In 2019, 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.