More Than a Conference: Building the Future of Leadership in WI

Leadership isn’t just about individual growth—it’s about strengthening workplaces, organizations, and communities.

That was evident throughout this year’s Impact Conference 2026 on June 4th, where participants consistently shared that the experience was meaningful, relevant, and energizing. 

Impact 2026: Your Impact Grows Here

Sophia Partners’ Impact 2026: Transformative Leadership Conference (formerly the Aspiring Servant Leaders Conference) brought together 150 committed leaders from across Fond du Lac County, Fox Valley, and surrounding communities to Moraine Park Technical College for a full-day experience designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations succeed.

People are hungry for meaningful leadership development.

With an overall satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5 and a 9.3 out of 10 likelihood to return, attendees found value in investing time to learn and connect with others.

Innovation created energy.

The new Spark Session earned an impressive 4.67 out of 5 rating, with participants describing them as “brief, impactful punches of positivity” and calling the format a “home run.”

Relevant voices matter.

Local speakers from Fond du Lac and Appleton such as Nick Pretasky, Carrie Rule, and Laurice Snyder received enthusiastic feedback, highlighting the impact of speakers who address timely topics and provide practical insights leaders can immediately apply.

The experience brings everyone together.

From the food to hospitality to agenda at Moraine Park Technical College, participants recognized the care and attention given to every detail. Creating a welcoming environment helps foster deeper conversations and stronger connections.

Three Leadership Insights That Transformed Teams

Lead Where You Stand: Your Influence Is Your Leadership

Nick Pretasky (Founder of Humanistic Leadership) discussed how you can leverage everyday moments to multiply potential and build environments where people are engaged, empowered, and inspired to thrive.

“Well-organized, so real, spot-on. Interactive, engaging, and I’m leaving with so many strategies!” one attendee said.

Reality-Based Thinking: Suffering Is Optional

Sheri Peitersen (Sr. Talent Development Manager at J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc) learned to shift from blame and reactivity to fact-based thinking and personal accountability, enabling more productive conversations, better problem-solving, and forward-focused leadership actions.

“Loved the Thinking Inside the Box Tool!” another attendee shared.

LeadTime: Leadership Insights for Teams

Katie Moder (Regional Special Education Network Director at CESA 6) offered a toolkit of quick, high-impact exercises to shift the energy from managing time to creating leadership insights.

“Great stage presence. She kept everyone engaged.” one attendee said.

Six Breakout Session Lessons for Leaders

The conference’s breakout sessions addressed real challenges facing organizations:

Navigating Change with Creativity: Mandalas as a Tool for Self-reflection

• Featuring Kelsey Beine: This experiential session explored the change process – create, sustain, destroy/transform – by working with mandalas and connecting them to each individual’s leadership journey.

The Silent Organizational Killer: Burnout – Impact, Awareness, and Strategies

• Featuring Jesse Pimental: This session increased awareness of burnout by helping participants recognize its signs and impact while providing practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent burnout and support recovery. 

Get Curious, Not Furious: Leading Effectively Across Difference

• Featuring Laurice Snyder: This session invited leaders to reframe curiosity as a strategic leadership practice that strengthens decision-making, deepens relationships, and drives more inclusive outcomes.

Feelings Are Data, Not Drama: Using Emotional Intelligence When It Matters Most

• Featuring Carrie Rule: This lively and interactive session explored what happens to us when we’re emotionally charged, identified personal patterns, and helped leaders develop real-world strategies to turn emotional reactions into thoughtful responses.

You Can’t Serve What You Haven’t Built: A Servant Leadership Framework That Works

• Featuring Carrie Reif: This session introduced participants to a practical framework for servant leadership that actually works–one built on clarity, structure, accountability, and consistency.

Bridging the Gap: Turning Generational Frustration into a Leadership Superpower

• Featuring Kristin Blada: This interactive session included a panel discussion that created space for honest dialogue and real conversations about how to adapt, connect more effectively, and tap into the unique strengths each person brings–regardless of their generation.

Why WI Needs More Leadership Development

Leadership development is an investment in the future of Wisconsin communities, not just in Fond du Lac. When leaders from businesses, nonprofits, schools, healthcare organizations, and local government come together, they exchange ideas, build relationships, and strengthen the networks that help our communities thrive.

Several attendees noted that while they’ve participated in many professional development conferences over the years, this experience was among the most meaningful, relevant, and inspiring. 

That kind of feedback reinforces an important truth: communities like Fond du Lac benefit when leaders have opportunities to learn together, challenge one another, and return to their organizations with fresh ideas and renewed energy.

In a time when workplaces face rapid change, talent challenges, and increasing complexity, leadership can no longer be left to chance. Investing in leaders means investing in stronger organizations, healthier workplaces, and more vibrant communities.

Because when leaders grow, communities grow.

Join our Growing Leadership Development Movement

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About Sophia Partners 

Sophia Partners is a 501(c)(3) community-benefit, non-profit organization dedicated to building a network of transformative leaders who unleash the potential in people to create collaborative and thriving spaces and places! 

We believe people who have the knowledge and resources to make teams, organizations and communities better…DO! We provide accessible and affordable programs, services and resources for leaders to grow.

(Pictured: Sophia Board of Directors and associates)

Ready to develop your leadership potential?

• Visit: sophiapartners.org
• Email: hello@sophiapartners.org
• Connect with Wisconsin’s transformative leadership development partner!

We provide leadership development across Wisconsin: Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Appleton, Milwaukee, Madison, and surrounding communities.