Join WPLN in Philadelphia for America's 250th Anniversary to build leadership skills, connect with women from across the country, and get inspired to lead!

This event welcomes women leaders from across the country who are engaging in the political process, including current and future candidates, current and former elected and appointed officials, spouses and families, and women and men working to grow and sustain the network. Summit attendees get access to live keynote sessions, networking hours with other women leaders, skills-building workshops, motherhood rooms, professional headshot sessions, and free childcare! (Childcare registration is now closed.)

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About The Venue

We're excited to announce that this year's Summit will take place at the historic Union League of Philadelphia. Founded in 1862 to support the Union during the Civil War, The Union League of Philadelphia stands as one of America's most historic societies. Guided by its founding motto "Amor Patriae Ducit" (Love of Country Leads), the League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, and distinguished leaders for over 160 years.

Book Your Stay | We have a room block at Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia — just 0.3 miles and a 7-minute walk from the venue — at a special rate for registered Summit attendees. Click here to book your stay at Hyatt Centric. Rooms are limited, so we encourage you to reserve yours soon.

2026 Summit Program

Thursday, June 4

12:00- 3:00 PM Registration Open |

12:00- 3:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open| Lincoln Hall

1:30- 2:30 PM Breakout Sessions

1:30- 2:00 PM

AI for Impact: Practical Tools to Lead, Communicate, and Work Smarter | Ashley O'Rourke (Microsoft)- Grant Center

1:30- 2:00 PM

Reaching Your Audience | Sara Marie Ridley (Numinar), Lindsay Farrow (Numinar) & Lauren Devoll (Numinar) Grant West

2:00- 2:30 PM

Positioning for Impact: How to Step Into Leadership Opportunities | Adrianna Sekula (Solidarity Partners) - Grant West

4:15- 5:15 PM Registration Open| Lincoln Hall

4:30- 6:00 PM Opening Reception, hosted by Mimi Walters, Former Member of Congress

WPLN 2025-2026 Fellows' Celebration

6:15- 8:15 PM* Exclusive VIP Experience | Offsite - **buses depart at 5:30 PM

Friday, June 5

7:45 AM Registration Opens | Library Lounge

8:00- 8:30 AM Breakfast & Welcome | Lincoln Hall

Grab a plate in Lincoln Memorial and join us in Lincoln Hall to kick off the day!

8:30- 9:00 AM Opening Session: State of American Women with Larissa Martinez (WPLN), Debbie Walsh (CAWP) and Amanda Iovino (Pantheon Insight) | Lincoln Hall

9:00- 11:15 AM Plenary Sessions

9:00- 9:30 AM

Pennsylvania: Leadership in Action | Emily Brey (Americans for Prosperity), Amber Benzon (Level Up), State Rep. Kristin Marcell, State Rep. Martina White

9:30-10:30 AM

Legacy of Liberty: Reaching and Serving Every Community (hosted by The LIBRE Initiative) | Judy Pino (the LIBRE Initiative), Jennie Dallas (the LIBRE Initiative), Emily Brey (Americans for Prosperity), Israel Ortega (The LIBRE Initiative), Sandra Benitez (The LIBRE Initiative), Karen Navarro (Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, TX- 15)

10:30- 11:15 AM

Fireside Chat: Power Positioning Series | Joy Johnson (Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association) & Adrianna Sekula (Solidarity Partners)

11:15- 12:00 Breakout Sessions

AI for Impact: Practical Tools to Lead, Communicate, and Work Smarter | Ashley O'Rourke (Microsoft) - Grant Center
Leading with Integrity: Navigating Rules, Ethics, and Compliance | Lisa Lisker (Huckaby, Davis Lisker), Rebekah Marino (Holtzman Vogel), HDL Compliance, Megan Martin (Commonwealth Foundation) - Grant West

12:00- 1:30 PM Leadership Spotlight Luncheon | Lincoln Hall

AI in Action: Using Google Tools to Lead, Communicate, and Deliver Results | Macaulay Porter (Google)
Fireside Chat with Joan Carter, recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Leader Award.

Moderated by: Megan Martin. Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Commonwealth Foundation

(Sponsored by: The Commonwealth Foundation)

1:35- 2:00 PM Fireside Chat with Edith Jorge (State Government Leadership Foundation) & Emily Lockwood (Pivotal)

2:00- 2:20 PM Powering Possibility: Women, Communities, and What Comes Next

2:25- 3:15 PM Plenary Session | Lincoln Hall

Leading Across Differences: Pluralism in Practice | Kate Carney (More in Common USA), Jorge Lima (Stand Together), Danielle Rugoff (Purple Lexicon & The New Founders)

3:20-4:20 Power Hour: Elevate Your Presence Series | Grant West

Topics include:

Styling with Confidence- Kate Powell (Stylist)
Owning Your Narrative- Emily Benavides (UnitedHealth Group)

4:20-5:00 PM Networking + Express Headshots | Grant East

5:00- 6:00 PM General + VIP Receptions | Library Lounge & Lincoln Memorial

6:15- 7:45 PM Leadership Awards Dinner | Lincoln Hall

Daniel Anthony Award- David N. Taylor

Architect of Society Award- Edith Jorge- Tuñón

SUMMIT TESTIMONIALS

2025 ATTENDEE:

I learned more in the three days of the Summit than I have in the last year... I left feeling inspired, motivated, and more confident in my skills than ever before.

