Leadher

10/11/2026

🚨🛍️ TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SHOP THE LEAD(H)ER MERCH STORE! 🛍️🚨

Have you been waiting to snag some Lead(h)er gear? This is your LAST CHANCE! 🔥👚

Whether you’re a mentor, mentee, volunteer, or supporter, show off your Lead(h)er pride and rep the power of mentorship in style! ❤️

🛍️ The store closes TONIGHT, October 11!
🔗 Shop now: https://lead-h-er-fall-2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Don’t miss out! Grab your favorite pieces before the store closes. Once sales end, you’ll have to wait for the next opportunity to get your Lead(h)er gear!

✨ ORDER YOUR LEAD(H)ER APPAREL NOW! ✨

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

🔥WHAT. A. NIGHT.🔥

Last night, we celebrated 10 years of Lead(h)er at the Fuel the Fire Gala and we’re still feeling the energy and excitement from an incredible evening!✨

📸 Please enjoy this sneak peek from our official event photographer, Wezz De La Rosa Photography! We can’t wait to share more memories from this unforgettable night.

❤️‍🔥During the Girl on Fire Awards we had the honor of recognizing three incredible women who embody the very best of Lead(h)er:

🏆 Mentor of the Year: Lindsay Dotterer
A mentor, cheerleader, and champion who helped her mentee, Natalie Fritz, build confidence, take up space, and recognize that her worth is so much bigger than her job title.

🏆 Mentee of the Year: Mikayla Godding
A courageous and determined mentee who found clarity and confidence through mentorship and ultimately took a bold leap to pursue a new career opportunity in Tennessee.

🏆 Found(h)er of the Year: Tracy Schwind
One of Lead(h)er’s very first mentors who, ten years later, is still showing up, investing in women, and believing in the power of mentorship.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who made this night possible, from our incredible sponsors and community partners to our volunteers, board members, mentors, mentees, vendors, auction donors, Old Oaks Winery staff, and everyone who came ready to celebrate.❤️

🔥And especially to our Presenting Girl on Fire Sponsor, Empeople Credit Union, and all of our 2026 Fuel the Fire Gala sponsors. Your investment allows us to continue creating free mentorship opportunities for women across the Quad Cities. We are so grateful for your partnership.

Ten years behind us.
A new decade ahead.
And we’re just getting started.🔥

Thank you for helping us Fuel the Fire.❤️‍🔥

10/07/2026

🔥CALLING ALL MENTEES!🔥

Were you hoping to join us for the Fuel the Fire Gala but the ticket price wasn’t quite in your budget? We’ve got a little surprise for you!❤️‍🔥

After double (and triple) checking our SOLD OUT guest list, we have TWO free Gala tickets available specifically for Lead(h)er mentees!🎉

🎟️ First come, first served!

Want to claim one? Text Hannah at 563-299-6509 to snag your spot! (We are still busy prepping so we'll miss it if you simply comment)

Once both tickets are claimed, we’ll update this post.

We’d LOVE to have you there as we celebrate 10 years of Lead(h)er!🔥✨

10/07/2026

What should I wear? (Our most frequently asked question)
Business Casual to Cocktail & Evening Attire! Leave the office and head straight to the event in your work attire or dress to impress. Bonus points if you embrace our fire theme with orange, red, or yellow hues! 🔥

Since it’s October and the venue is partially open-air, you may want to bring a jacket. If temperatures drop too much, we will have heating on.

See you soon for our SOLD OUT GALA!

10/06/2026

🔥2026 GIRL ON FIRE NOMINEE SPOTLIGHT🔥

✨Meet Mikayla Godding, a 2026 Mentee of the Year nominee!✨

Mikayla has embraced her Lead(h)er journey with curiosity, determination, and a willingness to keep growing, even when the path ahead hasn’t always been clear.❤️‍🔥Her Strike a Match Mentor, Mollie Owens, shared these words about Mikayla:

“She approaches challenges with curiosity rather than fear, welcomes feedback, and is always looking for ways to improve. Even when she wasn't sure what her long-term career path looked like, she was willing to have honest conversations about her goals, identify areas where she wanted to grow, and put in the work to get there...That combination of self-awareness, determination, and willingness to embrace change is exactly what makes her such an exceptional mentee and a future leader.”

