Allyship, Connection, Engagement: Women in School Leadership Conference

Located in conference center lobby at the Doubletree by Hilton

Location: Brickyard II, III

Dr. Ani Yazedjian serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and provides leadership in the planning, development, implementation, and assessment of all academic programs and many service areas. The Provost serves as the chief academic officer of the University with responsibility for academic and senior-level internal leadership and serves as the primary representative for the President in his absence.

The Provost also coordinates the team of senior staff to achieve the University's established major goals as identified by the President and the Board of Trustees. This team coordinates reporting units, carries out teaching and learning initiatives, and works with the Academic Senate, Administrative/Professional Council, Civil Service Council, Student Government Association and other representative bodies to maintain the university's tradition of shared governance.

Location: Brickyard II, III

Sally Helgesen, cited in Forbes as the world’s premier expert on women’s leadership, is an internationally best-selling author, speaker and leadership coach. She has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame, which honors those whose ideas have shaped the field of leadership worldwide. She is ranked Number 1 in leadership by Global Gurus, and has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute for Management Studies.

Sally’s book How Women Rise, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, examines the behaviors most likely to get in the way of successful women. Rights have been sold in 25 languages.

Previous books include The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership, hailed as the classic in its field and continuously in print since 1990, and The Female Vision: Women’s Real Power at Work, which explores how women’s strategic insights can strengthen their careers. The Web of Inclusion: A New Architecture for Building Great Organizations, was cited in The Wall Street Journal as one of the best books on leadership of all time and is credited with bringing the language of inclusion into business.

Sally’s most recent book, Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace, published in 2023, topped Amazon’s list for Workplace and Culture in the first week and has found a global audience.

Located in conference center lobby at the Doubletree by Hilton

Moving from Control to Trust:  Inspiring Leadership

Location: Brookridge

Dr. Alvarado has been in education for over 35 years. In the span of her career as an educator, school administrator, and district leader, Dr. Alvarado continues to be driven by her passion and belief that educational equity means providing students with a learning environment where they have access to resources and support in order to improve the trajectory of their future.

She began her career as a teacher in a parochial school in 1988 where she enjoyed the benefits of working in a tight knit school community. In 2001, Dr. Alvarado began her career in Chicago Public Schools where she started as a junior high teacher and transitioned into the role of principal at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy in 2006. She looks back at the work of school leadership with great fondness where she got to know every student in the building and their families. She learned about the power of transformative schools where teachers and staff were committed to excellence for each student.

From 2012-2019, Dr. Alvarado had the opportunity to work at the district level in Chicago Public Schools. As the previous Network One Chief, she supervised 50 schools and worked closely with school administrators with a focus on building effective teams. She believes that schools are the heart of neighborhoods and have the power to influence and shape the community through strong partnerships with families.

In her last two years in CPS, Dr. Alvarado took on the role of Chief Officer of Teaching and Learning where she worked alongside Network Chiefs and Academic Chiefs. Although it is difficult to measure the impact of one’s work in a large urban district, it is the working relationships and empowering neighborhood schools to lift up the educational experiences of students that makes meaningful work.

Currently, Dr. Alvarado proudly serves as the Superintendent of Freeport School District 145 in the past 6 years. She has fallen in love with the Pretzel Family and continues to believe that the hard work of educating children is everyone’s responsibility. Initiatives will come and go, but the partnership between students, families, school board , staff and the community creates long lasting change that can become part of the legacy of the school district.

Dr. Alvarado holds a Doctor of Education degree from National Louis University (2017). She also holds a Master of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University (2004) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Holy Spirit (1982). Dr. Alvarado is a Certified Superintendent in Illinois.

Dr. Alvarado is married to Rudy Alvarado for 38 years. They have three adult children, two of which are teachers. Her favorite thing to do during her spare time is to spend time playing with her three year old granddaughter, Penelope and hanging out with the family in the backyard. “Keeping life simple outside of work keeps me grounded.”

