UW-Green Bay initiative aims to empower women in leadership roles in Wisconsin

GREEN BAY – Sheryl Van Gruensven made history in August 2019 when she stepped into the role of interim chancellor for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, becoming the first woman to hold the title in the university’s 54 years. Over in the Division of Continuing Education and Community Engagement, the division’s then-assistant vice chancellor Joy Ruzek was getting ready to retire. As women who had worked their way to top leadership roles — surrounded, mostly, by men — both wanted to pave the way for other women to do the same.Van Gruensven contacted Ruzek, knowing she had previously led a women’s leadership summit. The two connected and the idea for what would become the Institute for Women’s Leadership was born. “Half the population is female and there’s just not enough women in these manager and higher-level roles,” Van Gruensven said. “Why is that? We really wanted to help be that catalyst for change in our regions we serve.”

Source: UWGB initiative aims to empower women in leadership roles in Wisconsin, Green Bay Press-Gazette.