Illinois Women in Education Gather for Allyship and Leadership Empowerment at ACE Conference

New ACE Conference Aims to Break Barriers for Women Aspiring to School Leadership Roles

The Women in School Leadership: Allyship, Connection, Engagement (ACE) Conference is set to take place on June 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington. Open to all current and aspiring PreK-12 administrators, this event aims to support women aspiring to take up leadership roles in education.

In Illinois, over 75% of superintendents are men, even though women constitute a similar percentage of teachers. Dr. Lindsey Hall, a retired superintendent and PreK-12 program coordinator at Illinois State University, pointed out that many qualified women in education face both external and self-imposed barriers. She hopes that the conference will shift perspectives and provide women with the necessary support to achieve their leadership potential. The conference will feature a diverse lineup of high-profile speakers from various sectors, including education, business, government, and the military. The keynote address will be delivered by Sally Helgesen, the bestselling co-author of "How Women Rise," a book that has been translated into 25 languages, and the No.1 leadership professional on the Global Gurus’ top 30 rankings.

Dr. Lindsey Hall explained that the conference offers a safe space for women in school leadership to connect, share experiences, and learn from inspiring speakers who challenge the status quo in their careers. This event builds on Dr Hall’s efforts to promote allyship and connection among women in Illinois school leadership, which began in fall 2023 with the creation of the ACE network. The virtual group, which met 4-5 times last year, allowed female superintendents to share challenges and advice about leading in a male-dominated field. The virtual ACE meetings included guest speakers such as author and Redbird alum Dr. Carrie Hruby, Ph.D. ’22, master coach Sandye Brown, University of Texas Professor and Researcher Dr Rachel White, founder of "The Superintendent Lab," and University of Colorado researcher Mallory Decker.

Members of ACE have consistently expressed a strong desire to support the next generation of women in school leadership. The upcoming summer conference aims to translate this support into action. Dr. Hall emphasized that the initiative is not only about elevating deserving and innovative women but also about promoting diverse thought leadership, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating educational ecosystems where all students can thrive.
The ACE Conference represents a significant step toward empowering women in educational leadership, fostering a supportive network, and driving systemic change in school leadership.

Editor's Note:

The ACE Conference represents a pivotal moment for women aspiring to leadership roles in education. Led by Dr. Lindsey Hall, this initiative aims to dismantle the barriers that hold back many qualified women in the field. Featuring a diverse lineup of speakers, including keynote Sally Helgesen, the conference offers a supportive environment for women to connect, share experiences, and learn from inspiring figures across various sectors.  The ACE network, established in 2023, has already made significant strides in fostering allyship and connection among female school leaders. This summer conference seeks to build on that foundation, promoting diverse thought leadership and creating educational ecosystems where all students can thrive.

Skoobuzz appreciates this initiative as a testament to the power of collective action and the potential for positive change in school leadership.