Sponsorship support provided in memory of Frances Moseley Purdum ('52 ) and in honor of Judith Shreckhise Strickler (’60).

7:45-9:00 am

Check-in | Festival Student and Conference Center

8:15-9:00 am

Breakfast | Festival Ballroom A

We are pleased to offer a full breakfast, which includes a variety of hot and cold options.

9:00 am

Welcome & Overview | Festival Ballroom A

Women for Madison Assistant Director Meghan Schenker-Fulcher & Executive Advisory Council Vice Chair Sierra Stanczyk (’09)

9:10-10:00 am

Keynote 1 | Festival Ballroom A

Elizabeth Paul (’03): Nevertheless, we persist  

Women make up roughly half of the American workforce yet still make 85c on every dollar paid to men; and only 10% of Fortune 500 companies have a female leader at the helm. As women enter (or make our way) through the workforce, we must learn to thrive amid less-than-ideal circumstances — even as we create change to make it better for the women coming up behind us. This talk will cover how women persevere in the midst of adversity, and how that adversity can unlock our strengths.

10:15-11:00 am

Breakout Session 1 | Festival Ballroom B

Carrie Willetts (’97):THE QUEST FOR RELEVANCE: How to Find and Maintain Your Professional Relevance Without Losing Your Soul Along the Way

As women, most of us have gotten pretty good at maintaining our personal relevance. We CONTRIBUTE and ADD VALUE to our families, friends and communities in our roles as wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, caregivers, homemakers, household managers, volunteers, mentors, coaches, learners, planners and organizers BUT finding and maintaining our PROFESSIONAL RELEVANCE can be a whole lot harder.Carrie will share stories and lessons from her personal and professional journey that have helped her maintain professional relevance again and again. 

Breakout Session 2 | Highlands Room

Morgan Dye (’05), Libby Hale Azzarello (’11) and Corrie Park (’28P) with moderator Suzanne Bergmeister: Authenticity in Action: Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion on entrepreneurship featuring three remarkable women- Libby Hale Azzarello, Morgan Dye and Corrie Park. They will be speaking about their journey to entrepreneurship. They will explore how utilizing creativity, authenticity and connection can help build a successful business. Additionally, panelists will discuss the importance of marrying past jobs and experiences to create a job that you love. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with like-minded individuals!

11:00-12:45 pm

Women for Madison Apparel Store — Get Ready to Try and Buy!

The Women for Madison apparel store will have an amazing selection of items for you to try on and order. Don't miss out on the chance to find your perfect fit and style!

11:15-12:00 pm

Breakout Session 3 | Festival Ballroom B

Leigh Evans: Bridging the Gap: Understanding Intergenerational Communication

Join me as I unpack years of qualitative life experience and quantitative research to better understand the interplay between generational and personal values and how they affect our ability to effectively communicate.  In this session, we will determine our personal values; discover overarching generational values; learn to anticipate expectation violations; and implement feedback methods. 

Breakout Session 4 | Highlands Room

Dr. Ebony Parker Waugh (’93): Walking in Purpose: Embracing Your Story, Empowering Your Future 

Hear an uplifting message about embracing your own journey, discovering your purpose and learning from the women who came before you. By embracing your story—without comparison or hesitation—you unlock the power to define your own path and purpose. Through personal stories and practical advice, this presentation will inspire every woman to step boldly into her path and contribute to their legacy of impact and empowerment.

12:15 pm- 12:45 pm

Luncheon & Remarks | Festival Ballroom A

Carol Anderson (’86) & Cannie Graham (’95, ’20M, ’25 Ph.D.)

12:45 pm- 1:45 pm

Keynote 2 | Festival Ballroom A

Dr. Linda M. Thomas : Enough; The Power of Owning Your Story: A Journey of Paradox, Persistence and Becoming Whole 

2:00-2:45 pm

Breakout Session 5 | Great Room

Caroline Stoaks (’25) and Dr. Teresa Haase (’95,’02M, Ed.S): Changing Pain to Purpose 

This session will cover the transformative journey of turning pain into purpose. Caroline will share her powerful story of resilience and how she founded Pain to Purpose, a nonprofit supporting foster youth. Attendees will reflect on their own experiences and learn how to shape their purpose from their challenges. Join this session for an opportunity to connect, grow, and be inspired!

