza Streiff

    At 18 years old, Liza had a personal experience that deeply influenced who she has become and how she navigated challenges over the years.

    Liza Streiff is the youngest and first female CEO of Knopman Marks Financial Training, a company that has trained hundreds of thousands of professionals to pass their high-stakes securities licensing exams.

    In her three years as a CEO, revenue has increased 87%, the number of full-time employees has tripled, and the company’s scope has expanded beyond exam prep to high-performance training.

    Liza Streiff is a high-performance expert, passionate about broadening access to the financial industry. She is excited to be launching a new product line that will give more people the tools and education to get into the industry.

    On a personal note, Liza is dedicated to her family and has 3 young children.

    More about Susan Hensley

    Early in her career, at the age of 24, Susan had a painful experience, however it was a pivotal moment in her development as a leader. She learned and embraced valuable lessons that followed her for the rest of her life and influenced her journey as a leader.

    Susan Hensley had two very distinct and successful careers

    She’s currently a volunteer coach through Stanford Seed program, providing strategic business consulting and executive coaching for businesses in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

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    WOMEN IN BUSINESS ACADEMY

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    TUCKER STINE

    Executive & Team Coach. Brand Architect.

    Tucker has worked with Fortune 100 companies, tech giants and global changemakers such as Microsoft, F5, Accenture, Azure, AWS and more.

    His career began in the advertising and marketing world through large agencies in Boston and San Francisco working on large consumer, food and beverage and technology brands, but ultimately life brought him back to Southern CA where he continued his love for helping companies tell great stories. In 2012, Tucker left the corporate world to taste the life of an entrepreneur and founded his own firm that focuses on helping leaders develop their purpose, create strategic action plans, and connect with their customers on deeper levels through transformational communication.

    Tucker holds a BS in Marketing and Business Management and an executive credential in Strategic Marketing Management from Stanford University. He resides in San Diego, CA with his wife of 22 years and their two teenage kids.

    BERNADETTE McBURNIE

    Executive & Team Coach. Women Leadership. TEDx Speaker.

    The first half of her career was with large multinational corporations, in cosmetics, banking and import-export industries, including L’Oréal, one of the largest Cosmetic companies in the world, BNP and Paris Indosuez Banks. She gained invaluable experience leading teams and successful projects in very diverse organizations and cultures, in Europe, Asia and North America.

    In the second half of her career, Bernadette became an entrepreneur and runs two businesses. She built an international health network and established her speaking and coaching practice, working with C-suite executives, professionals and business owners who are committed to take their overall success to the next level.

    Throughout her global travels and professional career, she has become passionate about empowering women around the world, diversity and equality, keeping our families healthy and protecting the beauty of our planet. Bernadette is blessed with an incredible husband and three beautiful children.