Women Helping WomenA legacy of servant leadership
The GWIL Legacy Club
Gustavus is known for its alumni support and GWIL is no exception. We are indebted to the many supporters and sponsors who dedicate time, money and resources to our organization. Help us honor the women who have created, led and provided momentum to this life-changing organization.
GWIL Co-Founders
All great things have small beginnings and that's how GWIL started. In 2010 as Kari Clark, Director of Principal Gifts at Gustavus, hosted lunches in Minneapolis featuring a variety of topics with notable alumna, Dr. Kathi Tunheim, associate professor of economics and management, was forming Women in Business Leadership, a campus-based, student-led organization. The two women blended their efforts, creating Gustavus Women in Leadership. The evolution established GWIL as the premier program for Gustavus women - formed with both alumna and students - to expand their professional potential and make life-long connections.
Dr. Kathi TunheimVice President for Mission, Strategy, and Innovation
Kari Clark '91Principal Consultant at Onebeehive Consulting, LLC
Directors Emerita |
Presidents |
|---|---|
| Sarah Cuthill '85 Jacque Brunsberg '81 |
2014 - 2016: Jann Eichlersmith '85 2016 - 2018: Anissa Mediger '94 2018 - 2020: Jacque Brunsberg '81 2020 - Present: Linda Norman Reding '81 |
Hall of Fame |
|
| Inducted in 2014: Marcia Page '82 Sarah Calhoon Cuthill '85 Kari Clark '91 Jann Eichlersmith '85 Grayce Belvedere-Young |
Inducted in 2020: Melinda Moen Batz '86 Katie Batz Bowell '13 Elizabeth Johnson '14 Kelsey Swanson Erickson '12 Ashley Michalko Adams '14 Anissa Mediger '94 Christy Morse '77 Debbie Curran McGarity '91 Jacque Brunsberg '81 Beth Sparboe Schnell '81 |
GWIL Mentoring Award |
|
| Linda Norman Reding '81 |
| Years | Student Co-Presidents | Conference Directors |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Elise Kalsnes '23 Liz Kirchner '23 |
N/A |
| 2021-2022 | Freya Nelson '22 Mackenzie Sullivan '22 |
Astrid Axtman '22 Haley Benda '22 Josie Bierbaum '23 Emma Ericson '24 Jill Schoen '22 |
| 2020-2021 | Ella Garry '21 Kate Holtan '21 Callie Mauston '21 |
N/A |
| 2019-2020 | Ella Garry '21 Ella Johnson '20 |
Lanie Altman '20 Linnea Anderson '20 Rachel Belvedere '20 Kate Holtan '21 ReAnn Eidahl '20 |
| 2018-2019 | Samantha Harbeck '19 Ella Johnson '20 |
Alexandra Anderson '19 Ellie Brandt '19 Rachel Belvedere '20 Kristie Tunheim '19 |
| 2017-2018 | Ellie Brandt '19 Claire Laakso '18 |
Anna Elvestrom '18 Erica Jenson '18 Benissa Uwamwiza '18 |
| 2016-2017 | Alex Kopp Majka '17 Mae Meierhenry '17 |
Lydia Kennedy '17 Katey Nelson '17 Tessa Semerad '17 |
| 2015-2016 | Anna Lundquist '16 Courtney Harbeck '16 |
Chloe Altmann '16 Casey Lindquist Theisen '16 Becca Woodstra '16 |
| 2014-2015 | Casey Lindquist Theisen '16 Carolyn Draayer '15 |
Elizabeth Strom Vine '15 Emily Gilman '15 |
| 2013-2014 | Ashley Michalko Adams '14 Rachelle Blaschko Eide '14 Caitlin Bayer '14 |
Elizabeth Johnson '14 Ellen Krueger '14 |
| 2012-2013 | Kelsey Kennedy '12 Jess Weber '13 |
Rachelle Blaschko Eide '14 Ashley Michalko Adams '14 |
| 2011-2012 | Kelsey Kennedy '12 Jess Weber '13 |
Kelsey Swanson Ericson '12 Stacey Tigges Lindeman '12 |
| 2010-2011 | Katie Ness Breckner '12 Abby Roff Olson '12 |