Northwoods Women Redefine Leadership at Crandon Conference

Over 100 women filled the Mole Lake Casino Lodge event center in Crandon on a Wednesday morning, and the energy in the room said something was shifting. Small business owners sat next to local officials, homemakers chatted with community organizers, and for one day, the first-ever Northwoods Women’s Leadership Conference proved that leadership up here looks different than it does anywhere else.

Ava Nielitz, Chief Operating Officer at Visit Forest County and the conference organizer, didn’t set out to host just another networking event. She wanted to create space for women across Forest County and beyond to connect, share struggles, and realize they’re not alone in juggling the demands of life in rural Wisconsin.

“This is all women,” Nielitz said. “Anyone who’s leaders in the home, leaders in the community, leaders at work.”

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish in Small Communities

The morning sessions leaned hard into personal wellness, and attendees needed to hear it. Andi Gretzinger of North Wood Blooms led a reflection on recognizing when you’ve been pushed past your limit — a message that hit home for women wearing multiple hats in communities where saying no feels impossible.

Talicia Wusterbarth, a small business owner from St. Germain, summed up the takeaway perfectly: “You can’t pour from an empty cup. We got to make sure we’re good, so we can truly help other people.”

That wisdom might sound simple, but it challenges something deep in Northwoods culture. In tight-knit towns where everyone knows your name, women often shoulder expectations quietly — running businesses, volunteering at schools, caring for aging parents, all while maintaining the cheerful face small communities expect.

“Don’t try to fit the mold that someone else has for you, just be you and own who you are.” — Ava Nielitz

Breaking Free From Small Town Expectations

Beauty studio owner Amanda Marvin shared her story of surviving an abusive marriage and rebuilding her sense of self. Her message landed with raw honesty: setting boundaries and trusting yourself aren’t acts of selfishness — they’re necessities for living a positive life and spreading good through your community.

Attendees spent time discussing how they might be limiting themselves for the comfort of others. In Forest County, where the population hovers around 9,000 and everyone’s business tends to be everyone’s business, that’s a radical conversation.

Nielitz, born and raised in Crandon, knows these dynamics firsthand. She wants Northwoods women to understand that living in small communities doesn’t mean accepting small expectations.

“Put your faith in him, and just put yourself out there,” she said. “Be you, don’t be anyone else.”

More Than Motivational Speeches

The conference offered practical support alongside inspiration. Attendees could get free massages between sessions or sit for professional headshots — resources that might seem small but matter enormously for women building businesses or stepping into leadership roles.

The day included Q&A sessions and shared meals, creating natural opportunities for connections that extend beyond the event. In a region where networking often happens at the gas station or after church, having dedicated space to talk business and life changes the game.

Key offerings at the inaugural conference included:

• Wellness and personal empowerment workshops
• Leadership speakers sharing real stories of struggle and growth
• Free professional headshots for business and personal branding
• Complimentary massage services
• Networking meals and structured connection time

Building Something That Lasts

Visit Forest County plans to make this an annual tradition, with themes like “Positive Community” guiding future gatherings. That commitment matters in a region where economic challenges and rural isolation can make women feel stuck.

Forest County’s economy leans heavily on tourism, gaming revenue from the Sokoagon Chippewa Community’s Mole Lake Casino, and small businesses — many of them woman-owned. Strengthening those connections helps everyone weather the seasonal ups and downs that come with Northwoods life.

The choice of venue itself tells a story. The Mole Lake Casino Lodge sits along Highway 55, a modern facility surrounded by snow-covered pines and frozen lakes. Using this space connects the conference to the Sokoagon Chippewa’s economic development efforts and acknowledges the Native American heritage woven through Forest County’s history.

What This Means for the Northwoods

The conference arrives at a moment when rural areas across Wisconsin face tough questions about retention and growth. Young people leave for opportunities elsewhere, and communities struggle to keep talent and energy from draining away.

Events like this push back against that narrative. They say the Northwoods can be a place where women lead boldly, build meaningful careers, and support each other without compromising who they are.

The turnout of over 100 women from Crandon and surrounding towns suggests appetite for more. These aren’t just feel-good gatherings — they’re investments in the social infrastructure that keeps small communities vibrant.

For women balancing leadership at home, work, and in the community, knowing others face the same challenges makes the load lighter. And in a place where winter stretches long and neighbors depend on each other, that connection matters more than any motivational speech.

As the Northwoods looks toward future conferences, one thing’s clear: leadership up here doesn’t follow the corporate playbook. It looks like women showing up for each other, speaking truth about their struggles, and refusing to shrink themselves to fit outdated expectations. That’s the kind of leadership worth gathering for.