I recently had the privilege to attend and sponsor the 2025 State of the Woman Conference. An event for women and by women, it serves as an opportunity for female executives and entrepreneurs from a variety of industries to come together and share their experiences, their wisdom, and their goals for the future. As a two-time attendee and sponsor, here are a few of my key takeaways from this year’s event.
Each year I am struck by how important it is for executive woman to have the opportunity to connect, network, and share. Ann Albrecht Consulting is a company founded by a woman and run by women. Therefore it occupies a certain space within the industry and the broader business community. There are experiences and challenges that me and my team face each day that men haven’t necessarily had to face. I believe it is extremely helpful to have forums to discuss these experiences and how to address them.
This year as in previous years, I was impressed by the accomplishments and expertise of the speakers and my fellow attendees – it’s always inspiring to learn about all the ways women are innovating within their fields. Standout sessions included a discussion on A.I. innovations in the Bespoke Economy with Tahera Zamanzada and Natalie Buda Smith, and a panel on the changing Leadership Landscape with Terrian Barnes, Sherri Miles, and Christine Aspell.
Being in a women-led space also allowed for conversions on topics that specifically affect women, and that are often overlooked. The session “Wellness in Motion – Navigating Menopause with Confidence” with Laura Kelly and Dr. Nazaneen Homaifar touched on important topics of women’s health and mental health in the workplace that so often go unaddressed. I also enjoyed the panel on The Psychology of Money for Women, featuring author and financial coach, Kathleen Burns Kingbury, which was full of real-world advice and practical applications.
A conference like this is an opportunity to learn, but perhaps more importantly it’s an opportunity to expand your network. You never know where a connection might lead. Whether it just provides the chance to share your testimonial with peers and learn from their experiences, or it leads to new partners and clients, each connection is an opportunity. For working women, these network connections can define our careers, as we mentor and support one another in a male-dominated economy. Additionally, an event like this that is geared specifically towards high level managers and executives is beneficial as that group has its own unique set of challenges to address.
I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the State of the Woman once again, and to everyone who worked hard to make this wonderful conference happen. As always, I would encourage everyone to find ways to expand their network and continue their professional development through events like this one.