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Lawrence, KS
University of Kansas
Conference Center
October 8th, 2026
Step Into Your Financial Power
at Women & Money
Hosted by the Kansas Financial Empowerment Foundation (KFEF) and the Kansas State Treasurer, Women & Money is more than just a conference—it's a catalyst for lasting financial confidence and independence.
Women & Money is dedicated to empowering Kansas women by providing critical financial information, valuable resources, and opportunities to connect with mentors and peers. Through expert-led discussions and interactive sessions, attendees gain the tools they need to take control of their financial future.
Designed for Kansas women at all stages of life—whether they are just starting their financial journey, navigating career advancements, planning for retirement, or seeking financial independence. The conference welcomes women from all backgrounds and financial situations, reinforcing that it's never too early or too late to learn about personal finance.
Her Future Is Not an Accident. It’s an Investment.
Tentative Schedule
AM
PM
8:00-8:30
8:30-9:00
9:00-10:30
10:30-11:30
Registration &
Breakfast
Welcome
Mainstage Panel &
Keynote
Breakouts
11:30-1:00
1:00-2:00
2:00-3:00
3:00-4:00
Lunch, Vendor visits
& Q&A Panel
Breakouts
Closing Speaker, Survey, & Giveaways
Optional networking event
Speakers Coming Soon
Advisory Committee
Kim Borchers
Bird Dog Recruitment & Consulting, LLC
Kim Borchers is a thought leader in the realm of talent acquisition and leadership development, serving as the President and owner of Bird Dog Recruitment and Consulting LLC. Her firm stands at the forefront of placing C-suite talent within the highest echelons of state and federal government, specializing in comprehensive management development initiatives. Beyond her professional endeavors, Kim is deeply involved in various civic and philanthropic endeavors. She proudly serves as the Kansas Republican National Committeewoman for the RNC and holds directorial positions at Kansas Delta Dental and the Eisenhower in Public Service Series. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as a board member for the Topeka Women's Fund, Cair Paravel Latin School, and the transformative Project 2 Restore, dedicated to supporting women rescued from sex trafficking. Kim's personal life is characterized by a steadfast partnership with her husband, Dr. Tim, spanning 29 years. Together, they reside in Topeka, KS, where they cherish their roles as parents to three accomplished children, a beloved son-in-law, and a cherished granddaughter. Kim's multifaceted commitment to professional excellence, civic engagement, and family values exemplifies her as a true leader in her community and beyond.
Sarah Flick-Fernandez
Office of Wichita Mayor Lily Wu
Sarah Flick-Fernandez is a dedicated public servant and currently serves as the Special Assistant to Wichita’s 103rd Mayor, Lily Wu. In this role, Sarah provides high-level strategic support to the mayor’s office—managing communications, leading special initiatives, and serving as a trusted liaison between City Hall and a wide range of community stakeholders. Before entering public service, Sarah built a successful career in national media sales, working in Chicago and New York City with major clients and high-performing teams. She later returned to Wichita, where she led national sales teams for hospitality legend Jack DeBoer, gaining valuable leadership and operations experience across complex, high-stakes environments. A proud graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah holds a degree in Business Communications. Her academic background, paired with her diverse professional experience, enables her to approach local government with both strategic insight and a deep commitment to public engagement. Sarah’s decision to transition into public service was inspired by a heartfelt conversation with her daughter, who encouraged her to pursue work that felt “more worthwhile.” That moment sparked a renewed dedication to community service. She is known for her strong advocacy of ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability in governance. Sarah plays a vital role in shaping programs that reflect the needs and values of Wichita residents. Today, she remains a key member of Mayor Lily Wu’s administration, working to advance the mayor’s vision and make a lasting impact on the future of Wichita.
Anna Milbach
US Bank
Anna Milbach is a Government and Higher Education Banking Relationship Manager and Senior Vice President at U.S. Bank and has been with the bank since 2013. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Anna was with another large Bank for seven years with roles in Business Banking and leadership positions. Anna serves exclusively government and higher education clients throughout a few states in the Midwest. Anna has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Management all from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. She is also a student at Stonier Banking College in conjunction with the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. Anna has served on a variety of community Boards. She is also a Leadership Greater Rochester Alumni, Leadership for Five Seasons Alumni, Waypoint Tribute to Women Honoree, and Iowa Women’s Foundation Ovation Honoree.
Sarah Patterson
Delta Dental
Sarah Patterson is the Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer at Delta Dental of Kansas. In this role, Sarah is a key member of Delta Dental of Kansas’ executive management team responsible for all aspects of Delta Dental of Kansas and their subsidiary company, Surency Life & Health Insurance Company’s, product development, process innovation, marketing/communication, digital/web, and corporate philanthropy. In addition, Sarah has been integral to the start-up of the ancillary benefits subsidiary, directing the company’s branding and marketing strategy for expansion of the company’s footprint into 33+ states since 2008. Sarah was hired into Delta Dental of Kansas in 2006 as Director, Marketing & Communications. She was promoted to Vice President, Marketing & Communications in 2012 and Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer in 2020. Prior to joining Delta Dental of Kansas, Sarah worked as Marketing Manager for United Way of the Plains, as a Communications Specialist for Kansas Children’s Service League and Communications Intern with Cessna Aircraft Company. Sarah has served as the President of the Board of Directors for Botanica, The Wichita Gardens and in Board roles for Rise Up for Youth and CASA of Sedgwick County. She resides in Wichita, KS with her husband and two daughters.
