The Women’s Leadership Conference has always been about more than a single day of inspiring speakers and professional development. It's about building a community of women who encourage one another, share their experiences, and continue those conversations long after the conference ends.

That's exactly why we're excited to introduce this year's Women's Leadership Conference Ambassadors—leaders who believe deeply in the mission of the conference and are passionate about inviting more women to experience it for themselves.

Each ambassador brings a unique perspective, but they all share one thing in common: they know firsthand the impact this conference can have.

Julie Nelson | Dawn Mullarney | Carrie Rule | Amanda Wood | Brittany Gudex

Kelly Grosskreutz: We Get It. We Get You.

Kelly Grosskreutz has been part of the Women's Leadership Conference community since 2019 and proudly calls herself a "WLC groupie."

What began as attending the conference quickly became something much bigger. Over the years, Kelly experienced the virtual conference during 2020, embraced the networking opportunities, and eventually took the stage herself as a breakout session speaker.

One of the moments that stood out most to her wasn't just presenting—it was presenting to a room full of women who immediately understood her experiences.

"We were able to speak in a shorthand of sorts while digging into real business problems as seen from the lens of a female professional. It was unlike anything I have experienced before or since."

This year, Kelly returns as both an attendee and Ambassador, encouraging women to experience a place where they don't have to explain what it's like to lead as a woman.

About Kelly Grosskreutz

Kelly Grosskreutz is a technology leader, speaker, and educator who specializes in helping organizations simplify complex technology through communication, strategy, and leadership. Known for her authentic approach and engaging presentation style, she is passionate about creating environments where people can connect, learn, and grow together.

Stephanie Freiboth: Relationships Change Everything

For Stephanie Freiboth, leadership has always centered around one belief:

"Everything we need is on the other side of a relationship."

The right relationship can open a door, spark an idea, build your confidence, challenge your perspective, or remind you of who you are when you've forgotten. Stephanie believes that while skills matter, meaningful relationships are often what propel careers and businesses forward.

As a Women's Leadership Conference Ambassador, she's excited to connect with women who are committed to investing in themselves and one another.

About Stephanie Freiboth

Stephanie Freiboth is the founder of My Empowered Career and the curator of the Success Circle, where she is on a mission to help professionals shift career decision-making from chaotic survival mode to purposeful, strategic action. Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements, she helps individuals and organizations make smarter decisions about talent, leadership, growth, and the future of work.

Kristen Jonas: Never Stop Learning

Even after decades of professional experience, Kristen Jonas believes there is always more to learn.

Rather than attending the breakout sessions she already felt comfortable with, she intentionally chose topics she knew the least about—and discovered some of her biggest "light bulb" moments because of it.

"As an entrepreneur supporting other businesses, I need to keep learning, growing, and challenging my thinking. In doing so, I can better support clients and businesses."

For Kristen, one of the greatest values of the conference wasn't just what she learned during the sessions—it was the relationships she built afterward.

"This is not just a day out of the office."

About Kristen Jonas

Kristen Jonas is the owner of Kinesiology HR LLC, an HR consulting company that provides customized fractional, interim, and project-based human resources support. After more than 25 years in human resources leadership, Kristen now partners with organizations on HR strategy, organizational development, and executive consulting. She is also a sought-after speaker, presenting on topics including conflict management, building positive workplace cultures, and performance management.

More Than a Conference

Whether it's finding a community that simply gets it, building relationships that open new doors, or challenging yourself to think differently, every ambassador's story reflects what makes the Women's Leadership Conference unique.

These women represent different industries, experiences, and career paths, but they all came away with the same conclusion: investing in yourself—and in the relationships around you—is one of the best investments you can make.

If you're looking for inspiration, practical strategies, authentic connections, and a room full of women who are cheering each other on, we hope you'll join us at the 2026 Women's Leadership Conference.

Come meet our ambassadors, grow your network, and discover what so many women have already experienced. Register today: womensleadershipwi.com/register

We can't wait to welcome you.

Meet the Women Helping Shape the 2026 Women's Leadership Conference