The Women of Wintrust (WOW) Business Resource Group (BRG) hosted a Women’s History Month celebration at the Wintrust Grand Banking Hall, featuring a dynamic panel of leaders. The night kicked off with hors d’oeuvres, networking, and an incredible performance by the 40+ Double Dutch Club. With a mission to celebrate aging by prioritizing health, serving communities, and empowering women, it was the perfect group to set the stage for an inspiring evening.

As the night segued into the panel discussion, each panelist danced or high-fived their way to take their place on stage, keeping the energy level high for what unfolded as a meaningful and moving conversation. Moderated by Wintrust Private Trust Company CEO Mary Ann Korenic, they covered building confidence, combatting burnout, and advocating for an end to gender bias in the workplace.

“A truly inclusive organization doesn’t just talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion — it builds them into its culture,” Korenic explains. “This event is yet another demonstration of Wintrust’s continued commitment to fostering a diverse workforce, representative of the communities we serve, where every voice is heard, every individual is valued, and every barrier to success is addressed.”

With Korenic’s uncanny ability to connect with an audience, and the panelists’ passion for what they do and desire to empower other women, the discussion felt less like a corporate panel and more like a conversation between close colleagues. 

The accomplished lineup included:

• Diana Patton
  CEO & Founder
  Rise with Diana Consultancy, All Rise Global Summit, and Rise Advocates® Academy

Diana and her team share their unique Path to Power, Purpose and Connection™ to help corporate women speak up and advocate for themselves. Drawing from her experience as a former Civil Rights Attorney, and corporate executive, she provides the expertise to support both corporate women and the organizations they work for, in creating more inclusive environments that reflect the diversity of the customers and clients they serve. Diana is the bestselling author of the memoir, “Inspiration in My Shoes,” founder of the “Rise With Diana” podcast and the Head Full of Dreams, a nonprofit program for 5th and 6th grade girls.

• Laura Ricketts
  Executive Chairperson, Controlling Owner
  Chicago Stars FC

Laura is the executive chairperson and controlling owner of the Chicago Stars FC National Women’s Soccer League franchise. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball Club and as Chair of the Board of Chicago Cubs Charities, where she leads the organization’s philanthropy, sports-based youth development, and academic programming. She is the first openly LGBTQ woman to co-own an MLB franchise and is also an investor in the Chicago Sky Women’s National Basketball Association franchise. Outside of professional sports, Laura co-founded Beyond Barriers, an innovative professional development platform that helps people-powered businesses develop highly engaged, future-ready talent.

• Nicole Robinson
  CEO
  YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

Nicole has spent her career building bridges between communities, individuals, government, and business leaders. As a fierce advocate for women, girls, and justice, she’s inspired by the resiliency of the families who turn to the YWCA for family support, economic opportunities, and collective healing. Prior to joining the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Nicole was the Chief Partnership and Program Officer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where she designed strategies to expand food access while tackling the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and racial inequity.

• Lori Tompos, MEd, MBA
  Founder & Adjunct Professor
  Avail Consulting

Best known for thinking strategically, Lori’s purpose is to inspire, engage, and empower leaders and their teams. One of the first women graduates of The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Lori led a group of all male Infantry Soldiers in the successful inaugural launch of the Patriot missiles during the Gulf War. With 20+ years of experience engaging employees to optimal levels and developing valuable leaders and effective teams, initially in the U.S. Army and now in higher education and corporate America, Lori sees fresh perspectives and potential that propels high performance.

Topics throughout the evening ranged from advice on dealing with burnout and societal pressures to top success factors to a rapid-fire session with questions about role models, strengths, and vices. As each woman shared pivotal moments and their unique insights, the audience learned how to harness their own super powers, let go of the fear of failure, and show up in the world as their true authentic selves — standing up for what’s most important to their own story and the collective community.

Disclosure:

Investment products such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are:

NOT FDIC INSURED| NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY