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 Symposium: On Being a Jewish Woman Leader Now
Kim Oster Holstein, Lindsay Pinchuk, Mara Smith, Melissa Widen; moderated by Leslee Cohen
Breakout Sessions:
Managing Money Through Major Life Transitions
Ellen Rogin, Melissa Widen, Erica Yale; moderated by Rebecca Rosofsky
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 Oster Holstein, Lindsay Levin, Anna Ceci Rosenkranz; moderated by Marina Rostein
The Burnout Tax: What Success Cost Me and How I Recovered
Leslee Cohen, Meredith Jacobs, Ellie Kirshenbaum, Hannah Spevak; moderated by Carrie Seleman
Closing Panel: Unpacking the Experiences of Young Jewish Women in a Post-October 7 World
Jacqueline Carroll, Eva Farber, Meredith Jacobs; moderated by Sofie Greif
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:
Leslee M. Cohen, Managing Partner, AllRise Legal Counsel
First Women’s Bank
Kim Oster Holstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Twisted Alchemy
Honeymoon Israel
Lindsay Levin, Founder/Executive Coach, Tandem
Mara Smith, Founder and CEO of Inspiro Tequila
Stephanie Widman, CEO/Founder, sweet'thing
The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC
Event Committee:
Leslee Cohen, Managing Partner, AllRise Legal Counsel
Sofie Greif, Associate Brand Manager, Conagra Brands
Kim Oster Holstein, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Twisted Alchemy; JWI President Emeritus
Ellie Kirshenbaum, Engagement Manager, Heidrick & Struggles; Former YWIN Chicago President
Lindsay Pinchuk, Founder, Dear FoundHer (2025 Women to Watch)
Anna Cecilia Rosenkranz, Strategy & Operations, Stealth Startup (Women’s Health AI)
Marina Rostein, Head of Platform, NVNG Investment Advisors; JWI Board Member
Carrie Seleman, Attorney, Office of the Cook County Public Guardian
Mara Smith, Founder & CEO, Inspiro Tequila (2024 Women to Watch)
Hannah Spevak, Social Worker, New Trier High School
Melissa Widen, Co-Founder, Chief Legal Officer, & Head of Impact Deposits, First Women's Bank (2025 Women 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.