Dear friend, 

March is a natural moment to reflect—not only on the history we’re honoring during Women’s History Month, but on the progress still ahead of us.

This year, as we prepare to gather in Philadelphia for our National Summit, I’ve been thinking about the generations of women who stepped into leadership before it was expected or even welcomed. From the earliest pioneers who broke barriers in education and public service to today’s leaders continuing that work at every level of government and in every industry, their stories remind us that meaningful change is built over time, often by those willing to go first.

That same spirit continues through our community. Every program we launch, every training we host, and every woman who chooses to step forward is part of a larger story, one that stretches far beyond a single moment or milestone.

The momentum we’ve seen already this year is only possible because of a community that believes in investing in women’s leadership for the long term. If you’re looking for a way to be part of that impact, I invite you to consider supporting our work before the end of the quarter to help us continue equipping the next generation of women leaders.

If you’ve been part of this work—whether by showing up, spreading the word, or supporting our mission—thank you. And if you’re considering how to deepen your involvement, there’s no better time than now.

Onward,

Larissa

WPLN Founder and President

We're excited for next month's leadership training on April 17 in the Rio Grande Valley, where we're featuring several amazing speakers and experts!

• Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, President of Atlas Electrical, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Plumbing Services, Inc.
• Michelle Phillips, Director of Land at Lime Rock Resources
• Morgan Bonwell, Founder and CEO of Right Strategies
• Sara Marie Ridley, Growth Strategist at Numinar
• Lucy Nashed Cafrelli, Executive Director at Lone Star Network
• Allison Castle, President and CEO of Castle Communications
• Larissa Martinez, Founder and President of WPLN

Whether you've been thinking about running for office, are currently serving in a leadership role, or have already committed to stepping into higher leadership, this half-day training was designed with you in mind. Come ready to learn, connect, and leave with tools you can actually use to elevate your influence.

Join us on April 17!

PLUS: You'll leave with a free professional headshot and connections to local exhibitors and vendors who are invested in your success.

We've expanded our 2026 National Summit Host Committee! We’re proud to welcome an extraordinary group of women leaders from across the country serving on the WPLN Summit Host Committee. Thank you for helping bring this community together and strengthening the networks that advance women’s leadership.

• Alaina Kearney, Marketing Executive
• Allie Kutz, Manager of Government Affairs, PA Chamber of Business and Industry
• Amber Benzon, President & Founder, Level Up
• Bailee Dover, Virginia Conservative Women's Coalition
• Dawn Crandall, She Holds The Key
• Emily Brey, State Director, Americans for Prosperity
• Jennie Dallas, Strategic Director, The LIBRE Initiative
• Joy Johnson, Vice President of Communications at Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association
• Katie Hetherington, SitelogIQ, Inc.
• Lisa Lisker, President of Huckaby Davis Lisker, Inc. (HDL)
• Megan Martin, COO & General Counsel, Commonwealth Foundation
• Patsy Frietag, President of California Women's Leadership Association
• Vanessa Simon, Founder & President of Gotham Rising and AmeriThrives

Plus — we're adding a lineup of speakers on our website! Check it out here.

In celebration of Women's History Month, we're looking ahead to our National Summit in Philadelphia by honoring the trailblazing women who shaped the "City of Brotherly Love" into a city of female firsts. From the colonial era to the modern day, Philadelphia has been a place where women found their footing and forged lasting change. Whether in the halls of government, the courtroom, or the arts, these pioneers laid the groundwork for the leadership we continue to cultivate today.

Read the full blog post, written by Valerie Hoyos, one of our 2025-26 Nonprofit Management Fellows.

Amber Benzon

President & Founder, Level Up

Amber Benzon is a political strategist and advocate with nearly two decades of experience in public policy and government affairs. 

She is the President and Founder of Level Up, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing female mentorship, skill development training, and high-quality networking for center-right women leaders at every stage of their professional and public service journeys

Check out our latest podcast episode with Amber Benzon on why women's voices matter in politics and what it takes to step into leadership with confidence.

For the woman who knows real power is built behind the scenes, The Hill just released its inaugural list of the Top 50 Women Shaping Policy:

"From staffers to state lawmakers to strategists — and many more in between — these women work long hours and often behind the scenes to push progress in an increasingly polarized political landscape." Check out who made the list.

For the woman who calls the wide-open West home, a new Deseret News feature makes the case that Western states are setting the national standard on women's representation.

"The West, of course, is far less populated than the Eastern Seaboard, the land far more rugged, a rural ethos far more prevalent. Yet when it comes to political gender parity, a benchmark of democracy that most other states have yet to crack, it’s the Western region that continues to lead the nation." Read the full feature.

If you have a good recommendation for next month,

let us know!

Support WPLN programs and resources by making a contribution today!

Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is a non-profit organization organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law.