For Immediate Release – November 12, 2026

Contact:
Brian Otten, Marketing & Workforce Development Director
Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce
715-848-5947 | botten@wausauchamber.com

National speakers to headline twelfth Women’s Leadership Conference

WAUSAU — Professional speakers Jill Griffin and Amber Swenor will be featured at the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Conference presented by BankFirst to be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2027 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild. The conference is titled Grit, Goals and Genuine Leadership and will feature a trio of breakout sessions.

The Conference, celebrating its twelfth anniversary in 2027, is designed to inspire and encourage women of all ages and career levels. This event offers an opportunity for women to develop skills that will carry through to both their work and personal lives. As many as 700 attendees from around the state have participated in previous conferences.

The conference is developed by a committee of women with the intention of energizing, supporting, developing and educating women leaders and those who desire to become leaders.

“The Women’s Leadership Conference is one of my favorite annual events,” said Amber Gober, a member of the event’s planning committee. “The inspiring speakers provide practical insights that I can apply in both my professional and personal life, and the networking opportunities with fellow community leaders are exceptional. I leave each year feeling energized, motivated and ready to take on new challenges and opportunities.”

The featured speakers at this year’s event each bring a wide range of leadership experiences.

• Jill Griffin is holds three coaching certifications and has spent more than two decades helping leaders and teams unlock their strengths and drive lasting performance. She's coached hundreds of leaders worldwide, blending generative AI tools with the human essence of coaching to create real, measurable growth, and she hosts The Career Refresh podcast. 
• Amber Swenor is a transformational leadership strategist, author and creator of the Authentic Intelligence framework, built on the belief that leadership fails when leaders lose themselves under pressure. She works with CEOs and leadership teams to close the gap between who they say they are and how they lead when it counts.

This year’s Conference also features breakout sessions, including:

• ‘Failures I've Learned From’ featuring a panel of local leaders
• ‘When The 'Why' Isn't Working’ with Bridget Wenman and Jennifer Ekiss
• ‘Sustaining Your Talent Pipeline’ with Thomas Schultz and Jodie Klopfer

“The positive energy, inspiring speakers and opportunities to connect with new and familiar faces make (the conference) a highlight of my year,” said Mauri Brueggeman, a member of the event’s planning committee. “I always leave feeling motivated and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.”

The program is open to Chamber members at an early bird rate of $179 through the end of November. A table of eight can be reserved for $1,500 under this special rate. A lunch buffet and snacks, including gourmet popcorn and gelato, are included in this price. Individuals and groups interested in attending can register at WausauChamber.

The presenting sponsor of the 2027 Women’s Leadership Conference is BankFirst, the gold sponsors are Findorff, Foundation Finance Company LLC, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co Inc, Rib Mountain Oral Surgery and Vitality Bar, LLC, the silver sponsors are Buska Retirement Solutions and Buska Wealth Management, CWAV, Design Theory 19, Habitat for Humanity of Wausau-Restore, Rondele Ranch and Spectrum Benefit Solutions of Central Wisconsin. The production sponsor is Event Production Systems.

Caption for WLCSpeakers27.jpg: Professional speakers Jill Griffin, left, and Amber Swenor, right, will be the featured presenters at the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce’s 2027 Women’s Leadership Conference to be held at the Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center in Rothschild on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.

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The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce is the source for business information in the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The organization has earned a 5-Star Accreditation, one of only two chambers in the state with that designation. The Chamber strengthens member businesses and enhances the region by building business success. For more information on the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, visit us online at www.wausauchamber.com or call 715-845-6231.