2025 WONL Annual Conference
The Ingleside Hotel
2810 Golf Road
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 4:00pm CT - Friday, September 19, 2025 at 1:00pm CT
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Info
Topic
The POWER OF STORYTELLING!!!
Credits Offered
This event offers 16.0 CEU credits to attendees.
Attachments
Additional Information
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Sep. 17, 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PMWONL Board Meeting
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Sep. 17, 2025
3:00 PM - 8:00 PMPre-conference Activities
- Poster Showcase
- Exhibitor Set-up (Lake Country Ballroom)
- Conference Registration (Hallway - Lake Country Ballroom)
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Sep. 17, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PMWelcome Reception
Heavy Appetizers, Cash Bar
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Sep. 18, 2025
6:00 AM - 7:30 AMExhibitor Set-up, con't
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Sep. 18, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMConference Registration/Visit Exhibitors and Posters
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Sep. 18, 2025
8:30 AM - 8:45 AMWelcome
Dennise Lavrenz, MBA, RN, CENP
WONL President -
Sep. 18, 2025
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM RaDonda VaughtCriminalizing Errors
RaDonda Vaught will share her profoundly personal story. Ms. Vaught’s case made headlines in March 2022 when a jury found her guilty of criminally negligent homicide and gross neglect of an impaired adult in the death of a patient to whom she accidentally gave the wrong medication. She will speak firsthand on the impact this sentinel event has had on her life and her profession, along with the implications of the legal actions that followed. A passionate advocate for safety and improvement, her story will be one that is not easily forgotten.
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Sep. 18, 2025
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM Deb Zimmerman, RN
AONL President, CEO Daisy AwardThe Power of Nurse Leadership: Influence, Impact, and the HumanCon nection
In this session, Deb Zimmermann, President of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and CEO of The DAISY
Foundation, will explore how nurse leaders make a lastingdiff erence within their organizations, across the profession, and
in the lives of those they serve. Drawing on national insights and frontline experiences, she will highlight how purposeful
leadership grounded in compassion, connection, and courage fuels innovation, drives outcomes, and shapes the future of
healthcare. Attendees will leave with renewed inspiration and practical strategies to lead with meaning and make what matters
most truly visible.
Learning Objectives
1. Describe how nurse leaders can leverage purpose-driven leadership to influence outcomes, inspire teams, and shape
organizational culture.
2. Identify strategies that strengthen human connection,recognition, and visibility of nursing’s impact across healthcare systemsBreak/Visit Exhibitors and Posters
Sep. 18, 2025
11:45 AM - 1:15 PMLuncheon and Business Meeting
Busniess Meeting: 12:00 - 1:00PM
Visit Exhibitors and Posters -
Sep. 18, 2025
1:15 PM - 2:15 PMWisconsin Legislative Update
Ann Zenk, RN, BSN, MHA Sr. Vice President Workforce and Clinical Practice, WHA
- Hear up-to-date information on workforce trends and policy challenges facing Wisconsin hospitals, health systems and
health care organizations. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of workforce, regulatory and legislative issues
that impact nurses, nursing practice and nurse leaders; and recommendations to improve our state’s health care workforce -
Sep. 18, 2025
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM Christine Gall, DrPH, MS, BSN
Chief Nursing Officer, Collette HealthThe healthcare industry is rich with innovative solutions and presents exciting opportunities to enhance implementation
and adoption approaches. Often the key to success isn’t related to technology, but to compelling narratives that inspire
nursing teams to act. This presentation provides a roadmap for leveraging nursing leadership to drive meaningful change
through strategic storytelling to implement and scale nurse-driven programs across multiple hospital settings and foster sustainable improvements through proven change management principles.Break/Visit Exhibitors and Posters
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Sep. 18, 2025
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM Jackie Gaines Huron GroupIn today’s environment, leaders are challenged each day to perform at the top of their license or professional credentials to
position organizations for success. High performance occurs when we find the magic combination of skill, purpose and
passion in our teams. In other words, “Meaning, Autonomy, Growth, Impact, and Connection.” This session will offer leading
practices for finding and leveraging the power of magic for high performance.
Learning Objectives
1. Discuss the impact of 4 years of crisis leadership due to
COVID and how leaders solidify their foundation for future
viability
2. Enhance leadership skills in navigating uncertainty
3. Discuss the essential leadership skills and practices of high
performing team
4. Learn the success factors needed to turn strategic priorities
into results -
Sep. 18, 2025
5:00 PM - 5:30 PMAdjourn/Visit Exhibitors and Posters
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Sep. 18, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PMAwards Dinner
Presentation of the WONL Nurse Leader of the Year awards
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Sep. 19, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMBreakfast/Visit Exhibitors and Posters
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Sep. 19, 2025
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM :April Hanson, MSN, RNSep. 19, 2025
9:45 AM - 10:15 AMBreak/Visit Exhibitors and Posters
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Sep. 19, 2025
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Amelie KaramWe All Have A Story
Through time, different generations have experienced traumatic national events as well as personal stories that shaped them. Today is no different. This talk enlightens the audience on how these unique stories, both those experienced publicly as well as privately, shape individuals of all generations. This knowledge and understanding helps individuals in the organization gain sympathy and empathy for each other, which helps create a healthier culture, a greater sense of teamwork, and ultimately a more successful and resilient organization.
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Sep. 19, 2025
11:30 AM - 12:00 PMPrize Drawings
Raffles and Silent Auction
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Sep. 19, 2025
12:00 PM - 12:00 PMConference Closing
Handouts
Interested In Attending This Event?
Additional Registration Information:
Member: $400
Non-member: $450
Student: $350
Member Poster Presenter: $250
Non-member Poster Presenter: $300