Meet the Women’s Leadership Conference 2024 Speakers
We are so thrilled to host the 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference on Friday, October 25th at Minnesota State University, Mankato student union ballroom. Please read below to learn more about our keynote speakers and breakout presentations.
Margaret Mitchell - Morning Keynote
We are beyond excited to welcome Margaret Mitchell, the dynamic CEO of YWCA USA, as the keynote speaker for the 2024 Women's Leadership Conference in Mankato!
Margaret is a visionary leader with a proven track record of creating impactful strategies and fostering growth within organizations. As the CEO of YWCA USA, she has prioritized empowering Local YWCA Associations by promoting resource sharing, providing tailored development opportunities, and addressing the unique needs of diverse communities across the country. Before her national role, Margaret made significant strides as the President & CEO of YWCA Greater Cleveland, where she led efforts to declare racism a public health crisis and transformed services for women and children experiencing homelessness.
This year's conference theme is inspired by Margaret's own powerful words: 'Now, more than ever, we need every voice raised and every person engaged to build the movement that will finally deliver on the promise of equality for all.' Her leadership and dedication to equity make her the perfect speaker to inspire us as we come together to lead the way for a more just and inclusive future.
Claire Wilson - Lunch Keynote
Claire Wilson has served as Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation since December of 2020. The Loppet Foundation lives out it's mission of connecting people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community by centering equity in all of it's year-round events and programming. Prior to serving as Executive Director at the Loppet, Claire spent over 20 years in leadership roles within state government and various non-profits. This included serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Policy at the Minnesota Department of Human Services where she oversaw many of the state's major policies to support Minnesotans health and wellbeing. She was excited to spearhead the effort to bring the first cross-country skiing world cup in 20 years to US soil in February 2024 and loves cross-country skiing, playing outside and supporting other women in their professional adventures and leadership journeys.
Morning Breakout Sessions
Empathy-Based Persuasive Communication with Dr. Jessica Albers
Jessica Albers, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She actively fosters diversity and inclusion through her roles on the Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging College Committee, the MSU President’s Council on the Status of Women, and as a member of the YWCA Mankato Board of Directors. With a unique blend of physiology and health behavior psychology expertise, Dr. Albers is passionate about designing physical activity programs that empower women and youth.
Her teaching and research focus on the science and art of communicating health behavior change, emphasizing empathy-based, persuasive communication strategies. She highlights the connections between these strategies and the essential communication skills required in professional environments, particularly for women. Dr. Albers equips her audience with tools to ensure that regardless of the setting or the audience, they can connect effectively and ensure their perspectives are heard.
Dr. Albers presentation will focus on establishing persuasive communication skills in an empathy-based mindset is valuable for active communication that builds trust and respect. These communication skills should be cognitively established and practiced as a part of building leadership skills. The workshop will connect the concepts of empathy, persuasive communication, and motivational interviewing skills by exploring their foundation and perception of the working world. We will work through the spectrum of empathy and discuss how the different types of empathy are elicited and perceived. We will use Aristotle's "Rhetoric" to examine credible, emotional, and logic-based persuasion. Then, we will learn about the steps of Motivational Interviewing and which components we can use in our daily interactions. The workshop will include a worksheet, group discussion, role-playing scenarios, and developing your communication philosophy.
Financial Justice and the Spectrum of Change with Meghan Olsen Biebighauser
Meghan Olsen Biebighauser (she/her) is a problem-solver, a connector, and a collaborator. Just over a decade ago, she co-founded Exodus Lending, a nonprofit dedicated to working with financially-excluded Minnesotans to advance economic justice through consumer lending, community organizing, and advocacy. After many years working in and with faith communities in the Twin Cities, she returned to Exodus Lending where she now serves as the Policy and Partnerships Director, connecting Minnesotans to build power and fight for a more just economy.
In a world where financial systems often perpetuate inequality, achieving financial justice requires intentional action and a commitment to equity. This session will explore the concept of financial justice, from understanding the systemic barriers that impact marginalized communities to identifying strategies for driving meaningful change. Participants will engage in a dynamic discussion that covers the spectrum of financial justice, from grassroots initiatives to policy advocacy, and learn how to leverage their leadership to create a more just financial future. Join us to examine the power of collective action, the role of intersectionality in financial equity, and the innovative approaches that can lead to transformative change in our communities and beyond.
Overcoming Internalized Weight Bias to Advocate for All with Liz Paul
Liz Paul is a wife, mom of two in Mankato MN. She works full time the Director of Development for Connections Shelter. In her spare time, she is an obesity patient advocate, speaking and consulting organizations, companies and government entities on behalf of people living with obesity. She has lived with obesity her whole life and uses this first-person experience to advocate against weight bias and stigma and for access to obesity treatments for all people. Liz is a Board member of the Obesity Action Coalition and serves on the membership and mental health committees. She is also on the pediatric obesity task force. Liz enjoys camping, choir, board games, D&D, her cats, and playing trumpet.
Weight and size stigma remain prevalent in society, particularly for women. Bias for people in larger bodies leads to increased health outcomes and internalized shame for people of all sizes. In Liz’s presentation, learn how to recognize weight bias, including internalized weight bias, and advocate for true access to compassionate healthcare and a society that allows women to take up space.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Art and Activism with Ark Kimble
Ark is a multimedia artist, singer/songwriter, and live painter creating out of Mankato, MN. Their work is inspired by the process of transmuting pain into power through art therapy techniques.
Art has always played a pivotal role in social movements, serving as a powerful tool for expressing dissent, building solidarity, and envisioning a more just world. In this session, we will explore how creativity and activism intersect to drive progress towards an equitable future. Participants will learn how art can amplify voices, challenge injustices, and mobilize communities. We will also delve into the healing and mindfulness aspects of art, discussing how creative practices can offer solace and empowerment in the face of adversity. Through interactive activities, attendees will discover how to harness the transformative power of art to support personal well-being and collective action, fostering a more inclusive and resilient movement for change.
Becoming a Trauma-Informed Leader with Terri Allred
Terri Allred is a dynamic and experienced consultant, leadership development expert, and catalyst for team transformation. With a passion for helping nonprofit and business leaders unlock the full potential of their teams, Terri brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to drive impactful change. She is passionate about helping purpose-driven women leaders succeed at work without sacrificing their wellbeing and does so through her Holistic Leadership Academy.
This workshop is designed for women leaders who aspire to create resilient, inclusive teams and a workplace culture of belonging. This interactive session will equip participants with an understanding of trauma-informed care principles—safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment—and how to apply them effectively in their leadership roles. A significant focus of the workshop will be on building a community of belonging. Participants will emerge with strategies to enhance inclusivity and integrate it into their leadership approach. They will learn how to dismantle barriers to inclusion, enhance team cohesion, and create a nurturing environment that acknowledges and respects the diverse experiences of all employees. This workshop will transform leaders into advocates for a compassionate, inclusive workplace, driving productivity and fostering a culture where every individual can thrive.
Crimmigration: Intersections of Criminal Justice and Immigration Justice with Karla Esqueda
Karla Esqueda is an Organizer who works at the ACLU-MN as of 2018. As an organizer, Karla works to educate and engage Southern Minnesota communities with voter outreach initiatives and tackle reducing disparate treatment of immigrants in those regions. Karla is passionate about working with underserved populations and using her key strengths in community education to positively effect change.
This session will explore the complex relationship between criminal justice and immigration justice in the United States. Participants will examine the impact of policies on both systems, the role of law enforcement, and the advocacy work of organizations such as the ACLU. By the end of the session, attendees will understand key intersections between these issues and be able to propose potential reforms.
