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.

2026:

Women's Leadership Luncheon 2024, Women as educators in all we are and do.

“We are educators in all we are and do.”

The Call and Acts of the 25th General Chapter, School Sisters of Notre Dame

Our 2026 Women’s Leadership Luncheon celebrates the theme, Women as Educators. The event focused on the impact women make in our communities through education, not just in the classroom, but through every aspect of life.

Listen to the insights of sisters in relation to the Women’s Leadership Luncheon theme, Women as Educators in All We Are and Do. They were featured on Saint Louis’ KLIS, Elevate and Lead, co-hosted by Jennifer Bardot, the keynote speaker for the 2026 luncheon in St. Louis.

Learn more about the history of the Women’s Leadership Luncheons on Season 6, Episode 2 of the SSND podcast Called to Action.

Featured Speakers:

Dallas Area

A Conversation on Women as Educators
Dr. Caroline O’Brien, Ph.D., President, Notre Dame of Dallas Schools and
Lydia Torrez, Advancement Consultant, St. Cecilia Catholic Church and School
View Dallas Program Booklet (PDF)

Milwaukee Area

A Conversation on Women as Educators
Dr. Isabelle Cherney, President of Mount Mary University and
Becky Pinter, President and CEO of the MACC Fund
View Milwaukee Program Booklet (PDF)

St. Louis Area

A Real Lessons, Real G.R.I.T.: Empowering Learners Beyond the Desk
Jennifer Bardot, MA, MS, CEO and Founder of G.R.I.T. LLC
View St. Louis Program Booklet (PDF)

St. Paul Area

A Weather Isn’t So Scary, Once You Understand It
Belinda Jensen, Chief Meteorologist, KARE11
View St. Paul Program Booklet (PDF)

Visit 2026 Event Page    View 2026 Women Honorees     View Photo Gallery

 

2025:

Women's Leadership Luncheon 2024, Women as Peacemakers GraphicOur 2025 Women’s Leadership Luncheon theme, The Nun Study: Transforming the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias, will provide attendees with information on research trends, disease prevention, treatment options and a hope for a better future.

The Luncheons were held in Chicago, Dallas, Milwaukee, St. Paul, Minn., and St. Louis. The Luncheons were held in Chicago, Dallas, Milwaukee, St. Paul, Minn., and St. Louis. Our keynote speakers are Dr. Margaret Flanagan and Dr. Sudha Seshadri, researchers currently working with the Nun Study, Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative diseases.

To learn more about the Nun Study from Sister Charlene Zeisset, please view our #GivingTuesday video.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Margaret (Maggie) Flanagan

Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Presented in Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and St. Paul.

Dr. Sudha Seshadri, M.D., Director

Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Cellular and Integrative Physiology
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, San Antonio
Presented in Dallas.

Visit 2025 Event Page    View 2025 Women Honorees
View Presentation Materials     View Photo Gallery

 

2024:

Women's Leadership Luncheon 2024, Women as Peacemakers GraphicThe focus of the 2024 Women’s Leadership Luncheon celebrates the theme, Women as Peacemakers in a Fractured World of Violence. Our focus is on the impact peacemakers are making in our communities, and how the work they are doing is inspiring others to do the same. We will navigate through the good work others are doing and rise to the occasion to bridge a path forward together.

Featured Speakers:

Dallas Area:

Allenna Bangs, Deputy Criminal Division Chief, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
“Prosecuting Violent Crime: A Recognition that Peace Requires Justice”

Milwaukee Area:

Mary E. Triggiano, Director of the Marquette University, Andrew Center for Restorative Justice
“Reshaping Justice: Restorative, Problem-Solving and Trauma-Informed”

St. Louis Area:

Rabbi Susan Talve, Founding Rabbi, Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis, Missouri
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ashrei Foundation
“Radical Nonviolent Peacemaking Strategies – Secrets from the Women of the Torah”

St. Paul Area:

District Chief Stacy Murphy,
Saint Paul Police Department, Western District
“Peaceful Leadership at All Ranks – Having a Positive Impact from Your Seat”

Visit 2024 Event Page    View 2024 Women Honorees
View Presentation Materials     View Photo Gallery

2023:

Colorful graphic with butterfly and the word, 2023 Women's Leadership Luncheon: Learning Today - Transforming Tomorrow.The focus of the 2023 Women’s Leadership Luncheon celebrates the theme, Learning Today – Transforming Tomorrow. We aim to understand that mental health is a primary health concern that has far-reaching influence on society as a whole. We know that by building relationships and fostering a community approach to mental and behavioral health, we can change lives.

