Name: Inspiring Women Leaders Forum
Start: 2026-02-17T15:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-02-17T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Long Road Distillers

This happy hour will feature a panel of outstanding woman leaders in accounting and finance professions from the Grand Rapids area!
About this Event

Join AFWA Grand Rapids for our annual Inspiring Women Leaders Forum event! This event will feature several inspiring women leaders who are excited to share their experiences, answer your questions about growing as a leader, and provide insights on what led to their success. Learn specific, actionable skills and habits to add to your toolkit for reaching career aspirations while enjoying lunch and networking with industry professionals!

Happy Hour and networking will begin at 3:30PM at Long Road Distillers. The panel discussion will begin at 4:00PM.

This year, we are thirlled to welcome our guest speakers:

Nichole Kladder: Chief Marketing Officer at Mercantile Bank

Alison Mast: Senior Managing Director, President of West MI at Northern Trust

Ashley Ward: CEO and Talent Advisor at Ward Talent Solutions

Cost:

$ 45.00: General Admission
$ 35.00: AFWA Member
$ 20.00: Student Admission
$1,000.00: Title Sponsor - Includes 10 event tickets, premium recognition (logo on banners, marketing material, and the AFWA website), exclusive branding (prominent signage and acknowledgement during opening remarks)
$500.00: Food Sponsor - Includes 5 event tickets, logo recognition on food signage and event material, brand visability in event promotions and socials
$500.00: Drink Sponsor - Includes 5 event tickets, logo recognition on barsignage and event material, brand visability in event promotions and socials
$350.00: Table Sponsor - Includes 3 event tickets, logo recognition in marketing and event program, networking opportunity (engage with attendees at your table)
$100.00: Food Sponsorship - Includes 5 event tickets, logo recognition in marketing and event program, networking opportunity (engage with attendees at your table)

In this session:

Learn specific, actionable skills and habits to add to your toolkit for reaching career aspirations
Discover strategies to harmoniously embrace your personal and professional life
Recognize success traits in professional leaders

CPE Eligibility: 1.00 CPE Credit

Prerequisites Required: None

Program Knowledge Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personal Development

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

Official National Registry Statement: The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: https://www.nasbaregistry.org/

Refund Policy: Attendees can request refunds to the original payment method on a case-by-case basis prior to the event. Eventbrite’s fees are non-refundable, so they won't be returned to the ticket buyer unless the event is canceled, or if the buyer requests a refund for a duplicate charge within 7 days of purchase. Attendees can request refunds to the original payment method on a case-by-case basis.

Please Note: All AFWA Grand Rapids events are photographed and/or videotaped by the organization and its affiliates. By registering to attend this event, you acknowledge that you may appear on camera, and provide your consent for AFWA Grand Rapids to use your likeness in any future marketing materials.