Kelly VanZwoll
SVP Government Relations
Kansas Bankers Association
Kelly is Senior Vice President Government Relations for the Kansas Bankers Association where she leads the organization’s state political efforts and assists KBA’s President/CEO on federal political efforts. A University of Kansas and Washburn Law alum, Kelly has been a member of the KBA team since 2018 where she started in the legal department doing legal, compliance, and audit work. Along with managing political efforts, Kelly leads the fundraising efforts and strategy for BankPAC, the industry’s political action committee. Kelly also works with KBA’s leadership program, Bank Leaders of Kansas, and the Trust Division of the KBA. Lona views her role, and the role of FCEDC, as one that has a responsibility to the region, not just Finney County. To that end, she has assisted many area cities and counties in creating community development strategies. Lona is a member and Past President of Western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance, a former board member of Kansas Economic Development Alliance, served on Kansas Governor Kelly’s Early Childhood Transition Task Force, served on the Kansas State Department of Education’s Graduation Requirements Task Force, acts as a consultant to rural counties, and has hosted community visits from governmental, business and industry leaders from Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming to foster stronger community and economic development activities. Ms. DuVall holds a degree in Public Administration.
Becky Light MBA
Founder of Argent Consulting and a co-founder of Conduity Inc
Rebecca Light, MBA is the founder of Argent Consulting and a co-founder of Conduity Inc., a healthcare technology company focused on improving the financial infrastructure behind healthcare. Conduity connects revenue cycle workflows with banking and merchant payment data to strengthen reconciliation, improve visibility into cash and patient payments, and enable smarter automation. Rebecca’s career has been built in healthcare finance, specifically the systems and operational disciplines that help healthcare organizations get paid accurately and on time. Through Argent Consulting, Rebecca advises healthcare organizations and healthcare services companies on revenue cycle performance, financial operations, and practical modernization. Her work sits at the intersection of finance, operations, and technology, with a focus on measurable outcomes, strong controls, and scalable execution. In 2006, Rebecca founded SilverCreek RCM, a revenue cycle management services company that supports healthcare providers with billing, collections, payment posting, denials management, and financial performance improvement. She led SilverCreek for 17 years, scaling operations internationally and serving hospitals and physicians in 26 states where she built a strong reputation for high outcomes before selling the company to a private equity partner in 2021. Rebecca holds an MBA in Finance and is active in governance and community leadership. She serves on the Arvest Joplin Board, the Pittsburg State University Foundation Executive Board and Investment Committee, and the Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation Athletics Board and just wrapped up a six-year term on the Pittsburg Economic Development Advisory Committee, supporting local economic development priorities and strategic initiatives.
Shannon Pahls
Public Affairs Director
yes. every kid
Shannon Pahls serves as Public Affairs Director for yes. every kid., a leading national advocacy organization committed to advancing education freedom. Prior to joining yes. every kid., Shannon served as Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party, overseeing all party operations during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. She previously served as Communications Director in the Kansas Senate President’s Office. Shannon grew up in New Jersey and is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she earned a degree in Economics and Business Administration. She later received her Master’s in Journalism from Boston University. Shannon lives in Lawrence with her husband, Eric, and their son.
Joy Eakins
Cornerstone Data Inc.
Joy Eakins is the President and Founder of Cornerstone Data, a premier data analytics firm based in Wichita, Kansas. Since founding the company in 2008, she has led its growth to serve clients in over 160 cities across 27 states, making it one of the most successful analytics firms in Kansas. Cornerstone Data partners with both public and private sector organizations to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights. Joy brings deep expertise in programming, database design, and analytics—skills she honed in earlier roles at Milliman, Bell Labs, and Avaya. She holds an MS in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado Boulder. Beyond her professional work, Joy is deeply engaged in advancing communities across Kansas through civic leadership and volunteer service. She served as Board Chair of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2023 leading efforts to strengthen the business environment and support innovation. Her commitment to education and innovation has included board roles with Wichita Public Schools and Youth Horizons, as well as helping launch FlagshipKansas.Tech to grow the state’s technology sector. Joy regularly lends her voice to state-level conversations on education and tech policy, advocating for a stronger future for Kansas.
Brianne Johnson
Security Benefit
Brianne Johnson manages the key relationships with our large-scale independent Broker-Dealer distribution partners. Developing strategic partnerships, she drives incremental and sustainable business development, facilitates sales opportunities, and executes on corporate strategies. Brianne’s experience has been in retail banking and financial services, joining Security Benefit in 2013. She has worked with independent financial professionals in a consultative role on individual retirement savings, annuity sales, and qualified retirement plans. Most recently she managed our relationships with the National Education Association Member Benefits (NEAMB), Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). In addition to her current role, Brianne frequently speaks at industry conferences and events, with a specialization in Women & Money. Her speaking engagements have included events for the Kansas State Treasurer’s Office, The National Tax-Deferred Savings Association, The Los Angeles Dodgers, and numerous independent broker-dealer conferences. Brianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University, and her MBA from Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas. She is a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), a Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), and holds FINRA Series 6, 63 and insurance licenses.
