Member Login
Search

2026 Women's Leadership Forum

Charting New Paths: Reimagining Higher Ed
Colorado Springs, CO | February 2–4, 2026

Pricing Hotel Schedule Session Descriptions Presenters Terms and Conditions Business Partner Opportunities
 

Earn Up To 12 CPE credits

WACUBO welcomes EVERYONE to join us for an opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with peers from the WACUBO region and beyond! This workshop series will take place over three days at the new Polaris Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From the pre-con workshop to the closing speakers, this must-attend event is poised to elevate the conversation around current issues facing higher ed professionals.

Keynote and General Session Speakers

 Dr. Angie Paccione Jamie Moraga Tracy Latourrette

Colorado Department of
Higher Education

 Author and CEO

Colorado's First Lady
Fighter Pilot
 Sponsored by  Book Signing Sponsored by  Sponsored by

 

Schedule

Monday, February 2 
Time Session/Event Speakers/Notes

 12:30-4:30 PM MT*

(*to attend the pre-conference workshop, you must sign up for the Forum.)

 Pre-Conference Workshop
Change Management in Higher Education 

Ahren Crickard 
Director, Center of Operational Excellence  
University of California San Diego
6:00–8:00 PM  Welcome Reception

Sponsored by

Tuesday, February 3 
Time  Session/Event Speakers/Notes
7:30–8:30 AM  Breakfast | Constellation 2, 3, 4  
 8:30–9:45 AM

Welcome & Keynote | What Now, What Next: Activating Potential in Higher Ed

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Dr. Angie Paccione
Colorado Department of Higher Education

Sponsored by
9:45–10:00 AM  Break  
10:00-11:00 AM

Session 1A | Strengthening Business Officers' Impact: Building, Cultivating, Enhancing and Nurturing Diverse Relationships and Skills

Constellation 1


~~~~~~

Session 1B | Navigating the Headwinds of Today’s Higher Education Landscape

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Erin Mercurio, Cris Sexton, Fabiola P. Ehlers-Zavala

Colorado State University

 ~~~~~~~

Tammy Lohr-Schweitzer and Lauren Haverlock
Moss Adams x Baker Tilly

Sponsored by 
11:00-11:15 AM  Break  
11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Session 2A | Strategy Management: How We Aligned Disparate Institutional Priorities to Create Systemic Results and Achieve Collaborative Success 

Constellation 1

~~~~~~

Session 2B | Collaborative AI: Harnessing Generative AI to Foster Unity and Innovation in Higher Ed Leadership

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Jennifer McDuffie and Carlos Sepulveda 
University of Colorado, Boulder

 

~~~~~~

Dr. Mia Basic
University of California, San Francisco
12:15–1:15 PM  Lunch | Constellation 2, 3, 4  
1:15–2:15 PM 

Session 3A | Empowering Excellence: Co-Creating a Leadership Competency Framework for Professional Growth 

Constellation 1


~~~~~~

Session 3B | Tools for Success with AI in Action: Everyday Applications of AI in Your Workday

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Marlys Rybchenko, Sophia Montaño, and Araceli Cortez
Metropolitan State University of Denver

 

 ~~~~~~

Sarah Hintz, Ashlie Reese, and Enid Ruiz-Mattei
CLA

Sponsored by
2:15-2:30 PM  Break  
2:30–3:30 PM

Session 4A | Mastering Collaboration and Transforming Efficiency with Customizable Tools

Constellation 1

~~~~~~ 

Session 4B | Leading Through Change: Strategic Leadership for a New Era in Higher Education

 Constellation 2, 3, 4

Roberto Garza III and Cheri Boer
Arizona State University



~~~~~~

Leanne Bokinskie
Metropolitan State University of Denver

Kathy Kaoudis
San Jose State University

Mela Fezzey
Tru Consulting

Sponsored by
3:30-4:00 PM

Networking Break with Teri Bump

Breezeway

Teri Bump
American Campus Communities

Sponsored by

American Campus Communities

4:00-5:00 PM

 Session 5 | Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Leading Through Change

 Constellation 2, 3, 4

Jamie Moraga
Author, REVERED: The Power of Female Leadership, and CEO of Franklin Revere
5:00–5:30 PM

Book Signing | REVERED: The Power of Female Leadership

 

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Jamie Moraga
Author, REVERED: The Power of Female Leadership, and CEO of Franklin Revere

Sponsored by
6:00–8:00 PM  Networking Dinners   
Wednesday, February 4 
Time   Session
7:30–8:30 AM  Breakfast | Constellation 2, 3, 4  
 8:30–10:00 AM

Keynote | Building Resilience with High Performance Habits

 

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Tracy Latourrette
Colorado's First Lady Fighter Pilot

Sponsored by


10:00–10:15 AM  Break  
10:15–11:30 AM

 Women's Leadership Forum Panel | Charting New Paths 

 

Constellation 2, 3, 4

Lori Seager
Colorado College

Mary Lou Ortiz
University of California Irvine

Maderia Ellison
Northland Pioneer College

Kelly Jean Brough
Fitzsimons Innovation Community

Facilitated by Kelsey Harmon Finn
Compass

Sponsored by

 
11:30 AM–12:00 PM  2026 Women's Leadership Forum Closeout  

 

 

Contact

Megan Villasenor, University of California Office of the President, [email protected]

CPE Credits - Group Live

The Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.