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Meet Lauren Kay, An Author and Podcaster
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Lauren: Empowering women means to me to build and create spaces for other women to take up space; to have a space to explore who they are and who they want to be with curiosity and intention. This would mean building bridges in the gaps that hinders women from reaching and unlocking their full potential with tools that meet women where they are instead of expecting women to prove themselves worthy of having access to tools. This is

albrewstergraning
2 days ago2 min read


Meet Sarah Huguette Kenda-Misenga, An Entrepreneur
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Sarah: Empowering women, to me, means more than giving someone an opportunity. It means opening a door, walking through it together, and holding it open for the next person. It’s about transforming survival into strength and turning the pain we’ve carried into a platform for others to rise. I believe that empowerment starts with seeing people as they are — not what society expects them to be. Too often, women are told to “be strong”

albrewstergraning
Jan 56 min read


Meet Youma Kromer, An Author and Life Coach
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Youma: To me, empowering women means giving space for voices that are too often silenced. It’s about recognizing strength not as something to be given, but something already there — waiting to be heard, seen, and valued. Empowerment is not charity; it’s partnership. It’s women inspiring women, building bridges across continents, and proving that change begins with empathy and shared responsibility. Q: How did you get started working

albrewstergraning
Dec 29, 20252 min read


Meet Kim Lillpop, A Director of Customer Experience
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Kim: Empowering women, to me, means embodying strength, leadership, and serving as a role model for other women in the industry and manufacturing world. It encompasses having a strong work ethic, leading through change, and setting an example of how to handle adversity, collaborate with others, and foster a dynamic and positive work environment. By being a beacon of change and a source of light for others, we can teach, mentor, and l

albrewstergraning
Dec 23, 20253 min read


Meet Yamini Pathuri, A Product Manager
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Yamini: Empowering women means creating equal opportunities and supporting them to reach their full potential. To me, it’s about building confidence, removing barriers, and fostering a culture where women’s voices are heard, respected, and celebrated Q: How did you get started working in your field? Yamini: I completed my Master’s in Data Science and had the opportunity to work as a Backend Developer. I am now looking to transition i

albrewstergraning
Dec 16, 20251 min read


Meet Manya Chylinski, A Resilience + Risk Strategist
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Manya: Empowering women means recognizing and honoring the full range of our experiences—both personal and professional—and ensuring we have the tools, support, and voice to lead with strength, clarity, and compassion. It means creating spaces where vulnerability is not a liability, but a strength; where resilience is nurtured, not just expected; and where leadership is redefined through empathy and purpose. Empowering women also mea

albrewstergraning
Dec 9, 20252 min read


Meet Mollie Campbell, A Corporate Trainer on Domestic Abuse Awareness
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? To me, empowering women means helping them find their voice and stand confidently in their truth. It's about creating space where women feel supported, seen, and safe—especially those who have been through hard things and are still standing. Empowerment is not just about lifting ourselves up, but reaching back to pull others forward. It’s also about giving women the tools and encouragement to lead, grow, and know they are never alone

albrewstergraning
Dec 9, 20252 min read


Meet Zohreh Tajik, An Educator
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Empowering women means creating the conditions that allow women to make independent choices, have equal access to opportunities, and participate fully in all aspects of society—economically, politically, socially, and personally. It’s about removing barriers—both visible and invisible—that limit women’s potential, and fostering environments where women are respected, heard, and supported. In particular, empowering Afghan women holds

albrewstergraning
Dec 1, 20253 min read


Meet Voula Litsogiannis, A Leader In The Hospitality Industry
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Empowering women is about creating pathways for women to step into their full potential, especially in spaces where leadership hasn't traditionally looked like them. It’s not just about representation, but about voice, influence, and impact. To me, empowerment is two-fold: it’s systemic and it’s personal. Systemically, it means changing cultures and policies to promote equity and inclusion. Personally, it means building up other wome

albrewstergraning
Nov 25, 20254 min read


Finding Myself in Uganda
The Invitation Charli Matthews sent me a text in February that stopped me in my tracks:“ I was wondering, if I go back to Africa, would you want to come with me?” I reread it a dozen times before replying in about two seconds with a confirmation. Two months later—after a teensy passport mix-up, a round of vaccinations, and a lot of prayers mostly focused on surviving two back-to-back nine-hour flights without facing claustrophobia-induced anxiety diarrhea—I was on my way. Fac

