About Us

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Women Leaders Conference provides education, business connections, inspiration and skill building for women from all walks of life.

Participants range from women just starting their careers to those with years of experience. All are encouraged to share their stories and ideas.

Hosted by the UWM School of Continuing Education – a leading provider of professional development in southeastern Wisconsin – this conference offers internationally renowned speakers, expert-led breakout sessions, as well as valuable opportunities for women to grow personally and professionally.

Past Conferences

View some of our past conference speakers, topics, sponsors and photos.

UWM Team

Anne O’Meara, Conference Director
Angela Kelber, Continuing Education Associate Director
Liza Longhini, Development Director
Megan Shea, Conference Services and Registration Supervisor
Wendy Norem, Associate Marketing Director
Ron Wiza, Associate Marketing Director
Star DeLuca, Program Manager
Steph Siegman, Program Assistant
Emily Steybe, Program Assistant
Erik Peterson, Multimedia Designer

Honorary Chairs

Melissa Goecks

Project Manager, Rockwell Automation

Catherine Wanzer

Co-Founder, Wisco Hosts


Advisory Council

Vicky Arroyo

Director of Economic Equity, BMO, NA

Wendy K. Baumann

President/CVO, WWBIC

Heather Bennett

Digital Marketer, Brand Strategist, Team Leader, IEWC

Corry Joe Biddle

Corry Joe Biddle

VP of Community Affairs + Executive Director, FUEL Milwaukee, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)

Kathy Blumenfeld

Secretary, Department of Administration for the State of Wisconsin

Shelley Boehm

Director of the Performance Infrastructure Sales Enablement Team , Johnson Controls

Denise Domian

Chief Human Resources Officer, Johnson Financial Group

Sally L. Falci

Vice President, The Falci Group

Crystal Flenorl

Director, Community Diversity Engagement, Advocate Aurora Health

Stacey Force

Stacey Force

Chief Commercial Officer, Geminon

Noleta Franz

Noleta Franz

Assistant Director, Legal Process, Northwestern Mutual

Phyllis M. King

Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Shannon Kraus

Senior Director of Operations, Direct Supply

Laura Lutter Cole

Laura Lutter Cole

Housing Director at Democratic National Convention Committee, VISIT Milwaukee

Roberta Oldenburg

Roberta Oldenburg

Director of Business Development - Science & Tech, Findorff

Laurie A. Petersen JD

Attorney/Shareholder, Lindner & Marsack

Inge Plautz

Senior Vice President and Executive BDO, Old National Bank

Kim Randall

Legal Executive Assistant, Godfrey & Kahn

Emily Roberts

Digital and Experiential Manager, CNH Industrial

Thomas Rugg

President & SVP, Standby Power & Energy Solutions, Briggs & Stratton

Kate Swan

Kate Swan

Assistant Vice President, Culture & Organizational Development, Old Republic Risk Management

Amy Terry

Assistant Director - Field Experience Center of Excellence, Northwestern Mutual

Antoinette Thomas

Assistant Director – Enroll Client Experience, Northwestern Mutual

Chelsey Vissat

Senior Sourcing Manager, Milwaukee Tool

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