The Duluth Chamber is proud to present the third annual Women in Leadership Conference: Empowered by Minnesota Power—a signature event designed to motivate, inspire, and advance female leaders at any stage in their careers. Rooted in storytelling, empowerment, and connection, this innovative conference will offer attendees the opportunity to hear from trailblazing local women leaders as they tell the story of their personal journeys and the key lessons they learned along the way. Featuring keynotes Rachel Evangelisto, the first Indigenous Miss Minnesota, and Lamiaa Laurène Daif, former Worldwide Growth Strategy Leader of Apple and TEDx Speaker, this dynamic event will also offer an energizing local keynote address from Dr. Chiamaka Enemuoh, personalized career development workshops, relevant breakout sessions for any career level, the signature Trailblazers and Changemakers panel, and an engaging after-party and women’s expo highlighting women-owned and female-led organizations. This one-of-a-kind conference is an event that you and your team will not want to miss. All event proceeds benefit the Fuse Duluth young professionals program.
Conference Admission
$299 General Ticket| $249 Non-Profit Ticket
$99 Student Ticket
Please note that refunds are not available within 30 days of the Women in Leadership Conference. Due to the significant planning, coordination, and demand associated with this event, all sales during this period are considered final. Tickets, however, are fully transferable. If you are unable to attend, you may designate another individual to use your registration or elect to have it donated to our scholarship fund to support another attendee.
Conference Agenda
Keynote Speakers
Rachel Evangelisto
The Threads We Weave: Navigating Change & Choosing Opportunity
Rachel Evangelisto is from the Húŋkpapȟa Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. Formerly serving as an ICWA Guardian ad Litem in Minnesota, she advocated for Native youth and cultural preservation, working to keep Native children connected to their families and communities. Now pursuing her Juris Doctorate with a focus in Native American law, Rachel remains committed to strengthening justice systems that uplift and protect Native voices.
A passionate speaker on diversity, leadership, and resilience, Rachel has delivered keynote addresses and presentations to thousands across Minnesota, inspiring audiences to embrace change and create opportunity. In 2022, she made history as the first Indigenous Miss Minnesota and went on to compete in the 101st Miss America Competition, using her platform to highlight representation and empowerment.
Rachel’s keynote, “The Threads We Weave: Navigating Change & Choosing Opportunity,” reflects her belief that each choice and challenge we face is part of a greater tapestry, one that women can shape with intention, courage, and vision.
Lamiaa Laurène Daif
What Your Body Knows and Your Mind Ignores
Lamiaa Laurène Daif is a former Apple executive who led the global growth strategy for Mac and iPad. She is an executive coach to leaders, helping them accelerate career growth and expand their influence and executive presence without burning out. Lamiaa also consults organizations and teams on innovation and revenue growth. Before Apple, she spent a decade in finance as a Director at Ardian, Europe’s largest investment fund. She is the cofounder of Exit Velocity, where she helps founders and small to medium business owners grow and sell their businesses. A Stanford Graduate School of Business alumna and TEDx speaker, she serves on the board of Resonate Workshops, empowering women and girls in Africa. Her recognitions include Silicon Valley Women of Influence 2025, Morocco 40 Under 40, Arab America Foundation 40 Under 40, Robert Joss Scholar from Stanford University, and Women in Tech Speaker of the Year 2024.
Her compelling TEDx talk at Stanford University, “What Your Body Knows and Mind Ignores,” has changed how leaders approach decision-making and authentic leadership.
With over 15 years of global leadership experience, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley, Lamiaa’s keynotes are known for delivering both inspiration and actionable frameworks. Her sessions consistently receive rave reviews for their ability to help women leaders break through plateaus, navigate transitions with confidence, and lead with authentic power.
Her keynote promises to be both profound and practical, equipping you with the tools to transform your leadership journey from the inside out.
Who can attend this conference?
The Women in Leadership Conference is founded on inclusion and strives to create a safe space for those who would benefit from this educational offering to gather together to learn, network, and collaborate—Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, non-binary, transgender, and gender-expansive are welcome and encouraged to attend. Based on planned content, students in attendance should be in their first year of college or beyond to enjoy the full benefits of the conference. Accessible restrooms and a mother’s room will be available at the event. Additional accommodations, such as ASL interpretation and specialty meals, can be made available upon request.
