Women's Network is a Division of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce
The mission of Women's Network is to connect, empower and engage members through leadership development, educational opportunities and innovative outreach.
Its time to renew membership dues! Women's Network dues renew every April and help to support our mission to provide professional development, networking and scholarship opportunities to our members. We're excited to take you along in our new program year where we continue to work on improving our member experience! Dues will be emailed out the week of April 15th. Contact Director of Women's Network, Brandi Spurling with any questions.

Upcoming Events

Women's Network events are a great way to challenge your comfort zone, meet new people, and get the most out of your WN membership. Make a point to attend one of our upcoming events this month! Visit our website for all events.
New Member Welcome
April 18, 2019 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Columbia Country Club

Our New Member Welcomes, presented by State Farm Insurance - Stephanie Wilmsmeyer, are great opportunities to meet new and established members of Women's Network, explore committees and events, and learn how to get the most out of your WN membership!

Columbia Country Club will welcome us with beautiful views, as always, and a delicious meal. Free to new members of the last six months, $10 for everyone else.

Thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor  State Farm Insurance - Stephanie Wilmsmeyer, Agent ; Gold Sponsors  Columbia Daily Tribune/Tribune Publishing Co.  and  Johnston Painting & Decorating ; Location Sponsor  Columbia Country Club ; Catering Sponsor Columbia Country Club ; New Member Gift Sponsor  White Dog Promotions, LLC
May Luncheon
May 16, 2019 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
PeachTree Catering

No matter what stage you are in on your wealth journey (accumulation, utilization or transfer), there are important choices to be made. Whether you are a college student, young professional, experienced professional or retiree, balancing immediate needs and long-term savings required to obtain or retain financial independence is key. There will be many transitions or challenges along the way (children, divorce, disability, and loss – to name a few), but formulating a practical strategy for managing your finances now and throughout retirement is essential.
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Welcome Sponsor:
Downtown Home Appliance Center
ATHENA Awards Banquet
May 2, 2019 | 7-9:30 p.m.
Stephens College
Don't forget to grab your ticket! With limited seating, we're filling up fast!

Ticket: $35
Table Sponsorship: $500 (includes 10 tickets)
Thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor  The Trust Company ; Gold Sponsors  Cumulus Broadcasting ,  Dave Griggs Flooring America ,  Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling, Inc . and  Veterans United ; Silver Sponsor  RE/MAX Boone Realty – Elizabeth Mendenhall ; Video Production Sponsor  KOMU 8 & Mid Missouri’s CW ; Awards Sponsor  Williams Keepers ; Design Services Sponsor  The Business Times Company ; Decorations Sponsor  A-1 Rental ; Print Services Sponsor  Shelter Insurance Companies – Main Office ; Location Sponsor  Stephens College ; Media Sponsor  KRCG CBS 13 ,  The Columbia Missourian , and  The Business Times Company ; Beverage Sponsor  Les Bourgeois Vineyards ; Flower Sponsor  Allens Flowers
Send a Rose to a Mentor!
Each year, in light of the Special Events Committee's preparation and recognition of the ATHENA International Awards, Women's Network invites you to send a rose to your mentor for $5! Roses are hand-delivered by the Special Events committee to your mentor, with a special note from you.

Scholarships and Awards

Women's Network offers a number of scholarships and awards to its members. Scholarship and award nomination windows vary; for a complete list of scholarships and awards, visit the Scholarships and Awards page of our website!

Carrie D. Francke Scholarship Open!

The Carrie D. Francke Scholarship will open to applicants through May 1, 2019. Each year, Women’s Network provides a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Carrie D. Francke. Carrie was ambitious, completing a political science degree at MU in three years, followed by earning journalism and law degrees. She served as Senator John Danforth’s press secretary, as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, and on the University of Missouri Board of Curators. She died in a tragic car accident in 1989 at the age of 34. Carrie served on the Women’s Network Steering Committee.


Nominate a Debin Benish Oustanding Business Woman today!

