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A record 380 women participated in the 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend, Sept. 10-12, the largest turnout in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Presented by Moneta and SIU Credit Union, the three-day event brought together SIU alumnae, students, faculty, staff and community leaders for professional development, philanthropy, mentorship and networking. The theme, \u201cCultivate. Connect. Lead.,\u201d highlighted women in agriculture in recognition of the United Nations International Year of the Woman Farmer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis fifth anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate how much Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend has grown and, more importantly, the relationships and opportunities that have grown with it,\u201d said Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for affinity philanthropy and strategic initiatives. \u201cBringing 380 women together demonstrates the strength of this network and the desire women have to support, learn from and invest in one another.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weekend begins with connection and celebration<\/strong><\/p>\n Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend opened Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Women\u2019s Leadership Council Welcome Reception at Hangar 9.<\/p>\n Attendees embraced the evening\u2019s \u201cCowboy Chic\u201d theme as Kyle Erickson of Urban Cowboy Line Dancing taught new moves and led participants onto the dance floor. The reception offered attendees an informal opportunity to reconnect with longtime friends and meet new members of the growing Saluki women\u2019s network.<\/p>\n Midland States Bank and Melissa Hahn sponsored the Welcome Reception, with Hangar 9 serving as an in-kind sponsor and host. St. Nicholas Brewing Company provided food for the evening.<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Empowerment Conference focuses on leadership and agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n The Women\u2019s Empowerment Conference brought attendees to the Tedrick Welcome Center on Friday, Sept. 11.<\/p>\n Following a moment of silence marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, WLC Co-Chairs Gloria Tison and Mary Anderson welcomed attendees alongside SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec. Melissa Kinnard of SIU Credit Union delivered remarks, and Diane Compardo of Moneta shared a video message.<\/p>\n Keynote speaker Tess Feagans, an SIU Simmons Law School alumna and general counsel for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, shared perspectives on leadership and agriculture.<\/p>\n Dr. Kristina Boone, dean of the SIU College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, moderated \u201cSeeds of Security: Women, Food, and the Future.\u201d Panelists Emily Sharkey, Karen Schieler, Michelle Aycock and Haley Bode shared perspectives from farming, business, education and agricultural media.<\/p>\n The conference also honored seven recipients of the 2026 Saluki Woman Agriculture Excellence Award: Michelle Aycock, Dr. Karla Gage, Dr. Amanda Martin, Alex Russell, Karen Schieler, Emily Sharkey and Michelle Sirles.<\/p>\n Philanthropy creates opportunities for women and students<\/strong><\/p>\n The Farm-to-Table Philanthropy Luncheon, sponsored by the SIU Foundation and catered by Mary\u2019s Restaurant, celebrated the region with a menu featuring fresh, locally sourced produce and ingredients from area farms, including Bass Farms, Rendleman Orchards, Flock Farm and Sweitzer Farm. The luncheon highlighted the importance of supporting local farmers while bringing guests together around food, community and philanthropy.<\/p>\n Illinois State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth delivered remarks, and Martin, an SIU alumna and WLC board member, shared her philanthropy story and reflected on creating opportunities for future generations. WLC board member Tami Kupec also recognized microgrant recipients and projects supported across campus.<\/p>\n The council recognized four 2026 EmpowerHER Grant recipients: Honey Heist Mead Co., Cottonwood Craftsman, Kamp Kan and Sisters Rise Womens Ministry. The grants support initiatives ranging from business development and locally grown agriculture to disability safety and resources for women in crisis.<\/p>\n Three SIU students received WLC Mentee Scholarships: Myra Anderson, a sophomore studying biochemistry; Abbie Coch, a junior studying biochemistry and physiology; and Journey Walok, a junior studying civil engineering.<\/p>\n Legence Bank sponsored the 2026 EmpowerHER Grants and WLC Mentee Scholarships.<\/p>\n The luncheon culminated with the 2026 Saluki Woman of the Year Awards. Anahit Amiri received the Rising Star Award, Jacari Henderson received the Emerging Leader Award, Quianya Enge received the Trailblazer Award, and Judge Christy Solverson was named the 2026 Saluki Woman of the Year.<\/p>\n Professional development puts attendees into action<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday afternoon featured two interactive professional development sessions.<\/p>\n Alex Russell, an SIU alumna and U.S. Soybean Seedcare product manager at Syngenta, led \u201cPersonality and Color Assessment,\u201d exploring how understanding different personalities can strengthen communication, trust and relationships.<\/p>\n Camelle Logan, chief accessibility officer for SMART AI Communities, followed with \u201cResilience in the Face of Rapid Change,\u201d challenging participants to consider how artificial intelligence can enhance their lives and work.<\/p>\n Attendees closed Friday with a Networking Celebration on the Tedrick Welcome Center\u2019s outdoor portico, featuring ice cream from 4-Ways Dairy Barn, sponsored by American Farm Mortgage & Financial Services, and a champagne toast sponsored by TJ\u2019s Fine Jewelry & Repair.<\/p>\n Mentorship brings the weekend full circle<\/strong><\/p>\n Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend concluded Saturday, Sept. 12, with the Mentorship Brunch at the Tedrick Welcome Center.<\/p>\n Southern Illinois Healthcare, Dawn Korte, Ph.D., and Align Wealth Management sponsored the brunch. Dr. Deb Barnett, vice president of community affairs and chief development officer at Southern Illinois Healthcare, delivered remarks on behalf of SIH.<\/p>\n Korte presented \u201cExecutive Presence: How Leaders Inspire Confidence, Command Respect, and Drive Meaningful Impact,\u201d sharing strategies for building trust, strengthening leadership presence and creating impact.<\/p>\n The brunch gave mentors and mentees an opportunity to exchange advice, strengthen relationships and continue building connections beyond the weekend.<\/p>\n With a record 380 women participating across three days, the 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend celebrated five years of building connections, developing leaders and creating opportunities for Saluki women and the Southern Illinois community.<\/p>\n Learn more about the Women’s Leadership Council at siuf.org\/wlc<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A record 380 women participated in the 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend, Sept. 10-12, the largest turnout in the event\u2019s history. Presented by Moneta and SIU Credit Union, the three-day event brought together SIU alumnae, students, faculty, staff and community leaders for professional development, philanthropy, mentorship and networking. The theme, \u201cCultivate. Connect. Lead.,\u201d highlighted women … Continue reading Record 380 women participate in 5th Annual Saluki Women\u2019s Weekend<\/span>