Inspiring Women in Public Administration (IWPA)

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Register for IWPA 2025!

This year's IWPA Conference will take place on Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Registration is now open - Please see below for the agenda for the day. 

The Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference is a one-day annual conference that brings Kansas and Metro Kansas City women together for a day of inspiration, rejuvenation, and camaraderie.  While this day is not limited to women, the issues it addresses focus on unique challenges facing women in the public sector. 

2025 Conference Schedule - Explore this year's speakers here

Program Agenda 

Time 

Introductions and Speaker 

Topic 

8:15 a.m.-   
8:30 a.m. 

Kristi Northcutt, Director, Public Management Center, University of Kansas 

Welcome 

8:30 a.m.- 
9:30a.m. 

Introduction – Marilu Goodyear, Associate Professor and HOPE Program Director, University of Kansas   

 

Keynote Speaker – DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation 

Keynote Speaker 

9:30 a.m.- 
9:50 a.m. 

Break 

 

9:50 a.m.- 
11:20 a.m. 

Panel 

  • Meg McCollister, Moderator. COO, The Midland Group and former Region 7 Administrator EPA 

  • Kimberly DeWitt, Chief Data Officer, State of Kansas 

  • Carol Gonzales, Director of Finance and Administration, MARC 

  • Kim Freese, former Region 7 Director, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

  • Lauren Krutty, Planning and Operations Manager, Kansas City Streetcar Authority 

 

 

A panel of accomplished women will explore how their values have influenced their career choices. 

11:20 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. 

Lunch 

 

12:30 p.m.-   
1:00 p.m. 

Speed Coaching Round 1 

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four different speed coaching rounds, choosing from 20+ topics led by outstanding women in the industry.

 

1:00 p.m.-   
1:30 p.m. 

Speed Coaching Round 2 

 

 

1:30 p.m.- 
2:00 p.m. 

Speed Coaching Round 3 

 

2:00 p.m.- 
2:30 p.m.   

Speed Coaching Round 4 

 

2:30 p.m.- 
2:45 p.m. 

Break 

 

2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. 

Introduction – Donna Gomez, Security Risk & Compliance Analyst, Johnson County Park & Recreation District 

 

Misty Heggeness, Associate Professor and Associate Research Scientist, KU 

 

Moving Forward in a World of Uncertainty: What Would Taylor Swift Do? 

3:45 p.m. 

Maja Holmes, Director, School of Public Affairs and Administration, University of Kansas 

Closing Remarks  

4:00 p.m. 

Reception 

Stay for some snacks and drinks while you network.