About the Schreiber Institute for Women's Leadership
We all Prosper
When women Rise
We're here for women to be seen, to advance, and to advocate for each other.
The Schreiber Institute for Women’s Leadership was established at UW-Green Bay in 2021. The institute is here for women—early career, mid-level, and experienced—who feel overlooked or passed over to be seen, to advance, and to advocate for each other.
Education
Develop leadership knowledge and skills through certificate programs and professional development opportunities.
inspiration
Empower women through stories, experiences, and insights from accomplished leaders through Stories from Experience.
Networking
Build meaningful connections through programs such as Caffeinated Conversations, Celebrate, and other signature events.
Our Mission
The Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL) advances women at every stage of their leadership journey by providing education, fostering inspiration, and creating meaningful networking opportunities that strengthen an equitable and thriving workforce.
Strategic Focus Areas
- Enhance Organizational Excellence: Strengthen IWL's foundation by aligning our mission, organizational structure, and communications to support sustainable growth.
- Increase Leadership Impact: Expand IWL's measurable impact on women's leadership across Northeast Wisconsin by increasing engagement, accessibility, and leadership development opportunities.
- Grow Strategic Partnerships: Build lasting partnerships that expand IWL's reach, strengthen resources, and ensure long-term sustainability through Membership, Business Investment, and Outreach.
The Need for Women's Leadership
In our rapidly changing world, strong leadership is crucial. Women are an untapped resource.
Diversity Wins
McKinsey’s 2020 report, Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters, reaffirms the strong business case for both gender diversity and ethnic and cultural diversity in corporate leadership—and shows that this business case continues to strengthen.
Inequities Persist
Despite women making up 59% of the college-educated labor force (Education Data Initiative, 2022), they only hold 32% of executive positions (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). This under-representation persists despite anti-discrimination laws.
Research Informed
UW-Green Bay conducted a survey in 2021 to understand the challenges faced by working women in Northeast Wisconsin. The results showed that many women are considering downshifting their careers due to feeling burned out and overwhelmed.
Empowering Leaders
"My goal is to increase awareness of our programs, create pathways for women to continue their educational and professional development, and build new partnerships that bring innovative leadership opportunities to our community. By investing in women’s growth and success, we can empower the next generation of leaders to make a lasting difference."
Barb LaMue
Executive in Residence, Schreiber Institute for Women’s Leadership
How the Institute Began
In 2019, Bridget Krage 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 Schreiber Institute for Women’s Leadership at UW-Green Bay.
Want to know More?
We have big plans. If you have any questions about our vision and mission, please contact the Schreiber Institute for Women's Leadership to learn more about our plans.