Know Your Worth: Women, Wealth & the Power to Build What Matters
The Commodore
1807 Nagawicka Rd.
Hartland WI, 53029
5:00pm-8:00pm
Benefiting: Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County
Complimentary food and drink served throughout the evening
What does it truly mean for women to build wealth — and to recognize their own worth along the way?
Join us for an inspiring evening of conversation, connection, and purpose as four accomplished women share the defining moments that shaped their financial journeys. Through personal stories of leadership, resilience, reinvention, and impact, each will explore how confidence, values, and life experiences influence the way women approach money, success, and legacy.
More than a conversation, this event is also an opportunity to support and celebrate women in our community. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy interactive experiences featuring local women-owned businesses, unique goods and services, special fundraising activities, and more — with proceeds benefiting the Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County.
When women recognize their worth, they are empowered to make confident decisions about their finances, careers, families, businesses, and communities.
Ana Simpson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, the preeminent membership-based organization dedicated to helping all girls develop the confidence, determination, and skills needed to thrive in today’s world.
Most recently, Ana Simpson served as the Director of Community and Economic Development at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) between 2019-2023. In her role, she led a multidisciplinary team that focuses on community outreach, supplier diversity, and the growth of the authority’s network and capacity. She oversaw community affairs, the annual conference and event management, and strategic initiatives.
Prior to joining WHEDA, Ana had nearly 30-year career in retail, business and corporate banking, insurance, and non-profit management, with various Vice President roles within retail and corporate banking functions. At M3 Insurance, she served as a business development executive before making the transition to the non-profit sector, standing up a Small Business Administration program at WWBIC, The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC).
Throughout her career, Ana has served on numerous boards and community associations focused on business development expansion, entrepreneurship, and wealth building opportunities for marginalized and diverse communities, describing herself as a culture and equity warrior. Leadership roles include board positions for organizations like Family Services of Waukesha, La Casa de Esperanza, La Familia de Arte, and TEMPO (where she currently serves as the Vice Chair and sits on the membership committee). She was also appointed by Governor Tony Evers for the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability. In addition to board service, Ana has a robust background in community service. Most importantly, Ana was a former Girl Scout leader herself for over a decade and continues as an active mentor to young professional women.
Ana’s work has been recognized with several awards and honors, including the TEMPO Mentor Award, Madison 365 WI Most Influential Latino Leaders, Emerging Leader of Waukesha award, and Non-Profit Partner of the Year by the Veterans Chamber of Commerce while leading VBOC at WWBIC.
Originally from New York City, Ana has called southeast Wisconsin home for the past 35 years. Ana and her family have resided in Waukesha for the past nine years.
A lifelong Waukesha resident, Gina Sanchez Juarez has dedicated her professional life to improving the lives of individuals and families throughout Waukesha County, particularly those facing economic and systemic barriers.
During her 20 years at La Casa de Esperanza, she rose to serve as director of the Center for Financial Stability. Gina oversees a comprehensive suite of programs, including HUD-approved housing counseling, financial coaching, VITA free tax preparation, employment services, small dollar loan program, a new Lead Safe Homes Program, and asset-building initiatives that collectively help individuals and families achieve long-term financial stability. She ensures that families are not only prepared for home ownership on paper but are supported with dignity and practical tools for long-term success.
Gina’s leadership has directly strengthened families, stabilized neighborhoods, and helped to break cycles of generational poverty in Waukesha County. Her commitment extends to addressing critical issues such as generational poverty, child abuse, and domestic violence with a focus on prevention.
When her family faced homelessness, these experiences shaped, but never limited her – an experience she’s spoken about candidly. Gina transformed her adversity into a superpower, a source of deep empathy and authenticity that infuses her leadership. She shows women what’s possible and inspires women and girls to believe in their own possibilities.
Her lifelong commitment to giving back reflects a powerful narrative of resilience, leadership, and hope. Her service includes appointments, such as her role on the Environmental Justice Task Force for SEWRPC, where she advocates for fair and equitable systems that affect marginalized populations.
She was recognized by the City of Waukesha with a proclamation honoring “Gina Sanchez Day,” earned the UMOS Hispanic Woman of the Year Award, and the National Child Abuse Prevention Award, and she was honored with the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award.
Finance Student at Ivy College of Business | Iowa State University Collegiate Women in Business | Corporate Outreach Director Campus Service Council | Administrative Director