When Caron Proctor invited 28 women to gather at Fairfield House in February 2016, she had a simple but powerful vision. She wanted to create heart-centred networking where women could connect beyond business cards and surface conversation.
Ten years later, that vision has grown into HERA TRIBE. HERA is named after the Greek goddess Hera, the queen of the gods and the guardian of women, marriage and community. She represents strength, sovereignty and loyalty. What began as one hopeful gathering has become a thriving community that has supported hundreds of women in business and life.
“Over the past ten years, HERA has grown alongside me through business wins, personal heartbreak, reinvention and resilience, and it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to lead it,” Caron says.
Over the years, the group has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities, including HomeShare for Her. Members have shown up for one another in extraordinary ways, helping create a wedding for a woman losing her husband, and supporting each other through reinvention, heartbreak and growth.
Caron’s impact extends beyond monthly gatherings. In 2025, her Nelson-born storytelling experience HERstory marked its fifth sold-out show at the Suter Theatre, drawing guests from across the region and raising thousands for HomeShare for Her. The show has cemented its place as a growing movement.
“After 10 years, my biggest lesson is that every woman faces her own fears about showing up for herself, and even now, stepping into the light can still feel uncomfortable, the work continues. It has become a movement,” Caron explains.
As HERA TRIBE enters its second decade, gatherings continue to offer deeper networking experiences with spotlight talks, mini workshops and meaningful conversations designed to build trust and long-term collaboration.
For Caron, the mission remains unchanged: creating spaces where women are seen, heard, supported and celebrated.
In a world often focused on quick transactions, her work over the past ten years has proven that real connection, nurtured consistently and with heart, builds communities that last.
To celebrate ten years, HERA TRIBE will gather at The Honest Lawyer in the larger banquet room for an evening of connection and reflection, networking for women who want depth, not just deals.
“HERA is for any woman in the Nelson region ready to show up, give and receive, and step into a decade-strong movement full of opportunities to connect, grow and be supported, because when one woman rises, we all rise,” Caron encourages.
The event takes place Thursday, 26 February, at 5.30pm. To register, search HERstory on Facebook and head to Events.
