Stories from Experience
Women
Rising
Get inspired by women's stories.
A series featuring distinguished woman from the area, sharing their stories of challenge and triumph and offering advice for women following in their footsteps.
Upcoming Stories from Experience
Join us for an inspiring story. Don't miss this opportunity to be motivated and empowered—your presence makes the stories even more impactful!
Christyn Abaray, Ed.D.
VP Enrollment & Marketing/Communications, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Lawrence University
Thursday, February 20, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
Lawrence University
10 W College Ave, Appleton
Christyn Abaray supports the growth and development of the current and future students and the sustainability of Lawrence University. As chief enrollment officer, she develops and implements enrollment strategy and leading admissions, retention and financial aid departments. She also is the strategic leader for institutional marketing and communications, currently leading a rebranding. As chief of staff, Christyn is the strategic thought partner with the President, managing initiatives focused on our strategic priorities. Service and professional development are significant tenets for her.
Molly Vandervest
President, Bellin Foundation
Thursday, April 17, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
YWCA
230 S. Madison Street, Green Bay
Molly is an enthusiastic leader with 20 years of experience in business and philanthropic development, strategic planning, project management and community impact in Northeast Wisconsin. She currently serves as President at The Bellin Health Foundation.
Poyee Xiong
AASD Principal, James Madison Middle School
Thursday, May 15, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
NEW Hmong Professionals
1444 East Northland Avenue, Appleton
Poyee Xiong is the Principal of James Madison Middle School in Appleton. Her experiences include being a middle school teacher, a coach and a district trainer for the Appleton Area School District. Poyee’s background training centers around being culturally responsive, trauma informed, advocating for youth mental health, and transformative teaching methods and experiences that provide all students access to learning. She has a Master Degree of Art in Urban Education and another Master Degree of Science in Educational Leadership.
Megan Dickman-Renard
CEO & Publisher, The Business News
Thursday, June 19, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Address TBD
Megan Dickman-Renard is the CEO and Publisher of The Business News, a regional business newspaper covering Northeast, North Central and West Central Wisconsin, and the CEO of Dickman Media Group, a company specializing in media and communications across print, digital and multimedia platforms. She is also a Partner at Dickman Ventures, a venture capital firm that works with emerging and established entrepreneurs to bring new ideas and new value to market.
Adriana McCleer, Ph.D.
Community Partnerships Supervisor, Appleton Public Library
Thursday, October 23, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Address TBD
Adriana McCleer is the Community Partnerships Supervisor at the Appleton Public Library.
Margaret Rose Ellis
Co-Founder & Executive Director, She Rises Collective
Thursday, November 20, 2025
4-5:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Address TBD
Margaret Rose is a visionary leader and serial entrepreneur with over 13 years of experience in apparel and wholesale, combined with more than two decades dedicated to community development and project management in the non-profit sector. As the Co-Founder and Executive Director of She Rises Collective: Indigenous Women in Business, she empowers Indigenous women to thrive as leaders and entrepreneurs, fostering economic growth and community well-being.
Share Your Story!
Have a women's leadership story to share? We’re all ears. Your experience can guide other women who aspire to become leaders. Contact us if you have questions or would like to suggest a topic.