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.
In light of International Women's Month, some of our membership shared what woman inspires them. Take a read, and share with us who inspires you!

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.
March Luncheon
March 21, 2019 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
PeachTree Catering (120 E. Nifong Blvd)


International Women's Month Panel:
Women on Boards

Women’s Network will ring in Women's History Month with a panel of esteemed women-professionals who will impart words of wisdom on getting involved in boards.

The panel will be moderated by Kellie Ann Coats, Executive Director of the Missouri Women’s Council.

Panelists will include:
Kathy Cowan-Smith, Vice President, OTSCON, Inc.
Stayce Smith, Director of Human Resources, Shelter Insurance Companies-Main Office
Karen M. Miller, former District I Commissioner, Boone County Government
Danielle Harrison, AVP Wealth Advisor, Landmark Bank
Janet Thompson, Boone County District II Commissioner, Boone County Government
Kat Cunningham, President, Moresource, Inc.
Women's Network will also be announcing our 3 ATHENA Young Professional Finalists following the Women on Boards panel at our March Luncheon. Celebrate International Women's Month and join us!
Presented by Manor Roofing and Restoration; Welcome Sponsor
Women's Network Keynote at Showcase CoMo
The Seminar at Showcase CoMo is growing near, and the keynote at Showcase CoMo so grab a few people from your team, and join us at the seminar. It's a great cost-effective professional development AND team-building opportunity.

KEYNOTE | Temperaments, Tolerance, and Teamwork
With the growing generational diversity of work forces, it's more important than ever to understand how to work with coworkers who are undoubtedly different than we are. In this fun, interactive session, Tracy will have you and/or your team working to leverage your differences; Participants will leave the session with a new vocabulary and appreciation of how people work effectively as a team.


BREAKOUT | The 6 Competencies of Leader
This interactive session will be limited in seating, so don't wait to snag the Breakout experience ticket! This breakout is for leaders of teams, groups, or even committees who want to take their leadership to the next level; we'll go in depth on the 6 competencies and develop action plans and commitments from participants.
Casey Buckman Photography will be offering free head shots to attendees at our Seminar! If you've been needing a refresher on your head shot, don't miss this opportunity, it only comes around once a year!
Thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor Missouri Custom, Gold Sponsor The Trust Company; Silver Sponsors Christian Chapel Academy, Brain Balance; Water Sponsor Culigan Water of Mid Missouri; Hotel Sponsor The Broadway - A Double Tree by Hilton
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. Register

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
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.
Getting to know ATHENA
By now, you've seen it mentioned through email, heard it announced at our monthly luncheons, and have seen it strewn across social media: ATHENA. But what is ATHENA truly?

Women's Network is preparing to celebrate twenty-five years of presenting the ATHENA International Awards right here in Columbia. The awards are nationally recognized and garner recognition and support across the US and the world. Women's Network began presenting the ATHENA Leadership Award in 1994 as a way to recognize an individual in the community who had worked


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.

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committee email reminders?
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Upcoming Committee Meetings

Monthly Program | Wednesday, March 13 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Membership Development | Thursday, March 14 | 12 - 1 p.m.
*Leadership Development Roundtable | Tuesday, April 2 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Special Events| Wednesday, April 3 | 12 - 1 p.m.
*Changing the Odds| Thursday, April 4 | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Steering| Thursday, April 4 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Co-Chairs| Thursday, April 4 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Marketing Communications | Monday, April 8 | 12 - 1 p.m.

*due to Spring break, the committees have chosen to alter their normal meeting time this month
February Leadership Development Roundtable

Roberts Rules of Order
Lead by Kelley Marchbanks
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
12 - 1 p.m. | The Walton Building (300 S. Providence)

Could you use more knowledge about how official meetings (such as board meetings) are conducted?  Learn about when motions need to be made and seconded, what types of items need a vote, and more.


Apply for a Leadership Position in WN!

Women's Network is accepting applications for SEVEN Co-Chair committees and FIVE Steering committee members. This is a great opportunity to refine your leadership skills, and serve next to thirty other strong leaders in our community.
Welcome New Members
Jennifer Horton | MU Health Care
Claire Oser | University of Missouri
Sabrina Weaver | Defense Against Diabetes
Jason Gruender | Liberty Family Medicine
Member Profile
Tami Sells, Director of Instructional Services
Moberly Area Community College
Get to know  Tami Sells , Director of Instructional Services at Moberly Area Community College! She has been a member of Women’s Network for about three years and truly values the connections she makes with other professionals in CoMo. We asked her some fun questions to get to know her better, so check them out!

What are you most excited about?
Three things coming up in the next 6 months that I am most excited about are attending a professional development opportunity offered by MACC, taking my kids to Walt Disney World for the first time, and hosting my out-of-state family for a long weekend... Read More
Non-Profit Spotlight
St. Raymond's Society

What has your organization done that you’re most proud of? 
It’s our clients’ success stories that make us most proud. They typically come to us stressed, homeless and jobless. To see them move on from our program with an education and/or job, a budget and plan, and having overall joy in the self-reliant person they’ve become, now supporting themselves and their babies, that makes us proud of what we do.... Read More
Professional Development Resource
Long gone are the days where the only resources we had for development were self-help books. The Muse breaks down the top podcasts for individuals who find they are most empowered by popping in their headphones and turning on a podcast: 6 Career-Boosting Podcasts You're Going to Love Listening To
Member Milestones and Celebrations

Congratulations to Corey Buckman, Therapy Unlimited , and Casey Buckman, Casey Buckman Photography , on the birth of their little girl, Charlee Buckman!

Congratulations to Sara Humm, City of Columbia , on her recent engagement!

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