Women in Leadership Conference 2025

Women in Leadership, an inspiring educational presentation by Kansas Wesleyan University staff, students, and community members. This conference took place on March 27^th in Sams Chapel. The event began at 5:00 PM with a networking session, allowing attendees to connect with the speakers in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Women Speakers

“Your Voice Matters” was the theme of this year’s Women in Leadership speaker series. The seven speakers were: Julie and Robin Cates, Luci Larson, Dr. Kourtney Maison, Margaret Dixon, Annie Grevas, Sydney Mitchell, and Kristi Nortcutt.

Community Speakers

Kristi Northcutt, City Administrator for Lindsborg, Kansas (located 15 minutes from Salina), earned her undergraduate degree from Bethany College. She has spearheaded community growth in Lindsborg, including a recent $3.5 million investment in a childcare center. Northcutt spoke about finding her voice when family members were unable to advocate for themselves. Urging the audience, “Never give up. Never be silent.”

Julie and Robin Cates, creators of On The Pot, a pottery painting shop in downtown Salina. Represent the third generation of their family’s entrepreneurial legacy. Their primary goal in establishing On The Pot was to cultivate a fun and welcoming downtown business. They credit the women around them for empowering them to be leaders and advocate for themselves.

KWU Speakers

Kansas Wesleyan University Communications Professor and 2014 alumna, Dr. Kourtney Maison, spoke passionately about the underrepresentation of women in public speaking. She envisioned the conference as a catalyst for change. Dr. Maison’s powerful speech resonated with the audience, leaving them with impactful messages, including, “Women inspire young women, and young women inspire little girls.”

Junior English major and KWU student, Sydney Mitchell, spoke to the audience about her journey to find her voice. Along with being a three-year KWU cheerleader, she is also the president of the NAACP youth and college chapter in Salina, which she helped found. The Salina Post wrote an article about what Mitchell has accomplished with NAACP, KWU sophomore elected first president of NAACP Kansas youth, college chapters.

She spoke of the isolation of being the only black female student in her small Kansas hometown, and the bullying she faced, until her family moved to Nebraska. Where she found her voice through cheerleading and wrestling. She concluded with the powerful message, “You deserve a fulfilling life,” underscoring the importance of actively shaping one’s environment and surrounding oneself with supportive people.

Women in Leadership at KWU

At the networking event preceding the speaker presentations, the Kansas Wesleyan University STEM Club showcased their initiatives to promote women’s participation in STEM. Club President Elijah Resano shared details about the club’s progress, including their successful Women in STEM luncheons featuring guest speaker Dr. Tendai Gadzikwa of Kansas State University. 

Success of Conference

This Women in Leadership conference plays a pivotal role in sparking meaningful dialogue about female leadership right here in our community. It creates a space where often-marginalized voices are not only heard but celebrated, granting them the recognition they rightfully deserve. By shining a spotlight on these remarkable women, the conference empowers others to step into leadership roles, challenging existing norms and fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment for all.

Here is an article by Savannah Koga about Women in Leadership 2024. They intend to continue these conferences, with the 2026 event set more March.