2021 Empower Gala - Empower Leadership Academy

Join us for a meaningful evening and support the mission of TeamWomen and Empower Leadership Academy.

Our virtual 2021 Empower Gala will support TeamWomen and Empower Leadership Academy’s pursuit of inspiring women and girls to rise together through leadership development, mentoring, and youth empowerment.

Our sponsors and partners will also share details about their dedication to making a difference in the world, one woman and girl at a time.

For organizations and individuals interested in making a greater impact, we have several sponsorship opportunities and levels available for this event. We also are looking for donations! If you’re interested in donating to our auction, please contact Malyn at malyn@teamwomenmn.org.

Registration is now closed. If you would still like to attend virtually, please contact Malyn Banitt-Moore at malyn@teamwomenmn.org.

Check Out the Auction!

Special Guest Emcee Lea B. Olsen

Since playing basketball for the University of Minnesota, where she studied journalism and mass communication, Lea has worked for NBCSN, ESPN’s national WNBA coverage, and currently is a game analyst for the Minnesota Lynx, as well as a sideline reporter for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Fox Sports North. Lea has also broadcast both the boys and girls Minnesota State high school basketball tournaments.

Founder of her nonprofit Rethink the Win, Lea now champions young athletes as complete people and the positive impacts of sports beyond the game.

Lea has been a public advocate for promoting women in the media, served on the Minnesota Twins Community Foundation Board, and served at the invitation of Governor Mark Dayton on the Minnesota State High School League Board. She has also mentored African American athletes at the University of Minnesota, moderated a civil rights discussion featuring U.S. Congressman John Lewis, and interviewed Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Hear From Our Alumni

JasmineHigh School Senior, New York

“My mother has spent my whole life trying to form me into a “confident, strong leader” but it wasn’t until I joined Empower Leadership Academy last summer that I understood what she was talking about. The goals for Empower are to inspire, develop, and empower the next generation of female leaders, and the classes focus on developing leadership, confidence, resilience, and wellbeing through a series of very concrete exercises. We didn’t just talk about ideas — we practiced them. One early lesson in confidence was on public speaking. I had to tell a story (over Zoom) about a random object in my room. When it was my turn to talk, I picked up a set of car keys lying on a shelf, and told a funny story about everyone in the family grabbing the wrong keys while on vacation. Just like that, I had completed my first lesson in public speaking and it was not as scary as I thought it would be. Over the summer, my skills improved. I learned to think on my feet, speak under pressure, talk for a certain amount of time, and really listen to the critique by my classmates.

“I strongly believe that if you can learn to master the four pillars of Empower, you can learn to do anything. Empower taught me to be confident in the choices I make and the values I stand for. It taught me that being a leader isn’t just about making group choices and calling it good, but rather about listening to others’ opinions and making sure that they feel heard.

“It is so important that young girls of my generation are educated on how to create change and be leaders. My mother used to tell me ‘bossy girls become leaders.’ As I think about all that I’ve learned, I think it should be ‘confident girls become leaders’ instead.”

AlenaHigh School Senior, Minnesota

Premier Sponsor

Champagne Toast Sponsor

Pillar Sponsor

Leadership Sponsor

Empower Champion Sponsor

Lori Seviola

Special Sponsor

In-Kind Sponsor

Sponsorship Opportunities

PREMIER SPONSOR
$7,500

SOLD

Hosted private watch party with local influencer (food and drinks provided)
Host the virtual reception prior to the event (plus meet-and-greet with emcee on Zoom)
Recognition in media coverage and advertising (interviews, press releases and social media)
Opportunity to host 3-hour Empower Leadership Academy for the group of your choice
Hyperlinked logo on event page — 51,600+ website visits per month
Logo recognition throughout event
Inclusion in thank you announcements during event
Opportunity to provide video (featured during conference video loop and social media)
Complimentary passes for the Twin Cities Film Fest’s Her Series in October
(5) TeamWomen and Empower Leadership Academy social media posts — 35,000+ impressions per month

CHAMPAGNE TOAST SPONSOR
$5,000

SOLD

(Greet and Welcome All Attendees and Introduce Emcee Lea B. Olsen)

Opportunity to host a 3-hour Empower Leadership Academy for the group of your choice
Hyperlinked logo on event page — 51,600+ website visits per month
Inclusion in thank you announcements during event
Opportunity to provide video (featured during conference video loop and social media)
(4) TeamWomen and Empower Leadership Academy social media posts — 35,000+ impressions per month

PILLAR SPONSOR
$2,500

(Confidence, Resilience, Leadership and Mental Wellness)

90-minute in-person or virtual leadership sessions with chosen “pillar name”
Hyperlinked logo on event page — 51,600+ website visits per month
Inclusion in thank you announcements during event
Opportunity to provide video (featured during conference video loop and social media)
(3) TeamWomen and Empower Leadership Academy social media posts — 35,000+ impressions per month

BECOME A SPONSOR

EMPOWER CHAMPION SPONSOR
$1,000

Hyperlinked logo on event page — 51,600+ website visits per month
Inclusion in thank you announcements during event
Opportunity to provide video (featured during conference video loop and social media)
(3) TeamWomen and Empower Leadership Academy social media posts — 35,000+ impressions per month