WN is accepting nominations for the Debin Benish Oustanding Business Woman award! Debin Benish started Delta Systems Group at a time when women were not encouraged to venture out on their own, not to mention in a technology field. During her 18 years in business, Debin and her staff trained thousands of people in Mid- Missouri on many different software programs and provided computer network support to hundreds of companies.In addition to achieving great success in her company, Debin was actively involved in the Chamber and Women’s Network. She served on the Chamber Board of Directors, Accreditation Task Force, Business Conference and Showcase Committee, Government Affairs, Education, Leadership Columbia, Women’s Network Business Owners Committee, and Ambassadors.

Interested in receiving
committee email reminders?
Click below to get on
a specific list!
Upcoming Committee Meetings

Leadership Development Roundtable | Thursday, April 24 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Changing the Odds| Thursday, April 25 | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Special Events| Wednesday, May 1 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Monthly Program | Wednesday, May 8 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Marketing Communications | Monday, May 13 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Membership Development | Thursday, May 9 | 12 - 1 p.m.
April Leadership Development Roundtable

Community Involvement
Lead by Verna Laboy , City of Columbia
Thursday, April 24, 2019
12 - 1 p.m. | The Walton Building (300 S. Providence)

Join us to learn about how community involvement can improve your quality of life while you help others.  

Changing the Odds Spring Seminar

Women's Network's Changing the Odds committee has been hard at work preparing for their Spring Seminar (presented by Missouri Employers Mutual) focused on helping to provide attendees with resources and knowledge around financial stability. The committee welcomes community professionals to present on topics such as budgeting 101, credit and banking, and financial aid and scholarships. Please feel free to view and share the flyer with any one who you think mike benefit from this amazing seminar!

Welcome New Members

Susan Lambert, MSN RN | Columbia Orthopaedic Group

Kerri Roberts | TIG

Sara Samuels | University of Missouri
ATHENA Young Professional Finalists Announced
We revealed our ATHENA Young Professional Finalists last month and are excited to help you get to know them better. Click the link below to learn more about the finalists and to register for the banquet on May 2, 2019 where we'll not only reveal the Young Professional Recipient, but also the 2019 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient.

WN Seminar at Showcase CoMo
Attendees to the Women's Network Seminar at Showcase CoMo enjoyed an engaging and insightful keynote and breakout with Tracy Spears. Spears broke down personalities into four quadrants and wove through the ins and outs, and dos and don'ts of each personality. Attendees walked away with some refreshed and new information, along with quite a few laughs. You can learn more about Tracy, her books and coaching here.
Gold Sponsor The Trust Company; Silver Sponsors Christian Chapel Academy; Water Sponsor Culligan Water of Mid Mo; Hotel Sponsor The Broadway - A Doubletree by Hilton; Headshots Casey Buckman Photograhy
The Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were out in full force at the Women's Network Seminar at Showcase CoMo. If you attended, you likely encountered a gold jacket helping you find your way to the auditorium, passing out necessary items for the keynote or directing you to the best lunch seat. If you see an Ambassador, thank them! Women's Network is lucky to have their unwavering support at so many events, but especially at this month's very complex seminar!
Professional Development Resource
Justina Dial, Central Bank of Boone County recommends a quick but impactful read this month: Monday Morning Leadership by David Cottrell

"A very quick read on things to remember or questions to ask yourself if you are in a leadership position, whether it's on a board, committee or at work." - Justina Dial
Member Milestones and Celebrations

If you have any milestones or celebrations to include next month, please send them to
Sara Humm at [email protected].
Your newsletter contributors include:

Sara Humm , Co-Chair (Marketing Committee), City of Columbia
Bethany Schoengarth , Co-Chair (Marketing Committee), Columbia Marketing Group
Laura Kogut , Steering Liaison (Marketing Committee), Landmark Bank
Teresa Snow , Steering Liaison (Marketing Committee), MU Health Care
Elizabeth Stephens , The Columbia Missourian
Justina Dial , Central Bank of Boone County
Audrey Sharp, Veterans United
Brandi Spurling , Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Women's Network
a Division of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce

300 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203

(573) 874-1132