Every woman in WPO has built something. Which means every woman in the room has a story to tell. That story--about the bet that paid off even though it looked wild at the time, the year she doesn't like to bring up,  or the moment she decided to stop running her business someone else's way--is precious.

Most of us have never said any of it out loud.

On October 29, six of us will.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

The speakers

Since July, six WPO members have been working with keynote speaker Jacquelyn Fletcher Johnson to shape a story they've never told on stage.

• Libby Doran, Doran Leadership Partners (Ch. 2): Every Word Matters: Building Belonging, Trust, and High Performance
• Amelia Mata, Hennepin Home Health Care & Recovery Health Solutions (Ch. 3): Speaking Your Truth: Why Using Your Honest Voice Matters
• Mary Younggren, Advent Talent Group (Ch. 3): The Camino Provides: Lessons from the Camino de Santiago
• Alyza James,  City Girl Coffee & Alakef Coffee Roasters (Ch. 4): Failing Forward: The Empowerment Edge — A Framework for Leading Yourself Through Disruption
• Leslie Holman, Pinnacle Performance Group (Ch. 6): The Innovation Paradox: Why the Rules That Drive Success Get in the Way of What's Next
• Diane Hovey, Alliance for Healing PA (Ch. 7): Becoming, Not Eroding After Devastation

Featured speaker: Tammy Lee (Ch. 1) CEO & Founder, Opal Cool · Co-host, The Hormone Factor on myTalk 107.1 Your Hormones Set Your Thermostat: What Every Woman Should Know About Her Changing Body

Keynote: Jacquelyn Fletcher Johnson Why your story matters — to you, to the people you lead, and to the business you built.

Jacque is an executive coach, speaker, and conference designer who has coached CEOs and founders through the messaging that gets them into bigger rooms. She's published 14 books, hosted her own TV show, advised senior leaders at Target, General Mills, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola, and won gold in dragon-boat racing with a team of breast cancer survivors. She'll open the day by making the case that your story is an asset you're probably not using.

And then it's the room's turn. Between talks, we'll have time to react, compare notes, and start finding the threads in our own stories. You won't leave with a finished speech. You'll leave knowing you have something worth saying — and planning where to say it.

Thursday, October 29, 2026 

Check-in and breakfast at 8:00 am 

Program 8:30 am–1:00 pm 

The room stays open until 2:00 for people who want to keep talking.

BRING SOMEONE

This year we especially want you to bring a guest.

Most members will bring a fellow business owner: someone you've thought should know about WPO. Some will bring their right-hand leader, which makes particular sense if a new role or transition are on the horizon.

Either way: bring the woman whose story you want to hear next.

WHY COME

• Hear six women you already respect say something you've never heard them say
• Learn what makes a story land — and why it's a business and personal asset, not an indulgence
• Spend a morning with women from across Minnesota's WPO chapters
• Introduce someone you care about to what WPO actually is, without a single sales pitch

FAQ

Q: Who should I bring? A: A woman business owner you think belongs in WPO, or your right-hand leader. Your ticket covers you; add a guest ticket at the same price.

Q: Do I have to speak? A:  No. Our speakers have been preparing for months, so your job is to listen, react, and maybe start finding the thread in your own story.

Q: What if my guest has never heard of WPO? A: Perfect. This is an amazing introduction — she'll spend the morning watching what WPO members are actually like, which beats anything we could tell her.

Q: What's the venue? A: The Essence Event Center in St. Paul, in the Bandana Square area (just south of the State Fair and Como Park). It's a beautiful, historic space. 

Q: Parking? A: There is free, accessible parking at Essence. 

Q: Will there be food? A: Yes! Breakfast and lunch are included. 

Q: How much are tickets? A: $115 per person. Bring a guest by adding a second ticket.