About the Schreiber Institute for Women's Leadership
We all Prosper
When women Rise
We're here for women to be seen, to advance, and to advocate for each other.
The Schreiber Institute for Women’s Leadership was established at UW-Green Bay in 2021. The institute is here for women—early career, mid-level, and experienced—who feel overlooked or passed over to be seen, to advance, and to advocate for each other.
Inspiration
Our events are designed to inspire, inform and connect women leaders in Northeast Wisconsin.
Education
To fill the leadership pipeline, we offer certificate programs designed to equip women with skills and knowledge needed for career success.
Networking
We bring women together so they can forge connections that help them grow, learn, and make a difference in their careers and communities
Our Mission
The mission of the Institute for Women’s Leadership is to advance women both personally and professionally at all stages of their career by educating, inspiring and providing networking opportunities to create a strong and equitable workforce. We exist to grow and foster a women’s leadership pipeline in Northeast Wisconsin with a focus on three areas: education, inspiration and networking. This combination can empower women to overcome stagnation while creating solutions and pathways to advance professionally and personally.
The Need for Women's Leadership
In our rapidly changing world, strong leadership is crucial. Women are an untapped resource.
Diversity Wins
McKinsey’s 2020 report, Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters, reaffirms the strong business case for both gender diversity and ethnic and cultural diversity in corporate leadership—and shows that this business case continues to strengthen.
Inequities Persist
Despite women making up 59% of the college-educated labor force (Education Data Initiative, 2022), they only hold 32% of executive positions (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). This under-representation persists despite anti-discrimination laws.
Research Informed
UW-Green Bay conducted a survey in 2021 to understand the challenges faced by working women in Northeast Wisconsin. The results showed that many women are considering downshifting their careers due to feeling burned out and overwhelmed.
Our Approach
A May 2021 statewide report from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Wisconsin Tomorrow: Building an Economy for All (May 2021) identifies the next critical steps for our economy. It concludes that in order to recover from the pandemic and begin to move forward, we need to draw upon the “authentic Wisconsin ideal”—the concept that everyone deserves an opportunity to prosper. We can leverage this concept as supporting rationale for growing the female leadership pipeline in Northeast Wisconsin, collaborating with business leaders across all sectors on the following themes:
- Enhancing the economic well-being for every woman in our state—a strategy that must focus on removing obstacles and providing necessary support.
- Asking ourselves: Are we removing obstacles for women? Are we creating opportunities for women?
- Innovating new ideas and new policies for women, and being willing to invest to support these plans.
- Educating everyone, including women with potential for leadership, as well as male leaders who can serve as advocates for the advancement of women leaders and leadership education.
- Embracing continuous learning to prepare for the future of work.
- Reducing inequalities of access to learning, training and employment.
How the Institute Began
In 2019, Bridget Krage O’Connor and then UW-Green Bay Chancellor Sheryl Van Gruensven, were both independently envisioning the development of more women’s leadership resources in Northeast Wisconsin. O’Connor Connective launched its social enterprise, The Connective: A Place for Women in Business, to advance women leaders as a part of the company’s strategic communication and consulting services. At the same time, Van Gruensven and her UW-Green Bay colleagues began work on an Institute that would provide leadership development for women in line with the mission of the University. The two efforts came together in 2021 in what is now the Schreiber Institute for Women’s Leadership at UW-Green Bay.
Want to know More?
We have big plans. If you have any questions about our vision and mission, please contact the Schreiber Institute for Women's Leadership to learn more about our plans.