More than 250 people joined Insight to honor the 2025 Women of Influence at Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay July 29.
The women told their own stories as part of a celebratory lunch that featured Girl Scouts, live music and the first glimpse of profiles featured in a special publication of Insight.
The honorees who spoke are:
- Difference Maker-Community: Dr. Pooja Bambha-Arora-Corporate Trainer, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Gratzia Villarroel- Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies, St. Norbert College
- Business Owner: Lynn Potyen- Owner, The GameBoard
- Education Advocate: Vicki Bayer- Superintendent, Green Bay Area Public Schools
- Mentorship: Vicki Updike, CEO/Founder, New Sage Strategies
- Healthcare Champion: Debra Danforth- Division Director, Oneida Comprehensive Health Division
- Visionary: Michelle Schuler – US Program Manager, Microsoft
- Corporate Leadership: Elyse Mollner Stackhouse- Board Chair, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay & Lakes Region
Each of the women thanked their families and the mentors who helped them along the way. Then they each offered a few words of inspiration and gratitude.
Villaroel, who spoke about the power marginalized groups, said, “We are and have always been a nation of immigrants. This immigrant energy, this constant renewal of new ideas and perspectives is our greatest source of strength and innovation.”
“The world is watching how we care for our democracy,” she said and encouraged those present to make democracy a verb.
Updike shared her experiences as a mentor. “Mentorship for me has not been one sided,” Updike said. “I’ve learned as much from these women I’ve mentored as I hope they’ve taken from me.”
Schuler said after re-entering the workforce following some years as a full-time mother, she was pursuing purpose. It led her to co-found Women in Technology Wisconsin.
“We didn’t wait for a seat at the table, we built our own,” Schuler said. “You don’t need permission to lead; just take the courage and begin (with) the heart to bring others along with you.”
Potyen spoke of how women still face challenges that men do not in a business world. “We are not done breaking the ceiling. We need to push harder, even when its uncomfortable,” she said.
Bayer said she talks to her mother every day and each day her mother asks her, “What did you do today to make a difference?” She asked each person there to reflect on their day, every day, and ask if they made a difference. “Your voice can make a difference,” she said.
Danforth, standing inside the Oneida Conference Center where the event was held, spoke of the influence her parents had on her, telling her of the proud and progressive history of the Oneida Nation. That encouraged her career, and she has become an advocate for health care not just within her community, but across Indian Country and the United States. Danforth said, “Twahwahtsilay” explaining it means we are all family.
Stackhouse offered a list of lessons illustrated by the personal stories that taught her each one. She suggested creating a community, listening to your soul to find purpose, putting aside pride to move forward, accept help and keep learning. She said you can “mentor, provide support and get out of the way” as a leader.
Bambha-Arora spoke of her childhood in India when she was raised in a Hindu household and attended a Catholic school. She said it was enlightening. “It taught me early on, differences don’t divide us, they unite us and they enrich us.” It helped her embrace cultural diversity and led to her career and the vision that guides her. She encouraged everyone to put their hand on their heart and commit to being transformational leaders through community service.
Read the individual stories of the women by clicking the link below.
