Message from the 2024 Women's Forum Subcommittee Chair

Caley Mutrie, CAE, IOM

The WSAE Women’s Forum is excited to present its third annual conference: Leading Out Loud. This conference will unite women and allies in the association, nonprofit, and hospitality industries. 

Terry Pearce coined "Leading Out Loud" in his 1995 book Leading Out Loud: Inspiring Change Through Authentic Communications. When we lead out loud, we communicate authentically from the inside out. And that's what the 2024 WSAE Women's Forum is about - bringing our authentic selves together for a day of sharing, listening, learning from each other's wisdom and experience, and creating genuine connections. 

When we lead out loud, we use our voices to create opportunities and shift perspectives. When we speak up and take risks, we free ourselves of limiting societal norms and the roles we've absorbed throughout our lives and careers from gender stereotyping. As aspiring and seasoned leaders alike, it is our responsibility to ourselves and each other to stop downplaying our experiences and opinions and support and inspire each other to find and raise our voices. 

Building on the success and learnings of the 2022 and 2023 Women's Forums, this year's Forum will focus on leadership and career development, expanding our influence as leaders in our communities, becoming more assertive in our communications, leveraging the mentor/mentee relationship for personal and organizational benefit, learning from each other how to handle complex and challenging situations that confront us in our professional lives every day, and the importance of wellness, managing stress and caring for ourselves.

This year's Women's Forum will create space for consequential discussions, motivating us to tap into our unique inner voices and raise them for personal and collective benefit in the workplace, our homes, our communities, and our hearts and minds. This year's program is a day-long conversation between our presenters, facilitators, and you. So, ask your questions and share your experiences and successes as we inspire each other to raise our voices and lead out loud. 

Don't wait! Please register today and plan to join us for what will be an engaging and much-anticipated program!

Opening Keynote - "The HEART of the Matter: Innovative Leadership Strategies for Women"

Sherry Budziak
Founder and CEO, OrgSource

"The HEART of the Matter: Innovative Leadership Strategies for Women" is an inspiring session crafted for women leaders seeking to revolutionize their approach to association management through empathy, innovation, and strategic foresight. This session delves into the HEART Leadership Framework, an empowering model that encapsulates the essence of transformative leadership: Humanize, Empower, Ascend, Reimagine, and Transform.

Designed with the challenges and opportunities of the digital age in mind, this presentation is a call to action for women leaders to harness their unique strengths and perspectives. Attendees will explore the importance of humanizing technology to foster deeper connections, empowering teams to unlock their full potential, ascending beyond traditional leadership paradigms, reimagining the role of associations in today's world, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

Participants will leave with actionable insights and strategies to apply the HEART framework within their organizations, cultivating a leadership style that not only drives success but also inspires change and nurtures community. Whether you're an established executive or an emerging leader, "The HEART of the Matter" promises to be a transformative experience, empowering you to lead with purpose and passion in the ever-evolving landscape of association management. Join us for an empowering journey to the heart of innovative leadership, where your vision can become a powerful catalyst for change.

General Session Keynote - “Stress, Health and You Today”

Shirley J Burks, MA
Speaker - Trainer - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion - Creator of Pathways for Growth, Development & Understanding

Stress is not merely an inconvenience or a passing annoyance; it's a physiological and psychological response to perceived threats or challenges that we encounter daily. Whether it's deadlines at work, financial pressures, relationship conflicts, or health concerns, stress can be infused throughout every facet of our existence.  Join me today as we identify ways to successfully navigate through stressful obstacles. We start today on a healthier journey!

Breakout 1 - Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders:

Strategies for Building a Strong Pipeline of Women Board Members and Amplifying Their Impact in Our Communities

Objectives:

• Identify barriers and challenges faced by women aspiring to board positions and discuss strategies to overcome them.
• Foster mentorship and sponsorship opportunities to support the development and advancement of women leaders.
• Share success stories and best practices from organizations that have successfully increased female representation on their boards.
• Provide practical tools and resources for developing leadership skills and building a strong professional network.
• Explore ways to advocate for policy changes and organizational initiatives that promote gender equality and diversity in boardrooms.
  

