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The 2023 WLC Ignited!

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On April 7, 2023, over 1600 people gathered together to be inspired, to be invigorated, and to turn their notes into actions as they spent the day at the 26th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC). This year’s conference theme, Ignite, came after the return of the WLC in 2022 after a pandemic-related pause. After two long years away, the WLC community came together to REimagine their lives, and in 2023, they came together to ignite those dreams and turn them into their reality. 

The morning kicked off with a welcome by Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno before emcee extraordinaire and Bay Path alumna Victoria Ann Rodriguez '12 G'16 welcomed our morning keynote speaker to the stage.  Betsy Allen-Manning, founder of Corporate Culture Training Solutions, sparked the audience to life with her sense of humor, joy, and actionable steps to help attendees ignite their best life. 

Luncheon keynote speaker Tunde Oyeneyin, one of Peloton’s elite cycling and bike boot camp instructors and a New York Times best-selling author,  inspired attendees to dig deep and to stay true to themselves and their dreams, while afternoon keynote speaker and “Good Morning America” co-host, author, and Emmy award winner Robin Roberts shared the power of vulnerability and letting faith in your dreams - and yourself - overcome fear.

In between keynotes, attendees celebrated the recipient of the 2023 WLC Non-Profit Spotlight, Girls, Inc. of the Valley,  and the two new nominees for the 21st Century Women’s Business Leaders Hall of Fame:  Denise Jordan, for her career dedicated to public service where she has consistently and passionately promoted the rights and improved lives of her fellow community members, and keynote speaker Tunde Oyenein. 

The conference also featured breakout sessions led by bestselling authors, executives, and researchers, including “Forging and Managing the Hybrid Workplace” with Alexandra Samuel; “Igniting Your Innovation and Understanding Your ‘Onlyness’” with Nilofer Merchant; “You Have a Seat at the Table, Now What?” with Pirie Jones Grossman;  and “The Power of Inclusive Leadership” with Juliet Hall. 

Throughout the day, attendees had the chance to network and engage with over 50 exhibitors (see the full list here!), With everything from shopping to professional services to cupcakes being offered, WLC attendees had the opportunity to treat themselves in whatever way they liked. 

The WLC Team would like to give a HUGE thank you to our sponsors. Because of their generosity, commitment, and dedication to our community, the 2023 WLC was fully able to IGNITE. 

Platinum Sponsors: Aramark, PeoplesBank, The Republican, Zasco Productions

Silver Sponsors: BusinessWest/Healthcare News, KNF&T Staffing Resources, MassMutual, MGM Springfield

Bronze Sponsors: Andrews, The Antonacci Family Foundation, Baystate Health/Health New England, The Beveridge Family Foundation, The Bushnell Family, CVSHealth, Feel Good Shop Local, ISO New England, Lamar Advertising, Leah Martin Photography, Mercedes-Benz Springfield, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, WEIB 106.3 Smooth FM

Supporter Sponsors: bankESB, Brian Nicks Productions, Connecticut Sun, Feather and Bloom, GameChange Solar, PIP New England, Springfield Thunderbirds, Yankee Candle Village, Zozimus

Save the date for April 4, 2024, as we come back for the WLC! Will we see you there?

official wlc Photos by leah martin photography