Leaders from across business, law, education and nonprofit sectors gathered March 6 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for the fourth Women Lead conference, a sold-out event focused on the power of collective leadership.
Hosted by the Nebraska College of Business and the College of Law, the biennial conference — themed “The Power of We” — featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions and personal reflections from leaders sharing defining moments in their careers.
Jewel Rodgers, Nebraska’s state poet and a 2019 University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate, opened the conference with a high-energy presentation blending storytelling and poetry. She encouraged attendees to show up authentically and believe in their value as leaders.
“When you are engaging in your work, think about the people who came before you and how you're building something for the next generation,” Rodgers said. “We are all passing the baton, and the point of life is to live it. Being an icon is not a solo project.”
Rodgers also urged attendees to respond when something resonated with claps, snaps and words of encouragement, setting an interactive tone for the day.
The conference has gained national recognition since its launch. In 2025, the event received a Silver Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and earned both a Prism Award for Best Nonprofit Event and the Best of Show honor from the American Marketing Association.
“Women Lead was created to bring people together in ways that spark ideas, build confidence and strengthen the connections that help leaders grow,” said Molly Brummond, assistant dean for student development in the College of Law and a co-founder of the conference. “When you gather people willing to share their stories and support one another, you create momentum that carries far beyond a single day.”
Danielle Conway, dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law at Penn State Dickinson Law, delivered the plenary keynote. Conway reflected on the historical meaning of “we” in the nation’s founding documents and encouraged attendees to continue expanding opportunities for future generations.
Marilyn Moore, retired president of Bryan College of Health Sciences and former associate superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, closed the conference with remarks emphasizing the importance of connection and shared purpose in leadership.
Participants selected from eight breakout sessions covering topics such as career advancement, navigating business challenges, presenting ideas to leadership, artificial intelligence and conflict resolution. Sessions were led by professionals from organizations including Korn Ferry, Union Bank & Trust, Bryan Health and Talent Plus, as well as faculty from the university.
Another signature feature of the conference is “Leadership Moments,” in which speakers share pivotal experiences that shaped their careers.
“These are defining moments that tested leaders’ resolve, clarified their values and strengthened their impact,” said Sheri Irwin-Gish, executive director of communications, marketing and external relations for the College of Business and a founder of the event. “These candid insights offer lessons that resonate across many different career paths.”
Speakers sharing Leadership Moments included Miss USA Audrey Eckert; Marcela Keim, judge of the County Court for Nebraska’s Fourth Judicial District; Christie Stukenholtz, co-founder and CEO of Senior Care Finder; Liz Cole, director of the Nebraska Innocence Clinic; and Liza Mendoza-House, founder of LP Fitness Transformation Center.
Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of management, encouraged her students to attend and said the speakers offered a different perspective on leadership.
“They shared raw and real stories,” Thomsen said. “These were the complete opposite of the filtered snapshots we often see on social media.”
Jennifer Lea, executive director at Woods Aitken, said the conference demonstrated the strength that comes from connection and shared leadership.
“The speakers were inspiring, the stories were deeply moving, and the room was filled with ambitious, thoughtful women committed to making an impact in their professions and communities,” she said.
Attendee Emily Koopmann, executive director of the Belmont Community Center, said the conference encouraged her to think more expansively about her leadership.
“I came into the conference feeling a bit stuck,” Koopmann said. “The conference energized me to think beyond that, and people around me encouraged me to stretch my leadership by pursuing things like getting published, running for office or mentoring others.”
Moore reinforced the conference theme during the closing keynote, sharing a story from the Nebraska volleyball team’s 2018 national championship season. When asked what changed for the team that year, standout player Mikaela Foecke credited the team’s unity.
“I think we found each other,” Moore recalled Foecke saying.
For Moore, that simple answer captured the essence of leadership.
“That’s what we do,” Moore said. “We find each other.”
