Women's Leadership Institute

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

August 11-12, 2025, at the Embassy Suites Downtown Minneapolis
12 Sixth Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55402

CACUBO’s Women’s Leadership Institute is designed for all women within higher education, regardless of current position, with leadership aspirations or those currently in a leadership role — as well as men who support the advancement of women in leadership roles. The Institute will feature experts on topics relevant to women in leadership, high-level executive coaching, and interaction with peers in both formal group discussions and informal networking settings. This forum will provide participants with the tools and resources to take their career to the next level.

Inspire. Equip. Empower.

The CACUBO Women’s Leadership Institute is designed to support current and aspiring leaders in higher education. Whether you're advancing in your current role or exploring new opportunities, this institute offers the guidance and community to help you succeed.

What You'll Gain:

Actionable strategies to lead with impact
Motivation and confidence to step into leadership
Meaningful connections with a network of peers and mentors
Insight into navigating challenges unique to women in higher education

Join us to gain the tools, insight, and community you need to grow as a leader and make a lasting impact in your institution.

Featuring this year's key note speakers:

Allison Vaillancourt, author of Organizational Politics Playbook (opening speaker)
Patricia Langer, CFO of Macalester College • Session Topic: Leadership Journey
Carlie Dos Santos, Follett • Session Topic: Influencing Effectively
Tondee Lutterman, Forvis Mazars • Session Topics: Strategies to Shift Negative Narratives & Giving to Grow - Applying the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success to your Career and Life
Nichol Luoma, EVPA at Washington University in Saint Louis • Session Topic: Career Journey.
Teri Bump, American Campus Communities • Session Topic: Fuel Your Joy, Find Your Edge: The Science of Happiness and the Future of Women's Leadership

Hotel & Room Rates

We have a room block reserved at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown for August 10, 2025, through August 13, 2025. Booking your room is simple; just select "Book a Room" below to receive our group's special rate. Also included in your booking is a complimentary breakfast with made-to-order omelets, complimentary evening cocktail hour (2 drinks per person), Free Wi-Fi, access to a fitness center, and more!

Set in the heart of downtown, Embassy Suites Minneapolis is located in the Central Business and Warehouse District. The hotel is directly connected to the Minneapolis Skyway System - spanning 11 miles or 69 city blocks - for a quick walk to offices, restaurants, shops, nightlife, and the city’s beloved sports venues.

Hotel Cost: $189 a night (available for three days before and after the event)
Cut-off date for the room blocks is Monday, July 21, 2025.

Registration

Members can register by CLICKING HERE.

Conference Cost: $450
Max Event Attendance: 70
Cancellation Policy: If you need to transfer or cancel your registration, please email [email protected]. Cancellation requests received prior to July 18, 2025, will be refunded less a $100 processing fee. Cancellation requests received on or after July 18, 2025, are not eligible for a refund.

Agenda

Schedule is subject to change.

Monday, August 11, 2025
Time	Speaker / Presenter	Title & Description
7:00am - 8:45am	Registration
7:00am - 8:45am	Breakfast On Your Own
8:45am - 9:00am	CACUBO Team	Welcome Presentation
9:00am - 10:30am	Allison Vaillancourt, PhD Segal	Keynote: Navigating Organizational Politics Author of “The Organizational Politics Playbook”, Allison is an organizational consultant with more than thirty years of experience working with and in higher education. She will share practical strategies to identify and manage institutional politics.
10:30am - 10:45am	Break
10:45am - 12:00pm	*TBA*
12:00pm - 1:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm - 2:15pm	Patricia Langer Macalester College	Keynote: *Voices of Leadership* As Chief Financial Officer at Macalester College, Patricia will share her career journey and insights into leading finance at a small, private liberal arts institution
2:15pm - 2:30pm	Break
2:30pm - 4:00pm	Carlie Dos Santos Follett	Influencing Effectively As leaders in an academic institution, members of administrative functions must often lead with influence. Carlie will share strategies to influentially accomplish broader goals.
4:00pm - 5:00pm	TBA
5:00pm - 6:15pm	Networking Reception

Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Time	Speaker / Presenter	Title & Description
7:00am - 8:00am	Breakfast On Your Own
8:00am - 8:15am	CACUBO Team	Kickoff Day 2
8:15am - 9:30am	Tondee Lutterman Forvis Mazer	Strategies to Shift Negative Narratives Negative internal narratives can be our self-imposed barrier to success, often sabotaging ourselves. This session will focus on changing that internal dialog, through a combination of education and table-top exercise.
9:30am - 9:45am	Break
9:45am - 11:00am	Nichol Luoma Washington University in Saint Louis	Keynote: Voices of Leadership As Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration & Chief Administration Officer at WASHU, Nichol is responsible for managing a broad portfolio in support of a large, private AAU institution. Nichol will share insights, including her career journey, that spans the corporate world and both public and private higher education. She will share actionable strategies to engage and strengthen management within the academy.
11:00am - 12:00pm	TBA
12:00pm - 1:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm - 2:30pm	Tondee Lutterman Forvis Mazer	*Giving to Grow* As the National Industry Leader for Forvis Mazer’s Nonprofit, Education & Public Sector, Tondee presents nationally. Her session, “Giving to Grow – Applying the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success to Your Career (and Life)” will explore the laws of value, compensation, influence, authenticity and receptivity, which together provide a powerful set of guidelines to support success. The session is based on The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea" by Bob Burg and John David Mann.
2:30pm - 2:45pm	Break
2:45pm - 3:45pm	Panel Moderated: TIAA	Women’s Leadership Panel Women Leaders will discuss aspects of leadership, barriers to success, and strategies to overcome and succeed.
3:45pm - 5:00pm	Teri Bump American Campus Communities	Keynote: Fuel Your Joy, Find Your Edge: The Science of Happiness and the Future of Women's Leadership