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2026 Women's Leadership Forum

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

Pricing Hotel Schedule Terms and Conditions Business Partner Opportunities
 

Earn Up To 12 CPE credits!

Online registration will close at 11:59 PM PT on January 31, 2026.
Onsite registration will NOT be available.

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.

Registration is NOW OPEN!

Register Today

Pricing

Registration Member Rate
Early Bird Pricing
On or before 1/9/2026		 Member Rate
After 1/9/2026		 Non-Member Rate
February 2
Half-Day Pre-Conference 		 $100 $100 $175
February 3-4
Women's Leadership Forum		 $625 $675 $775 

 Online registration closed at 11:59 PM PT on January 31, 2026.

Onsite registration will NOT be available.

Keynote Speakers

 Dr. Angie Paccione Jamie Moraga Tracy Latourrette

Colorado Department of
Higher Education

 CEO, Franklin Revere

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

 

Preliminary Schedule

Keynote and Book Signing
Monday, February 2 
Time Session/Event Speakers/Notes
 12:30–4:30 PM MT Pre-Conference Workshop
"Change Management in Higher Education" 

Ahren Crickard 
Director, Center of Operational Excellence  
University of California San Diego
5:00–7:00 PM  Welcome Reception

Sponsored by

Tuesday, February 3 
Time  Session/Event Speakers/Notes
7:30–8:30 AM  Breakfast   
 8:30–9:45 AM Welcome & Keynote 

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

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Session 1B | TBD 

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

Colorado State University

 

 
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 

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

Jennifer McDuffie and Carlos Sepulveda 
University of Colorado, Boulder

 

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

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


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

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

 

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2:15–2:30 PM  Break  
2:30–3:30 PM

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

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Session 4B | Leading Through Change

Robert Garza and Cheri Boer
Arizona State University



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Leanne Bokinskie
Metropolitan State University of Denver

 Linda Kroll
Claremont McKenna College

Kathy Kaoudis
San Jose State University

Mela Fezzey
Tru Consulting
3:30–4:00 PM Networking & Snack Break   
4:00–5:30 PM  Keynote and Book Signing

Jamie Moraga
CEO, Franklin Revere

Sponsored by
6:00-8:00 PM  Networking Dinners   
Wednesday, February 4 
Time   Session
7:30–8:30 AM  Breakfast  
 8:30–10:00 AM Keynote

Colorado's First Lady Fighter Pilot | Tracy Latourrette

Sponsored by


10:00–10:15 AM  Break  
10:15–11:30 AM  Women's Leadership Forum Panel | Charting New Paths 

Lori Seager
Colorado College

Kelly Brough
Fitzsimmons Innovation Community

Facilitated by Kelsey Finn
Compass

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

 

Sponsorship Opportunities!

Highlight your commitment to Higher Education professionals and become a Business Partner to the 2026 Women's Leadership Forum, open to EVERYONE! REVIEW the opportunities and reach out to [email protected] for more information and to sign up today!

 

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.