The Women’s Leadership Connection (formerly Women’s Leadership Conference) has announced the speaker lineup for its 2025 event, to be held at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland.

The opening networking reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, and the full-day conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 2. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

“Thanks to its dedicated board and incredible volunteers, the annual Women’s Leadership Conference has been a sold-out success for the past 12 years,” said Libby Gill, president of the Women’s Leadership Connection board. “This year, WLC is thrilled to present an outstanding lineup of speakers and exciting features, including our WLC Marketplace — highlighting local artisans, women-owned businesses, and products and services tailored for women.”

Conference Director Tammy Ryan added that she was looking forward to the breakout sessions and the keynote speakers the event would include.

“We are excited to showcase an inspiring and dynamic speaker lineup, featuring an opening keynote by Rogue Valley resident Lauren Trantham, Founder of Ride My Road, six breakout sessions with esteemed Southern Oregon professionals, and a closing keynote by the renowned Jasmine Brett Stringer,” Ryan said.

2025 WLC Conference Keynote and Breakout Session Lineup:

Keynote Speakers:

• Lauren Trantham – Fuel for The Road: Using Life’s Challenges to Accelerate Success in Business and Life
• Jasmine Brett Stringer – Seize Your Life: Unlocking Your Path to Personal Excellence

Luncheon Panel:

• Patsy Smullin, President and Owner of COBI (KOBI-TV NBC5/KOTI-TV NBC2)
• Shannon Evers, CEO Girl Scouts of Oregon & Southwest Washington
• Tina Miller, CFO Lithia Motors, Inc.
• Nita Joseph, VP Controller Harry & David

Breakout Sessions:

• Sandra Colley – Unwrapping the Truth: Why Feedback Feels Like a Tough Gift to Give
• Tonya Sowles – Level Up Your Leadership: Confidently Navigating Difficult Conversations and Conflict
• Elissa Denton – Confidence is a Verb: Taking Action in Moments of Uncertainty
• Kristi Frederick – Daring Leadership: Leading with Courage, Authenticity, and Heart
• Dr. Raquel Muller – Level Up Your Money, Level Up Your Life
• Sarah Cagann – Communicate Like a Boss

The Women’s Leadership Conference was founded in 2010. It is committed to offering women leadership and career development opportunities to advance their careers and enhance their personal lives through the conferences, workshops, the WLC Mentorship Program, sponsorships, scholarships and more. Women, men, students and members of the LGBT+ community are invited to attend the two-day event.

Early Bird tickets are $129, available through March 15. Regular tickets are $159. Scholarships are available.

To provide sponsorship for the conference, contact Pamela Tomac at pstomac@gmail.com.

For more information, or to register, see WomensLeadership.co.