Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference

This year's event will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Overland Park Convention Center.

The Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference is a one-day annual event that brings women together for a day of inspiration, rejuvenation, and camaraderie. While this day is not limited to women, it focuses on the unique challenges women in the public sector face.

IWPA resources

Support IWPA through sponsorship

Sponsoring IWPA means investing in a community of empowered women leaders shaping the future of public administration. IWPA sponsorships offer meaningful visibility, direct engagement with public sector professionals, and demonstrated support for leadership development, networking, and innovation in public service.

View sponsorship opportunities here! View sponsorship opportunities here!

Ready to sponsor? Reach out! Ready to sponsor? Reach out!

2026 Tentative Conference Schedule | Speaker bios here!

Friday, August 21, 2026
Time	Activity
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Conference check-in Breakfast Networking Headshots (optional add-on - see registration)
9:00 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.	Welcome Kristi Northcutt, Director, Public Management Center
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	Keynote Wendy Doyle, CEO & President of United WE
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.	Break
10:45 a.m. - 10:55 a.m.	Wellness & intentions Jenny Mehmedovic, Assistant Director of Consulting & Coaching Services, KU PMC
10:55 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.	Panel Moderated by Meg McCollister, COO of The Midland Group and former Region 7 EPA Administrator Hannah Snakenberg, Street Preservation Civil Engineer II, City of Olathe Major Marissa Barnes, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Bridgette Cobbins, Assistant County Manager, Unified Government Wyandotte County
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.	Lunch Networking Group photos Headshots (optional add-on - see registration)
1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.	The Power of Mattering Kristi Northcutt, Director, Public Management Center
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.	Supported Networking Jenny Mehmedovic, Assistant Director of Consulting & Coaching Services, KU PMC Kristi Northcutt, Director, Public Management Center Kate Nygren, Associate Director, Education Programs Noel Rasor, Assistant Director for Curriculum and Program Quality
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Happy hour
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.	Recentering & grounding Jenny Mehmedovic, Assistant Director of Consulting & Coaching Services, KU PMC
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.	Mattering application Kristi Northcutt, Director, Public Management Center Kate Nygren, Associate Director, Education Programs
4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.	Closing remarks Maja Holmes, Director and Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration