Women’s Entrepreneurship Week returns with expanded access

Women’s Entrepreneurship Week will return to Milwaukee May 11-14 with more than 30 events, over 75 speakers and a new format designed to make the annual gathering more accessible to founders and business owners across the region.

Hosted by She Stands Tall Forward, Inc., led by Sarah Haas and Stephanie Melnick, the four-day event focuses on education, networking and community-building for women entrepreneurs at various stages of business growth.

This year’s theme, “Go Your Own Way,” reflects the idea that founders do not all follow the same path.

“Everybody does entrepreneurship in a different way,” Melnick said. “What looks right for somebody and feels right for somebody is not right for somebody else. And that’s all good and that’s all okay. We can still learn from each other, and we can still be a community.”

Most daytime programming will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education, with additional events at other Milwaukee venues including Denizen MKE and The Table. Nearly 20 sessions will also be offered virtually, expanding access for participants outside Milwaukee or those unable to attend in person.

Another new addition for 2026 is “The Pause,” a dedicated space focused on entrepreneur well-being. The room will host programming like meditation, yoga and sound baths throughout the week.

Melnick said the concept reflects growing recognition that founders need support beyond tactical business advice.

“We are recognizing that self-care is important for entrepreneurs,” she said. “We’re saving an entire room for it. We’re programming it every day throughout the day.”

Sessions throughout the week will cover topics including finance, branding, artificial intelligence, marketing and operations, according to organizers. Programming is intended to serve both early-stage entrepreneurs and more established business owners.

A featured keynote event, “Rising Together: Inspiring the Next Wave of Women Entrepreneurs,” is scheduled for May 12 at Denizen MKE. The featured panelists are Angela Adams, African American Leadership Alliance; Dr. Ellen Censky, Milwaukee Public Museum; Justice Rebecca Dallet, Wisconsin Supreme Court; Nancy Hernandez, Hispanic Collaborative, and Dr. Tiffany Tardy, PEARLS for Teen Girls.

Melnick said the broader goal is to create an environment where attendees can form relationships, learn from one another and feel energized by Milwaukee’s entrepreneurial community.

“When you bring hundreds of women together who genuinely want to meet each other and network and partner and learn from each other, that amount of special energy is unique,” she said.

Tickets and registration information are available through the organization’s website.