HAYVN HerStory
HAYVN HerStory Series: Chronicles of Women Who Innovate
Celebrate, Learn, and Be Inspired!
6:00-8:00pm with VIP reception at 5:30pm
Early Bird discounts are available now!
Showcasing Inspiring Journeys of Local Female Entrepreneurs
Hear ‘HerStory’ in HAYVN’s special series highlighting challenges, triumphs, innovative ideas, and offering all a unique opportunity to learn from their experiences.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, these events are designed to empower and motivate our entrepreneurial community. Come and connect with like-minded individuals, share your own experiences, and leave inspired to innovate and excel.
Don't miss this chance to be part of an empowering experience!
Julie Mountain & Dana Noorily, Founders of The Granola Bar — May 8, 2025
VIP Reception: 5:30pm & Main Event: 6:00-8:00PM
FEATURED SPEAKER, MODERATOR, & LOCATION:
- Julie Mountain & Dana Noorily, Founders of The Granola Bar
- Moderator: Kristen Rzasa, Holistic Business Strategist
- Beverage sponsor: Owl’s Brew
- Media Sponsor: Darien New Canaan Lifestyle
- Location: HAYVN Darien
ABOUT JULIE MOUNTAIN & DANA NOORILY
Like most good things in life, The Granola Bar was born out of friendship. In 2010, Connecticut locals Dana Noorily and Julie Mountain met at a child's birthday party and bonded over everything from meal prep to a shared desire to create something cool. The vision? Beautiful, giftable granola that's less crunchy hippy and more crunchy delicious. Before long, O.A.T.S. Granola was born.
Years later, Noorily and Mountain evolved the O.A.T.S. business into a cafe and storefront. Never not hungry, the ladies collaborated on their dream menu consisting of nutrient-dense, beautiful comfort food with a cheeky nod to their signature granola.
But beyond the perfect parfait was the women's desire to create a lively space that doubled as a home away from home for the community - where parents could linger over coffee after drop-off, or families could eat a weeknight meal as familiar as sitting around their own table. Think the Cheers soundtrack but with amazing food. The Granola Bar flagship opened its doors in December 2013 in Westport, CT.
Today, The Granola Bar in its original form is now TGB Hospitality Group, spanning eight restaurants in Connecticut and New York, a catering business and restaurant consultancy. October 2024 marked the launch of the newest location in Woodbury, Long Island offering a daytime menu, complete with full bar and elevated classics which harken back to the pillars of its original vision - easy, feel-good fare rooted in laughter, friendship and family.
LINKS TO EXPLORE: https://www.thegranolabar.com/
Betsy Lerner, Author, Shred Sisters — October 9, 2025
VIP Reception: 5:30pm & Main Event: 6:00-8:00PM
FEATURED SPEAKER, MODERATOR, & LOCATION:
- Betsy Lerner, Author, Shred Sisters
- Moderator: Nancy Sheed, Sheed Communications
- Beverage sponsor: Owl’s Brew
- Media Sponsor: Darien New Canaan Lifestyle
- Location: HAYVN Darien
ABOUT BETSY LERNER
Betsy Lerner is the author of the recently released novel, Shred Sisters (Grove Press, October 2024). Other books include The Bridge Ladies, The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers and Food and Loathing. She received an MFA from Columbia University in Poetry where she was selected as one of PEN’s Emerging Writers. She also received the Tony Godwin Publishing Prize for Editors. After working as an editor for 15 years, she became an agent and is currently a partner with Dunow, Carlson and Lerner Literary Agency.
LINKS TO EXPLORE: https://betsylerner.com/
Ophira Edut, The Astro Twins — November 5, 2025
VIP Reception: 5:30pm & Main Event: 6:00-8:00PM
FEATURED SPEAKER, MODERATOR, & LOCATION:
- Ophira Edut, The Astro Twins, astrologer and intuitive advisor
- Moderator: Kristen Rzasa, Holistic Business Strategist
- Beverage sponsor: Owl’s Brew
- Media Sponsor: Darien New Canaan Lifestyle
- Location: HAYVN Darien
ABOUT OPHIRA EDUT
Ophira Edut is one of the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologer for ELLE and the author of over 20 books, she is a private advisor to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Ophira has spoken at universities, conferences and events for the past 20 years, delivering keynotes and live interactive workshops. Her productivity training has been presented to entrepreneurs and executives at companies including Nike and Saks Fifth Avenue, and at event spaces such as Luminary NYC, 92Y, Soho House and Barcelona’s Joan Miro Museum.
On television, Ophira has appeared as a guest expert for Bravo, MTV, Good Morning America, and the Today Show, and created the first streaming reality TV dating show based on astrology, Cosmic Love (Amazon Prime Video, 2022).
Ophira’s book, The Astrology Advantage, to be published by Simon and Schuster in August 2024, introduces The AstroTwins’ revolutionary IAM System, which simplifies the birth chart into three archetypes: Innovator, Authority and Maven. Her work on the subject of “spiritual technology” as an essential tool for business success has been featured in Fast Company and at leadership conferences around the world.
LINKS TO EXPLORE: https://astrostyle.com/astrotwins/
What To Expect
- Meet & Greet – You’ll have the opportunity to meet with our featured guest during an intimate VIP reception before the main event.
- Engaging Conversations – Hear firsthand accounts from successful female entrepreneurs followed by an audience Q&A.
- Authentic Stories – Dive deep into their personal narratives and discover what drives them.
- Guidance & Empowerment – Gain invaluable insights and advice to fuel your own journey!
Admission
In person at HAYVN. Open to all HAYVN members and non-members. Main Event begins at 6pm and follows an intimate VIP reception at 5:30pm.
- VIP Reception & Main Event: 5:30-8:00pm
- General Admission: $100; Early Bird Tickets: $90
- HAYVN Members w/ Discount Code*: $75; Early Bird Tickets: $65
- Main Event: 6:00-8:00pm
- General Admission: $35; Early Bird Tickets: $30
- HAYVN Members w/ Discount Code*: $20; Early Bird Tickets: $18
NOTE: Early bird ticket sales end two weeks before event.
*Discount codes on members portal. For help accessing members portal please email questions@hayvn.com
Special thanks to our beverage sponsor: Owl's Brew & media sponsor: Darien New Canaan Lifestyle.
