2025 Women of Influence Summit
When Women Unite
with Promoting Prosperity
More than 700 women and supporters gathered at MotorCity Casino and Hotel for United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s ninth annual Women of Influence Summit, presented by Walker-Miller Energy Services.
Each year, Women United hosts the summit to support early childhood education and literacy. This year’s event raised over $408,500, shattering previous records and bringing the nine-year total to over $2 million devoted to the future of young people in our region.
Several trailblazers were recognized for impactful contributions to our community, including our 2025 Women of Influence, president and CEO of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC, Suzanne Shank, and lifetime achievement awardee, former Senator Debbie Stabenow.
For her fifth consecutive year, WDIV Anchor and Reporter Karen Drew moderated the event – bringing her trademark energy to the room and sitting down with keynote speaker, Donna Orender, former president of the WNBA and founder of Generation W.
This event would not be possible without the generosity of many sponsors; including Rocket Companies, Accenture, BOSCH, DTE Foundation, PNC Bank, ROUSH, Stellantis, 19 silver sponsors, 23 table sponsors, as well as our marketplace and media sponsors.
Read on to experience the magic and learn from our top five event takeaways.
LESSON 1: SHOP WOMEN-OWNED
The Women-Owned Marketplace continues to be a highlight of the summit. Since its inception in 2017, the marketplace has put back $75,000 into the community through these small businesses.
Attendees received four tickets to shop and loaded their 2025 Women of Influence tote bags with everything from jewelry and cosmetics to apparel and bundt cakes, courtesy of our Marketplace sponsors Accenture, BOSCH, DTE Foundation and Stellantis, and our spotlight sponsor, Kelle Ilitch.
“It’s such an opportunity for small women-owned businesses to shine,” said Beth Ardisana, CEO of ASG Renaissance and PDW. “I was talking to the owner of Rebel Nell and their backstory is really cool, this is just not the kind of experience you get shopping online.”
Through these conversations, small businesses drive brand awareness– building confidence and fostering connections that can lead to future opportunities.
“I like supporting small businesses and women-owned businesses, especially this year,” said Denise Montgomery, diversity, equity and inclusion ambassador at Consumers Energy. “I’ve been transitioning from larger stores, because small business owners are really intentional about what’s in the product.”
Denise took home a Detroit’s Future is Female pink hat, PSG lip gloss and Inkcourage’s It’s Okay to Not Be Okay t-shirt.
LESSON 2: WE ARE BETTER UNITED
The summit offers a rare opportunity to be in a room with hundreds of people and feel accepted and celebrated by all.
“Women United, women united— this is how we should be moving every day,” said Carla Walker-Miller, CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services. “I pray we internalize the power and love in this room.”
At its core, this summit is an opportunity to network and connect with leaders from local business, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
“Walk away with one new friend, one new contact, hold each other accountable and ask each other on the way out if you made a contact— if not, introduce yourself,” said Karen. “Take 30 seconds to empower each other.”
LESSON 3: THE MAGIC OF YOU
Encouraged to unite in the regalest color, purple suits, lavender head wraps and even lilac ties combine in a sea of positivity and possibility. The beauty of this event is that through initial meetings, new relationships blossom and yield untapped opportunities.
“You can create opportunities,” said Karen. “We all can do that, you may think you can’t, but you can.”
It’s possible to feel like you have less to offer when faced with so many accomplished women. Our keynote speaker called out imposter syndrome and challenged everyone to recognize their worth.
“What I don’t like about imposter syndrome is that it fails to recognize that everybody comes to an experience for the first time— just by life’s definition,” said Donna. “But that doesn’t mean you’re an imposter, it means you’re here to learn and grow.
“Although you may doubt it, get unblind to your magic and realize your power.”
LESSON 4: HONOR YOUR FOUNDATION
It’s important to honor the women who came before us because they were foundational to our success.
“I am who I am because I had two amazing grandmothers who paved the way,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “My grandmothers, like your grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts and sister friends are part of a powerful legacy of women who believed in us, who dared to dream, and who made a way when they were told there was none.
“I just want us to pause for a moment to say the name of a woman who personally influenced your path.”
When receiving the 2025 Women of Influence award, Suzanne Shank shared how her mother set her up for success despite their humble beginnings.
“The biggest predictor of success in a child is their zip code and environment,” said Suzanne. “I was born in a zip code that would never predict Wall Street, and I will be forever grateful to my mother, a Spellman graduate, who knew 80% of a child’s brain is developed by age three and had me reading to her fourth-grade class by age five.”
“Literacy is not just a skill alone; it is a bridge to self-sufficiency and a pathway to achievement.”
LESSON 5: YOU CAN MAKE CHANGE
In 2022, 33% of families with children in Michigan fell below the ALICE Threshold, meaning they cannot meet all their basic needs. A shocking 78% of single mom households are ALICE in Michigan. Over the last 15 years, the single mom ALICE households have increased by 14%.
“Kids don’t wait— they are growing up, whether we pay attention or not, whether they have access to books, food and support or not,” said Debbie Stabenow. “We have to make sure we aren’t leaving generations of children behind.”
While the need is great, United Way and our partners are “built for times like this,” said Dr. Hudson. Together, our work in Youth Opportunity helps children reach their full potential by filling gaps in accessibility, literacy and education.
Last year, we provided over 34,000 books to local students. Women United contributed more than 886 hours of volunteering and Connect4Care Kids helped nearly 1,200 families find quality childcare.
“We’re making progress and we’re making a difference,” said Dr. Hudson. “When we invest in our youth, we invest in our future.
