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Grace Netter, Oaks Christian alumna, likes to say she was “born riding.” Long before she could fully understand it, her love for horses was already taking shape, nurtured by her equestrian mother who brought her along on rides. By fifth grade, Grace was riding regularly, building a foundation that would carry her through her years at Oaks Christian, where she competed in dressage on the school’s equestrian team during her junior and senior years.

After graduating, Grace followed a different creative path, earning a degree in design and communication from Belmont University and stepping into the fast-paced world of film. Today, she works as a senior visual effects coordinator on major feature films, collaborating with studios like Disney, Netflix, Warner Brothers and Universal. While her professional life revolves around cameras, compositing software and 3D modeling, the pull of the saddle never left her.

That enduring passion led her to one of the most grueling challenges imaginable: the Mongol Derby, widely considered the longest and toughest horse race in the world. Stretching 625 miles across the vast and untamed Mongolian steppe, the race re-creates the ancient postal routes of Genghis Khan. Riders navigate using only GPS coordinates, changing semi-feral horses every few miles, enduring up to 12 hours a day in the saddle through mountains, valleys, dunes and bogs—all in extreme and unpredictable weather. It is as raw and demanding as it sounds, and many who begin the race never finish.

Grace first learned about the Derby in 2017 and was immediately captivated. Though she initially postponed her attempt to participate so that she could focus on launching her film career, the dream never faded. Years later, she applied again and was selected from hundreds of applicants for the 2025 race—an opportunity she embraced as her 30th birthday adventure. For Grace, the race was about more than endurance; it was deeply personal. Born 2 months premature and once a timid rider, she saw the Derby as a way to prove to herself just how far she had come.

What followed was an experience that tested every limit. Each horse brought uncertainty—some bucked, some bolted, others resisted entirely. Navigation was equally demanding, requiring her to chart her own course across unforgiving terrain with only a straight-line GPS as a guide. Days began before dawn and ended in exhaustion, with little sleep, no modern comforts and constant physical strain. She rode through heat, cold, rain and hail, often alone in the wilderness, facing everything from aggressive dogs to dangerous terrain—and even moments where staying on her horse felt like a matter of survival.

There were times she nearly quit. On Day 6, shaken by a difficult horse and adrenaline that wouldn’t subside, she considered dropping out. Later, on Day 9, she rode through excruciating pain, unaware that she had completely torn one ankle and partially torn the other. Yet each time doubt crept in, she chose to keep going—one more leg, one more mile, one more attempt.

Ten days after it began, Grace crossed the finish line as the final rider to complete the race—27 out of the original 45. Waiting for her at the end were the other riders, cheering her on as she arrived. Overcome with emotion, she crossed the line in tears, realizing a dream years in the making.

For her perseverance, Grace was awarded the Derby’s “Keep Buggering On” honor, recognizing her extraordinary grit and determination. But for Grace, the lessons of the journey run deeper. She reflects on how every riding experience throughout her life prepared her for that moment, and how the race taught her to slow down, take things piece by piece, and appreciate the beauty around her—even in the hardest circumstances.

She also carries with her a profound appreciation for Mongolia and its people, whose hospitality and deep-rooted horse culture left a lasting impression. In a land largely untouched by modernity, she found both challenge and connection, often relying on the kindness of local herders who welcomed her into their homes without hesitation.

Now, as she faces recovery from her injuries, Grace is already looking ahead. While she may never take on another race quite like the Mongol Derby, her adventurous spirit remains. With a goal of riding on every continent, she has just two left to conquer. And alongside those ambitions, she looks forward to a new chapter—marriage to her supportive fiancé and a return to the saddle when she’s healed.

Grace Netter’s journey is one of resilience, courage and quiet determination—a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary paths begin with a simple, lifelong love.

© Copyright 2025 Targeted Media Partners LLC All Rights Reserved

By Tracy Marcynzsyn | Photography by CSU Channel Islands

In honor of International Women’s Day, California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) proudly hosted the 3rd annual Women’s Business Conference on Friday, March 6, 2026. Presented by the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) in partnership with CSUCI, the sold-out event featured powerhouse keynote speakers sharing their stories of overcoming adversity to achieve their goals.

“We are thrilled to support this meaningful event that elevates women’s voices, shares leadership insights and cultivates connections across sectors,” said Susan Andrzejewski, CSUCI Interim President. “This conference reflects our commitment to fostering community partnerships and advancing opportunities for women in business and beyond.”

The Warrior Spirit: Graciela Casillas

“Lighting someone’s candle is not going to diminish yours,” stated keynote speaker Graciela Casillas, kicking off the conference with a message of abundance and unity. A four-time World Martial Arts Champion, celebrated mentor and advocate for confidence-building, Casillas shared her inspiring path to success in the “fight world”—a field historically dominated by men.

Aligned with the conference theme, “Rising Together,” Casillas spoke about the ironclad determination required to pursue one’s goals.

“Once you set your mind to something, do not allow anyone to distract or dissuade you,” she told the enraptured audience. “Surround yourself with people who are going to support you.”

Reflecting on her career, Casillas noted that being a woman was never a hindrance.

“Being a woman was not my limitation, it was my strength,” she declared. She challenged the notion that women in business must compete for a single seat at the table, noting that there is “a lot of room for everyone at the top.” She urged attendees to pivot from competition to sisterhood: “When women rise alone, it’s powerful; when we rise together, we’re unstoppable.”

Casillas’s resilience was forged in the ring and in the classroom. Growing up as one of eight children to parents from Mexico, she was raised with a relentless work ethic.

“My father would tell us to ‘get out and work; don’t be lazy,’” she recalled. Her mother was a pillar of strength who encouraged her to see education as a “tool for freedom.” Casillas took that advice to heart, earning two master’s degrees—one in Physical Education and another in Counseling and Guidance—all while juggling the demands of a young family as a single mother.

This lived experience led her to a profound realization about the corporate world.

“Motherhood is leadership,” she noted. “Who knows more about strategic foresight, crisis management, resource allocation, risk assessment and inclusive leadership than a mother?” She argued that these skills, often unappreciated or undervalued at home, are perfectly translatable to any profession.

Her ultimate advice to the women in the room was to stop seeking validation from external systems.

“Believe you can be a great leader and value yourself enough to not ask permission—at home or at work.” Casillas lived this by opening her own martial arts school and writing a book without waiting for an invitation. Facing obstacles in the fight world where promoters sometimes refused to let female fighters be photographed, she traveled the globe from Thailand to Hong Kong, using adversity as fuel. “In the martial arts academy, there is no problem without a solution. We’re here to help you!” she concluded, receiving a resounding standing ovation.

The Trailblazer’s Playbook: Sylvia Acevedo

The afternoon keynote featured Sylvia Acevedo, a transformational leader and former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, who shared her journey of “transforming possibility into probability.” Born in South Dakota and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Acevedo’s early life was marked by hardship—living in a rental house on a dirt road with 11 people and only one bathroom.

“How did that girl grow up to be me?” she asked, reflecting on her path to becoming one of the first Hispanic students to earn an engineering degree from Stanford. Her journey began with a pilot Headstart program and a local Girl Scout troop. Because her family couldn’t afford the fees, she sold cookies, learning a lesson that would define her business career: “Never walk away from a sale until you hear a ‘no’ three times.”

Acevedo’s career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was a testament to “Clarity, courage and conviction.” When she first arrived, the facility lacked women’s restrooms; undeterred, she rode a bike to other buildings until a porta-potty was installed. Her tenure at IBM followed a similar pattern of initiative—she started by moving office furniture but constantly “raised her hand” for extra jobs. Her data-driven presentations eventually led to massive production increases and caught the attention of C-suite executives.

Beyond her corporate success at Apple, Autodesk and Dell, Acevedo spoke movingly about using gratitude and forgiveness to overcome family tragedy. She eventually returned to her roots at the Girl Scouts, where she engineered a “STEM revolution,” introducing cybersecurity and coding badges that have since been earned by over one million girls.

“Gratitude powers renewal,” she told the crowd, challenging them to consider how they, too, could add value to the world.

Practical Empowerment and Community Impact

Between the powerhouse keynotes, attendees engaged in a hands-on workshop led by Lindsey Carnett, CEO and President of Marketing Maven. Her session on “Mastering Your Personal Brand,” provided participants with the tools to communicate their unique value in a crowded marketplace.

Nicki Parr, CEO of Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), moderated a dynamic panel of local leaders who explored the economic impact of women-led businesses. The session highlighted the importance of community engagement, with Jennifer Caldwell of Food Share of Ventura County serving as the event’s master of ceremonies.

The corporate community also showed strong support, with Stacy Sutton of Procter & Gamble, a conference sponsor, emphasizing the company’s commitment to being a partner in the region.

“Students are the future,” Sutton noted. “Learn, lead and make a difference.”

Closing Thoughts

As the conference drew to a close, the energy in the room was electric. Andy Conli, President and CEO of the WVCBA, summarized the event’s purpose: “This year’s theme, Rising Together, highlights stories of women who’ve overcome adversity to make an indelible impact on their businesses and communities.”

From the “underdog” mentality of the martial arts ring to the “rocket scientist” precision of the boardroom, the message of the day was clear: Through failure, we learn what to do differently, and through community, we find the strength to do it. The 3rd annual Women’s Business Conference at CSUCI didn’t just highlight achievements; it provided a roadmap for the next generation of leaders to build their own legacies without asking for permission.

© Copyright 2025 Targeted Media Partners LLC All Rights Reserved