Central College hosted the 4th annual Women’s Leadership Conference Nov. 17-20. The event brought together 27 women to discuss women’s leadership, knowledge, skill building and values.
The keynote speaker was Kristina Stanger, a 2000 Central graduate, attorney and shareholder with Iowa’s largest law firm, Nyemaster Goode, as well as a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. Stanger inspired the young women during her presentation “The Skills You Need to Lead Following the 2022 Great Breakup.”
Other presentations included:
- Carla Eysink, executive director, Marion County Development Commission, gave a True Colors program.
- Amber Jaworski, senior manager, HR Business Operations and Total Rewards, Vermeer Corporation, spoke about salary negotiations.
- Jess Klyn de Novelo, associate dean for career development and civic engagement, Central College, and a 2005 Central graduate, presented on personal branding.
“All of the women I met at the Women’s Leadership Conference were unapologetically themselves, and authentic to who they truly are,” says Alli Miller, a Class of 2023 business management major from Geneseo, Illinois. “And that is what I learned was the most important thing about being a leader as a female.”
The Women’s Leadership Conference welcomed an executive leadership panel with:
- Sarah Stockton Massey, OB/GYN physician, West Des Moines OB GYN Associates, chair of the OB/GYN department at Mercy One Des Moines and 2005 Central graduate.
- Beatriz Mate-Kodjo, owner/managing partner, BMK Law Firm and 2011 Central graduate.
- Kristine Cox Ward, vice president/senior business consultant, HSBC and a 1985 Central graduate.
“I really appreciated the opportunity to meet and converse with women in my prospective career field,” says Victoria Warren, a Class of 2023 political science, Spanish and history major from Story City, Iowa. “I will remember their advice on staying true to the authentic self when I attend law school in the fall.”
The leadership conference also welcomed a civic leadership panel featuring:
- Liz Sporrer, talent acquisition and corporate communications senior manager, Vermeer Corporation.
- Carrie Hill Romo, school principal, Des Moines Public Schools and 2006 Central graduate.
- Joan Corbin, citizen volunteer serving on Pella Community School Board of Directors and Iowa Association of School Boards.
The conference featured a women-owned business tour that included Elizabeth Dierking, owner, Iris Coffee; Tara Kolhaas, owner, The Wijn House; and Mary Mansfield, real estate agent and Spirit of Pella.
“Meeting with these local women leaders reaffirmed to me that I can do anything and everything,” says Ashley Lupkes, a Class of 2023 business management major from West Des Moines.
Participants also listened to four women present on Ukraine refugee support. Mary Worstell, a 1973 Central graduate and member of Central’s Board of Trustees, Kay Buzby, Teresa Bowers and Tamara Baverdam raised $40,000 and traveled to Poland to aid Ukrainian refugees.
Amy Dietrich Eilers, executive clinical account manager, Organon Company, a 1988 Central graduate and member of Central’s Board of Trustees, hosted the women for brunch on the final day in Des Moines.
“The conference provided opportunities for Central juniors and seniors nominated by faculty and staff members to network and interact women leaders,” say Phoebe Nishimoto, manager of International Program Logistics, who organized the Women’s Leadership Conference with Jess Klyn de Novelo, associate dean for career development and civic engagement. “The event allows them to meet with experts in their fields whose character sets an example for women scholars and future leaders.”
The 2022 Women’s Leadership Conference was funded through the Worstell Faculty Development Fund on the Impact of Gender Equity.