Dr. Julia Cloat is an author and educator dedicated to public schools and the continuous development of teachers. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and has since held various roles, including Literacy Specialist, Instructional Coach, Curriculum Director, Adjunct Professor, and is honored to currently serve as Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the Freeport School District.

Regardless of her role or title, Julia’s work centers on providing equitable and accessible learning experiences through an asset-based approach to curriculum and instruction.

 

InvestHER: Helping Women Invest Confidently

Location: Ironwood

Carrie Eisenmenger is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual who specializes in helping executive women achieve financial security. She loves helping women gain confidence with investing and being a connector of women in our community. Carrie is the co-founder of 5 Things, an event created to give women a space to do business differently. Throughout her career, Carrie has served on many boards including the United Way of Champaign County where she was board president 2020-2021.

She was a part of a team of women who brought Women United to the Champaign community and continually looks for opportunities to elevate women in business. Carrie graduated from the University of Illinois with her B.S in Psychology. She is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). She frequently speaks at industry events on topics related to finance and women in business. When she is not at work, she is happily moving from sporting event to sporting event cheering on her 3 three-sport athletes Dane, Beau, and Leo and her three sport coaching husband Chad!

Leaning on Allyship and Lessons Learned

Location: Brickyard IV

Emily Ramsey is an educator and information technology professional  cited in 2024 District Administration as one of 100 national K-12 education influencers for developing and implementing robust technology strategies that safely empower business productivity and student achievement. Excels in evangelizing best practices in securing scalable and sustainable platforms to a network of colleagues built over 30 years of distinguished experience.

A Battle-Tested Trio: Mental Toughness, Optimism and Gratitude

Location: Brickyard VI

Jennifer (Rayburn) Soderlind was born and raised in Mahomet, Illinois and graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School in 2002. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Life Sciences from the United States Military Academy in 2006. Upon graduation, Jen commissioned into the Army’s Finance Branch and traveled near and far serving in the Active Army for 16 years, including a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. She continues to serve in the Illinois Army National Guard within Finance, Instructor, and Acquisition Officer roles, and recently returned from a ten-month deployment overseas with the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade.

Jen received her MBA from the University of Illinois in 2020, during her assignment as an Army ROTC professor at UIUC. In 2022, Jen began her civilian career as a Strategic Project Manager with Busey Bank where she leads planning and development efforts as part of the Corporate Strategy Team. She is also a proud board member of Luella’s Lodge, a non-profit organization that provides support, retreats and counseling for grieving families.    

Jen currently lives in Mahomet, IL with her husband Mike and their two children, Knox and Hollie. Jen’s sisters and their families, as well as her father, all live within a mile radius in her hometown. Family is her greatest passion – the value of love and togetherness is a lesson Jen holds dear from her late mother, Jackie.  

Fierce Leadership for Flourishing Teams

Location: Brickyard V

Erin Tarr is a best-selling author and Confidence Coach whose presentations for FedEx Ground, FemCity Global, Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois as well as schools and organizations across the country have impacted thousands of individuals in all walks of life from highschool & college students to parents, teachers & business owners. She educates and coaches young people providing time honored tools & principles for personal growth, as well as the latest psychological research to help them navigate important life transitions with her signature FIERCEST Framework.

A thought leader in the young adult empowerment space and a Central Illinois Business Magazine 40 Under 40 recipient, Erin's effusive energy and passion is contagious. She is a frequent podcast guest sought out for her advice for young people. Her programs and messages have influenced the lives of teens around the world giving them the ability to overcome overwhelm & anxious thoughts so they can move through the world with confidence, creating lives they love. 

