UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education aims to uplift and inspire women

"At the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, women thrive."

This is how associate professor Lyna Matesi and MBA candidate Serena Vincent begin each episode of the Women Trailblazers Podcast. Through the work of Continuing Education, in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Wisconsin and UW-Stevens Point Sentry School of Business and Economics, this statement has become a reality.

Every November, women and their allies come together to empower and inspire each other at the annual Women Trailblazers Conference at UW-Stevens Point. What started in 2019 as the one-hour online event, "Entrepreneurial Essentials for Women" has become a hub for women to connect and celebrate each other in the face of male dominated industries.

Over the last five years, the conference has seen many changes to its content and format, all the while showing an upward trajectory of attendance and exhibitors. It will return this year with the theme of "Igniting Your Voice," and an expected attendance of more than 200 participants.

Mara Prausa, continuing education program manager, has been involved in planning Women Trailblazers since 2022. Since joining the conference team, she has enjoyed creating a positive experience for attendees.

"Women juggle so many things," she said. "This is an opportunity to let it all go and be inspired. It has been really rewarding to see people leave Women Trailblazers feeling energized."

Each year, the conference addresses different topics and themes that intersect entrepreneurship and the experience of womanhood. The Women Trailblazers advisory committee works year-round to carefully curate the conference experience. For the past two years, this has included keynote speakers, panels of women from specific sectors and entrepreneurial workshops.

Participants have noted that it is a different experience than other conferences they have attended because of the free flow of conversation and ideas that takes place. With conversations ranging from starting a business to being a forward-thinking leader, women from all walks of life have had meaningful experiences and come away with new ideas and perspectives.

Beyond the invigorating workshops and panels available to attendees, women across industries have also built connections that lasted beyond this one-day event.

"Last year we had breakout sessions that focused on women in manufacturing." Prausa said. "Some of those speakers connected with the owner of Northwood Blooms, a luxury floral shop, and invited her to host a wooden bouquet craft workshop through a local Women in Manufacturing group. It was cool to see this connection, and how it helped expand a business and provide further networking opportunities for women."

This year brings exciting opportunities for attendees to ignite their voice and learn tools for advocacy. Keynote speaker Deanna Singh, award-winning author, educator, business leader and social justice champion, will speak on her work as a trailblazer in social change.

New this year, UW-Stevens Point Alumni Association 2023 Trailblazer Spotlight Recipient Christine Russell will share her expertise in health promotion and corporate wellness for women of color.

With the theme "Igniting Your Voice," conference organizers hope that attendees will walk away feeling empowered and willing to advocate for themselves and others.

"There are very powerful ways to use your voice." Prausa says, "We are really excited about the idea of women and allies using their voices for inclusivity, networking, for allyship or even mentoring."

What the conference team wants everyone to know is that every woman is a trailblazer in her own right. Whether you are a leader, a team player or a change maker, being a trailblazer is about more than radical action. For Prausa, it all starts with a dream.

"To me, being a Woman Trailblazer means that I can have big dreams, and nothing will stand in my way of making them come true."

Registration is now open for the Women Trailblazers Conference at UW-Stevens Point. If you are interested in igniting your voice on Nov. 6, visit: https://www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/Women-Trailblazers-Conference.aspx.

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