CONNECT.
EMPOWER.
ACHIEVE.
Saturday, February 6, 2027
Purdue Memorial Union and Rawls Hall
Open to all Purdue students!
Breakfast & Lunch
2 Keynote Speakers
2 Workshop Sessions
Complimentary Merch
Networking
SAVE THE DATE
February 6, 2027
This year, we are proud to present the 18th Annual Women in Business Monarch Leadership Conference, “Unique You: Lead with Your Own Pattern.” In a world that often encourages us to follow the same path, fit the same mold, or lead in the same way, this year’s conference is an invitation to do something different: embrace what makes you uniquely you.
Anne Fuchs is an internationally recognized professional opera singer, entrepreneur and public affairs leader who is passionate about helping people and communities find—and authentically use—their voices.
She is the founder of Foxy Opera LLC, a vocal empowerment and leadership business that translates the techniques of opera singers into practical tools for stronger communication, confident presentations and genuine human connection.
Anne also serves as Senior Director of Fellowship and Statewide Civics Initiatives for the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, where she develops leadership experiences and civic initiatives that connect Hoosiers with the people, ideas and institutions shaping Indiana.
Previously, Anne served as Director of Communications for the Court of Appeals of Indiana and led Appeals on Wheels, the Court’s traveling oral argument program. That work received the 2023 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education. Anne was also named the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Class VII Outstanding Fellow and a 2025 Indy Maven Woman to Watch. Whether she is performing onstage, coaching a professional or bringing people together through civic engagement, Anne’s work is grounded in the belief that every person has a real voice—and that stronger communities emerge when people feel empowered to use it.
Gina Reder is a senior healthcare executive with 20+ years of commercial leadership experience across medical device and life sciences. She currently leads a $258M revenue organization at Teleflex Medical and serves as Global Commercial Lead for a strategic private equity transaction. A Purdue alumna and active mentor through Women in Business, WILL, and the Oxygen Mentor Program, Gina brings both executive perspective and authentic insight to the conversation about what it takes to lead — and to grow — in a demanding industry.
For any inquiries, please contact us via email at wib@purdue.edu.
Kristin Stapleton is a leadership development expert who helps young leaders redefine success by elevating others. A former athlete turned corporate leader with 12 years of experience and over 1,500 leaders coached, she uses a scientific approach to build teams that accelerate growth and unlock collective potential.
Sabrina Wilson, a Purdue alum and executive coach with over 30 years of experience, helps leaders navigate transformation and high-stakes transitions with confidence. A two-time Power 100 Woman in Security honoree and founder of Spill the T Consulting, she’s known for turning complex challenges into opportunities for growth.
Bri Madren is a financial advisor and founder of Madren Financial who helps widows, families, and business owners find clarity and confidence through life’s biggest transitions. Rooted in faith, family, and service, she blends compassionate guidance with strategic planning to help clients align their money with their values and feel in control of their futures.
Jill Lehman is the Founder & CEO of a fractional HR firm that helps leaders and companies scale people and strategies to drive transformation. A seasoned executive and coach, she’s guided teams through scaling, successful exits, and culture-building while leading High Frequency Arts, a gallery that uses visual storytelling to inspire innovation.
Purdue alum Mickey Swortzel is an entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem connector. Now focused on strengthening startup ecosystems, she connects founders, talent, and capital across universities and investors while mentoring the next generation of innovators through programs at institutions like Purdue, Notre Dame, and Yale.
Founder and CEO of Awesome People Leaders Heather Polivka utilizes her expertise to help organizations build thriving workplaces. A former leader at UnitedHealth Group and Target, her neuroscience- and AI-powered platform has earned national recognition for redefining manager development and promoting human-centered leadership
Katarina is a marketing associate at Eli Lilly and Company, the world's leading pharmaceutical company. She is a proud graduate of Purdue University, and leads personal workshops across universities on personal branding, networking 101, landing internships, public speaking, and critical thinking.
Leanne Bourdage is Manager of FP&A Procurement at SC Johnson, where she leads the Global Procurement Finance team. A Purdue Daniels School of Business alum with over a decade at SC Johnson, she combines financial and operational expertise to translate analysis into strategies that advance efficiency and long-term growth.
Cara Putman serves as the Marsha B. Allen Director of the Brock-Wilson Center and is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Strategy Department. An award-winning member of the faculty, she teaches undergraduate and graduate core courses in business law, employment law, and business ethics.