Breakout Session 6 | Highlands Room

Claire Chewning (’17): Nourish to Flourish: How to Connect to Your Body’s Appetite Cues and Embrace Balanced Nutrition Over Restrictive Diet Rules

Through her personal food journey and professional experience as a Registered Dietitian, Claire knows that the “diet starts Monday” mentality is not the way to build a long-lasting healthy relationship with food and nutrition. If you’re ready to break free from yo-yo dieting and nutrition misinformation, join her for this session where you’ll learn how to nourish your body with feel-good nutrition and listen to your body’s cues instead of diet rules. 

Connect with Claire:
Website: clairechewning.com
Instagram: @clairechewning

2:45- 3:00 pm

Wrap-up and Rally | Festival Ballroom A

Thank you! Get excited and gear up for an unforgettable evening!

Purple Ball (Brix and Columns)

5:00 - 5:15 pm

Pick-up for Purple Ball at Brix and Columns | Hotel Madison Lobby

Pick up at Hotel Madison Lobby (both buses leave in 5 to 10 minute intervals from Hotel Madison)

5:30 - 6:15 pm

Cocktails and Convos | Brix and Columns

6:15 - 7:45 pm

Welcome & Remarks | Executive Advisory Council Chair Carol Anderson (’86), Past Chair Angela Russell (’85), Vice Chair Sierra Stanczyk (’09); Summit co-chair Julie Flournoy (’89)

Lauren K. Alleyne: (Un)Becoming Gretel: A Poetry Performance
Lauren K. Alleyne offers a look into how the stories we receive shape the stories we tell ourselves.

6:45 pm- 7:30 pm

Dinner

Enjoy a delicious dinner provided by Shenandoah Provisions! Savor grilled pork topped with a flavorful romesco sauce, paired with oven-roasted potatoes and sautéed zucchini. A vegetarian option is also available, featuring a hearty grilled cauliflower steak in place of the pork.

*If you have registered and have specific dietary restrictions you did not disclose please contact the Women for Madison office at 540-569-8831or womenformadison@jmu.edu*

Remarks

Summit co-chair McKenna Kendrick (’16) & Women for Madison Assistant Director Meghan Schenker-Fulcher

Presentation of Spirit of Philanthropy Award & Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award 

Cannie Graham (’95, ’20M, ’25 Ph.D.), AVP, Collaborative Leadership and Philanthropy, Women for Madison 

8:00 - 9:30 pm

Dancing with a live DJ | Brix and Columns

9:30 - 9:45 pm

Buses Depart | Brix and Columns

Brunch | D-Hall or E-Hall
Door Price (open 10 am-4:30 pm)

Sound bathing in the Arboretum | Ernst Tree Terrace (adjacent to Plecker Education Center) 
$10 (11am) 
Bring a yoga mat, blanket or lawn chair, and join sound healer and yoga and meditation teacher Connie Magee for an etheric journey in the woods. (Pre-registration required)

Hidden HerStories: Inspiring Women from JMU’s Past | Wilson Hall
$10 (at 11:00 am, 11:15 am, 11:30 am)
This inclusive approach highlights the many accomplished women students, faculty, staff, and administrators who helped build and shape the institution we know today. Join us for a special walking tour that reclaims these hidden herstories as “our stories.”

Movie: "Black Holes" | John C. Wells Planetarium
$10 (11 am)
Join us at the planetarium on May 4th for an epic space-themed adventure, exploring the mysteries of black holes with spectacular visuals and immersive light shows.

BINGO Around Campus | Various Locations
Free, all day as you wish
Join your friends to play this bingo game, and mail it back to us for some JMU/WFM swag!

Join us at the Women Who Amaze Summit to connect, learn, and celebrate — together.