March Newsletter 2026 
President's Message
Strength in Connection: A Message from the President
Dear Members,
At our recent gathering, Angela Larson, CEO Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, shared a deeply personal story about the profound influence of her mother. She spoke about how her mother’s unwavering faith shaped her resilience, her leadership, and her courage to persevere through challenge. What struck me most was not only the power of that faith, but how it became a foundation — a rooting — from which she continues to grow and rise.
Strength does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it looks like quiet consistency. Sometimes it looks like sacrifice. Sometimes it looks like belief — in ourselves, in our purpose, and in something greater than the moment in front of us.
Many of us can point to women — mothers, mentors, colleagues, friends — whose example helped shape the professionals and leaders we are today. Their lessons, whether spoken or modeled, are woven into how we show up in our careers and in this organization.
As an all-women professional networking community, our collective strength lies not only in individual accomplishment but in connection. When we share our stories, when we support one another’s ambitions, and when we lead with integrity and conviction, we rise together. That spirit will continue next month as we welcome a speaker who will challenge us to reflect on and honor our own journeys — the pivots, the perseverance, the lessons, and the growth that have shaped who we are as leaders. Taking time to recognize our path is not indulgent; it is empowering. It reminds us of the strength we carry forward.
Looking ahead to April, I am especially excited for our Professional Development Day — a dedicated opportunity to invest intentionally in ourselves. Growth requires courage and commitment. It requires us to stretch, to learn, and sometimes to step outside of our comfort zones. Professional Development Day is designed to equip us with the tools, insights, and connections that allow us to continue rising — not individually, but collectively.
I encourage each of you to attend, invite a colleague, and fully engage in the opportunities ahead. When we commit to our own growth and to the growth of one another, we embody what it truly means to be rooted in strength and rising together. I look forward to seeing you next month and continuing this powerful journey side by side.
With gratitude and confidence in our journey forward,
Danielle Burza-Smith
President, RNPW
Member News and Events
Dr. Katie Thomas
Millennial Executive Coach
CEO + Founder Better Work Experience Inc.
Phone: 1(815) 708-5049
Email: drkatie@
Website: www.
Tandy Fischer
Million $ Cadillac Sales Director
815.742.MKAY(6529)
marykay.com/tandy
Leaders don’t always need more people or more money — they need better stewardship of what they already have.
The Stewardship Starter Series is a free, practical 3-part training designed for leaders who want clarity, alignment, and momentum. You’ll learn how to leverage Working Genius for greater productivity, implement a repeatable Volunteer Management Framework, and use role-based Annual Planning to keep priorities on track all year.
Join one or attend all three. Each session is simple, actionable, and immediately applicable. Scan QR code to register today — and bring your team. Clarity works better together.
Name: Brooke Hall
Title/Role/Organization: Owner/Hall Stewardship Strategies
Type of Submission: Events
JPEG- Included below
Link: https://www.hallstewardshipstrategies.com/resources
Welcome New Members
To our newest members,
We are so glad you’re here! WELCOME!!
This community is made up of professional women from all walks of life — leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and those growing into their next season. What connects us is a shared commitment to growth, encouragement, and lifting one another higher.
Here, you’ll find inspiration, practical insight, and a network of women who understand both the challenges and the victories of professional life.
Thank you for joining us. We look forward to growing, learning, and leading alongside you. Make sure to meet someone new, and introduce yourself at the next meeting!
Welcome — you belong here!
Member Spotlight
This month, we’re proud to spotlight a woman who truly understands the power of connection. Maureen Solverson
With a lifelong career in sales, she has built her professional journey around one simple principle: helping people find the solutions they need. For her, sales has never been about transactions — it’s about relationships. Networking isn’t just part of her job; it’s something she genuinely enjoys. She thrives on coming alongside others, promoting their work, and helping them amplify their message.
Through American Solutions for Business (ABS), she partners with organizations to strengthen and share their mission. From branded merchandise and custom print to direct mail strategy, warehousing, office supplies, and even fully customized eCommerce platforms, she helps businesses streamline their marketing and operations with clarity and purpose.
Her approach to business is deeply personal. With roots tracing back to the Joyce family of Galway, designers of the Claddagh ring, she embraces its meaning — friendship, loyalty, and love — as the foundation of every relationship she builds.
Guided by Zig Ziglar’s belief that helping others succeed leads to your own success, she continues to identify opportunities, anticipate needs, and sustain meaningful partnerships.
Her work reminds us that when relationships come first, success follows.
Want to get to know Maureen, or need help with your marketing "Swag" Reach out: 815-608-9304
· E-mail: [email protected]
· Website: https://asb-maureensolverson.dcpromosite.com
This month, we’re also excited for you to get to know Ann Kossman, Business Development Specialist at Rock Valley Credit Union — and a true relationship builder at heart.