🔥That’s what makes Mikayla a Girl on Fire!🔥 You don’t have to have your entire future figured out to be moving forward. Mikayla has shown that self-awareness, curiosity, and the courage to embrace change can be powerful tools for growth. She’s not afraid to ask questions, take feedback, or put in the work, and we can’t wait to see where that growth takes her next.❤️

🏆 Join us at the Fuel the Fire Gala on October 8th as we celebrate 10 years of Lead(h)er and honor our 2026 Girl on Fire Award nominees!

🎟️ Tickets are sold out, but to see more details about the event visit: www.leadherqc.org/fuelthefire

Join us in celebrating Mikayla!👏🔥

10/05/2026

🔥SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT!🔥

Thank you Tyson Foods, Village Home Stores, and Rouse Consulting Group for being our Glowing Embers sponsors for this year's Fuel the Fire Gala!

Our amazing sponsors don't just support our mission- they help set the whole night on fire!

Still need tickets? Get them here, we only have a few left: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-fuel-the-fire-gala-tickets

10/05/2026

🔥SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT!🔥

Thank you Valley Construction Co. and Quad Cities Regional Business Journal for being our Strike a Match sponsors for this year's Fuel the Fire Gala!

Our amazing sponsors don't just support our mission- they help set the whole night on fire!

Still need tickets? Get them here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-fuel-the-fire-gala-tickets

10/02/2026

🔥2026 GIRL ON FIRE NOMINEE SPOTLIGHT🔥

✨Meet Saloni Patel, a 2026 Mentor of the Year nominee!✨

Saloni is a Senior Architect at Streamline Architects, where she brings her expertise, leadership, and positive energy to her work and the people around her.❤️‍🔥

Her Strike a Match Mentee, Sha Liu, shared these words about Saloni:

“Saloni is a great mentor and an inspiring example of leadership. She works hard, embraces new responsibilities, and consistently brings positive energy to the people around her. Even as she has taken on more responsibilities in her own life, she continues to show up for others with generosity, encouragement, and enthusiasm.”

🔥That’s what makes Saloni a Girl on Fire!🔥 Leadership isn’t just about taking on more responsibility. It’s about continuing to lift others up along the way. Saloni leads by example, showing that even as our own lives evolve, there is always an opportunity to encourage, support, and make a difference in someone else’s journey. ❤️

We’re so proud to celebrate Saloni and the meaningful impact she’s making through Strike a Match Mentorship!

🏆 Join us at the Fuel the Fire Gala on October 8th as we celebrate 10 years of Lead(h)er and honor our 2026 Girl on Fire Award nominees!

🎟️Tickets are on sale now, but only 7 tickets are left: www.leadherqc.org/fuelthefire

Join us in celebrating Saloni!👏🔥

10/01/2026

🔥2026 GIRL ON FIRE NOMINEE SPOTLIGHT🔥

✨Meet Michelle Heberling, a 2026 Mentor of the Year nominee!✨

Michelle is a Sales Advisor for Lee Agency, Inc., where she brings her passion for people, leadership, and empowering others to everything she does.❤️‍🔥Her Strike a Match Mentee, Heather Diehl, shared these powerful words about Michelle:

“My mentor is passionate, outgoing, and fierce. She is a true advocate for women and doesn't look at me like I am too young. She understands women in business have challenges. Michelle looks at my strengths, my skills, and my presence that I bring to the table. Age or gender is never an obstacle.”

🔥That’s what makes Michelle a Girl on Fire!🔥 Great mentors don’t put limits on what their mentees can become. They see their strengths, champion their potential, and remind them that they belong at the table. Michelle embodies what it means to advocate for the next generation of women leaders.❤️

We’re so proud to celebrate Michelle and the impact she’s making through Strike a Match Mentorship!🔥

🏆Join us at the Fuel the Fire Gala on October 8th as we celebrate 10 years of Lead(h)er and honor our 2026 Girl on Fire Award nominees!

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now: www.leadherqc.org/fuelthefire

Join us in celebrating Michelle!👏🔥