albrewstergraning
Nov 3, 20255 min read


Meet Amy LaBelle, A Winemaker
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Amy: Empowering women means showing, by example, that they don’t have to choose between a successful business and a meaningful family life. I’ve built multiple businesses, led teams, and grown a thriving winery—all while raising two boys and staying grounded in my role as a mother and partner. It hasn’t always been easy, but with structure, discipline, and clear time management, I’ve learned how to move forward every single day wit

albrewstergraning
Oct 31, 20253 min read


Unstoppable: Alexandra Nemeth's Journey to the World's Highest Peaks
The path to becoming unstoppable rarely follows a straight line. For Alexandra (Alex) Nemeth, it began with a life-changing solo trek in the Nepal Himalayas in 2012 that ignited a fire within her. That three-week journey led to one of the most ambitious goals imaginable: climbing the Seven Summits—the highest peak on every continent. Today, from her base in St. Moritz, Switzerland, this International Mountain Leader and Polar Guide doesn't just conquer the world's most extrem

albrewstergraning
Oct 28, 20254 min read


Meet Catherine Peter, An Architect for Educational Facilities
Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you? Catherine: To me, empowering women means making sure they feel like they truly belong, especially in spaces where they are often underrepresented. As a woman working in construction, I have sometimes been the only woman on site. There have been moments when I felt unheard or overlooked, not because of my capabilities, but because of assumptions about who belongs in the room. Empowerment means changing that experience. It means build

albrewstergraning
Oct 24, 20254 min read


Unstoppable Women: A Panel of Power, Purpose, and Perseverance
Every year at the Empowering Women Conference , one of the highlights is gathering women leaders who not only excel in their fields but also leave a lasting mark on the lives of those around them. This year’s Unstoppable Women Panel on Oct 2nd in Chicago promises to do just that. These women—Delana Roe, Sarah Pennington, Tammy Simmons, and Ashley Wheeler Huffman—are more than speakers on a stage. They are mentors, visionaries, encouragers, and friends who embody the courag

albrewstergraning
Oct 22, 20253 min read


Celebrating the Unstoppable: Empowering Women 2025 Award Winners
What an unforgettable week in Chicago! Our 7th annual Empowering Women in Industry Conference & Awards Gala was filled with powerful stories, inspiring connections, and a whole lot of unstoppable energy. From the moment the doors opened, the excitement was undeniable. Over two incredible days, we laughed, learned, shared, and celebrated the women who are redefining what leadership looks like in our industry. This year’s theme - “Unstoppable” - came to life in every session, e

albrewstergraning
Oct 20, 20258 min read


YellaWood Names Ann Blair Gribbin Five-Star Hero Contest Winner
Gribbin to be Honored with VIP Experience at the YellaWood 500 on Oct. 19 YellaWood, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of pressure-treated lumber, proudly announced Ann Blair Gribbin as the winner of its Five-Star Hero Contest. Designed to honor unsung heroes, the contest awards the winner and guests a VIP experience at the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway this October. Gribbin was selected as the winning Five-Star Hero for her extraordinary courage and

albrewstergraning
Oct 15, 20253 min read


Women in engineering drive change at AEMT Conference
The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades underlined its commitment to diversity with the launch of its first Women in Engineering Power Hour. Held at the recent AEMT Conference, the session brought together women from across the industry to reflect on findings from a recent survey, share lived experiences, and to identify practical steps to support inclusion and career progression in the electromechanical sector. The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades

albrewstergraning
Oct 14, 20253 min read


Cheryl Merchant to be Inducted into the 2025 Class of the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame
Taco has announced that Cheryl Merchant, CEO of Taco Family of Companies, has been named as one of 12 outstanding leaders who make up the...

albrewstergraning
Aug 19, 20252 min read


Fueling Leadership: How Hormones and Nutrition Impact Your Professional Power
When was the last time you thought about how your breakfast might affect your performance in that afternoon board meeting? Or considered...

albrewstergraning
Aug 13, 20254 min read


Franklin Electric Appoints Daniela Williams as Chief Human Resources Officer to Lead Talent and Culture Strategy
Franklin Electric Co., Inc . (NASDAQ: FELE) announced that Daniela Williams will join its executive leadership team as Chief Human...

albrewstergraning
Aug 12, 20252 min read
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