MUSCATINE, Iowa–15 years ago as a new organization, Women Lead Change held its very first conference in Coralville. Since then, Women Lead Change has grown tremendously, working to empower women and positively impact the workforce and economy not only in eastern Iowa but across several other Midwestern states as well.
Becky Alpen grew up in Muscatine and still has a fond connection with the city, though she now lives in Davenport. At the urging of her sister-in-law, who serves on the Women Lead Change Board of Directors, Alpen applied for and accepted a position as Women Lead Change’s Quad Cities Outreach Coordinator. Alpen enjoys her work bringing Women Lead Change’s mission and programming to many women throughout the region. ” It’s been an amazing experience being on the WLC team, and I can’t wait for what more is to come,” she reflected.
Throughout the year, Women Lead Change benefits women leaders in Muscatine County through the Women Connect program. Alpen elaborated: “Women Connect is a program that has expanded into Muscatine through our sponsor partner, HNI. Through Women Connect, we bring together female leaders in communities to create peer-to-peer networks and learn from each other and host quarterly workshops and socials.”
More broadly, Women Lead Change has continued offering annual conferences in various places. One of the Women Lead Change 15: 15 Year’s of Women’s Leadership conferences will take place Oct. 6 in Bettendorf. Featuring four different expert speakers, the opportunity will give women leaders and those who support them chance to learn more about topics relevant to them, grow professionally, and network with likeminded individuals. It will also include breakout sessions and visiting vendors, giving attendees options to explore things that mesh best with their own professional interests.
Anyone wanting to register for Women Lead Change 15 may do so by visiting the organization’s website. Attendees may choose between attending in person or virtually. They may also email Alpen for additional information about the event or other ways to get involved with Women Lead Change.
Since joining Women Lead Change, Alpen has taken great pleasure in seeing how the group empowers women to achieve more and benefits all the communities they operate in: “I love knowing that our events impact women at all levels of their careers. I have already had the opportunity to meet so many lovely women that want to raise each other up!” she shared. “Having worked in the medical world my whole career prior to this, it really does feel like giving back.”
Wanting to give back to even more communities, and to establish stronger connections with women working in the area where she grew up, Alpen helped Women Lead Change join the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry this summer. “Chambers in the regions we serve have been great supporters of our mission and the natural way to create awareness and make connections,” she observed. “I am looking forward to meeting the members in the Greater Muscatine Chamber.”
