September Newsletter 2026 
President's Message
As we begin a new year with the Rockford Network of Professional Women, I am incredibly honored and excited to serve as your President.
I have been a part of RNPW for nearly a decade, and during that time, I have experienced firsthand what makes this organization so special. Since 1981, RNPW has been bringing women together to support one another in civic, professional, and personal growth.
To me, RNPW is so much more than a networking group. It is a community of women who connect, build meaningful relationships, share their experiences, support one another, and continue to grow both personally and professionally. I am proud to be part of an organization with such a long-standing history and even prouder to have the opportunity to serve as President.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our past President, Danielle Burza-Smith, for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to RNPW. I am grateful for all she has done for our organization and for the foundation she has helped create for the year ahead.
I also want to recognize and thank our former board members and members who have stepped down from their leadership roles this year, Mary Maxted and Karen Tilly. Your time, energy, and contributions have helped shape RNPW, and we are incredibly grateful for all you have given to this organization.
As I look ahead to this new year, I am excited for the opportunities we have to continue building connections, welcoming new members, learning from one another, and creating experiences that help women thrive. From our luncheons and special events to our mentorship and scholarship programs, RNPW continues to create meaningful opportunities for women in our community.
I cannot wait to kick off the 2026–2027 year with all of you at our Kickoff Event on September 22 at Hidden Creek Estates. It will be a wonderful evening to reconnect, meet new faces, celebrate RNPW, and look ahead to all that this new year has in store. We will also unveil our new theme and speaker schedule for the year.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your President. I am truly excited for this next chapter and for everything we will accomplish together.
Here’s to another year of connecting, empowering, inspiring, and growing together.
I can’t wait to see you on September 22!
Warmly,
Emily
President, Rockford Network of Professional Women
Member News and Events
You loved this event, and we are bringing it back!
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/she-means-business-2026-tickets-1993546996732?aff=oddtdtcreator
· Event: SHE MEANS BUSINESS
· Date: October 1, 2026
· Time: 5PM-7PM
· Food and beverages provided
· Bring a friend
· Location: Main Branch – 1825 N Perryville Rd. Rockford IL
Danielle N. DeDario, MBA
Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
Wintrust Commercial Banking
Rockford Community Bank
O: 815-523-1437 | M: 815-871-5901| [email protected]
Cider N’ Cinnamon at Edgebrook!
The Cider N' Cinnamon Arts & Crafts Fair
Saturday, October 3 | 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday, October 4 | 10 AM–4 PM
Browse 75+ vendors featuring unique handmade items, home décor, clothing, fall favorites, gifts, and so much more!
Enjoy live music and all the sights, sounds, and flavors of the season.
A great way to kick off your holiday shopping and enjoy a fun-filled fall weekend at Edgebrook!
Sandy Dingus, Marketing and Events Coordinator
1639 N. Alpine Rd - Suite 503 Rockford, IL 61107
Office: 815-398-8957
Email: [email protected] www.edgebrookshops.com
4472 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61109
In partnership with InCrowd815 • A Charity Event Benefiting Rock House Kids
FUN FALL NETWORKING
Thursday, September 24 | 5:30–8:30 PM Join us for a fun fall evening of networking while supporting Rock House Kids!
FREE TO ATTEND
Come network, enjoy complimentary cocktails & mocktails and farm-to-table food, and spend the evening with us. No purchase or activity participation is required.
WANT TO GET CREATIVE? • $30 — DO ONE OR DO THEM ALL!
100% of your $30 is donated to Rock House Kids.
🌻 You-Pick Flowers • 🌽 Mini Corn Brooms
🌿 Blend Herbal Salts • 🎃 Decoupage Mini Pumpkins
PLUS: Door Prizes & 50/50 Raffle
Come to network, enjoy some great food and fall fun, and help us support local kids right here in our community.
Michelle Cox
The Landscape Connection & Stems Floral & More [email protected] 815-540-8835
Inspirations
Grow Where You Connect
As we begin another RNPW year, I can't help but get excited about all that's ahead. September always feels like a fresh start. New members join us, familiar faces return, and before we know it, another year of learning, laughter, networking, and friendships is underway.
Networking has changed a lot over the years. It's no longer about walking into a room hoping to hand out as many business cards as possible. The best networking happens when we slow down, have real conversations, and genuinely get to know one another.
Think about it...
How many opportunities in your life came from someone you knew?
Maybe someone recommended you for a job.
Maybe someone referred a customer to your business.
Maybe someone simply believed in you when you needed it most.
Those moments all started with one connection.
One conversation.
One introduction.
At RNPW, we have something pretty special. We bring together women from all walks of life—business owners, educators, healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders, retirees, entrepreneurs, and women just beginning their careers. Every one of us has a different story, different experiences, and different gifts to share.
Imagine what can happen when we intentionally take the time to know one another.
This month, I encourage you to look beyond the people you already know. Sit at a different table. Introduce yourself to someone new. Ask questions. Listen to their story. You may discover a new client, a future collaborator, a mentor, or even a lifelong friend.
The strongest professional relationships aren't built overnight. They're built one conversation at a time.
Over the coming months, our newsletter will explore ideas that help us grow professionally, strengthen our businesses and careers, and continue building the kind of community that makes RNPW such a valuable organization. I hope each issue leaves you with something to think about, something to try, and maybe even someone new to connect with.
Here's to another year of growing, learning, and supporting one another.
I'll see you at our first meeting!
Network Connections
This Month's Connection Challenge
At our Kick-Off in September, try one (or all) of these:
- Introduce yourself to 3 women you've never met.
- Sit at a new table
- Invite another member to coffee.
- Send a note of encouragement or congratulations.
- Share a referral or resource that could help another member.
- Follow up with someone you meet within 48 hours
You never know where one conversation might lead.
🌿 Networking Tips From Women Who Know
Since this month’s challenge is all about making new connections, I asked four RNPW women to share the networking tip they swear by. Their answers were simple—and really good reminders that great networking starts with being genuine.
Jamie Bejot – MembersAlliance Credit Union
“Be a connector, not a collector.”
Kristine Geddes – Keller Williams Realty Signature
“Listen more than you talk.”
Diane James
“Look them in the eye, smile, and have a firm handshake.”
Karla Lombardo – Colorwave Graphics
“Smile and think about making a friend, not a sale.”
Notice what none of them said? Sell yourself. Instead, they talked about listening, smiling, making real connections, and helping connect others. Maybe that’s the best networking tip of all: focus less on what you can get from the conversation and more on the person standing in front of you