Featured Speakers:

Dallas Area:

Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Catholic Education, Loyola Marymount University School of Education in Los Angeles
“Trust Your Cape”

Milwaukee Area:

Amy Lovell, Founder, REDgen and Co-Founder, Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee
“The Power of Faith, Health and Leadership”

St. Louis Area:

Michelle Russo Steeg, MA, LPC, NCC, MCS Counseling, Notre Dame High School, Class of 2001
“Embracing the Swerve When it Comes to Mental Health”

St. Paul Area:

Louise Blissenbach Stemp
“Maintaining Good Mental Health While Living with Uncertainty”

Visit 2023 Event Page     View 2023 Women Honorees
View Photo Gallery

2022:

The 2022 Women's Leadership Luncheons will feature women who demonstrates leadership, compassion and committment to their community.

The theme for the 2022 Women’s Leadership Luncheon reflected how women met the challenges of the pandemic as courageous, compassionate and confident leaders. We thank the speakers for their wisdom and inspiration, the sponsors for their generosity and support, and all those who attended the luncheons for joining in the conversation.

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2021:

Women's Leadership Luncheon 2021 virtual header. The theme for 2021 is Care of Creation

Care of Creation, the theme of the 2021 Women’s Leadership Luncheons, is not a new idea, but the urgency of the topic seems to grow every year. From recycling to using solar power, there are many ways to help protect the world in which we live. Our 2021 speakers are innovators and leaders in their communities, committed to caring for creation.

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2020:

Women's Leadership Luncheon 2020 with a colorful tree made of thumb prints with words relating to diversity.

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.

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2019:

SSND's Women's Leadership Luncheon will be held during the month of March in Milwaukee, Dallas, St. Louis and St. Paul, and will feature speakers knowledgeable about human trafficking.

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.

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2018:

Women's Leadership Luncheons- Lineup of our 2018 speakers

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.

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History of Speakers:

Select a location below to see all previous year’s event speakers.

