Women in Healthcare Leadership Series
Women Leading
The Way
Leverage your unique perspective to become a leader and improve the patient experience.
Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to leadership roles, which can lead to more comprehensive and inclusive decision-making. This diversity helps address the needs of a broader patient population and fosters innovation. Our new leadership series will help women and their organizations leverage this unique capacity to improve patient experience.

Our Series at a Glance
Find out more about the Women in Healthcare Leadership Series.
Dates
Select Thursdays Sept. 18-Dec. 18, 2025
Online
Real-time via Zoom
Cost
$79 per session
$329 for the series
Flexible Training
You may take sessions a la carte, or you may take all courses as a series. A bonus session is included with registration in any one of the core sessions. Sessions are on select Thursdays from September 18 through December 18, and each session qualifies for 1.5 hours continuing education hours.
Style & Grit
Core Session
Instructor: Sheng Lee Yang
Cost: $79
September 18, 2025, 8:30-10 a.m.
Leaders often step into their roles without reflecting on what truly makes them effective. This series focuses on understanding yourself, exploring your leadership style, and uncovering the grit and qualities that contribute to your success as a leader.
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Exploring Personal Leadership: Leading Yourself & Others Well
Core Session
Instructor: Abby Waters
Cost: $79
October 2, 2025, 8:30-10 a.m.
Understand the fundamental dynamics of leadership science in the workplace. Identify up to three universal leadership development principles. Key elements will be discussed, such as leading from a sense of purpose, empowering team dynamics, understanding others, recognizing the talent in others, equipping others to work best and focusing on a personal leadership framework, including how and why you want to lead. You will complete a "leadership mapping" exercise to help you discover more about your values an emerging leader.
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Managing the Super Highway of Stress & Anxiety in Healthcare
Core Session
Instructor: Christine Jensema
Cost: $79
October 16, 2025, 8:30-10 a.m.
Discuss high level strategic efforts to prepare for times of stress and anxiety. Provide tactical real-life ideas to positively impact stress and anxiety. Discuss how self-awareness prepares you for times of stress.
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Resilient Together: Strengthening Ourselves & Our Relationships
Core Session
Instructor: Mary Bjorklund
Cost: $79
November 13, 2025, 8:30-10 a.m.
Navigate life’s challenges with greater emotional strength, self-awareness and connection. Focus on building both personal resilience and relational resilience. Acquire practical tools to thrive individually and together in the face of adversity. Explore strategies to develop emotional intelligence, improve communication, foster trust and cultivate adaptability. Through guided activities, group discussions and reflection exercises, you will learn how to create a supportive environment for yourself and others.
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Confident Communication for Women in Healthcare
Core Session
Instructor: Katie Loehlein & Paula Urcavich, LCSW, CIMHP
Cost: $79
December 11, 2025, 8:30-10 a.m.
Effective communication is essential for strong leadership, particularly in the dynamic and high-pressure healthcare environment. This session will empower women leaders in healthcare with the tools to foster open, impactful communication while navigating the challenges of tough conversations and conflict resolution. By the end of the session, you will be equipped to lead with confidence, clarity and compassion, even in the most challenging situations.
We are grateful for the partnership of instructors Katie Loehlein and Paula Urcavich for the support and expertise of this course.
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Trailblazers in Healthcare
Bonus Panel Discussion
Cost: Bonus with core sessions
December 18, 2025, 4-5 p.m.
A moderated conversation with four eminent women leaders in healthcare.
Panel: Mary Martin, RN, MSN, Director-System Nursing Workforce Management (Retired), Aspirus Health; Jen Schnell, VP of Operations, Aurora BayCare Medical Center; Chris Woleske, EVP, Emplify
Instructors

Mary Bjorklund
HR ConsultantMary Bjorklund leverages her expertise to build strong, high-performing individuals, teams and leaders, working with everyone from new hires to seasoned employees to foster growth and development at all levels. Mary has a bachelor's degree in human resources management and certifications in professional consulting and professional coaching.

Katie Loehlein
Training & Personal Development Practitioners, The Tech GroupKatie Loehlein has 17 years of experience in healthcare HR and organizational development. She brings a unique blend of corporate leadership expertise and holistic healing practices to transform work. Her approach combines specialized modalities including Emotion Code, Body Code, Belief Code, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming with intuitive guidance, creating a unique space for clients to explore their inner landscape and discover the answers that have been within them all along.

Christine Jensema, Ph.D.
Consultant, Executive & Transformational LeaderChristine Jensema is a highly experienced human resources executive with over forty years’ experience in leading strategies in both the healthcare and financial services industries. Her track record reflects a commitment to a best practice approach to develop, lead and contribute to the organization’s overall goals, vision and mission. She is known for translating business strategy into people and performance that optimizes engagement and drives business results.

Sheng Lee Yang
Licensed Clinical Social WorkerPresident & Executive Director, Us 2 Behavioral Health Care
Sheng Lee Yang's professional experiences include direct care and leadership positions in public, private, government and nonprofit institutions. Her personal and professional experiences helped cultivate a vision to integrate social justice and cultural humility into mental health. She teaches graduate level courses in clinical mental health and diversity and inclusion.

Paula Urcavich
Licensed Social Worker, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional;Founder, Creating Space Healing Arts Community
With over two decades of experience, Paula brings a systemic, holistic approach to leadership, communication and emotional resilience. Her intuitive, grounded presence empowers women leaders to navigate tough conversations with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Paula blends deep listening with strategic insight to uncover patterns, shift perspectives, and foster meaningful dialogue. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in social work.

Abby Waters
Principal Consultant, People Science SolutionsAs a healthcare professional and consultant with over twelve years of experience, Abby has made a significant investment in the success of individuals and organizations. She serves as a leadership instructor for PESI Healthcare and is a professionally trained life coach. Abby collaborates with organizations on talent development, leadership development, and overall workplace health. Currently, she is certified talent planner in leadership and workplace sciences through TTI Success Insights.
Panelists

Mary Martin, RN, MSN
Director-System Nursing Workforce Management (Retired), Aspirus Health
Jen Schnell
VP of Operations, Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Chris Woleske
EVP, Emplify
Have Questions?
Need more info? We’re here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to us with questions or for more information about the leadership series for women in healthcare.