Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership

Collaboration • Elevation • Connection • Leadership

A Collaborative Hub for all Leaders on the Rise

The Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership welcomes and serves all students and community members who are interested in learning from achievements of women leaders. We empower women and their allies through education, mentorship, research and collaborative initiatives that bridge campus and community.

We highlight the experiences of women leaders through an annual leadership conference, a speaker series, a podcast and more, to provide strong examples for all leaders in the community.

By fostering dialogue, building skills for students and professionals, and creating connections, we develop leaders and support them in driving positive change in their organizations and community.

Upcoming Events

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Women Trailblazers Voices: Lunch with Author Amelia Rose Earhart

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Soaring Beyond Limits with Amelia Rose Earhart Keynote

Recent Events

Women Trailblazers Voices Speaker Shawna Nelson

Fall 2025

Women Trailblazers Voices Speaker Series

Shawna Nelson ’05

Shawna Nelson ’05, CEO of OrganicValley, returned to campus to share her journey from intern to the top at the first Women Trailblazers Voices event, hosted by the Salzmann Center. She spoke on clarity, purpose and leadership—and how feedback is a gift.

Photos Lunch with a Leader Banquet Professional Clothing Consult

Women Trailblazers Conference

The Women Trailblazers Conference, a partnership between UW-Stevens Point and women leaders throughout Central Wisconsin, brings the community together to inspire growth, foster collaboration and ignite bold action. By creating intentional spaces, bringing together multiple perspectives and providing tools, we inspire attendees to create meaningful impact in their lives and communities. 

2025

Unmuted: Power, Purpose and Possibility

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2024

Igniting Your Voice

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Women Trailblazers and Entrepreneurs Conference

2023

From Big Ideas to Big Impact: Cultivating Your Confidence

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Honoring a Leader’s Legacy

Ruth E. Salzmann set a standard in business leadership more than 60 years ago, becoming the first woman president of the international Casualty Actuarial Society and Sentry Insurance’s first female vice president and board member. A $250,000 gift from Sentry and the naming of the UW-Stevens Point center in Salzmann’s honor ensures her legacy will live on, inspiring future leaders and serving as a powerful example.

Subscribe to the Women Trailblazers Podcast

Join Associate Professor Lyna Matesi, co-founder of the Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership, as she talks with women leaders who are making a big impact in their communities, Wisconsin and the world.