The 2023 WLC Ignited!
The calm before the storm as the Bay Path team sets up in the exhibitor hall.
Bay Path students eagerly await to greet attendees before the doors opened.
WLC exhibitor Alianza, who partnered with Bay Path students for the Clothesline Project displayed behind their table.
Attendees ready for a great day!
Crowd favorite exhibitor Feel Good, Shop Local.
Bay Path student clubs Women in Business and The Nonprofit Club exhibiting at the WLC.
Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno welcomes attendees.
WLC emcee Victoria Ann Rodriguez '12 G'16
It was a full house at the 2023 WLC.
Morning keynote speaker Betsy Allen-Manning
Betsy's joy and energy was contagious!
Betsy got attendees up on their feet and igniting with one another!
... including some attendees joining her on stage!
MassMutual ignites the WLC!
MassMutual Bay Path alumni
Betsy signing books and greeting attendees.
Breakout session with Nilofer Merchant
Breakout session with Pirie Jones Grossman.
Breakout session with Alexandra Samuel.
Breakout session with Juliet Hall.
Bay Path alumni reunited (and reignited!) at the WLC.
Nonprofit Spotlight 2023: Girls, Inc. of the Valley
Suzanne Parker of Girls, Inc. of the Valley
Our WLC attendees had several new fun photo opportunities this year, including this rotating camera by Brian Nicks Productions.
21st Century Women Business Leader Hall of Fame nominee Denise Jordan.
Denise joins President Doran on stage to accept her award.
Denise addresses the audience with a heartfelt acceptance speech.
21st Century Women Business Leader Hall of Fame nominee Tunde Oyeneyin.
Tunde joins President Doran on stage to accept her award.
Tunde addresses the audience with an inspiring acceptance speech.
Tunde Oyeneyin joins the stage as our Luncheon Keynote Speaker!
Tunde addresses the crowd.
A member of the audience joins in for Tunde's Q+A session.
Tunde's connection with the audience was palpable!
Bay Path Alumni ignite the WLC!
Bay Path One-Day-A-Week and TAWC alumni.
Over a hundred attendees were in line to meet Tunde!
Bay Path alumni sharing what they're igniting this year!
More photo fun at the Yankee Candle Village table.
Emcee Victoria Ann Rodriguez '12 G'16 greets President Sandra Doran on stage.
President Doran shares exciting happenings at BPU!
Bay Path University President Sandra Doran.
President Doran welcomes Afternoon Keynote Speaker Robin Roberts to the stage!
President Doran interviewing Robin Roberts.
Robin Roberts shared personal stories about vulnerability and strength.
An audience member gets the chance to ask Robin a question.
Robin Roberts chats with an audience member during the Q+A segment.
An honorary Wildcat for the day!
Save the date!
On April 7, 2023, over 1600 people gathered together to be inspired, to be invigorated, and to turn their notes into actions as they spent the day at the 26th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC). This year’s conference theme, Ignite, came after the return of the WLC in 2022 after a pandemic-related pause. After two long years away, the WLC community came together to REimagine their lives, and in 2023, they came together to ignite those dreams and turn them into their reality.
The morning kicked off with a welcome by Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno before emcee extraordinaire and Bay Path alumna Victoria Ann Rodriguez '12 G'16 welcomed our morning keynote speaker to the stage. Betsy Allen-Manning, founder of Corporate Culture Training Solutions, sparked the audience to life with her sense of humor, joy, and actionable steps to help attendees ignite their best life.
Luncheon keynote speaker Tunde Oyeneyin, one of Peloton’s elite cycling and bike boot camp instructors and a New York Times best-selling author, inspired attendees to dig deep and to stay true to themselves and their dreams, while afternoon keynote speaker and “Good Morning America” co-host, author, and Emmy award winner Robin Roberts shared the power of vulnerability and letting faith in your dreams - and yourself - overcome fear.
In between keynotes, attendees celebrated the recipient of the 2023 WLC Non-Profit Spotlight, Girls, Inc. of the Valley, and the two new nominees for the 21st Century Women’s Business Leaders Hall of Fame: Denise Jordan, for her career dedicated to public service where she has consistently and passionately promoted the rights and improved lives of her fellow community members, and keynote speaker Tunde Oyenein.
The conference also featured breakout sessions led by bestselling authors, executives, and researchers, including “Forging and Managing the Hybrid Workplace” with Alexandra Samuel; “Igniting Your Innovation and Understanding Your ‘Onlyness’” with Nilofer Merchant; “You Have a Seat at the Table, Now What?” with Pirie Jones Grossman; and “The Power of Inclusive Leadership” with Juliet Hall.
Throughout the day, attendees had the chance to network and engage with over 50 exhibitors (see the full list here!), With everything from shopping to professional services to cupcakes being offered, WLC attendees had the opportunity to treat themselves in whatever way they liked.
The WLC Team would like to give a HUGE thank you to our sponsors. Because of their generosity, commitment, and dedication to our community, the 2023 WLC was fully able to IGNITE.
Platinum Sponsors: Aramark, PeoplesBank, The Republican, Zasco Productions
Silver Sponsors: BusinessWest/Healthcare News, KNF&T Staffing Resources, MassMutual, MGM Springfield
Bronze Sponsors: Andrews, The Antonacci Family Foundation, Baystate Health/Health New England, The Beveridge Family Foundation, The Bushnell Family, CVSHealth, Feel Good Shop Local, ISO New England, Lamar Advertising, Leah Martin Photography, Mercedes-Benz Springfield, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, WEIB 106.3 Smooth FM
Supporter Sponsors: bankESB, Brian Nicks Productions, Connecticut Sun, Feather and Bloom, GameChange Solar, PIP New England, Springfield Thunderbirds, Yankee Candle Village, Zozimus
Save the date for April 4, 2024, as we come back for the WLC! Will we see you there?