Energy, Enthusiasm, and Allyship at the 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference

A sold-out, record crowd of more than 420 people gathered March 1 to celebrate, empower, and network during the 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference. During a day filled with inspiring stories, compelling data, and bold solutions, participants from across the Carlson School community gained new knowledge and ideas to promote change in their areas of influence. 

Carlson School Dean Jamie Prenkert, attending his first Women’s Leadership Conference, shared in opening comments that he was looking forward to being an active participant, learning how he can further his and the school’s work as an ally for inclusion and empowerment of women in the community.

Conference attendees then heard from Dr. Mercedes Ramirez Fernandez, the vice president for Equity and Diversity at the University of Minnesota. Her presentation, focused on transformational leadership, noted that intersecting identities can impact the way that people are perceived as leaders. Citing a Harvard Business Review finding that “withholding your true self puts a cap on trust and on your ability to lead,” she stressed the value of the unique experiences individuals bring to leadership, such as the lively conversations around the table with her extended family members that influenced her belief in transformation thorough conversation.

Throughout the day, an impressive lineup of 30 business leaders, executives, and experts—half of whom are Carlson School alumni—presented in 12 breakout sessions and panels on topics ranging from “Networking to Propel Your Career” and “Charting your Path to Retirement” to “The Business of Beauty” and the “Future of Leadership and the Role of Femininity.”

Inside the Boardroom was the final session of the day, featuring the conference’s Honorary Chair Marcia Page, ’83 MBA, in conversation with Prenkert. Page answered questions about her path to CEO and what she learned from the challenges she faced as she rose through a field that was not particularly diverse or inclusive. “The tone at the top is critical for diversity, inclusion, equity in opportunity,” Page explained, because people take their cues from leadership. She also shared that in her experience, “inclusive cultures are created in an environment where people can speak up and challenge the status quo.”  

A Community Impact Reception closed out the day. Local organizations that support and empower women and girls showcased their work, while conference attendees mingled, networked, and discussed their takeaways from the day.

“The challenges are great, but the opportunities are there,” said Prenkert in closing comments, to further the important work of inclusion and empowerment for all gender identities. 

All business leaders, early career professionals, and everyone committed to collective allyship across all identities are invited to save the date for next year’s Women’s Leadership Conference: March 7, 2025.

The sponsors of the 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference were:

Presenting Sponsor: Tennant
Premier Sponsor: MPowered Capital / Varde
Gold Sponsor: RBC Wealth Management
Silver Sponsors: Andersen, Takeda, Land O’Lakes, & Bank of America
Maroon Sponsors: Northborne Partners, Nerdery, & Securian
Community Sponsors: Eide Bailly, Jump To Health, & Capstone Publishing
Non-Profit Sponsors: Mary Merrill, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, & University of Minnesota Department of Public Safety