What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
More than 100 women from across the Northwoods packed the Mole Lake Casino’s event center in Crandon last week, marking a milestone for Forest County and the surrounding region. The first annual Northwoods Women’s Leadership Conference brought together small business owners, local officials, stay-at-home moms, and community organizers for a day focused on something many don’t prioritize enough: themselves.
Ava Nielitz, Chief Operating Officer at Visit Forest County, organized the event with a simple vision. “This is all women,” she said. “Anyone who’s leaders in the home, leaders in the community, leaders at work.”
The response proved there was hunger for this kind of gathering. From St. Germain to Eagle River, women carved out time to invest in personal growth and connection.
The morning kicked off with a theme many Northwoods women know too well: the challenge of pouring from an empty cup. Andi Gretzinger from North Wood Blooms led a session on lifelong wellness and recognizing when you’ve pushed past your limits.
For Talicia Wusterbarth, a small business owner from St. Germain, that message hit home. “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” she reflected after the session. “We got to make sure we’re good, so we can truly help other people.”
It’s a truth that resonates differently up north. In communities where everyone knows your name and neighbors rely on each other through long winters, women often shoulder invisible loads. They run the bait shops and salons. They organize the fundraisers and coach the teams. They keep households running while partners work swing shifts at the paper mill or guide fishing trips all summer.
The conference created space to acknowledge that constant giving requires intentional refilling.
Beauty studio owner Amanda Marvin delivered one of the day’s most powerful talks. She shared her journey through an abusive marriage and the difficult path back to trusting herself again.
Her message wasn’t just about survival — it was about rebuilding a strong sense of self and setting boundaries that protect your peace. Marvin challenged attendees to examine where they might be shrinking themselves for others’ comfort.
“Be you, don’t be anyone else, don’t try to fit the mold that someone else has for you. Just be you and own who you are.” — Ava Nielitz
That authenticity theme ran through the entire day. In small Northwoods towns, there can be unspoken expectations about what women should be, how they should act, what dreams fit their station. Nielitz, who grew up in Crandon, pushed back against those limitations.
She encouraged women to put faith in themselves and step outside predetermined molds. The Northwoods might be made up of small communities, but that doesn’t mean women need to live small lives.
The conference wasn’t just inspirational speeches and feel-good moments. Organizers packed the day with practical resources that women could use immediately.
Free professional headshots gave attendees updated photos for their businesses and LinkedIn profiles. Complimentary massages offered a rare moment of physical relaxation. Shared meals created natural networking opportunities where a resort owner from Eagle River might connect with a nonprofit director from Laona.
The format included Q&A sessions where women could ask speakers direct questions about challenges they’re facing. No topic was off limits — from navigating male-dominated industries to balancing family demands with career ambitions.
The “first annual” label signals this isn’t a one-time event. Visit Forest County plans to make the women’s leadership conference a recurring tradition, with future themes already mapped out around concepts like Positive Balance and Positive Connection.
That continuity matters in a region where professional development opportunities can be sparse. Women in the Northwoods often drive an hour each way for training or networking events — if they can find childcare and carve out the time.
Having an annual gathering right here in Forest County removes barriers and builds year-over-year momentum. Relationships formed at this conference can deepen. Accountability partnerships can take root. Women who attended as emerging leaders might return as speakers sharing their own growth.
The choice of venue carries significance too. The Mole Lake Casino, operated by the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, represents Indigenous leadership and economic development in the region. Hosting a women’s conference there connects to a longer history of female strength in Northwoods tribal communities.
In a county of roughly 9,000 people, gathering 100 women for professional development isn’t just notable — it’s transformative. That’s a critical mass of leaders who can support each other, collaborate on initiatives, and amplify their impact.
The ripple effects extend beyond individual growth. When women business owners feel more confident, they hire and invest. When community leaders practice better self-care, they show up more effectively for others. When moms set healthy boundaries, they model authenticity for their kids.
Visit Forest County’s investment in this conference signals something important: women’s leadership matters to the region’s economic and social fabric. Tourism, small business, education, healthcare — women drive so much of what makes Northwoods communities function.
As the Northwoods economy continues evolving from its timber and manufacturing roots toward tourism and recreation, supporting diverse leadership becomes even more critical. The region needs fresh perspectives and collaborative approaches to tackle challenges from workforce development to sustainable tourism.
This inaugural conference planted seeds that could grow into something significant. Annual gatherings build institutional knowledge. They create traditions. They signal to young women that leadership paths exist right here in the Northwoods — they don’t need to leave for the cities to find professional community and growth.
The success of year one suggests strong demand for year two. And if the turnout and energy from this first gathering are any indication, the Northwoods Women’s Leadership Conference might become one of those events women mark on their calendars every February, a midwinter reminder that investing in yourself isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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