10/30/2026
🎉 Celebrating the 2026 MCWT Elevate Program! 🎉
On Wednesday evening, participants from the MCWT Elevate cohorts in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Southeast Michigan came together at Delta Dental of Michigan to celebrate the completion of an inspiring six-week leadership development journey!
Throughout the program, participants strengthened their leadership skills, expanded their ability to influence others, built meaningful connections, and explored new ways to make an impact in their organizations and communities.
We were honored to welcome Anita Klopfenstein, MCWT President and Chief Information and Digital Officer at Little Caesars Pizza Enterprises, who shared her personal technology career journey, valuable leadership insights, and thought-provoking challenges to inspire participants as they continue to grow.
Programs like Elevate are made possible through the generosity, dedication, and collaboration of an incredible community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
Our Program Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ford Motor Company, whose generous support made Elevate possible. Special thanks to Amy Krause and Teledevara for joining us and sharing remarks on behalf of these valued partners.
Our Speakers: Feei Ang, Mamatha Chamarthi, Laura Clark, Heather Frick, Jill Kiepura, Smith, Jill Turpin and Tracie White, MBA, who generously shared their expertise, experiences, and leadership perspectives throughout the program.
Our Group Facilitators: Heather Frick, Eric Messinger, Jessica Moy, Karen Rasche, Karen Schankin, Paula Stolar and Yvette W., who guided meaningful conversations, encouraged collaboration, and helped participants turn ideas into actionable insights.
Our Location Sponsors: Amerisure Insurance, Dental Ins. of Michigan, and Vervint, for generously opening their doors and providing welcoming spaces where participants could learn, connect, and build relationships.
Our Program Co-Leads: Feei Ang and Laura Clark, whose countless volunteer hours, thoughtful program design, presenter coordination, and dedication to delivering an exceptional experience were instrumental to the program's success.
And most importantly, congratulations to our 2026 Elevate participants! Your commitment to personal and professional growth, willingness to be vulnerable, and enthusiasm for challenging yourselves embody the spirit of Elevate. We can't wait to see how you put your new skills, connections, and confidence into action!
Together, we're elevating women, strengthening leaders, and expanding the impact of women in technology.