Panel Session

Women at the Helm: Empowering Females in School Finance and Facilities 

Location: Brookyard II, III

Sharon Uslan, MBA, CSBO, CPD, LEED AP, and Assoc. DBIA, is a creative, strategic collaborator and relationship manager.  She is s currently the central U.S. Regional Director for Engie Services US. She was recruited by Engie US to develop long-term partnerships with public institutional leaders to implement complex, turnkey projects.  Her extensive corporate work experiences have been characterized by building trusting relationships and positive outcomes in schools across Illinois. Outside interests include being a personal body strength trainer and Certified Historic and Modern Architectural Tour Leader for the Chicago Architecture Center.   She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and also holds an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. 

 

Anne Noble is a Managing Director of Public Finance for Stifel.  She has worked helping school districts fund capital improvement needs with bonds and generally solving financial challenges since 1989. Anne’s investment banking expertise is in K-12 and Higher Education finance in the mid-central region, with a particular emphasis in Illinois. Ms. Noble has structured and sold bonds for over 700 school districts valued in excess of $6 billion.  Anne also serves as Chairperson of the Stifel Public Finance leadership team. Ms. Noble is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and carries six FINRA securities industry licenses.

 

Carrie Matlock, a trailblazer and visionary in the field of educational architecture, became the first female partner of DLA Architects in 2008 and became President in 2017.  Today, she leads a talented team of 51 professionals dedicated to revolutionizing school facilities and enhancing learning environments.  Carrie’s leadership style is marked by a collaborative approach, and she stands alongside school administrators to craft spaces that enhance their learning communities. Adapting a structure that was developed in the 20th or even 19th century to meet the needs of today’s teachers and learners is challenging and scary. Carrie Matlock’s unique focus on creating collaborative, flexible, and open environments and her experience with both new construction and complex renovations make her a valuable resource in planning for and implementing change.

Moving from Control to Trust:  Inspiring Leadership

Location: Brookridge

Dr. Alvarado has been in education for over 35 years. In the span of her career as an educator, school administrator, and district leader, Dr. Alvarado continues to be driven by her passion and belief that educational equity means providing students with a learning environment where they have access to resources and support in order to improve the trajectory of their future.

She began her career as a teacher in a parochial school in 1988 where she enjoyed the benefits of working in a tight knit school community. In 2001, Dr. Alvarado began her career in Chicago Public Schools where she started as a junior high teacher and transitioned into the role of principal at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy in 2006. She looks back at the work of school leadership with great fondness where she got to know every student in the building and their families. She learned about the power of transformative schools where teachers and staff were committed to excellence for each student.

From 2012-2019, Dr. Alvarado had the opportunity to work at the district level in Chicago Public Schools. As the previous Network One Chief, she supervised 50 schools and worked closely with school administrators with a focus on building effective teams. She believes that schools are the heart of neighborhoods and have the power to influence and shape the community through strong partnerships with families.

In her last two years in CPS, Dr. Alvarado took on the role of Chief Officer of Teaching and Learning where she worked alongside Network Chiefs and Academic Chiefs. Although it is difficult to measure the impact of one’s work in a large urban district, it is the working relationships and empowering neighborhood schools to lift up the educational experiences of students that makes meaningful work.

Currently, Dr. Alvarado proudly serves as the Superintendent of Freeport School District 145 in the past 6 years. She has fallen in love with the Pretzel Family and continues to believe that the hard work of educating children is everyone’s responsibility. Initiatives will come and go, but the partnership between students, families, school board , staff and the community creates long lasting change that can become part of the legacy of the school district.

Dr. Alvarado holds a Doctor of Education degree from National Louis University (2017). She also holds a Master of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University (2004) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Holy Spirit (1982). Dr. Alvarado is a Certified Superintendent in Illinois.

Dr. Alvarado is married to Rudy Alvarado for 38 years. They have three adult children, two of which are teachers. Her favorite thing to do during her spare time is to spend time playing with her three year old granddaughter, Penelope and hanging out with the family in the backyard. “Keeping life simple outside of work keeps me grounded.”

Dr. Julia Cloat is an author and educator dedicated to public schools and the continuous development of teachers. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and has since held various roles, including Literacy Specialist, Instructional Coach, Curriculum Director, Adjunct Professor, and is honored to currently serve as Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the Freeport School District.