Kimberly Read
Ameriprise Financial
Kimberly Read is a Private Wealth Advisor for the last 26 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC and a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for 2024 and 2025. She works with clients to inspire a more confident retirement, plan to simplify their lives, and reduce stress. By simplifying financial goals into achievable steps, she hopes to inspire clients to live more confident and fulfilled lives which will enable them to focus on what is most important. Kimberly resides in Wichita, KS with her husband and twin daughters. In her free time she likes to cook, read and dive into learning new things Professionally, I hold the AAMS™ and CRPC™ designations, and have passed the Series 7, 66, 24, 51, 9, and 10 exams. Over the years, I’ve been honored with several recognitions, including Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2024. 2025), Forbes Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors (2023, 2024, 2025), and the Ameriprise Ultimate Digital Excellence Award (2023, 2024). I’ve also received the Compass Personal Advisors Client Experience Award (2023), and have been part of the Ameriprise Circle of Success from 2006–2024, earning the Diamond Ring in 2020 for sustained excellence in serving clients.
Stacy Knoell
Executive Director
Kansas African American Affairs Commission (KAAAC)
Stacey Knoell is the Executive Director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission (KAAAC). In addition to her work with the KAAAC, she sits on the Johnson County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition, is president of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Black Leadership Council, and is the vice-chair of the Kansas 250 Commission, which is charged with overseeing Kansas’ celebration of the 250th anniversary of America. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Iowa and a degree in Deaf Communications and Interpreter Training from St. Louis Community College. She received her teaching certificate through Kansas University’s Transition to Teaching Program, which specifically recruited math and science teachers for the Kansas City, Kansas School District. Previously, Stacey worked in public schools as a sign language interpreter at Blue Springs South High School and as a math teacher at Fairfax Alternative High School and Central Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas. Stacey and her husband, Troy, reside in Olathe with their two daughters and their dog, Twix.
Shelly Triplett
Executive Assistant
KU Endowment
Shelly is in her sixth year with KU Endowment and recently stepped into a new role as Executive Assistant in the Investments Department. She supports the Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, along with the Vice President of Investments and Assistant Treasurer. Shelly is respected for being dependable and highly organized, and she’s trusted to keep projects moving forward while building strong, positive relationships along the way. Known for her compassion, curiosity, and creativity, Shelly brings a balanced approach to her work—combining thoughtful insight with discipline and purpose. She is deeply committed to accountability and strives to lead and serve with integrity in every role she undertakes. Shelly has been active in her local community for years. She previously served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of #BeMoreLikeClaire (now known as Claire’s Community), was a board member for Prince of Peace Preschool, and was involved with the Topeka Country Club Women’s Golf Association. She currently serves on the board of the K-Club, the former letterwinner society at the University of Kansas. Outside of work, Shelly is most proud of her family. Her son is a Certified Financial Planner based in Memphis, Tennessee; her daughter, who lives in Lawrence, works as a data analyst; and her son-in-law is an engineer with Schlumberger.
DeAnn Hill, CPA/CGMA/PFS
DeAnn Auman Hill, CPA
DeAnn Hill, CPA/CGMA/PFS is a lifelong resident of southeast Kansas. She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1980 with a degree in Business Administration. DeAnn’s firm, DeAnn Auman Hill, CPA, was created from small beginnings at the ripe old age of twenty-four, in a town of 4,000 people, with a borrowed desk, a small office within a local business, a pencil and a tablet of paper. The firm moved across the street into its own building 18 months later, where she practiced with her Team until 2022. She then sold to a larger multi office firm where she still practices part time. During her 4 decades of professional practice, DeAnn’s concentrations were tax preparation and planning, business/financial consulting, and family-owned businesses. She was also blessed with many opportunities. Some of her favorite roles: President of the Kansas Society of CPA’s, Board of Directors of the AICPA, Chief Financial Officer of The State of Kansas, Pittsburg State University Foundation Treasurer plus public speaking and mentorship opportunities across the country. Her latest and greatest gig ever is her current one, Geez, to 3 littles, 5 and two 2-year-olds. Of course, she has her kids Angie and Drew and their spouses Justin and Abbey, to thank for those little angels. She is also eternally grateful for her husband Doug who survived as her “plus one” through all the years of being the only male.
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The Kansas Financial Empowerment Foundation (KFEF), established in 2023, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing financial literacy and economic empowerment across Kansas. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and community outreach, KFEF equips individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve financial stability and success. As the primary organization behind Women & Money, KFEF is committed to fostering financial confidence, promoting informed decision-making, and ensuring that all Kansans have access to valuable educational resources that support their long-term financial well-being.