  • Dallas Area
    • 2026: Dr. Caroline Clark O’Brien, Ph.D., President, Notre Dame School of Dallas and Lydia Torrez, Advancement Consultant, St. Cecilia Catholic Church and School
      “A Conversation about Women as Educators”
    • 2025: Sudha Seshadri, M.D., Director, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Jeruodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
      “The Nun Study: Transforming the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias”
    • 2024: Allenna Bangs, Deputy Criminal Division Chief, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
      “Prosecuting Violent Crime: A Recognition that Peace Requires Justice”
    • 2023: Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Catholic Education Loyola Marymount University School of Education in Los Angeles
      “Trust Your Cape”
    • 2022: Mayra J. Thompson, M.D., FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Private Practice
      “Graced Leadership: Women’s Unique Response to Urgent Needs”
    • 2021: Janette Monear, President/CEO of the Texas Trees Foundation
      “The Symbiotic Relationship of Trees and People”
    • 2020: Mary Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira, Chief of Equity and Inclusion, City of Dallas
      “Embracing Diversity in our Struggle for Unity”
    • 2019: 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”
    • 2018: Theresa Francis, Principal at Notre Dame School of Dallas and SSND Associate
      “My Spiritual Formation – Led and Formed by the Charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame”
    • 2017: Mary Emma Ackels Karam, J.D., Partner at Jackson Walter, L.L.P.
      “How to Have a Successful Career and Live a Faithful Life”
    • 2016: Kris Kramer, Executive Director, Catholic Pro-Life Committee of North Texas
      “There’s Just Something About Mary”
    • 2015: Sheila Madigan Levantino, Marriage and Family Therapist and Spiritual Director
    • 2014: Jennifer Staubach Gates, Councilmember for the City of Dallas
    • 2013: Dr. Susan Hanssen, Associate Professor of History at the University of Dallas
  • Milwaukee Area
    • 2026: Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., President of Mount Mary University and Becky Pinter, President and CEO of the MACC Fund
      “A Conversation on Women as Educators”
    • 2025: Margaret (Maggie) Flanagan, M.D., Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Texas Health Science San Antonio and Director of the Nun Study
      “The Nun Study: Transforming the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias”
    • 2024: Mary E. Triggiano, Director of the Marquette University Andrew Center for Restorative Justice
      “Reshaping Justice: Restorative, Problem-Solving and Trauma-Informed”
    • 2023: Amy Lovell, Founder, REDgen and Co-Founder, Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee
      “The Power of Faith, Health and Leadership”
    • 2022: Eve M. Hall, Ph.D., President and CEO, Greater Milwaukee Urban League
      “A Title is Not a Leader”
    • 2021: Dr. Marissa Jablonski, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin
      “Be the Change: A Better Planet Starts With You”
    • 2020: Anne Scobey-Polacheck, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at Johnson Controls
      “Setting the World on Fire: Our Diversity is our Strength”
    • 2019: Rachel Monaco-Wilcox, Founder and CEO of LOTUS Legal Clinic Inc.
      “From the Mud, We Bloom: Finding Freedom from Exploitation”
    • 2018: Peggy Troy, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
      “Follow your Passion – the Difference a Servant Leader Makes”
    • 2017: Cecelia Gore, Executive Director of the Brewers Community Foundation, Inc.
      “Leadership to bring positive change in the lives of children and families.”
    • 2016: Rhonda M. Ware, Founder and President of UR Aware, LLC
      “Cleaning House: Making Room for the Life you Desire”
    • 2015: Susan Dreyfus, President and CEO of Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
      “We Cannot Afford to Lose Even one Person: Leadership Around Human Capital Development”
    • 2014: Tracy Loken Weber, Executive Director, Milwaukee Literacy Services
      “Help Wanted: Connecting Literacy to Work”
    • 2013: Danae Davis, Chief Executive Officer, PEARLS for Teen Girls, Inc.
      “PEARLS: A Story, A Journey, A Purpose Inspiring Us All…Girls Becoming Women Leaders in Our Community”
    • 2012: Eileen Schwalbach, President, Mount Mary University,
      “Educating to Transform the World”
    • 2011: Wendy Baumann, President/CVO, The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
      “Hope and Opportunity”
    • 2010: Sherrie Tussler, Executive Director, Hunger Task Force
      “Servant Leadership: Understanding How to Help by Getting Involved and Staying Involved”
    • 2009: Juliette Martin-Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Alverno College and Clinical Psychologist
      “There Is Power in Your Presence”
    • 2008: Terri Mitchell, Head Coach, Marquette University Women’s Basketball
      “Lessons from the Bench for Faith and Life”
    • 2007: Yvonne Lumsden-Dill, Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Institute of Mount Mary College
      “The Joy of Leadership”
    • 2006: Celia Jackson, Secretary of Regulation and Licensing, State of Wisconsin