Scholarship Fund
Scholarships will ensure any interested female leader is able to attend the conference without payment being a barrier. If you have someone you would like to sponsor to attend, know someone in need of a sponsorship, or you would like to donate to the sponsorship fund, please reach out to ahagen@duluthchamber.com with details. Sponsorship fund priority will be given to students, small businesses/nonprofits, and members of minority communities.
Sponsorships Now Available
Showcase your organization and its commitment to female leadership development by sponsoring the Women in Leadership Conference.
Investment levels and benefits include:
$2,500 Trailblazer Sponsor
- Verbal sponsorship recognition during welcome
- Stand-up banner displayed by the stage (provided by your organization)
- Exclusive half-page sponsor feature in the event booklet
- Premier 8-ft booth space at the after party/women’s expo
- Recognition in press release to over 20 local media outlets
- Multiple email event promotions to 3000+ subscribers with clickable logo
- Clickable logo on event registration page
- Logo and company information displayed prominently at the conference
- 5 complimentary event tickets ($1,495 value)
$1,000 Visionary Sponsor
- Verbal sponsorship recognition during welcome
- Logo displayed in event booklet
- 4-ft booth space (high top table and room for banner) at the after party/women’s expo
- Recognition in press release to over 20 local media outlets
- Multiple email event promotions to 3000+ subscribers with clickable logo
- Clickable logo on event registration page
- Logo displayed prominently at the conference
- 2 complimentary event tickets ($598 value)
$600 Professional Development Sponsor
- Clickable logo on event registration page
- Recognition in press release to over 20 local media outlets
- Multiple email event promotions to 3000+ subscribers with clickable logo
- Logo displayed on track signage at the conference
- 1 complimentary event ticket ($299 value)
Complimentary Conference Headshot Opportunity
To help establish your personal brand, the Chamber is including a complimentary business session by Lynnette’s Portrait Design as part of your conference registration (a $99 gift). Your session includes photography, time to review images, select favorites and share retouching concerns with a 100% happiness guarantee. Your cost is $119 per selected, re-touched file.
Click here to schedule. Sessions completed by Nov 10th will have retouched files prior to the convention to update your social media presence.
Complimentary Child Care Offer for Conference Attendees
As a special thank you for attending the 2025 Women in Leadership Conference, Duluth Poppins is excited to offer you a unique opportunity to experience our babysitting services without the usual agency fee.
Here’s what you get:
- No Agency Fee on Conference Day: We’re waiving our $35 agency fee for all bookings made on the day of the conference. This offer is valid only on the conference day, as long as sitters are available.
- One Free Babysitting Session: Enjoy one complimentary babysitting session if booked before January 1, 2026. Just provide valid proof of your conference attendance when you sign up.
- Exclusive Membership Savings: If you decide to purchase a babysitting membership, call us and ask for your special additional discount as a conference attendee.
Best of all, your sitter will come directly to your home to care for your children, so you can relax knowing your little ones are safe and comfortable in their own space.
Every Poppins nanny and sitter is carefully vetted through:
- Comprehensive background checks
- CPR and First Aid certification verification
- Reference checks with families and employers
- Online character check
- Experience reviews in childcare and household support
- Professional interviews assessing reliability and warmth
Please contact info@duluthpoppins.com or call (507) 696-8452 with any questions, and visit www.duluthpoppins.com to book.
Conference Hotel Rooms Available
The Holiday Inn & Suites Downtown Duluth, conveniently connected to the DECC via skywalk, is offering a group rate of $109.00-$155.00 plus tax for Women in Leadership Conference attendees. The room block is available for November 15-November 18.
To book, follow this link and select your dates: Women in Leadership Conference or call (218) 722-1202 and ask for the code WMN. Hotel guest parking will be validated. The room block will be available until October 24, 2025.
Become a Sponsor
Contact Aubrey Hagen at ahagen@duluthchamber.com to secure your sponsorship and be part of the 3rd annual Women in Leadership Conference.
Empowerment Sponsor
Trailblazer Sponsors
Scholarship Sponsor
Visionary Sponsors
Professional Development Sponsors
After Party Sponsor
