Skip to main content

Institute for Women's Leadership

Let's Rise Together

When women rise, we all rise.

The mission of the Institute for Women’s Leadership is to advance women both personally and professionally at all stages of their career by educating, inspiring, and providing networking opportunities to create a strong and equitable workforce.

Signup for Newsletter

People talking at event reception
woman sitting with laptop computer

Lessons in 
Leadership

Join us for a day of virtual learning.

February 10, 2023
9 a.m.-3 p.m.  •  Virtual

Ready to hone your skills and increase your impact as a leader but are short on time? We will be offering three 90-minute sessions that will update you with opportunities to learn and practice new skills relevant to today’s evolving workforce. Build your leadership toolkit without leaving your own home or office.

Learn More
woman on computer

Professional Pathways

Expanding the growth and development of women as leaders with educational opportunities

Planning Big
Diane Roundy and Bridget O'Connor during stories from experience

Women Rising: Stories from Experience

Monthly series featuring distinguished woman from the area

Be Inspired
Jess Lambrecht leading caffeinated conversations

Rising Together: Caffeinated Conversations

Monthly learning series for women business leaders to take things to the next level

Let's Learn

Become a Business Member

A community of businesses committed to providing support and expertise.

Positioning for Success

Become a Member

Rising women of promise and women executives unite to leverage their collective knowledge. Open to all. 

Networking for Solidarity

Creating Future Leaders

Dedicated to creating future leaders, who represent our communities and insure a healthy, fully-engaged society. Together, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. All individuals are welcome to participate in activities, events and programs offered by the Institute for Women’s Leadership.

advisory board poses in front of women on the rise background

Our Leadership

We are lead by a steering committee of university leaders and an advisory board of key community decision makers

Joining Forces
lisa jossart sitting working at desk

Actionable Insights

We conducted an in depth Women's Career Development Survey and shared the results in July 2021. Our goal was to reflect a wide swath of working women in many fields. 

Explore the Data

How the Institute Began

In 2019, Bridget O’Connor and then UW-Green Bay Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven, were both independently envisioning the development of more women’s leadership resources in Northeast Wisconsin. O’Connor Connective launched its social enterprise, The Connective: A Place for Women in Business, to advance women leaders as a part of the company’s strategic communication and consulting services. At the same time, Van Gruensven and her UW-Green Bay colleagues began work on an Institute that would provide leadership development for women in line with the mission of the University. The two efforts came together in 2021 in what is now the Institute for Women’s Leadership. Read a more detailed story about the women making it happen.

Crystalizing
a Vision

Bridget Krage O'Connor

Bridget Krage O'Connor is the Institute's Inaugural Executive in Residence, Bridget recently won the Greater Green Bay Chamber's 2022 ATHENA Award. During the past 10 years, O'Connor has taken her business from a single person business to one that employs eight and serves a variety of mission-focused organizations and businesses. 

Read the full story
Bridget Krage O'Connor talking at a networking event
Bridget Krage O'Connor

Bridget Krage O'Connor at Celebrate 2022: Women on the Rise

person's hands on a keyboard typing an email

Learn More

We have big plans. If you have any questions about our vision and mission, please contact the Institute for Women's Leadership to learn more about our plans.

Contact Us