Women's Leadership Conference: Midwest
When was the last time you were in a room full of women and thought, "I want to know every single person here"?
That's what we're creating in Chicago on April 12. And we want you there.
Join us for an afternoon where inspiring Jewish woman will talk about the issues you care about. Where you’ll hear the truth, not the LinkedIn version. Where you’ll meet women you'll want to know.
We'll talk about money decisions when life changes. Building businesses. Mentoring that goes both ways. The real costs of success. And, most importantly, what it means to be a Jewish woman, now.
And there'll be brunch and cocktails.
Featured Speakers
Schedule of Events
Opening Panel: Women to Watch honorees on being a Jewish woman leader now
Breakout Sessions:
Managing Money Through Life Transitions
Ellen Rogin, Melissa Widen
The Burnout Tax: What Success Cost Me and How I Recovered
Leslee Cohen, Meredith Jacobs, Ellie Kirshenbaum, Hannah Spevak; moderated by Carrie Seleman
From Tech to Tequila: Building Brands That Speak to Women
Sophia Huard, Lisa Schneider, Mara Smith; moderated by Lindsay Pinchuk
Gen X Y Z: Leading + Learning Intergenerationally
Kim Holstein, Lindsay Levin; moderated by Marina Rostein
Closing Panel: JWI’s Survey Unpacked
Event Details & Registration
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Location: Chicago (exact location shared post registration)
Time: 12-5 PM
Individual Tickets: $40 (Ages 22-34) | $100 (Ages 35+)
Register now—space is limited.
Interested in sponsoring instead?
Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors:
AllRise Legal Counsel, Leslee M. Cohen, Managing Partner
First Women’s Bank
Kim Holstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Twisted Alchemy
Honeymoon Israel
Mara Smith, Founder and CEO of Inspiro Tequila
Tandem
Stephanie Widman, CEO/Founder, sweet'thing
The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC
Event Committee:
Leslee Cohen, Managing Partner, AllRise Legal
Sofie Greif, Associate Brand Manager, Conagra Brands
Kim Holstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Twisted Alchemy; JWI Board President Emeritus (2010 Woman to Watch)
Ellie Kirshenbaum, Engagement Manager, Heidrick & Struggles; Former YWIN Chicago President
Lindsay Pinchuk, Founder, Dear FoundHer (2025 Woman to Watch)
Marina Rostein, Head of Platform, NVNG Investment Advisors; JWI Board Member
Carrie Seleman, Attorney, Office of the Cook County Public Guardian
Mara Smith, Founder and CEO, Inspiro Tequila (2024 Woman to Watch)
Melissa Widen, Co-Founder & Chief Legal Officer, First Women's Bank (2025 Woman to Watch)
Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Questions? Contact Sara Hefez, JWI Chief Development Officer at [email protected] or 617-872-8922.
About JWI: At JWI, we believe that when women are supported, communities are stronger — and lasting change begins with how we show up for one another.