Women's Leadership Luncheon Archives

The Women’s Leadership Luncheon is a School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) annual event. Started in the late 1990s, it takes place every spring across the Central Pacific Province; Dallas, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and St. Paul, Minnesota. The luncheons strive to inspire attendees to believe in themselves as leaders and to use their gifts and talents to create a positive change in their communities. As a result of the luncheons, relationships are formed and strengthened between SSND and the wider communities. The SSND goal is to educate, empower and recognize the unique leadership qualities of women throughout our communities.

Every year, a different theme or focus is chosen. Knowledgeable and local speakers enrich the event by sharing their story in hopes of inspiring the audience. The attendees can expect to walk away having learned and with a passion to bring change into their own communities.

2020:

Diversity. It’s a word we hear so often in our workplaces, in school and in our day-to-day interactions. When we hear the word “diversity,” many of us immediately think of race. But diversity means so much more than that. It can mean differences in gender, socioeconomics, education, religion, age or culture. Diversity can even be spoken in terms of differences in thoughts, words and deeds. Differences in how we look, act and think create many challenges but also many opportunities to come together and celebrate our uniqueness.

In 2020, our Women’s Leadership Luncheon will look at diversity and the many ways it manifests itself in all areas of our lives. Our hope is that all who attend will understand diversity, its complexities and ways to use differences to create unity in our communities and our world.

Featured Speakers:

Dallas Area:

Mary Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira, Chief of Equity and Inclusion, City of Dallas
“Embracing Diversity in Our Struggle for Unity”

Milwaukee Area:

Anne Scobey-Polacheck, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at Johnson Controls
“Setting the World on Fire: Our Diversity is our Strength”

St. Louis Area:

Ann Cuiellette Marr, Executive Vice President, Global Human Resources for World Wide Technology, Inc.
“Developing a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion”

St. Paul Area:

Antonia Apolinario-Wilcoxon, Leader, Health Equity Policy and Diversity, Minnesota and state government agencies
“Embracing Diversity: The Struggle for Social Justice”

Visit 2020 Event Page View Presentation Materials

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2019:

The 2019 luncheons focused on human trafficking: the causes, who is targeted and what is being done to eradicate it. Each location featured a speaker who shared information about human trafficking and have worked closely with those affected by it. Over 1,600 attendees gained an understanding of SSND stance on human trafficking and what sisters are doing to remedy the problem.

You can also learn more about human trafficking through our resources page. If you suspect human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Featured Speakers:

Dallas Area:

Anne Simmons-Benton, Executive Director of Arizona State University’s International Development Office
“The Hidden Crime of Human Trafficking: How to Become a Leader in Your Community”

Milwaukee Area:

Rachel Monaco-Wilcox, Founder and CEO of LOTUS Legal Clinic Inc.
“From the Mud, We Bloom: Finding Freedom from Exploitation”

St. Louis Area:

Kimberly A. Ritter, Senior Account Manager and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility trafficking initiative at Nix Conference & Meeting Management
“Sex Trafficking: Now That I Know, What Can I Do?”

St. Paul Area:

Suzanne Koepplinger, Director of the Catalyst Initiative at the Minneapolis Foundation
“The Moon is Always Full: Phases of Leadership in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”

Visit 2019 Event Page View Photo Gallery

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2018:

The 2018 Luncheons were focusing on learning how to be a leader in your community. 2018 speakers were inspiring leaders in their community who were chosen explain how they integrate the spiritual and professional dimensions of life.

Featured Speakers:

Dallas Area:

Theresa Francis, Principal at Notre Dallas and SSND Associate
“My Spiritual Formation – Led and Formed by the Charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame”

Milwaukee Area:

Peggy Troy, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
“Follow your Passion – the Difference a Servant Leader Makes”

St. Louis Area:

Susan Block, Family Lawyer, Retired Circuit Judge and founder of Caring for Kids, Inc.
“Creating a Healthy Environment for Today’s Children”

St. Paul Area:

Justice Anne K. McKeig, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
“I’m Just a Girl from Federal Dam – Pathways to Leadership”

Visit 2018 Event Page View Photo Gallery

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Sponsorship Information:

This event is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors. We offer different levels of sponsorship; every level receives a table at the event as well as advertising opportunities. Select a tier to see the benefits associated with that sponsorship level.

2020 Sponsorship Benefits:

*Benefits vary for each location, please visit the current location pages for a full list of benefits.

Past Sponsors:

$5,000 Sponsors