With the end of the academic year coming, Gustavus Women in Leadership wraps up their year as well. The end of the year for GWiL means the annual conference. This year’s GWiL conference turned out to be their biggest turnout yet.
Gustavus Women in Leadership was established in 2012 and has been inspiring women and providing opportunities for them ever since. As one of the largest organizations on the Gustavus’ campus they provide opportunities for their members to learn, develop and get a chance to be in a leadership role.
They host numerous events throughout the year that engage their members who are not only Gustavus students but graduates of Gustavus and other colleges as well.
The members are able to learn from the alumni, ask questions, seek advice and overall engage with a large network of women in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
The conference is the biggest event GWiL puts on for the year as they have the most attendants there out of all their events.
“The executive board members begin preparation for the annual GWiL conference in the summer and then the conference takes place the following spring,” Marketing and Communications committee member Meredith Fahrenz said.
“It was a really incredible experience to be surrounded by such powerful and inspirational women” – Meredith Fahrenz
This year’s conference took place at the American Swewdish Institute in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 28, 2016. The conference officially began at 9 a.m. with the welcome and opening remarks following the first Keynote speaker, Beth Schnell.
The conference contained two breakout sessions as well which allow for more interaction between alumni and students. Then lunch takes place at noon following the second Keynote speaker, Angie Bastian and then closing remarks take place around 2:30 p.m. making it an all-day event.
It was GWiL’s 6th annual conference this year and also marked it as the one with the highest attendance between alumni and students.
The conference does cost a fee to attend but is extremely beneficial and inspriational for everyone. This year’s conference was entitled “Change Management: Drive Change Before it Drives You.” The conference this year focused on change management in terms of change with your personal and professional life, how to go about it and how to manage it.
“It was a really incredible experience to be surrounded by such powerful and inspirational women and learning the different ways to grow personally and professionally,” Fahrenz said.
Gustavus Women in Leadership has proven to be successful and continues to grow in their members and success as an organization. GWiL is open to all Gustavus students and encourages them to get involved.