2024 ATTENDEE:

The VIP Reception was amazing. I was able to catch up with many friends from around the country while enjoying great wine, food, and music. Looking forward to attending the next Summit!

2024 ATTENDEE:

My favorite part of summit was meeting like-minded women. I enjoyed it being more intimate than other conferences I've attended. I told my husband, "I finally found my tribe, a place I fit."

2023 ATTENDEE:

Sharing the experience of Summit with my 6-year-old daughter was a highlight for us both. Participating in WPLN's Summit is a tangible way to show her that we are trying to change that narrative, to change history. Doesn't get much better than that.

2025 ATTENDEE:

I had no idea that there were so many women out there who really want to lift other women up!

SECURE YOUR SPOT

Customize your summit experience by selecting the registration option that best aligns with your journey.

General Admission

Get ready to hear from some of the best and brightest in the political sphere. General Admission tickets include receptions, expert-led programming, our annual Awards Dinner, and more!

VIP

Experience our National Summit in style! In addition to all of our general program offerings, our VIP ticket includes upgraded swag, exclusive experiences, VIP only receptions, full use of our 24/7 hospitality suite, and more.

Young Leaders

Are you a young leader under the age of 30? Register at a discounted price with our Young Leaders registration. Your ticket includes receptions, expert-led programming, our annual Awards Dinner, and more! Don't miss this opportunity to shape the future alongside established professionals.

This ticket option is a discounted rate for professionals ages 30 and under.

Family Pass

We offer a special ticket price for one guest pass to the Leadership & Awards Dinner plus one reception of their choosing. This pass does not grant guests access to full programming.

WPLN offers FREE CHILDCARE onsite throughout the event as well. Be sure to select "yes" when asked during registration.

Students

Includes discounted general admission access to WPLN Summit programs, meals, and networking for students enrolled in an undergraduate program. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the future alongside established professionals.

Proof of student ID will be required to check-in.

Juniors

Our Junior Ticket is designed for young attendees ages 16 and under to attend programming and receptions. This is perfect for young attendees who want to kick-start their leadership journey early!

This ticket selection does not include childcare.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

We respect your privacy.

JUNE 4-5, 2026 | PHILADELPHIA, PA | WPLN'S FIFTH ANNUAL

NATIONAL SUMMIT

250 Years of Women Leadership in America

Join WPLN in Philadelphia for America's 250th Anniversary to build leadership skills, connect with women from across the country, and get inspired to lead!

About The Venue

2026 Summit Program

Thursday, June 4

Friday, June 5

Level Up: Partner of WPLN's 2026 National Summit

SUMMIT TESTIMONIALS

2025 ATTENDEE:

2024 ATTENDEE:

2024 ATTENDEE:

2023 ATTENDEE:

2025 ATTENDEE:

Become a Sponsor!

Katch Skills: Partner of WPLN's 2026 National Summit

SECURE YOUR SPOT

General Admission

VIP

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Family Pass

Students

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Join Our Newsletter List

Sign up with your email address to receive agenda details, speaker announcements, and discounts to WPLN's 2026 National Summit!

Women’s Public Leadership Network educates, organizes, and inspires women to seek public office at all levels across the U.S. and become effective leaders.

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JUNE 4-5, 2026 | PHILADELPHIA, PA | WPLN'S FIFTH ANNUAL

NATIONAL SUMMIT

250 Years of Women Leadership in America

Join WPLN in Philadelphia for America's 250th Anniversary to build leadership skills, connect with women from across the country, and get inspired to lead!

About The Venue

2026 Summit Program

Thursday, June 4

Friday, June 5

2026 Speaker Lineup

Amber Benzon

Larissa Martinez

Joel Noyes

Former U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters

Martina White

Kristin Marcell

Ashley O'Rourke

Amanda Iovino

Lisa Lisker

Sandra Benitez

Joan Carter

Laura Maristany

Debbie Walsh

Megan Martin

Karen Navarro

Jorge Lima

Israel Ortega

Jennie Dallas

Kate Powell

Emily Benavides

Adrianna Sekula

Judy Pino

Emily Brey

Joanna Diaz-Soffer

Joy Johnson

Kate Carney

Danielle Rugoff

Sara Marie Ridley

Level Up: Partner of WPLN's 2026 National Summit

SUMMIT TESTIMONIALS

2025 ATTENDEE:

2024 ATTENDEE:

2024 ATTENDEE:

2023 ATTENDEE:

2025 ATTENDEE:

Become a Sponsor!

Katch Skills: Partner of WPLN's 2026 National Summit

SECURE YOUR SPOT

General Admission

VIP

Young Leaders

Family Pass

Students

Juniors

Join Our Newsletter List

Sign up with your email address to receive agenda details, speaker announcements, and discounts to WPLN's 2026 National Summit!

Find more content from WPLN: