ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Onsite registration will be available for $150/person. 

Questions? Contact Sue Herzog at sue.herzog@biztimes.com

LEADING THROUGH THE SHIFT

MAIN SESSION

Navigating transition and shaping the future with humanity

Hear how women from a range of industries lead with resilience, clarity and a distinctly human approach. Together, we'll explore how to navigate disruption while strengthening the human qualities of judgment, trust, creativity and connection that organizations need most.

Panelists:

• Terry Tuttle, Regional President - Americas, HellermannTyton - Americas (1)
• Marti Wronski, Chief Operating Officer, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club (2)
• Dawn Peterson, President & CEO, Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke (3)
• Jenni Yolo, Founder/Operator, I Spy DIY / Jenni Yolo Home (4)

Moderator:

Portia Young, Director of Corporate Public Relations, Sargento; Host, Milwaukee PBS (5)

How I Did It: Stories of bold moves that shaped success

Inspiring stories of a corporate engineer pivot to organic farmer, a career that impacts young workers, a chance to reimagine Milwaukee’s skyline and moving from insecurity to the curiosity of learning.

Speakers:

• Becky Leupi, Founder/Owner, Vibrant Gardens (6)
• Angie Bilstad, Senior Director of Campus Strategy & Design, Northwestern Mutual (7)
• Elizabeth Cizinsky, Director of Business & Community Operations, Wisconsin Policy Forum (8)
• Kate Weiland-Moores, President, Concurrency (9)

WOMAN EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Melissa Winter
CEO, Acuity Insurance

The program will include the presentation of the 2026 Woman Executive of the Year award to Melissa Winter. Earlier this year, Winter was named CEO of Sheboygan-based Acuity Insurance, completing a leadership transition plan announced by the company in 2023, when she was named president of the company. Winter joined the company’s board of directors in 2024. She joined Acuity in 1998 (when it was known as Heritage Mutual Insurance Company) as a claims representative and was promoted to central claims manager in 2001. She was named a claims consultant in 2005. She was promoted to general manager – staff claims in 2010. In 2016, she was named vice president of business consulting and oversaw the company’s strategic planning process, staff functions and internal innovation teams.

Acuity is a provider of insurance for individuals and businesses in more than 30 states. It has more than 1,900 employees, $3 billion in annual written premium and manages assets exceeding $8.5 billion.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Following the main session, please stay for two rounds of concurrent breakout sessions on topics including:

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Ambition Without Burnout

Learn the framework to reclaim your time, energy and presence

ROOM A

» Sarah Urban, Founder, She Carries It

Future Proofing Your Career

Fostering human innovation to help protect your career

Room A

» Dr. Nicole Eull, psychologist, speaker, consultant, podcast host, coach and author

Leveraging AI

Beyond chatbots: Tools to make work and life easier

ROOM B

» Beth Jagodinsky, Director of Technology Product Management, Direct Supply

» Kasi Soto-Gillon, IT Security Compliance Analyst, Potawatomi Casino Hotel

» Allison Spohn, President - SE Region, Women in Technology Wisconsin, Inc.

» Moderator: Sonia Spitz, Reporter, BizTimes Media

Navigating Retirement

Lessons for planning your next chapter

ROOM B

» Rana Altenburg, Retired, Marquette University

» David Bourne, Retired,  Quarles & Brady LLP

» Patty Cadorin, Retired, BMO and Founder, aseniormoment.org

» Lori Craig, Retired, PNC Private Bank and Executive in Residence, Lubar College of Business

How I Did It: Deep Dive

Hear more from the How I Did It speakers

» Moderator: Morgan Phelps, Founder / CEO, Colorful Connections

ROOM C

Staying Grounded and Connected Through the Shift

Mental wellness resources

ROOM C

» Margaret Lidstone, President, Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation

» Heather Jones, PhD, LP, Chief Clinical Officer, Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation