JOIN OUR NEXT MEETING

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNER,

ENTREPRENEUR,

EMERGING LEADER,

ESTABLISHED LEADER,

OR SIMPLY CALLED TO LEAD

YOUR HOME FOR

NETWORKING, SUPPORT, RESOURCES, & MENTORSHIP

Resources & Support

When you come to a WiL meeting you become a part of a supportive, empowering community of women. Our goal is to support, encourage, inspire, and provide access to resources to support you in your leadership journey.

Our mission is to remove barriers to access the resources you need to lead. As a business owner, entrepreneur, professional, or community leader, WiL is here to support you and help you build bridges to your success.

YOUR HOME FOR

NETWORKING, SUPPORT, RESOURCES, & MENTORSHIP

Resources

& Support

When you come to a WIL meeting you become a part of a supportive, empowering community of women. Our goal is to support, encourage, inspire, and provide access to resources to support you in your leadership journey.

Our mission is to remove barriers to access the resources you need to lead. As a business owner, entrepreneur, professional, or community leader, WIL is here to support you and help you build bridges to your success.

Networking & Mentorship

You can't be successful alone!

Every WiL meeting focuses on helping you make the right connections and build the community you need to to thrive. You will be welcomed into a space with a diverse group of women who are gathered together in common goals.

At each meeting there will be time devoted to small group networking where you can make real connections that make a difference in your success.

Our speakers are hand-picked to provide the skills, mentorship, and resources that will help guide you on your leadership journey.

Networking

& Mentorship

You can't be successful alone!

Every WIL meeting focuses on helping you make the right connections and build the community you need to to thrive. You will be welcomed into a space with a diverse group of women who are gathered together in common goals.

JOIN OUR NEXT MEETING

Our Story

The founder of WiL, Carissa Karner, has been a supporter of women and women's empowerment since her days as an undergrad at Smith College, an all-women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts.

She has been helping women heal and find their voice in her psychotherapy practice, as a leadership & speaking coach, and leading women's groups for the past decade.

When she attended the Women's Conference put on by Speaker Anthony Rendon in early 2023, she had a vision...

Connect

One of your most valuable resources as an established or emerging leader is your community and your connections. You will find both here at WIL.

We aim to create a space that nurtures connection and networking as you establish valuable relationships and friendships with other women leaders. When you come to WIL you WILL feel the power of women lifting one another up.

Support

Our mission is to remove barriers to access the resources, support, and skills you need to advance as a leader. Our meeting fee is kept low so that all women can attend our monthly meeting and receive the benefits of joining our community.

If you have financial difficulty and can't afford the meeting fee, you can reach out to us to discuss options to get your fee waived.

Learn

We want to help you access the all the resources you need to succeed! Each meeting will include a speaker who has true value to provide to our community.

We carefully select our speakers so that you will leave each meeting with a new skill, increased confidence, and valuable tools so you can grow as a leader.

THE WiL TEAM

Carissa Karner

FOUNDER

Carissa is a licensed psychotherapist, a certified public speaking coach, and a fierce supporter of women.

She owns two businesses in Lakewood and has recently helped her husband, Brent Karner, start his entomological supply business in Los Angeles.

Carissa has also spoken and performed on 1000s of stages large and small; you can view here TEDX talk here.

She started WiL as a way to bring women together and provide unrestricted access to the community and support women need to be successful.

Anjetta McQueen Thackeray

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and CO-FOUNDER

Anjetta is a results-oriented union activist, communications strategist, and licensed attorney.

She is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of successful communications campaigns for labor unions, think tanks, news outlets, and advocacy programs.

Anjetta is an officer in her local Lakewood 1497 chapter of Toastmasters International, a leadership and public speaking organization, and a member of the 2024 cohort of the Lakewood Leadership Academy. She also co-owns The Appliance Coach, a Lakewood-based service business.

She also serves as the Communications Manager for a union of 35,000 nurses and healthcare professionals.

Anjetta was a journalist for 14 years, writing and editing for the Associated Press and other news organizations across the country. She has more than 20 years of labor union experience, including working for the National Education Association, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, and AFSCME. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Political Science, and a Juris Doctor.

Maria Silva-Palacios

CO-FOUNDER

For over 20 years, Dr. Maria Silva-Palacios has served in many leadership and safety professional roles in the utility and health and fitness industry. She is also a culture change-agent dedicated to building and fostering strong relationships with employees and leadership to transform organizations.

Dr. Maria received her Ed.D. in organizational change & leadership from the University of Southern California. She holds a MS in leadership and management with a concentration in organizational development and human resource management from the University of La Verne and a BA in kinesiology with a minor in business management.

She has been a speaker, presenter, and moderator at several health and safety as well as women's empowerment conferences. Because of her passion for health, fitness, and safety, she owns and operates Dungeon Fitness, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming and empowering lives of women and men in her community and beyond.

Michelle Visutsithiwong

TREASURER and CO-FOUNDER

Michelle is a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends her passion for helping others with her expertise in public accounting. With over 18 years of experience, she holds esteemed certifications as a Certified Public Accountant, Enrolled Agent, and Certified Tax Coach. Michelle specializes in tax strategy and outsourced CFO services, empowering small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits as President of Kang Business Solutions, Inc.

A recent graduate of the 2023 Lakewood Leadership Academy, Michelle shares this honor with another esteemed Academy alum and founder of WIL, Carissa Karner. She has also embarked on a noble endeavor: establishing a nonprofit organization supporting individuals with invisible disabilities. Inspired by Mayor Ariel Pe's suggestion to connect with Carissa Karner, her unwavering enthusiasm for Women In Leadership reflects her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in her community. Michelle's dedication to both her profession and philanthropy exemplifies her exceptional leadership and compassion.