Moderator:

• Marissa G. Lopez, CAE, Executive Director, World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO)
  Executive Director, Inc. (EDI)
  • Marissa Lopez is an association executive at Executive Director, Inc (EDI) and serves as the executive director for the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). In this capacity, she oversees a global federation comprised of 119 member societies in gastroenterology representing over 65,000 individual members worldwide. Marissa leads a dedicated team focused on fostering relationships and empowering volunteer leaders and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress across the organization. 
    Beyond her role with WGO, Marissa is actively involved in the professional community. She serves on the board for the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives (WSAE), board nominations committee for Association Forum and is a member ASAE, Association Latinos and the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM). In 2017, she earned the CAE credential and in 2021, was recognized as a Forty Under 40 recipient by the Association Forum in Chicago.

Panelists:

• Nancy Justman, President/CEO
  
  • Nancy has served as President and CEO at Visit Brookfield since 2009. She has extensive experience in the event planning and management industry. Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in Communication from UW-Milwaukee and a Master's Degree in Business Management from Cardinal Stritch. She is a Certified Destination Management Executive through DMAI and has served in leadership roles with the Wisconsin Association of CVBs. Nancy was the leading force in the concept, design, and building of the Brookfield Conference Center. The Brookfield Conference Center is a private public partnership, featuring over 41,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, a state of the art kitchen and home to the Visit Brookfield offices.
• Lori Suverson, President/CEO
  • Lori Syverson serves as president/CEO of Milwaukee Women inc (MWi). MWi is a 20-year-old organization of executives determined to change the quality and composition of corporate boards to enhance the performance of public and private companies, with a focus on women and women of color. Research is the foundation of MWi and has been providing annual research on the number of women on corporate boards since 2003.
    Previous to joining MWi, Syverson served 11 years as president of the Edina (MN) Chamber of Commerce, which is also home to Explore Edina, the city’s visitors bureau and The Edina Innovation Lab.
    Syverson received her undergraduate degree from Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) in journalism and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. Her background includes print journalism, media relations, marketing and public relations.
• Peggy Williams-Smith, President/CEO
  • Named the 2022 Executive of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal, Peggy Williams-Smith is a Milwaukee native and veteran of the hospitality industry who joined VISIT Milwaukee as the company’s first female president and CEO in 2019. Under her direction, the company has launched exciting, dynamic marketing campaigns to increase economic impact to the community and elevate the city’s reputation. Peggy’s focus on strategic partnerships has deepened the company’s local connections while developing a nimble team that is more responsive than ever to changes within the travel and hospitality industries. This was none more apparent than during the pandemic when VISIT Milwaukee became the go-to source for information for the hospitality industry and the industry’s No. 1 advocate on state and local levels. From gaining recognition in National Geographic magazine as one of the best places in the world for travel in 2023 to securing the 2024 Republican National Convention, Williams-Smith’s strategic leadership has brought economic gains to Milwaukee for years to come. Prior to her work at VISIT Milwaukee, she worked for Marcus Hotels & Resorts for over 22 years and held leadership positions at varying levels throughout the division. Williams-Smith is a proud mentor of other women in business and uses her free time to support numerous charitable causes. She resides in Milwaukee with her husband, Tim Smith, their niece, Jocelyn and their Boston Terrier, Tito Fenway.

Breakout 2 - Mastering Assertiveness

Autumn Way
CEO, People Possibility

Confidently assert your presence, express your needs and views, and lead with authenticity and respect.

Autumn Way brings over 23 years of experience leading branch banking teams at Wells Fargo, where she honed her exceptional leadership skills and people-first approach. During her tenure, Autumn was instrumental in creating a culture of engagement and positivity, significantly contributing to the organization's success. Her strategic leadership not only aligned team members’ roles with the company's mission and purpose but also ensured that each individual felt their impactful contribution towards shared goals.

With a deep-rooted expertise in human capital management, Autumn has a proven track record of identifying and developing diverse talent, crafting effective development and succession plans, and fostering a positive performance management culture. Her leadership excellence was further demonstrated through her ability to guide large teams through significant organizational changes, ensuring stakeholder buy-in, facilitating comprehensive training, and supporting team members every step of the way.