      “Leading from the Power Within”
    • 2005: Janine Geske, Distinguished Professor of Law, Marquette University
      “Dialogue and Healing among Victims, Offenders, and Communities”
    • 2004: Patricia O’Donoghue, Ph.D., President, Mount Mary College
      “Women who Lead”
    • 2003: Geneva B. Johnson, Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Institute of Mount Mary College
      “Leadership: The Power to Transform”
    • 2002: Sue Ann Thompson, former First Lady of Wisconsin
      “The Power of One”
    • 2001: Diane S. Sykes, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
      “Revitalizing Citizenship, Character, and Culture”
    • 1999: Margaret Farrow, Wisconsin State Senator
      “Women in Leadership: Will We Make it to the Mountain?”
  • St. Louis Area
    • 2026: Jennifer Bardot, MA, MS, CEO & Founder of G.R.I.T. LLC
      “Real Lessons, Real G.R.I.T.: Empowering Learners Beyond the Desk”
    • 2025: Margaret (Maggie) Flanagan, M.D., Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Texas Health Science San Antonio and Director of the Nun Study
      “The Nun Study: Transforming the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias”
    • 2024: Rabbi Susan Talve, Founding Rabbi
      Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis, Missouri and Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ashrei Foundation
      “Radical Nonviolent Peacemaking Strategies – Secrets from the Women of the Torah”
    • 2023: Michelle Russo Steeg, MA, LPC, NCC, MCS Counseling
      Notre Dame High School, Class of 2001
      “Embracing the Swerve When it Comes to Mental Health”
    • 2022: Aamina Akhtar, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Mercy Hospital South
      “My Calling: The COVID-19 Pandemic”
      Marsha Benney, Chief Financial Officer, Midwest BankCentre
      “Leading Through the Pandemic and Into the Future”
    • 2021: Shannon Hauf, Senior Vice President and Head of Seed Production Innovation, Bayer Crop Science
      “My Leadership Journey: Five Miles of Dirt Road”
      Wanda Kolo, LEED AP, Director of Sustainable Operations & Construction Management, Saint Louis Zoo
      “Valuing Diversity in Nature & Society”
    • 2020: Ann Cuiellette Marr, Executive Vice President, Global Human Resources for World Wide Technology, Inc.
      “Developing a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion”
    • 2019: 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?”
    • 2018: Susan Block, Family lawyer, retired Circuit Judge, founder of Caring for Kids, Inc.
      “Creating a Healthy Environment for Today’s Children”
    • 2017: Donna Heckler, Director of Communications for the Society of the Sacred Heart
      “And then God Gave Me a Time Out…”
    • 2016: Anne-Marie Clarke, Family Court Commissioner and Alumna of Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis
      “Your Minute”
    • 2015: Patricia Martens Balke, PhD, Educator, Author, Psychotherapist, Volunteer and Notre Dame High School Class of 1961
    • 2014: Lynne M. Jackson, President and Founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation and Great-great-granddaughter of Harriet and Dred Scott
    • 2013: Bridget McDermott Flood, Executive Director of the Incarnate Word Foundation and Notre Dame High School Class of 1974
    • 2012: Maureen Herrmann, President of Marian Middle School
  • St. Paul Area
    • 2026: Belinda Jensen, Chief Meterologist, KARE11
      “Weather Isn’t So Scary, Once You Understand It”
    • 2025: Margaret (Maggie) Flanagan, M.D., Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Texas Health Science San Antonio and Director of the Nun Study
      “The Nun Study: Transforming the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias”
    • 2024: District Chief Stacy Murphy, Saint Paul Police Department, Western District
      “Peaceful Leadership at All Ranks – Having a Positive Impact from Your Seat”
    • 2023: Louise Blissenbach Stemp
      “Maintaining Good Mental Health While Living with Uncertainty”
    • 2022: Jody Nelson, Ed.D., LMFT, Executive Director, Change Inc.
      “Leading through Shaky Times: Leaning on the Power of Relationships”
    • 2021: Megan Schnitker, Owner and Indigenous Traditional Herbalist, Lakota Made, LLC
      “Sharing the Voice – Women Caring for Creation”
    • 2020: Antonia Apolinario-Wilcoxon, Leader, Health Equity Policy and Diversity, Minnesota and state government agencies
      “Embracing Diversity: The Struggle for Social Justice”
    • 2019: 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”
    • 2018: Justice Anne K. McKeig, Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
      “I’m Just a Girl from Federal Dam – Pathways to Leadership”
    • 2017: Sister Katherine DuVal, SSND
      “Leadership…empower others to use their gifts.”
    • 2016: Dr. Julie Sullivan, President-University of St. Thomas
      “All for the Common Good”
    • 2015: Ann Reed, Singer and Songwriter
      “Telling Stories: Words and Music”

 

Past Sponsors:

A special thank you to our sponsors!

Thanks to generous individual and corporate sponsors, the Women’s Leadership Luncheons are free to all guests.
View the full listing of sponsors.
Join us in reading about the women they are celebrating as making a difference!
Visit our “Celebrating Our 2026 Honorees” page.