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Individual rate
$249
Individuals paying with a purchase order must register using the PDF registration form.
This event is a partnership of 18 statewide organizations and is designed to empower, connect, inspire, support, celebrate and develop women in education.
Registration is limited to 450 participants. Attendees will receive the annual gem paperweight keepsake and are also eligible for door prizes and six hours of professional development clock hours!
Interested in helping support women in education? Download a sponsor prospectus (page 9) and email Sydnee Sturdivant for more information.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Executive Director of Elementary Programs and Prek Principal
Oregon Trail School District
Keynote Speaker
Rachael George
Executive Director of Elementary Programs and Prek Principal
Oregon Trail School District
Rachael’s journey from battling wildland fires with the U.S. Forest Service to extinguishing educational challenges in the classroom reflects her unwavering commitment to making a profound impact. A pivotal conversation in Grangeville, Idaho prompted her transition, leading her to embrace a role in education. Recognized as a member of the ASCD Emerging Leaders Class of 2015, Rachael currently serves as the Executive Director of Elementary Programs and Prek Principal in the Oregon Trail School District. Prior to this role, Rachael served as the Executive Director of Student Services, a building principal at the middle and elementary level, as well as a classroom teacher at all three levels.
Her transformative leadership was evident during her tenure as principal of Sandy Grade School, where she steered the institution from being one of Oregon’s lowest-ranked elementary schools to the top 20%, earning acclaim from the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE) as a Model School for closing the achievement gap. As a middle school principal, their work on student achievement, growth, and transformation was recognized by the State of Oregon in being identified as an “outstanding” and a two-time “Level 5: Model School” within the state.
With a specialization in curriculum development, instructional enhancement, and supporting at-risk students, Rachael’s expertise extends to fostering collaboration and bridging connections within educational communities. Committed to the ethos of collective growth, she believes in the power of effective leadership to nurture collaborative learning experiences. Rachael is also the co-author of PrincipalED: Navigating the Leadership Learning Curve and She Leads: The Women’s guide to a Career in Educational Leadership. Connect with Rachael to embark on this journey of exploration, growth, and mutual support.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Rachael Mahmood
Educator/2024 IL Teacher of the Year
Indian Prairie School District 204
Dr. Rachael Mahmood, the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year, is an educator at Indian Prairie School District 204 in Aurora, IL. With over two decades of experience, she has chaired equity teams, facilitated dialogue circles, and authored curricula in her district and across the state. Dr. Mahmood chairs the Educational Task Force for the Muslim Civic Coalition and is a Teach Plus policy fellow. Her accolades include the Michael Feldman Educational Leadership Award (Elmhurst University) and the Rising Star Alumni Award (Benedictine University). In 2020, she founded Equity Teacher Leader, LLC, where she designs professional development, frameworks, and dialogue opportunities for educators.
Tammy Talks
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Heather Baker
Principal
Dorothy Simon Elementary School (Winnebago CUSD 323)
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Tiffany Brunson
A native Chicagoan, educational leader and Army Veteran. Dr. Tiffany Brunson is a highly sought after speaker, presenter, author and equity warrior. Dr. Brunson continues to be focused on community service and giving her gift of time to many organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Alliance of Black School Educators (ILABSE) and is a member of the Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity (SSCSD) where she serves on the Scholarship Committee.
Recently, she became a contributing author of a new book, Centering Our Voices, The Anthology. This anthology highlights the distinctive experiences, challenges, and triumphs of Black women within the field of education. By sharing their stories, insights, and strategies for success, the book seeks to inspire and empower both aspiring and established Black women educators, while also fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of the vital role Black women play in shaping the future of education and society. You can buy a copy of this award winning book at bit.ly/drtiffanysbrunson.
Dr. Brunson’s nearly thirty year career has been filled with many “Firsts”'. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and as the first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Rockford Public Schools. Presently, she is the proud superintendent of Elementary School District 159, serving the families of Matteson, Richton Park and Tinley Park. Dr. Brunson has been recruited, hired, and tasked with being a co-founding administrator of a new school, the creator of many new departments, educational programs and serving on educational task forces and commissions. She has received awards and recognition for her progressive visionary and innovative leadership. Making the invisible visible and the impossible possible is her “Superpower”.
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Sheila Greenwood
Retired Administrator and Consultant
Greenwood Executive Consulting
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Lindsey Hall
P-12 Program Coordinator
Dept. of Ed. Admin & Foundations, ISU
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Jacqueline Johnson
Principal
Lockport Township High School
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Abir Othman
Principal
Andrew High School (HS District 230)
Tammy Talk Speaker
Dr. Jennifer Rowe
Director of Equity and Belonging
Lyons Township High School District 204
Dr. Jennifer Rowe is the Director of Equity and Belonging for Lyons Township School District # 204. Jennifer has been an educator for 26 years, and has held positions as an English teacher, Student Teacher Supervisor, Dean of Students, as well as holding her first equity position in IPSD #204 as the Executive Director of Educational Equity. Throughout her career, Jennifer has focused on the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging and the need to make space for educators of color in all levels of the profession. Jennifer earned her BA from the University of Cincinnati and also has her M.Ed. and Ed.D. from Loyola University, Chicago. Jennifer has been recognized by Boys2Men with the Phenomenal Woman Award, and has also received the A+ Award when she was an educator in IPSD #204. Jennifer currently is a Senior Facilitator with the Illinois Affinity Group Network where she is connected to a network of educators from across the state working to foster positive change. Jennifer has a real passion for collaboration, cultivating the next generation of social justice warriors, and is committed to building strong partnerships in order to build pathways for success for young people.
