The interim director of the Women’s Leadership Institute shares thoughts on service through Christ and the future of WLI.
Katherine Pietrantonio believes every woman has the capacity to be a leader and a role model, no matter the titles she may or may not hold in life. Through an understanding of Christian vocation, all people are called by Christ to make the most of every opportunity He places in front of them.
“Leadership doesn’t have to look like anything in particular,” says Pietrantonio. “It can be a mother at home or in a work setting, in the community or within the church. We’re all serving in our own spheres in the way that God has called us to. We don’t need to be anything bigger or less than where we are right now.”
Pietrantonio is putting this philosophy into action as Interim Director of the Women’s Leadership Institute. WLI is a servant institute of Concordia University Wisconsin. She succeeds Darcy Paape, who served as director since 2014 before she accepted a call this past spring to serve as Youth Director at First Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Cedarburg, WI.
Pietrantonio is a two-time CUW alumna. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Business Administration in nonprofit management in 2022. This year, she adds the interim director duties to her role as library assistant at Concordia. She began working in Concordia’s Rincker Memorial Library following her graduation. During this time, her husband, James, earned his PharmD from CUW’s School of Pharmacy.
What is the Women’s Leadership Institute?
Designed to serve the laity of the church, the Women’s Leadership Institute exists to educate, encourage, and embolden Christian women for exemplary leadership. The institute, which was founded in 2003, is one of several servant institutes at Concordia that serve as an arm of university operations but maintain their own operating boards and mission objectives. WLI’s vision is to be a growing community of confident and competent Christian women leaders who “shine brightly in the dark” and influence others towards godly excellence.
Through efforts such as an awards program, guest speakers, and the institute’s hallmark mentoring program, WLI serves predominantly two audiences: students of Concordia University Wisconsin and Christian women within the community and church at large.
Leadership through Christ
In her own life, Pietrantonio is leading in many ways. A mother to 1-year-old James, she balances her roles as a wife and mom with her responsibilities at Concordia. Pietrantonio says the interim director position will add some busyness to her life, but she’s up for the challenge.
“I’m very good at coming in, assessing where things are at, and identifying where we need to go in the future,” she says. “Plus, the professors I learned from are now people I’m working alongside, which is really exciting.”
WLI in the next year
Foundationally, the institute remains centered in conversation, mentoring, and women connecting with women, but Pietrantonio’s contributions will add a new flavor to the mission.
Many of the same programs and events of WLI will continue through the next year, including the Women of Influence Award dinner and student awards in the fall. The Growing Together mentoring program will also continue, this year in partnership with the newly formed CMLT group EmpowHer.
In partnership with EmpowHer, WLI will implements its transformative Growing Together program to match Christian women in the community with CUW students on campus. These pairings will meet throughout the year for engaging and meaningful conversation.
“Concordia does a fantastic job at providing opportunities for peer leadership experiences, and then you obviously have the classroom dynamic where students are receiving teaching and guidance from professors in a group setting,” Pietrantonio explains. “The one-on-one conversation and guidance that a mentor can provide is so valuable too, and that’s what EmpowHer seeks to cultivate.”
WLI is seeking women who would be willing to mentor a CUW student as part of the EmpowHer program. Applications for the program at due Sept. 4. Click here to learn more and to sign up to become a mentor.
Want in?
Other events are in the works for the 2024-25 academic year. Be sure to watch CUW’s upcoming events page for the latest WLI events, or check out the Women’s Leadership Institute website.