Regardless of her role or title, Julia’s work centers on providing equitable and accessible learning experiences through an asset-based approach to curriculum and instruction.

 

InvestHER: Helping Women Invest Confidently

Location: Ironwood

Carrie Eisenmenger is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual who specializes in helping executive women achieve financial security. She loves helping women gain confidence with investing and being a connector of women in our community. Carrie is the co-founder of 5 Things, an event created to give women a space to do business differently. Throughout her career, Carrie has served on many boards including the United Way of Champaign County where she was board president 2020-2021.

She was a part of a team of women who brought Women United to the Champaign community and continually looks for opportunities to elevate women in business. Carrie graduated from the University of Illinois with her B.S in Psychology. She is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). She frequently speaks at industry events on topics related to finance and women in business. When she is not at work, she is happily moving from sporting event to sporting event cheering on her 3 three-sport athletes Dane, Beau, and Leo and her three sport coaching husband Chad!

Leaning on Allyship and Lessons Learned

Location: Brickyard IV

Emily Ramsey is an educator and information technology professional  cited in 2024 District Administration as one of 100 national K-12 education influencers for developing and implementing robust technology strategies that safely empower business productivity and student achievement. Excels in evangelizing best practices in securing scalable and sustainable platforms to a network of colleagues built over 30 years of distinguished experience.

A Battle-Tested Trio: Mental Toughness, Optimism and Gratitude

Location: Brickyard VI

Jennifer (Rayburn) Soderlind was born and raised in Mahomet, Illinois and graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School in 2002. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry and Life Sciences from the United States Military Academy in 2006. Upon graduation, Jen commissioned into the Army’s Finance Branch and traveled near and far serving in the Active Army for 16 years, including a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. She continues to serve in the Illinois Army National Guard within Finance, Instructor, and Acquisition Officer roles, and recently returned from a ten-month deployment overseas with the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade.

Jen received her MBA from the University of Illinois in 2020, during her assignment as an Army ROTC professor at UIUC. In 2022, Jen began her civilian career as a Strategic Project Manager with Busey Bank where she leads planning and development efforts as part of the Corporate Strategy Team. She is also a proud board member of Luella’s Lodge, a non-profit organization that provides support, retreats and counseling for grieving families.    

Jen currently lives in Mahomet, IL with her husband Mike and their two children, Knox and Hollie. Jen’s sisters and their families, as well as her father, all live within a mile radius in her hometown. Family is her greatest passion – the value of love and togetherness is a lesson Jen holds dear from her late mother, Jackie.  

Fierce Days Lead to a Successful Life

Location: Brickyard V

Erin Tarr is a best-selling author and Confidence Coach whose presentations for FedEx Ground, FemCity Global, Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois as well as schools and organizations across the country have impacted thousands of individuals in all walks of life from highschool & college students to parents, teachers & business owners. She educates and coaches young people providing time honored tools & principles for personal growth, as well as the latest psychological research to help them navigate important life transitions with her signature FIERCEST Framework.

A thought leader in the young adult empowerment space and a Central Illinois Business Magazine 40 Under 40 recipient, Erin's effusive energy and passion is contagious. She is a frequent podcast guest sought out for her advice for young people. Her programs and messages have influenced the lives of teens around the world giving them the ability to overcome overwhelm & anxious thoughts so they can move through the world with confidence, creating lives they love.

Panel Session

Women at the Helm: Empowering Females in School Finance and Facilities 

Location: Brookyard II, III

Sharon Uslan, MBA, CSBO, CPD, LEED AP, and Assoc. DBIA, is a creative, strategic collaborator and relationship manager.  She is s currently the central U.S. Regional Director for Engie Services US. She was recruited by Engie US to develop long-term partnerships with public institutional leaders to implement complex, turnkey projects.  Her extensive corporate work experiences have been characterized by building trusting relationships and positive outcomes in schools across Illinois. Outside interests include being a personal body strength trainer and Certified Historic and Modern Architectural Tour Leader for the Chicago Architecture Center.   She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and also holds an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. 