Panelist Speakers
Panelist
Dr. Kimberly Chambers
Executive Director
Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators
Dr. Kimberly Chambers is a dynamic leader in educational human resources, bringing over two decades of experience to her dual roles. She serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators (IASPA), where her visionary leadership has driven a remarkable 178% growth in membership within just three years. Simultaneously, she is the Director of Human Resources at Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125, consistently recognized as one of the top open-enrollment high schools in Illinois and the nation.
Since 2001, Dr. Chambers has been a trusted HR leader, beginning her career as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Community High School District 94. Her exceptional contributions to the field were nationally recognized in 2018 when she was honored as the Herb Salinger Personnel Administrator of the Year by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA).
Dr. Chambers is passionate about mentoring and supporting emerging educational HR professionals, dedicating her time to empowering the next generation of leaders. She is always open to collaboration and can be reached at kchambers@d125.org or kchambers@iaspa.org.
Panelist
Carla Paschal
Chief Financial Officer
IASBO
Panelist
Jodi Scott
Regional Superintendent of Schools
ROE #33
Panelist
Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis
Superintendent
Diamond Lake District 76
Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, Ph.D currently serves as Superintendent of Schools in Diamond Lake District 76 which is located in Mundelein, Illinois. She is starting her 15 year as the leader of this culturally rich and highly diverse multicultural suburban school district.
She is an experienced educator with 30+ years of service in public education, having worked as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and superintendent. She received her Doctorate in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University. She earned her National Superintendent Certification from the American Association of School Administrators, and was elected by her peers to represent and advocate for the Northern Illinois region as a Governing Board Member for AASA. She currently serves on various local and state level boards to foster collegiality, collaboration and professional development among her colleagues and peers. She also serves as a coach and mentor for educational leaders on a state and national level and developed and facilitates the InPower Professional Network to Coach Women in Leadership.
Dr. Sharma-Lewis prioritizes investing in talent, building teams and supporting cultures to optimize organizational success.
Panelist
Josie Yanguas
Director
Illinois Resource Center
AGENDA
Reception (Redbird ABC)
Reception (Redbird ABC)
Registration, check-in, and breakfast
Registration, check-in, and breakfast
Welcome and announcements
Welcome and announcements
She Leads: The Women’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership with Rachael George (Keynote)
She Leads: The Women’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership with Rachael George (Keynote)
Rachael George
Female Leader Panel
Female Leader Panel
Dr. Bhavna Sharma-Lewis
Carla Paschal
Josie Yanguas
Student Panel
Student Panel
Break
Break
Tammy Talk Session #1
Tammy Talk Session #1
Dr. Abir Othman
Dr. Tiffany Brunson
Dr. Sheila Greenwood
Dr. Lindsey Hall
Jacqueline Johnson & Dr. Jennifer Rowe
Tammy Talk Session #2
Tammy Talk Session #2
Dr. Abir Othman
Dr. Tiffany Brunson
Dr. Sheila Greenwood
Dr. Lindsey Hall
Jacqueline Johnson & Dr. Jennifer Rowe
Lunch
Lunch
Student Performance
Student Performance
Student Panel
Student Panel
You Belong (World Café) with Dr. Rachael Mahmood (Keynote)
You Belong (World Café) with Dr. Rachael Mahmood (Keynote)
Dr. Rachael Mahmood
Closing Remarks and Prizes
Closing Remarks and Prizes
Hotels
WELL Summit location
201 Broadway Avenue, Normal, IL 61761
309-862-9000
Book by 2/18/2025
(across the street from the Marriot – limited availability)
200 Broadway, Normal, IL 61761
309-454-9288
320 S Towanda Ave, Normal, IL 61761
309-452-8900
(1.9 miles from event)
1621 Jumer Drive
Bloomington, IL 61704
(2 miles from event)
1781 Bradford Lane
Normal, IL 61761
(2.3 miles from event)
1715 Parkway Plaza Drive
Normal, IL 61761
(2.5 miles from event)
10 Brickyard Drive
Bloomington, IL 61701
(4 miles from event)
3202 East Empire Street
Bloomington, IL 61704
(5 miles from event)
PD Credit
Emerald Sponsors
A preeminent education law firm representing public schools throughout Illinois. Guin Mundorf, LLC, represents its education clients in a wide variety of areas, including employment and personnel matters, collective bargaining, open meetings and records, purchasing and contracting, policy development, student rights, FERPA, employee benefits, including HIPAA, vocational education, school finance, election law, tort claims, insurance law, real estate and special education,
The attorneys in our Collinsville office are uniquely positioned to provide quality and cost effective legal services to education clients in Illinois.
310 Regency Ctr
Collinsville, IL 62234-4638
Stifel Nicolaus assists districts that need to finance their building projects or cashflow shortages using bonds or the new county school sales tax.
501 N Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102-2131
314-342-8488
stifel.comSapphire Sponsors
Citrine Sponsors
Well 2024 Partners
Ed-Red
The Illinois Resource Center (IRC) is the state's premier provider of technical assistance and professional development for educators of linguistically and culturally diverse learners. Our experienced practitioners combine the latest scholarship and best practices in order to deliver relevant content and meaningful experiences to the communities we serve.
2626 S. Clearbrook Dr.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
773-931-0203
irc.thecenterweb.org
