The Institute for Women’s Leadership at Marquette held its fourth annual gala on Thursday, April 10, drawing its largest crowd yet of campus, student and community leaders to celebrate women’s leadership and transformational change.
The evening began with a networking hour, professional photo opportunities and a chance to connect with the IWL community. The event also showcased research supported by IWL’s grant programs, including interdisciplinary summer grants, mini-grants and faculty fellowships.
Following the networking hour, IWL premiered a short film created with Plum Media and introduced by IWL Coordinator Sarah Camp. The film highlighted IWL members and collaborators and is available on IWL’s YouTube channel and website.
The night’s performances
The IWL welcomed back an IWL student advisory board alumna, Mary Joy Hickey, who now works as the executive director of Girls Rock MKE. Both Girls Rock MKE and Ladies Rock MKE are local camps that offer lessons and opportunities for girls and women who are looking to get into playing music.
A performance from the Ladies Rock group “The Audacity” left the audience impressed, and a cover of “Cherry Bomb” performed by the elementary-aged girls from the band “Paranormal” had the crowd up on their feet and clapping. DJ Femme Noir curated the night’s music, keeping energy high throughout the event.
Gala panel
The 2025 IWL Gala panel was moderated by Dr. Leslie Knox, chair and professor of history in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, and included:
- Nancy Hernandez, president of the Hispanic Collaborative
- Ana Simpson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
- Dr. Stacia Thompson, president and CEO of the Sherman Phoenix Foundation
These leaders discussed how to build trust when leading transformational change, how communities can better engage with academic institutions like the IWL and what advice they would offer to someone who is ready to lead boldly.
Additional leaders who spoke throughout the evening included:
- Dr. Abiola Keller, associate professor in the College of Nursing, who served as emmcee
- Joanna Bouza, Marquette University trustee, and Dr. Chris Navia, acting vice president for belonging and student affairs, who shared the welcome message
- Danielle Nussberger, associate director of the Faber Center, who delivered the invocation
- Lisa Edwards, professor of counselor education and counseling psychology in the College of Education and director of the IWL
- Award presenters:
- X’Zandria Weil, IWL leadership development coordinator
- Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, vice president for research and innovation
- Dr. Aliah Berman, IWL advisory council member
Transformational leadership awardees
The IWL presented three awards for transformational leadership at the gala:
- The IWL Engage Award was presented to Maria G. Tijerina Ibarra, a student taking action on and off campus to lead others to “Be the Difference.”
- The IWL Inspire Award to Dr. Melissa Shew, associate director of teaching excellence in the Center for Teaching and Learning, for being a faculty/staff member who is dedicated to helping improve the lives of women on campus and throughout the community.
- The IWL Transform Award to Joann Harris-Comodore, CEO and founder of Neu-Life Community Development, for being a community leader who creates positive change throughout the Milwaukee community.