After her impactful career at Wells Fargo, Autumn founded People Possibility, leveraging her extensive experience to drive organizational success through strategic leadership and a committed focus on empowering employees. Her analytical prowess in evaluating talent programs and people projects, coupled with her collaborative approach with stakeholders, underscores her role as a solution-oriented leader dedicated to innovation and excellence.

Breakout 3 - The Power and Impact of Mentorship for Women:

Leveraging the Relationship for Mutual Growth and Success

While we all know the power of mentorships, studies show that few women are actively seeking mentors. The panel will discuss barriers to developing a mentor/mentee relationships, the benefits of being a mentor or mentee, and how we can leverage our current networks to establish mentorships.

Moderator:

• Jennie L. S. Socha, CAE, Executive Director of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, a client of EDI
  • Jennie works at Executive Director Inc (EDI) as the Executive Director for the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS). She earned her CAE in 2014 and has roughly 18 years of association experience. She leads a team of 43 staff for MDS, which is a member organization of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists and health professionals who are dedicated to improving patient care. She also currently serves on the WSAE Board and Chairs the inaugural class of the WSAE Association Leadership Academy program.

Panelists:

• Tara Withington, CAE - Vice President at Executive Director, Inc.
• Tracy Kern - Accountant at League of Wisconsin Municipalities
• Shahree Douglas, MS-IMC - Director, Association & Services Marketing at Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
  

Breakout 4 - "Tales from the Darkside: Overcoming Adversity and Finding Resilience"

Sherry Budziak
Founder and CEO, OrgSource

Dive into a highly interactive session designed to leverage the collective wisdom of participants for solving real-world challenges. This session offers a platform for individuals to present an issue they are facing, sparking a dynamic exchange of insights and recommendations in a community-driven atmosphere.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their challenges by describing the problem, why solving this issue matters, and assistance they are seeking from the community. Participants will ask clarifying questions to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues. Then audience members provide their insights, suggestions, and strategies for tackling the presented issues in a rapid-fire format, ensuring a diverse array of solutions.

This session is perfect for those eager to:

• Receive quick, diverse insights into their challenges.
  
• Offer their knowledge and expertise to help others.
• Engage in a fast-paced, solution-oriented discussion.
• Connect with individuals facing similar issues or possessing complementary skills.

Attendees will gain:

• A variety of perspectives and potential solutions to their problems.
• Insights into different problem-solving approaches.
• New connections with potential collaborators or mentors.
• An enriched skill set in presenting and dissecting complex issues succinctly.

Step into a session where your challenges are met with the collective expertise and creativity of the community. Whether you're in search of solutions or keen on contributing your wisdom, this brisk session is an opportunity not to be missed for impactful learning and connection.

Closing Keynote - "Preparing to Lead Out Loud"

Dr. Stacia Thompson
President/CEO, Sherman Phoenix Foundation

Preparing to Lead Out Loud is a keynote address that inspires current and aspiring leaders to embrace their unique voice and leadership style, while reflecting on what steps they should take in preparing and persevering in their leadership role. 

Dr. Stacia Thompson is the President & CEO of the Sherman Phoenix Foundation in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Thompson is known for being a change agent in developing economic empowerment and workforce strategies. With deep expertise in community development, program development, entrepreneurial services and economic development, she is also an expert speaker and facilitator for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Her previous roles include tenures at the University of Wisconsin Parkside, Gateway Technical College, City Colleges of Chicago and the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

In addition to her professional roles, Thompson has served on many boards such as Community Women’s Club, Hispanic Business and Professionals Association, National Council of Workforce Education, Career Launch Chicago Advisory Committee, Cook County Coordinated Re Entry Council, Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute Workforce Development Board, Racine Creative Center, The Main Project, Islands of Brilliance, and Fathers Making Progress.  She is a past recipient of the UW Parkside Community Service Award, YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin Women of Distinction Award, Black Softball Circuit Hall of Fame inductee, Professional Women’s Network for Service Inspiring Women Leadership Award, Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence, 98.3 Black History Jammin’ Legend and Milwaukee Community Journal Diamond Honoree. Under her leadership, the Sherman Phoenix was awarded the BizTimes Non-Profit Social Enterprise of the Year.