Empowering Women to Lead

Welcome to the NWPC Women's Leadership Event! Join us for an empowering day filled with inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and skill-building workshops. This in-person event will be held at the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, this event is designed to help you grow and thrive. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with other like-minded women and take your leadership skills to the next level. See you there!

We’re excited to announce that this upcoming Lead With Strength: Women’s Political Leadership & Wellness Initiative will be a joint partnership between over 15 organizations (and growing): the State of California Commission of Women and Girls, the County of California Commission of Women, and the City of Los Angeles Empower LA/Dept of Neighborhood Empowerment. Event organized by NWPC Foundation & NWPC LA Metro. Through this conference, we hope to create a safe space to uplift women and support mental wellness, while empowering women in leadership and public life.

Event Partners (partial list):

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG)
Los Angeles County Commission on Women
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
League of Women Voters
City of LA: Empower LA/Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Emerge California
AWPE (AAPI Women in Politics / EmpowHer)
CAUSE
Fund Her
Close the Gap
Ready to Launch
NWPC Foundation
NWPC California
NWPC San Fernando Valley
NWPC LA Westside
NWPC Sacramento

This project is being funded in part by the National Women’s Political Caucus Foundation.

Preliminary Program Schedule (more speakers to be announced!)

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Check-In & Breakfast
Pre-Conference Walk (Indoor Track – YMCA)
Resource Tables (all day)
Art Exhibit (all day)

10:00 AM Welcome & Keynote – Hon. Fiona Ma, CPA, CA State Treasurer

• Overview of the Day’s Agenda
• Women’s Rights Then and Now -- Chris Carson, League of Women Voters

11:15 AM — Breakout Sessions (2 Tracks)

• Track A: Run for Office 101 — Emerge CA & AWPE
• Track B: Staying Strong: Coping & Thriving in Today’s Political Climate -- Close the Gap

12:30 PM -- Lunch Keynote & Fireside Chat
“Leadership with Purpose in Times of Challenge” — Hon. Betty Yee, former CA State Controller

1:15 PM — Breakout Sessions (2 Tracks)

• Track A: Emotional Intelligence in Public Leadership (EQ for Women Leaders)
• Track B: Coalition Building Across Communities — Carmen Chang, CEO, Empower LA

2:30 PM -- Closing Session
“Your Voice, Your Power: Crafting a Narrative That Moves People”
— Conni Francini, CEO, Soro Publishing
Reflections & Participant Sharing (Final Remarks) -- CAUSE

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM -- Networking Reception (Outdoor)
Hosted by the League of Women Voters

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher NWPC Los Angeles Metro