Inside Women in Business’ Defining Her Future Conference

Written by: Ashley Strain, Editor-in-Chief of the WIRE

As Women in Business continues to grow its presence on campus, one event stands out as a defining moment for the organization’s mission: the Defining Her Future Conference. Set to be held in March, the conference is expected to host over 500 attendees, making it the largest student-run conference on campus.

This year’s Defining Her Future Conference is centered on empowering women through leadership and opportunity. Planned entirely by students, the conference brings together professionals, speakers, and students for a day focused on career development, connection, and confidence.

“The main goal behind this year’s conference was to make our speakers as diverse as possible in their background and experience,” said Neela Michelsen, VP of Events Updates. “With our theme being ‘Perspectives,’ we wanted every attendee to be able to see themselves reflected in the speakers and take away advice that feels personal and meaningful.”

Behind the scenes, planning is led by three dedicated committees: Logistics, Marketing Strategy, and Marketing Creative. Each team plays a key role in ensuring the conference runs smoothly and reaches students across campus and beyond. From coordinating catering and donor outreach to designing invitations and social media campaigns, the committees work collaboratively to bring the event to life.

The conference will also include a pre-conference event held the day before and open by invitation only. This gathering will bring together board members, committee members, speakers, and donors, offering a more intimate space for connection and conversation ahead of the main event.

“We hold a pre-conference event every year to create connections with speakers before the conference day,” Michelsen said. “It gives everyone the chance to meet in a more casual setting and feel comfortable heading into a professional environment.”

A major highlight of this year’s conference is the Defining Her Future Scholarship, a $500 award that can be used for any academic or personal expense. One recipient will be selected based on alignment with the conference’s theme and values, and attendance at both the pre-conference and the main conference is required.

In addition to panels and programming, attendees can expect interactive elements throughout the day, including giveaways and raffles sponsored by local and national businesses. Many of these giveaways will be promoted through social media in the weeks leading up to the conference and collected on the day of the event.

As March approaches, the Defining Her Future Conference represents more than just a networking event. It showcases the leadership and collaboration of Women in Business members who are building spaces where women can learn and look ahead with intention.

“When I attended the conference as a freshman, I left feeling incredibly empowered,” Michelsen said. “I hope attendees walk away feeling inspired to invest in their futures and envision themselves as the leaders they see on stage.”