Recap of the Circle Leadership Summit

By Nicole Cline

For many leaders and members, The Policy Circle’s civic engagement framework has provided the confidence necessary to speak up and learn about public policy issues using briefs grounded in fact-based research.

The first Policy Circle Leadership Summit made us all realize that we are part of a movement. A movement of thoughtful, energetic women interested in getting their voice heard in public policy making.  The Policy Circle is only a vehicule to build confidence, knowledge, connections that bring hope and meaning to life.

Here are a few highlights:

• Your Opinion Matters panel kicked off the Summit with women learning about the importance of sharing their opinions and how real life stories can affect public policy. The panel was moderated by Laura Cox Kaplan of Running Start and All in Together. Debbie Walsh of the Center for American Women in Politics, Kelly Kenney of the Physicians Advocacy Institute, Hilary Gowins of the Illinois Policy Institute, Heather Browning of the Grassroots Leadership Academy and Nicole Cline of The Policy Circle served as panelists.
• Keynote speaker Magatte Wade shared the importance of promoting entrepreneurial values to break the cycle of poverty and elevate human dignity, underscored by her own, ultimately successful, struggle working with the Senegalese government to modify trade tariffs.  
• Lisa Carter and Dr. Jumanah Khalifeh encouraged participants to examine their own personal values as they enter civil dialogue about policy.
• Erin Wolf of SuiteTrack offered a leadership workshop on how women need to identify their brand to further advancement in their careers, their lives, and in public service.
• The Turning Passion into Action panel featured women who took that next step by running for office or launching new organizations in line with their passions. The panel was moderated by Beth Feely of The Policy Circle. Jill Turgeon of the Loudon County School Board, Pia Clarke of Bridge to Wellbeing, Sheila Weinberg of Truth in Accounting and Barbara Stewart of the Bowe-Stewart Foundation served as panelists.
• The Policy Circle ultimately is about building a team.  The Summit concluded with remarks by Theo Epstein, Crane Kenney and Todd Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs on how they built a successful team on and off the field.

You can see the first few photos here and check out resources from the Summit here.

Over 100 women from around the country attended the Summit, returning to their communities better informed, ready to share their experience with their circle members and inspired to become more vocal proponents for freedom and free-enterprise policies.

Our next Summit is scheduled for fall of 2018 and planning is already underway; be on the lookout for the date. Join The Policy Circle network and start your own circle today so you don’t miss next year’s event!

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