Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:30 PM
Location: Venue 3

Event Description: As workplaces continue to evolve, so do the Affinity Groups and Employee Resource Groups (ARGs/ERGs) that support, connect, and empower employees. From newer, grassroots efforts to long-standing, enterprise-wide networks, organizations are rethinking how these groups drive inclusion, engagement, and business impact.

In this Women’s Affinity Alliance session, we’ll host a candid panel discussion with ARG/ERG leaders from a variety of companies, industries, and stages of maturity. Panelists will share their real-world journeys, what’s working, what’s been challenging, and how their strategies have shifted to meet the needs of today’s workforce.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Where organizations are on their ARG journey. From newly launched to well-established programs
• The types of ARGs currently offered, including how DEI priorities are being integrated
• Adjustments leaders have made along the way and where they’re looking to expand or focus next
• What has supported long-term sustainability and engagement, including moments like International Women’s Day and other strategic activations

Attendees will walk away with insights, inspiration, and practical ideas they can bring back to their own organizations, whether they’re building an ARG from the ground up or reimagining what’s next.

Meet Our Panelists:

Michele Ellner is the Global Director of Talent Acquisition for Clarios, a world leader in automotive battery manufacturing and energy storage solutions. She has worked as a talent acquisition and brand professional within the manufacturing, technology, staffing, and HR services space for over 20 years. As the Global Director of Talent Acquisition, Michele leads the company in building talent attraction, employer brand, candidate experience and recruiting best practices for the company. Previously, she held leadership roles including Head of Talent Acquisition, North America at Mettler Toledo and Director of Marketing at Montage (now HireVue), and managed brand marketing for various divisions at ManpowerGroup. She holds an MBA in marketing from Washington University in St. Louis and an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Michigan.

Amy Junker is Baird’s Chief Risk Officer. In this role, Amy is responsible for the oversight of Baird’s financial liquidity, institutional and retail capital markets trading and underwriting risk management, information security, business continuity, third party risk, internal audit, and insurance activities. Amy joined Baird in 2003. Amy spent four years as the Director of Information Security and had oversight of Baird’s Global Infomraiton Security Program before being promoted to Director of Risk Management in 2022 and to Chief Risk Officer in 2026. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Amy is actively engaged in the community. She serves as Secretary of the Board of Milwaukee College Prep and is a member of the Investment Committee of Marquette University High School. Amy graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kalamazoo College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and earned a Master’s degree in mathematics from Indiana University.

Lindsay Wettach‑LaCourse is Vice President, Marketing Segment Manager at Associated Bank (NYSE: ASB), Wisconsin’s largest bank holding company, where she leads marketing strategy across HSA/Benefits, Business Banking, and Retail Merchandising, bringing deep expertise in omnichannel marketing, content and SEO excellence, and data-driven growth. In addition to her corporate role, Lindsay currently serves as Chair of the Cultural Awareness CRG and Chair of the Women’s Community Resource Group, supporting and engaging approximately 1,400 colleagues across the organization. A strategic PR and marketing professional with a background in journalism, Lindsay is known for building high-impact, sustainable ERGs that drive inclusion, engagement, and business results. She also serves as an executive board advisor and an AI in Marketing coach, helping organizations thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies into their strategies.

Online registration is now closed. To register, please contact [email protected]. 

Women's Affinity Alliance Members & Corporate Partners | No Charge 
TEMPO Members (not a part of WAA membership) | $40
Emerging Women Leaders (not a part of WAA membership) | $40
Guests | $40