Ann has built her career around connection. From her time with the Bank of Montreal’s Wealth Management team to leadership roles with the Parks Chamber of Commerce and The Studio Rockford, she has consistently brought people together through education, events, and strategic partnerships. She thrives in spaces where collaboration, communication, and community intersect.
Today at Rock Valley Credit Union, Ann works closely with businesses and individuals to help them reach their financial goals with confidence. She is especially passionate about financial education for women, encouraging them to understand their numbers, build independence, and protect their future.
Beyond her professional life, Ann has dedicated over a decade to Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish Illinois, reflecting her deep commitment to serving others.
If you’re looking to strengthen your financial knowledge, host a workplace financial education session, build community partnerships, or explore how Rock Valley Credit Union can support your business — Ann would love to connect.
📞 815-655-8515 815-282-0300
📧 [email protected]
🌐 rockvalleycreditunion.org
Be sure to introduce yourself — she just might become one of your greatest advocates
Website Tips and Tricks
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW WEBSITE! YOU MUST GO CHECK IT OUT!
A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE TEAM AT ADVICE MARKETING FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!
Monthly Luncheons
Make sure to sign up for this month's lunch featuring Jennifer Muraski!
March 17, 2026 Luncheon Meeting
March 17, 2026 | 11:30 AM CDT - 1:00 PM CDT
Add to Calendar
Rockford University Regents Hall - Burpee Student Center | 5050 E State St
Rockford, IL 61108
Venue website
Direction
Jennifer P. Muraski currently serves as the elected Coroner of Winnebago County. With nearly 30 years of experience in death care, public service and grief support, she has spent much of her life walking alongside families during some of their most difficult moments. A lifelong resident of Rockford, Jennifer began her career in funeral service at the age of 20 through an apprenticeship at Olson Funeral Home, an opportunity that shaped not just her career, but her calling.
Her professional path took a deeply personal turn when she lost her husband to cancer at a young age while working full-time as a funeral director. That experience profoundly impacted how she approached her role, offering a new depth of empathy and connection with the families she served. Grief became more than something she understood professionally, it became something she knew firsthand.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has also supported the funeral profession in other ways, including running two small local businesses: a staffing company that provided support to area funeral homes and a monument business that helped families create meaningful memorials. While these ventures were part of her professional journey, they were always rooted in the same mission, to honor life and support others through loss.
Jennifer’s commitment to community extends beyond her daily work. Over the years, she has contributed her time to several local boards and coalitions focused on child advocacy, overdose prevention, mental health, domestic violence awareness, and youth development. Her involvement with Winnebago County CASA and other outreach initiatives through the Coroner’s Office reflect her belief in showing up, consistently and with heart.
As Coroner, Jennifer has prioritized education, prevention and public engagement. With a focus on transparency and innovation, she has helped modernize the office while keeping community service at the center of its mission. Her work includes promoting safe infant sleep practices, raising awareness around the opioid crisis and offering grief education and resources to the public.
Through “Honor Her Journey,” Jennifer will share her personal and professional experiences, shaped by loss, resilience and service - and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Her message is about healing and the importance of honoring every journey, including our own.
All members have logins and passwords and must register for meetings with your login, do not register as a guest. If you do not remember your login or password, click the link for it to be retrieved. You can also email [email protected] for further help.
Members-To-Be are welcome to attend two meetings/events before deciding to join our thriving group!
Member referral is not a requirement to attend or join.
Late fee of $5.00 is assessed at 11:45pm the Wednesday before the event.
Tickets
$27.00 Member Ticket
$32.00 after 11:45 pm March 11
$27.00 Guest Ticket
$32.00 after 11:45 pm March 11
Teachable Moments
Owning Your Voice – Speaking Up in Meetings, Negotiations, and Leadership Spaces
Let’s talk about something we’ve all experienced. You’re in a meeting. You have a great idea. You rehearse it in your head. And then… the moment passes. Or worse — someone else says almost the exact same thing five minutes later and everyone loves it.
Sound familiar?
Owning your voice isn’t about dominating the room. It’s about deciding that what you have to say is worth hearing. Because it is. Your experience, your background, your instincts — they bring something no one else can.
Here’s what I’ve learned: preparation is confidence’s best friend. Before a meeting, jot down one or two points you want to contribute. If you’re not sure how to jump in, try simple phrases like, “I’d love to add something here,” or “Can I offer another perspective?” You don’t need a dramatic entrance — just a clear one.
And let’s retire the word “just.” As in, “I just think…” No, you think. Period.
In negotiations, state your value plainly. You’ve earned your seat at that table — you don’t have to shrink in it. Sit tall. Pause. Let your words land.
When you own your voice, you’re not only advocating for yourself. You’re quietly showing other women in the room that theirs matter too. And that’s powerful.