Southern Indiana Business Report
SANTA CLAUS – The fifth annual Southwest Indiana Regional Women’s Conference, held at Santa’s Lodge in Santa Claus last month, brought together women in business, leadership and community service to honor growth, empowerment and connection under the theme, “Be IN the IN.”
The conference was organized through the collaboration of women representing Jasper, Linton, Pike, Knox, Spencer, Warrick, Gibson and Perry County Chambers of Commerce.
Speakers were Indiana First Lady and Jasper business owner Maureen Braun, Vanessa Green Sinders, the first female CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce; and Pat Koch, the matriarch of Holiday World.
The four keynote speakers told stories of courage, leadership and authenticity. The day was filled with an abundance of laughter, learning, engagement and a general sense of encouragement from each woman in attendance.
Speaker highlights
Vanessa Green Sinders, the first female CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, opened with a talk on leadership and confidence. She introduced her “Three Pillars of Leadership”: Network, Mindset, and Executive Communication, urging women to embrace the strength of their individuality. She told her story of finding who she was throughout different careers and ventures, and how, ultimately, it was leaps of faith that put her where she is today.
“Women are really good at rolling with it, we figure it out, we multitask, and we get it done,” Sinders said. “You don’t have to lead like anyone else. Lead your way, and it will be awesome.”
Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun shared her personal journey from business to public service. She told her stories of success, hardship, and perseverance all the way from being one of the 10% of women in the Kelley School of Business all the way to where she is now as Indiana’s first lady. She framed her philosophy around four guiding “P’s: Priorities, Positive Attitude, People, and Pay It Forward.” Braun emphasized the importance of flexibility and optimism, even when life knocks you down or changes in unexpected ways.
“Change is going to happen – you just have to embrace it,” she said. “It’s a wonderful time to be a woman. We’re strong, and we’re making a difference.”
At 94 years old, Pat Koch, the matriarch of Holiday World, captivated the audience with her signature warmth and wit. Her stories of perseverance and kindness reminded attendees of the power of legacy and community. Through stories that had attendees wheezing with laughter, she instilled a sense of purpose and power. Koch stressed the importance of being proud to lead others and leading correctly. She told stories of her connections to employees at Holiday World, and the honor in being able to positively shape their lives.
“To the world, you may be one person,” Koch said, “but to that person, you are the world.”
The conference closed with Anissa Starnes, chief impact officer at YGM, who spoke honestly about burnout, self-care, and boundary-setting. A self-described “recovering workaholic,” Starnes encouraged attendees to find “work-life harmony” instead of chasing the myth of balance. Starnes framed the valuable information with humor and relatability, hitting home for attendees who struggle with the same things she did. Starnes educated attendees on the importance of boundaries, and how to get started on setting them.
“Most of the time, we burn out because we do it to ourselves,” Starnes said. “Setting boundaries isn’t selfish.”
About the conference
The regional women’s conference began as an idea during the pandemic when isolation and uncertainty were at their peak. Over many calls and discussions about putting together an event that supported and empowered women, these local Chamber directors organized the first Southwest Indiana Regional Women’s Conference, which took place in 2021. It is now hosted in a different county each year, and the event continues to strengthen ties across southern Indiana through networking, professional development, and storytelling.
Beyond the speakers and events, the day offered opportunities for connection and laughter, from morning coffee and breakfast to shared conversations over lunch, with raffles being drawn throughout the event with first-come, first-served prizes provided by each chamber. The event was a space where professional women could celebrate one another’s success while encouraging resilience through the everyday struggles faced.
In a year characterized by change, division and uncertainty, the conference served as a reminder of the collaboration and generosity of women across Indiana’s business community.
Conversations buzzed with encouragement and hope, a collective affirmation that progress continues when women support one another.
Next year’s Southwest Indiana Regional Women’s Conference will be hosted in Greene County, continuing the tradition of collaboration among the region’s Chambers.