Institute for Women's Leadership

Meet the Institute for Women's Leadership Staff

Liz Beaty, Student Director

Year: Junior
Major: Biology Major/Pre-Med, Hispanic Studies minor
Hometown: Lincoln, NE - now I live in Madison, WI
Favorite quote: "Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
What Women's Leadership Means to Me: To me, women's leadership means women taking the initiative and going out on a limb to get things done and make changes that they want to see in the world. I think we all have it in us to be leaders, but it all depends on us finding the strength to stand up and take that leadership role, with the knowledge that you may face adversity in the process.

Lindsey Ganong, Coordinator for Volunteers

Year: Senior
Major: Nutrition-Dietetics
Favorite Quote: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
What Women's Leadership Means to Me: It is creating the space for women to fulfill their full potentials, to pursue their passions.

Grace Janssen, Women's Expeditions Coordinator

Year: Senior
Major: Environmental Studies major, Hispanic Studies minor
Hometown: Bloomington, MN
Favorite Quote: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Anonymous
What Women's Leadership Means to Me: Women's Leadership means being exactly the person you are meant to be. Each of us has our own leadership style with our own unique talents to bring to the table. The cool thing about women is that as a gender we have been recognized by non-governmental organizations as being more apt to bring about change. So many organizations specifically implement Women's Empowerment programs because they know programs targeted at women are going to be more successful. At CSB I have met so many amazing women following their passions, breaking barriers, and reaching their goals. As Bennies we can and are living up to the high standard of women as leaders by bringing about positive change in our local and global communities.

Jennifer Simonton, Public Relations Coordinator

Year: Junior
Major: Communications and Theology
Hometown: Canby, MN
Favorite Quote: "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." - Douglas Adams
What Women's Leadership Means to Me: Women's leadership is merely embracing who we are and pursuing what we are passionate about. By choosing to do so, we empower other women and can act to encourage others to do the same. It is essential to use the gifts God has given us and work to better the world with them. As women, and Bennies, we push the limits and strive to make change. This style of living I see every day on campus is a constant encouragement and inspiration. When one women leads, others are influenced to do the same.

Danielle Liebl, Program Coordinator

Year: Sophomore
Majors: Peace Studies and Theology
Hometown: Richmond, MN
What Women's Leadership Means to Me: I love working at the IWL because I strongly believe that women have power and strength to overcome gender oriented barriers to get their voices heard. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." I love people and I strongly believe that we can learn so much from each others' experiences. I consider myself a bubbly and friendly person, who is open to hearing stories from all paths of life. Everyone has something we can learn from.

Brianna Schrankler, Program Coordinator

Year: Senior
Major: Biology major, Pyschology minor
Hometown: Oakdale, MN
Favorite quotes: "Shoot for the Moon, for even if you miss you'll land among the Stars!"
What Women's Leadership Means to Me: To me, Women's Leadership is all about following one's heart, taking chances, and taking the initiative to pursue one's dreams of making a better future for all. It's also about challenging one's self and empowering other women to do the same. I believe that we all have something to contribute and that we each have something to learn from one-another. I love working at the IWL because it allows me to do just that, to engage and learn from others. I also enjoy implementing programs that empower other women to challenge themselves and to support them in taking the initiative to lead!