WE Forum #rochmn, 2900 19th Street NW, Rochester, MN (2026)

05/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our morning panel, From Hustle to CEO—special Shoutout to our speakers Claire Yanowitz, Lindsey Marquez, and LeeAnn Zubay.

05/17/2026

Claire Yanowitz will be the third featured speaker for the WE Forum morning panel, From Hustle to CEO, taking place Thursday, May 21 from 9:00–10:00 a.m. at 125 LIVE.
Claire is the CEO of Yanowitz Law, where she helps individuals and families create wills and trusts that provide security and peace of mind. She is known for compassionately listening to her clients’ dreams, goals, and concerns, then crafting plans designed to meet their unique needs. Claire believes it is essential that clients understand their options and feel empowered to make decisions that are right for them. She especially enjoys educating clients and making complex concepts approachable and easy to understand.

Before becoming an attorney, Claire built a career as a chemist and environmental scientist, working for both the Environmental Protection Agency and 3M.

A lifelong Minnesotan, Claire enjoys spending summers canoeing in the Boundary Waters and winters cross-country skiing. She has a husband and two children.

05/16/2026

LeeAnn Zubay will be one of the featured morning panelists for From Hustle to CEO, on Thursday, May 21 at 9:00 a.m, at 125 LIVE.

LeeAnn is the owner and curator of Food Union, a specialty food shop rooted in cheese, charcuterie, gifts, and gathering around good food. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2008 with ZZest, and over the years the business has evolved through different renditions into what is now Food Union - a space built on curiosity, community, and a passion for exceptional taste.

As a CCP (Certified Cheese Professional) through the American Cheese Society, LeeAnn is dedicated to helping people discover new flavors, thoughtful pairings, and the stories behind the food they enjoy. Whether hosting a small tasting, curating a gift box, or creating meaningful moments around the table, her mission has always been to make specialty food feel welcoming, fun, and memorable.

Join LeeAnn and fellow panelists as they share insights on growth, resilience, leadership, and the journey from hustle to CEO.

05/15/2026

Meet our first From Hustle to CEO panelist: Lindsey Marquez.
Lindsey owns The Longevity Lab in Rochester, where she is building a business centered on helping people feel more confident. The Lab is a wellness and aesthetics practice grounded in education and empowerment. Her motto, "We help you love you more," because she knows the ripple effect this has on those around us when we are at our best.

As a nurse, entrepreneur, wife, and leader, Lindsey is passionate about encouraging women to bet on themselves, embrace growth, and remember that success requires courage, resilience, and community. She brings an honest and relatable perspective on building a business from the ground up while staying true to the people and purpose behind it all.

04/17/2026

Thank you, Julie Brock, for leading a great workshop yesterday titled "Protect Your Business and Your Peace." We appreciate everyone who came, great conversation, and the opportunity to network. See you next month!

04/03/2026

Meet our presenter for Protect Your Business and Your Peace: Lunch Workshop - Julie Brock.

Julie Brock, owner of Julie Brock Consulting, LLC, moves individuals, teams, and organizations from idea to measurable action. A strategist at heart, Julie works with people to develop human-centered systems using tools like Co-design, CliftonStrengths®, Results Based Accountability, and Stress Management and Resiliency.

Julie uses deep listening, drawing connections, and disrupting the status quo to help people ground into their own confidence. She believes every person is beautifully wired and is at peak performance when they take deep, reflective ownership of their actions and assets and put them to work in meaningful and mission-aligned ways.

Julie has worked in K-12 education, workforce development, community-based organizations, business, and higher education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from University of Oregon, secondary teaching certification from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and a Master of Arts degree in Human Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Julie and her partner, Randy, and furry animals live on a wooded wonderland outside Rochester, MN.

11/21/2025

What an inspiring Thursday morning spent together 💛 Our latest WE Forum gathering brought honesty, empowerment, and heartfelt conversations about what it really means to juggle all the roles we carry as women — and the truth that there is no such thing as a perfect superwoman.

Our incredible panelists shared personal stories, hard-won lessons, and practical strategies on finding balance, setting boundaries, staying true to our values, and giving ourselves permission to rest and prioritize self-care. Their message was clear: we don’t have to do it all alone. Community, support systems, and being our authentic selves matter more than perfection.

A huge thank you to our excellent speakers:
Tawonda Burks — Rochester Women Magazine, ELOCINA & Minority Owned Business Foundation
Heather Donovan — VP of Commercial Lending, Sterling State Bank
Ann Dugstad — Founder & Principal Consultant, Extraordinary Workforce
Szablis Klee — Principal & Personal Financial Advisor, Full Circle Financial + Owner, Southeast Scuba Escape

Your honesty, vulnerability, and strength uplifted everyone in the room. 💪💕

Shout out to our moderator, Sylwia Bujak Oliver, 125 LIVE Executive Director, for leading this discussion.