 

Anne Noble is a Managing Director of Public Finance for Stifel.  She has worked helping school districts fund capital improvement needs with bonds and generally solving financial challenges since 1989. Anne’s investment banking expertise is in K-12 and Higher Education finance in the mid-central region, with a particular emphasis in Illinois. Ms. Noble has structured and sold bonds for over 700 school districts valued in excess of $6 billion.  Anne also serves as Chairperson of the Stifel Public Finance leadership team. Ms. Noble is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and carries six FINRA securities industry licenses.

 

Carrie Matlock, a trailblazer and visionary in the field of educational architecture, became the first female partner of DLA Architects in 2008 and became President in 2017.  Today, she leads a talented team of 51 professionals dedicated to revolutionizing school facilities and enhancing learning environments.  Carrie’s leadership style is marked by a collaborative approach, and she stands alongside school administrators to craft spaces that enhance their learning communities. Adapting a structure that was developed in the 20th or even 19th century to meet the needs of today’s teachers and learners is challenging and scary. Carrie Matlock’s unique focus on creating collaborative, flexible, and open environments and her experience with both new construction and complex renovations make her a valuable resource in planning for and implementing change.

Leading the Next Generation: Not less committed—committed differently

Location: Brookyard II, III

Dr. Stacey Jones Bock is the senior associate dean in the College of Education and a professor in the Department of Special Education at Illinois State University. She has more than 20 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students and has consistently focused her work on improving education for all learners.

Much of her career has centered on supporting the behavioral and educational needs of children and youth with disabilities. She has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and the Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale and has secured over $9 million in grant funding to strengthen school behavior support services. She currently co-leads two statewide initiatives funded by the Illinois State Board of Education: the Autism Professional Learning and Universal Supports Project and the Center for Intensive Behavioral Supports. These projects have trained thousands of educators across Illinois in proactive, research-based strategies to help students whose behavior interferes with learning.

In addition to her research and leadership in statewide projects, Dr. Jones Bock has been a mentor to numerous colleagues throughout her career. She has supported educators, doctoral students, faculty, and department chairs as they step into new roles, offering guidance and encouragement during key points in their professional journeys. She is especially devoted to mentoring women in leadership, creating space for meaningful conversations and professional growth. Her approach is grounded in relationships and built on the belief that when women are supported and empowered, entire systems improve.

The Next Chapter

Location: Brookyard II, III

Dr. Kimako Patterson is the Chief of Staff for the Illinois State Board of Education. She served as Superintendent of Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 for 12 years. She has been in the field of education for more than 25 years. She has been a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, and an Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology.

Dr. Patterson has a bachelor’s degree in English Education, along with a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a Doctorate in Education from National Louis University. Formerly, she sat on the advisory board for Trinity Christian College, and the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Illinois. She is the past President of IASA-South Cook (Illinois Association of School Administrators) and the past President of the SCSDD (Superintendent’s Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity) along with sitting on the Illinois Task Force for Autism and other various local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. Currently, she sits on the executive boards for IASA (Illinois Association of School Administrators) and SCSDDD (Superintendent’s Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity).

During her last year as Superintendent, she opened the district’s first STEAM Academy for students in grades K-3. Dr. Kimako Patterson’s passion is contagious and all who collaborate with her, for her, and alongside her, have come to know and understand the elevated expectations she has for her staff, parents, and students. She is excited about joining the Illinois State Board of Education as the Chief of Staff. Dr. Kimako Patterson is determined to ensure that we provide equality, equity, and excellence to all students within the state of Illinois.

Dr. Patterson has three wonderful children, two boys and one girl. She is the parent of a son with autism and advocates for special needs children on all levels, local, state, and federal.