Changing the narrative: Crossroads Chambers hosts 6th Annual Women’s Empowerment Brunch

Women are breaking through the glass ceiling, building their own doors to walk through, and even when they are scared, they are doing it anyway.

On Thursday, Oct. 1, the Crossroads Chamber of Northwest Indiana’s WILD (Women in Leadership Development) Committee hosted its sixth annual Women’s Empowerment Brunch at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.

The WILD committee was created as a resource for women in the business community, with a mission to empower and advance women in leadership, foster a supportive network, address gender-specific challenges, and help women develop the skills to lead.

The event celebrated outstanding women in the region and across the country who are not only fighting for a seat at the table but are bringing other women along with them. Thursday’s discussion focused on how to keep those seats open and available to all women, now and well into the future.

Crossroads Chamber President Deann Patena welcomed guests, sponsors, and donors to what organizers hope will be a brunch that sets the tone for years to come.

The event opened with an impromptu speaker, Dr. Louise A. Chickie-Wolfe, a local educator who wanted to shed light on a nationwide issue and set the tone for the morning.

“Young women can and are changing the world for the better,” she said, an all-too-timely reminder of women’s place in an ever-changing world. “I want you to take note that doing the right thing is not always the easy thing.” 

She spoke highly of her tenacious and brave granddaughter, Cereesse Qusba, who was featured on the front page of that morning’s New York Times. Qusba is one of the student journalists who spent 23 months searching for the truth behind the alleged sexual assault at Cornell University in 2024 that has gripped the nation. Qusba and her team broke the story and brought it to the world, hoping to change circumstances for women everywhere.

Chickie-Wolfe spoke with pride, and the room erupted in applause as women’s capabilities were on full display.

“When women connect, possibilities multiply, and when women lift each other, we all rise,” said Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber, who served as the event’s emcee.

Sinders thanked the donors, sponsors, and hordes of women who made the event possible.

Dr. Surekha Rao, professor of economics at Indiana University Northwest, spoke about empowering women in the age of artificial intelligence. She said women need to better prepare for the challenges ahead. According to Rao, about 33% of women’s jobs are exposed to risk from AI, compared with 16% of jobs held mostly by men. That may sound like a serious warning, but it is something women can work on together. By networking, learning AI tools, and building new skills, they can change the narrative and create more opportunities for women in any field in the years to come.

The main event of the morning was a fireside chat moderated by Jenny Craig Brown, a female entrepreneur and owner of Grit and Grow Cleaning. She welcomed three panelists who aren’t just leading in their respective fields. They are working to ensure more women can break down barriers, redefine leadership, build confidence and a sense of belonging, advocate for themselves, and mentor others. In turn, they encourage more young women to take up space in their fields.

The panelists work in male-dominated fields: construction, ironworking, and plumbing. Together, they encourage the next generation of women to be curious and go against the grain of what society tells them. These fields may seem intimidating, but women can and do belong in them.

Amy Henningfield, director of workforce development at Superior Construction, started as a 20-year-old single mother, with every reason to quit. Henningfield stopped at nothing, later earning a bachelor’s degree from Purdue and an MBA.

Today, she teaches and empowers other women to do the same. Even when there is no room at the table, she said, strong leaders will “build a bigger table.” Henningfield’s passion is making sure women approach that table with confidence and leadership skills.

“You can’t be what you don’t see,” said Henningfield, who has made it her life’s work to ensure women’s representation in male-dominated fields stays on the upswing.

Henningfield visits area schools every month and attends job fairs so that women and young girls can see themselves in the line of work they want to pursue. It can also be as simple as surrounding yourself with women who want to do the work, create change, and challenge the status quo.

Heather Gabinski, an ironworker with Local 395 for more than 20 years, said women on the job site often face resistance from day one. 

“They want to break you,” she said. “But you have to know who you are.”

Zoe Orosz was among the panelists as well, a member of Plumbers Local 210.

Following the fireside chat, the room welcomed keynote speaker Diane Primo, CEO of Purpose Brands, an award-winning branding, public relations, and digital content agency based in Chicago. Her origin story started at age 14, when she sold Avon makeup door to door.

“Results make your presence undeniable,” Primo said. 

She went on to share her expertise with the crowd and encouraged each of them to take notes.

Primo shared the six most valuable lessons she has learned in business. First, say your name. Tell people what you accomplish, not just your title. Second, know your number and your value. Third, put terms around your yes. Fourth, take the next step, even before you feel completely ready. Fifth, invest in yourself. And finally, always open a door for another woman.

“You are not a favor. You are a solution,” Primo told the audience. 

She also urged women not to “negotiate with yourself” too soon. Lastly, she spoke on building and creating your own opportunities.

“If they still don’t let you in, you build your own door. You carve the wood, you install the hinges, and you put your own damn logo on the door,” Primo said. 

Finally, the empowerment brunch ended with an award ceremony.

Crossroads Chamber board chair Katie Holderby and Sinders recognized the nominees for the chamber’s inaugural Women in Leadership Award for their outstanding work for the community and for women everywhere.

The award went to Dr. Alexis A. Nelson, founder and CEO of B.E.S.T. (Be Exceptional Support Together). Nelson has helped secure $100,000 in emergency housing support to keep mothers and children together and brought Night to Shine to the community.

The common thread connecting every woman in the room was simple: do it scared, advocate for yourself, and pull the next woman up with you. If there isn’t a door for you to walk through, or there aren’t enough women at the table, keep building, keep growing, and keep working to make the world a better place for women everywhere.

Unions, construction, heavy machinery- you name it. When women sit at the booth at job fairs, other women are more likely to approach; more than that, the conversation is changing, the demographic is shifting, and the world needs to prepare for that.

For more information on Crossroads Chamber, visit their website: crossroadschamber.org/