Lincoln has long been shaped by the vision and leadership of remarkable women across our business community, and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is proud to champion programs like RISE and Women in Business that support their continued success. Together, these programs create meaningful opportunities for women to build powerful connections, engage in important conversations and gain valuable insights that elevate both personal and professional growth. The Chamber is especially grateful to Lincoln’s business community for its continued support of these programs and its shared commitment to investing in the advancement and success of women leaders across our city.
This spring, the Lincoln Chamber proudly hosted another successful Women in Business event in partnership with the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The event brought together nearly 500 attendees at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, marking an exciting new chapter for the program as it moved to a larger venue to accommodate growing interest and allow for continued future expansion. The program featured keynote speaker Erin Stafford, who shared valuable insights on navigating burnout and maintaining resilience in today’s fast-paced professional environment, and spent time engaging in conversation with those in attendance. In addition, attendees heard from three respected local business leaders during an engaging panel discussion focused on leadership, growth and the challenges facing women in business today.
This year’s keynote speaker was once again made possible by the generous support of the JoAnn Martin Leadership Legacy Endowment. Erin’s presentation continues an impressive lineup of Women in Business speakers supported through the endowment, including Cassandra Worthy in 2023, Kindra Hall in 2024 and Victoria Labalme in 2025. The continued success of the Women in Business event serves as a meaningful tribute to JoAnn Martin’s unparalleled leadership and lasting impact on Lincoln’s business community.
Beyond Women in Business, the Lincoln Chamber’s RISE programming continues throughout the year, offering additional opportunities for women to connect, learn and grow together. With three RISE events remaining in 2026, there is still time for women across the community to engage in this impactful program. RISE also offers coaching communities designed to empower and encourage women as they uncover what inspires them to grow both personally and professionally. Each coaching community is facilitated by a certified coach, introducing participants to the power of professional coaching and the meaningful impact it can have on leadership development, confidence and long-term success.
These programs are just two examples of how the Lincoln Chamber is committed to meeting people where they are and creating meaningful opportunities for connection, growth and engagement across the business community. From programs like the Lincoln Young Professionals Group to the Lincoln Manufacturing Council and Latino Connect, the Lincoln Chamber continues to provide spaces where professionals from all backgrounds and industries can build relationships, develop skills and strengthen their connection to Lincoln.