From Expert to Strategic Leader Making the Shift That Sets You Apart

Elevate Her Network Women's Networking Luncheon

From Expert to Strategic Leader

Making the Shift That Sets You Apart

Friday, October 23, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The District Edina | Nine Mile Gallery + Event Center

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, nonprofit leader, manager, or emerging leader, this luncheon is designed to help you elevate your leadership, expand your influence, and think beyond today's responsibilities to shape tomorrow's opportunities.

At Elevate Her Network, we believe women don't just deserve a seat at the table—they deserve to lead the conversation. Our monthly luncheons bring together ambitious women from across the Twin Cities to learn from exceptional leaders, build authentic relationships, and gain practical strategies they can immediately apply in their businesses, organizations, and careers.

Featured Keynote Speaker

Janet L. Polach, Ph.D.

Executive Leadership Coach | Strategic Leadership Expert | Author

We're honored to welcome Janet L. Polach, Ph.D. as our featured keynote speaker. Drawing on decades of experience coaching senior executives, nonprofit leaders, board members, and entrepreneurs, Janet has helped countless leaders move beyond simply being the expert in the room to becoming strategic leaders who inspire, influence, and create lasting impact. In today's rapidly changing business environment, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. The leaders who create lasting success are those who know how to think strategically, influence others, and lead organizations toward the future.

During this engaging keynote, Janet will challenge attendees to rethink what leadership truly requires and provide practical tools to help women elevate from executing the work to leading the vision. Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, serving on a board, growing a nonprofit, or building your own business, you'll leave with a new perspective on what it takes to become the leader others naturally follow.

You'll discover:

–The critical differences between expert, operational, and strategic leadership.

Understand the distinct mindsets that separate high-performing contributors from transformational leaders and learn where you currently spend most of your leadership energy.

–How strategic leader mindsets distinguish top executives.

Discover the thinking patterns, habits, and leadership behaviors that allow influential leaders to create vision, inspire others, and drive long-term success.

–Why leaders get stuck in tactical execution—and how to shift.

Many accomplished women become known as the person who gets things done. Learn why this strength can sometimes become the very thing that limits advancement—and how to move beyond it.

–How to balance doing, leading, and shaping the future.

Walk away with practical strategies to spend less time reacting and more time creating, influencing, and leading with intention.

Why This Conversation Matters

Many women are promoted because they're excellent at what they do. But leadership isn't simply about doing more. It's about thinking differently. It's about creating vision instead of just executing it. It's about empowering others instead of carrying everything yourself. And it's about making decisions today that shape the future of your organization, business, and community. If you've ever found yourself feeling stuck in the day-to-day demands of leadership while longing to operate at a higher level, this conversation is for you.

Why Attend?

✔ Learn from one of today's respected leadership experts

✔ Strengthen your executive presence and strategic thinking

✔ Gain practical leadership tools you can immediately implement

✔ Connect with accomplished women from across the Twin Cities

✔ Enjoy a delicious catered lunch

✔ Expand your professional network

✔ Leave inspired to lead with greater confidence and intention

Whether you're leading a team of two or an organization of two hundred, this luncheon will help you think bigger, lead stronger, and create greater impact.

About Janet L. Polach, Ph.D.

Janet L. Polach, Ph.D., is an executive leadership coach, author, speaker, and trusted advisor who has spent her career helping leaders unlock their full potential. With extensive experience coaching senior leaders across corporate, nonprofit, government, and entrepreneurial sectors, Janet specializes in helping professionals strengthen their leadership presence, think more strategically, and lead organizations through growth and change. Her practical, engaging approach equips leaders with the mindset shifts and tools they need to move from operational excellence to strategic leadership.

Event Details

Friday, October 23, 2026

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The District Edina Penthouse Level – Nine Mile Gallery + Event Center (Edina, Minnesota)

Investment

EHN Members: $40 Guests: $55

Lunch is included with your registration.

11:00-11:30AM Welcome and Open Networking

11:30AM Lunch and Keynote

12:30PM-1PM Q+A, Sponsor Features, Member Announcements, and Closing RemarksA heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for helping make this luncheon possible:

Thank You to Our Gracious Sponsors

The next level of your leadership doesn't require you to work harder. It requires you to think differently. Join us for an afternoon that will help you move beyond being known as the expert and step confidently into becoming the strategic leader your business, organization, and community need. Invest in yourself. Expand your influence. Lead with intention.

My Marketing Strategists – Community Sponsor

The District Edina – Venue Sponsor

Linli Studo – Media Sponsor

Janet L. Polach, Ph.D. – Featured Keynote Speaker

Your partnership helps us continue creating spaces where women connect, grow, and thrive.

Reserve Your Seat Today

We can't wait to welcome you for an unforgettable afternoon of leadership, learning, and connection.

Real Conversations. Real Growth. Real Women.

Interested in sponsoring? Become a Community Sponsor and recieve 2 tickets for admission + brand recognition. (952) 652-7070 or support@elevatehernetwork.com