Over 200 women gathered for the annual Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference, held at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, on June 26.  The theme was “Daring Greatly.”   Speakers included San Bruno, California, city manager Connie Jackson; Tualatin, Oregon, city manager Sherilyn Lombos; Parkville, Missouri, city administrator Lauren Palmer; recently retired city manager Joyce Wilson of El Paso, Texas; University of Missouri-Kansas City Athletics Director Carla Wilson; Deputy Regional Administrator of HUD Region VII Theresa Porter; Dr. Barbara Kerr of the University of Kansas; and several other inspiring women.

Featured speakers shared insights about triumphing after failure – declaring your win. Participants heard stories of powerful women who have made amazing contributions to their fields.  Conference participants saw a TED Talk about leveraging the feelings of vulnerability to propel individuals toward innovation, creativity, and change. 

ICMA and  Women Leading Government were sponsors for this event, along with ICMA-RC and other supportive sponsors.  Jan Perkins, ICMA Senior Advisor and WLG Board Member participated in the event.  A new WLG group in the Kansas City area is being formed as a result of this conference.

The complete program for the June 26, IWPA event is available here.

IWPA Planning Committee 

Standing (left to right):Alecia Gray (KU School of Public Affairs & Administration), Karen Davis (Management Partners, Inc.), Kimiko Gilmore (City of Kansas City, MO), Caitlin Gard (City of Shawnee, KS), Sonta Wilburn (City of Overland Park, KS), Susan Sherman (City of Olathe, KS), Margaret Mahoney (Dole Institute of Politics)

Seated (left to right):Stephanie Moore (Unified Government of Wyandotte County & Kansas City, KS), Jan Perkins (Management Partners, Inc.), Beth Linn (City of Edgerton, KS), Noel Rasor (KU Public Management Center), Sara Singer (City of Tualatin, OR)

Not pictured: Maria Ojeda (City of Pleasanton, CA)

 IWPA Sponsors Commttee

Standing (left to right): JC Martel (PhD Student), Wendy Doyle (Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City), Barbara Domke (University of Missouri – Kansas City), Karen Davis (Management Partners, Inc., individual donation), Nijah Fudge (CH2M HILL), Julia Novak (The Novak Consulting Group), Cynthia Hogle (PhD Student), Chelsey Gordon (MPA Student), Sheila Bell (ICMA-RC), Regina Hargraves (ICMA-RC)

Seated (left to right): Kimiko Gilmore (City of Kansas City, MO), Jan Perkins (Management Partners, Inc., individual donation), Susan Sherman (City of Olathe), Stephanie Moore (individual donation), Robin Mc-Daniel-Beck (MPA Student)