Empower Leadership Academy for Girls is Saturday, November 4th

(KNSI) — A free program to help develop the next generation of women leaders is making its St. Cloud debut on Saturday.

The Empower Leadership Academy is for girls aged 10 to 18 to develop and build confidence, resilience, mental wellness, and leadership skills. The hope is that young women learn to set goals as they grow and choose careers.

The inaugural event is coming to the city thanks to a partnership between Stearns Bank and Team Women, an organization based out of the Twin Cities. For Stearns Bank Marketing Manager Rene Knippel, bringing the event to town is important, professionally and personally. “I was raised by an incredible role model and strong female leader. So, I feel I was gifted with some life lessons and skills along the way.”

Knippel’s mom was a teen mother and had to make every decision about education and career very strategically to succeed. She didn’t have mentors and vowed to help young women. Knippel’s mother started working at a time when women really didn’t have careers outside the home and went into male-dominated industries. “And really had to break every glass ceiling there was and pave her own way. And she did so very elegantly and passionately. So, I feel lucky that I didn’t have to break as many glass ceilings in my career.”

Knippel learned leadership skills to embrace her passion from her mother. The leadership conference is a chance to pass those life lessons on to younger women.

The event is from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Holiday Inn & Suites on 37th Avenue in St. Cloud. While the conference is free, registration is required.

To register, click here.

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