Key Takeaways of The Everyday Superwoman: Balancing Work, Life, Family, and Your Own Needs
💛 There is no real superwoman — just real women doing their best.
💛 Surround yourself with supportive, uplifting women.
💛 Choose what aligns with your values and needs each day.
💛 Set boundaries. Say no. Don’t feel guilty.
💛 Self-care is non-negotiable.
💛 Social media isn’t reality — vulnerability is strength.
💛 Perseverance, determination, and love carry us through.

11/18/2025

This Thursday at 11.30 am:
The Everyday Superwoman: Balancing Work, Life, Family, and Your Own Needs
In a world that never slows down, women often find themselves wearing countless hats — professional, parent, partner, caregiver, friend, and more. The Everyday Superwoman celebrates the strength, resilience, and grace of women who do it all.
Join us for an inspiring and honest conversation with four incredible women who embody the true spirit of the Everyday Superwoman. They’ll share their personal stories, practical strategies, and hard-earned lessons on how they balance demanding careers, busy family lives, and — most importantly — make time for themselves.
Whether you’re striving for better work-life balance, seeking fresh perspective, or simply need a reminder that you’re not alone, this workshop offers encouragement, community, and real-world advice to help you thrive — not just survive — in every role you play.
Our four panelists are:
‼️Tawonda Burks, the owner of Rochester Women Magazine, ELOCINA and founder of the Minority Owned Business Foundation.
‼️Heather Donovan, Vice President of Commercial Lending at Sterling State Bank
‼️ Ann Dugstad, Founder and Principal Consultant of Extraordinary Workforce
‼️Szablis Klee, Principal and Personal Financial Advisor and Founder of Full Circle Financial and owner of Southeast Scuba Escape

What is the WE Forum?
The Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Forum was launched in 2019 to provide free educational programming for women who are running a business, as well as those who are seeking to start a business. The idea started as a partnership between Saint Mary's University and the Rochester Area Economic Development Inc. (RAEDI). Over the years, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Collider Foundation, Copiavia, Rochester Women Magazine, and Elocina have joined as partners. These partnerships are indicative of the desire and commitment of all these organizations to support new business start ups and ensure they have the right training and networks to succeed.

Lunch is provided, registration is required.

https://rochestermnchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/1515784

11/13/2025

Join us on November 20th to hear from Szablis Klee. Szablis is a devoted mother, loyal friend, visionary business leader, and passionate, ocean-loving mermaid. She leads three thriving ventures: a nationwide financial guidance company with multiple branches, a women-centered PADI 5-Star scuba instruction and adventure dive center, and an international ocean conservation organization and non-profit based in South Africa that curates transformative journeys through ocean and breathtaking landscape activities in this unspoiled, welcoming, and magical place—connecting people from around the world.
An entrepreneur since the age of 15, Szablis has lived across the United States and traveled extensively around the globe. Twice married and twice divorced, she has lived a life rich with high highs and low lows - experiences that could rival a Hollywood script. Now, with decades of wisdom, adventure, and hard-earned insight behind her, she embraces the next chapter of her life with deep purpose—often heard saying "it's all paid tuition to learn how to live" sharing her experiences to help others lead more fulfilling, connected, and soulful lives.
The Everyday Superwoman: Balancing Work, Life, Family, and Your Own Needs

11/11/2025

Join us on November 20th at 11.30 am for our panel discussion The Everyday Superwoman: Balancing Work, Life, Family, and Your Own Needs. One of our four panelist is Ann Dugstad, Founder and Principal Consultant of Extraordinary Workforce, brings over 35 years of leadership experience in business and human resource management. Her dedication to continuous learning led her to earn both an MBA and a Human Resources Consulting Certificate, equipping her to help organizations grow with clarity and confidence. A servant leader at heart, Ann founded Extraordinary Workforce to empower business owners and leaders with practical, people-centered HR and management solutions that strengthen culture and drive success. Ann loves connecting with new clients, hosting workshops, and helping companies create workplaces where employees actually look forward to Monday. She lives in Zumbrota, Minnesota, with her husband John and their energetic 4-pound dog, Gracie. Outside of work, Ann enjoys all Minnesota Sport Teams, cooking her favorite Italian dishes, and spending time with their eight grandchildren.

WE Forum #rochmn

05/21/2026

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11/21/2025

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