Women’s Leadership Forum

The Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) began as a collective of women leaders at UConn who are invested in the development and success of other women in leadership positions. The WLF is currently supported through the Women’s Center and Human Resources (UConn and UConn Health).

Events are organized by a Steering Committee, and our goals are to:

  • share experiences, practices, and other resources;
  • with an intersectional lens, address leadership concerns that are unique to women in a leadership position;
  • provide ongoing support to new and emerging women leaders; and
  • offer community building and other programs to sustain the community of women leaders at UConn.

The WLF and our events are open to anyone.

Programming and Events

The Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) offers programming throughout the academic year with a focus on professional development, community building, and networking. These events are advertised through The Daily Digest, UConn Health Lifeline, and emails to past participants.

For more information about the Women’s Leadership Forum and future programming, please contact Kathleen.Holgerson@uconn.edu

Upcoming Events

Fall 2026 Save the Date – Friday, October 16th from 3 – 5 p.m.

Past Events

Spring 2026 The Power of Connection: Mentoring, Sponsorship & Coaching

Panel Discussion
Friday, March 27, 2026
UConn Law School (Janet M. Blumberg Hall (JMH) in the Hosmer Hall)
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Panelists:

  • Rebecca Andrews, MS, MD, MACP, Professor of Medicine, APD/Director of Ambulatory Education IM Residency, Chair Board of Regents – American College of Physicians
  • Mo Cotton Kelly, Chief People Officer and Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations, University of Connecticut Foundation
  • Ngozi Taffe, Associate Vice President for Global Affairs, University of Connecticut

 

Spring 2024 Fearless Women Leaders: Breaking Down Barriers in Historically Male-Dominated Spaces

Panel Discussion
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
UConn Law School (Starr Reading Room)
5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Panelists:

Panelists:

  • Lakeesha Brown, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Anne Horbatuck, Vice President, Ambulatory Services COO, UConn Health
  • Leslie Shor, Professor, Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education

 

Fall 2023 Women Leaders Networking Reception

Wednesday, November 15, 2023
UConn Women’s Center, Storrs
5 – 6:15 p.m.

The Women’s Center will host a talk by Nia Eshu Martin-Robinson, Founding Partner at For The Culture Consulting, LLC and Board Member of the organization SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW focused on “The Path to Reproductive Freedom: Understanding the Nuances of Reproductive Health, Reproductive Rights, and Reproductive Justice.” Women’s Leadership Forum members are invited to both the exclusive networking reception and the talk, which is open to the public. Nia will also join the reception with Women Leaders. To learn more about this event click here.

 

Spring 2023 Leading from your Sphere of Influence

Panel Discussion
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
UConn Law School (Starr Reading Room)
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Panelists:

  • Anne Langley, Dean, UConn Library
  • Nina Rovinelli Heller, PhD, Dean, School of Social Work and Zachs Chair in Social Work and Co-Director, PhD Program
  • Eboni S. Nelson, Dean, School of Law and Professor of Law
  • Juli Wade, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychological Sciences
  • Laura Cruickshank, Associate Vice president, Master Planner and Chief Archit4ect, University Planning Design and Construction

 

Fall 2022 Sharing your Leadership Story: A Conversation with Women Leaders

Panel Discussion
Wednesday, October 13, 2022
Graduate Business Learning Center
100 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

Panelists:

  • Fany Hannon, Director, Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center and Affiliate Faculty, Neag School of Education
  • Kiki Nissen, M.D., FACP, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
  • Michelle Williams, PhD, Executive Director of Operations and Associate VP for Research Administration

 

Spring 2022 Women Leaders Networking Reception

Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Jorgensen Gallery
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. 

The Women’s Leadership Forum hosted its inaugural event as a networking reception preceding the Roxane Gay presented co-hosted by the UConn Women’s Center and Jorgensen’s ongoing Arts and Activism Series. Click here to learn more.

 

Steering Committee

  • Alexandra Schmitt – Ambulatory Director of Medicine, UConn Health
  • Alison O’Connor – Well-Being & Engagement Specialist, UConn Health
  • Alka Sharma – IT Director Ambulatory Applications, UConn Health
  • Beata Labunko – Director of Performance Improvement, Population Health, UConn Health
  • Crystal Coulombe – Director of Diagnostic Imaging, UConn Health
  • Ingrid Napoletano – Assistant Vice President, Information Technology Applications, UConn Health
  • Jennifer Lease Butts – Associate Vice Provost for Enrichment Programs, Director of the Honors Program, UConn
  • Jessica Grabel – Assistant Vice President-Ancillary Services, UConn Health
  • Johannah Gorgone – Director of Employee Services, Human Resources, UConn
  • Judy Lopez – Associate Director of Business Operations, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, UConn and UConn Health
  • Kara Wright – Patient Access Training Specialist, UConn Health
  • Kathleen Holgerson – Director, Women’s Center, UConn
  • Kelly Wallace – Director, IT Clinical Systems, UConn Health
  • Khadija Poitras-Rhea – Associate Vice President Population Health, UConn Health
  • Kristen Govoni – Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Director, Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, UConn
  • Magdalena Silver – Deputy Chief, UConn Police Department, UConn and UConn Health
  • Michelle Thomas – Administrative Director, Operating Room Unit, UConn Health
  • Sara Mahoney – Assistant Vice President of Corporate & Foundation Relations, UConn Foundation
  • Sarita Arteaga – Associate Dean for Students, Professor (Clinical), UConn School of Dental Medicine
  • Shaela Ryng – HR Consultant, Human Resources, UConn Health
  • Sheyda Younessi – Interim Senior Director of Fiscal & Business Operations, Health Information Management Compliance & Analytics, and Health Equity & Access to Care, Student Health and Wellness, UConn
  • Yadiris Vega – EPIC Ambulatory, Application Analyst I, UConn Health