Since its founding almost 30 years ago, the WPO has blossomed into a dynamic and influential organization supporting women business trailblazers worldwide – but what does the future hold? Steered by leaders such as Kathy Boelter, the WPO has laid out a bold vision to embrace positive change as a vehicle for growth.
Denver I Chapter member Kathy is the CEO and Founder of Arctic Willow Consulting, and COO and Founder of Hathers Inc., while also serving as Chair of the WPO Board. As a self-described “builder” of businesses, systems, teams and bold ideas, she’s ideally placed to be a driving force behind the WPO’s growth and evolution.
Kathy says her main role as WPO Chair is to support the CEO, Camille Burns, and to oversee the board and its various committees, and drive the meetings.
She says the board has been imagining what the WPO could look like in a few years’ time and discussing ways to best support its members and cater to their varying needs.
“It’s always good to evaluate the model we have, and map out what the future holds for us,” says Kathy.
“When the WPO started, there weren’t many other organizations supporting women at this level, but now there are other, competing organizations. So we need to look at bringing in a younger demographic and also supporting these women in different ways. How do we attract qualifying members across a diverse landscape, whether it’s older or younger women, or those who have been in business for a year, 10 years or more?”
Broadening international footprint
There will be a concerted drive, she adds, to expand the WPO’s member community into more international markets and broaden the presence of chapters in regions where there is an existing WPO footprint. At the moment, more than three-quarters of members are based in the United States and Canada, and there are “huge” opportunities for growth outside North America.
“One of our goals is to double our membership to 4,000 members, and in order to scale it to that size, we’d like to have more regional events beyond the annual forum and monthly chapter meetings. There’s a great desire among members to expand their local communities.”
On a personal note, Kathy is eager to help build the WPO’s legacy and expand its Foundation. For example, she envisages a vehicle through which the WPO’s entrepreneurs can support future generations of women business owners and their ventures.
“So, this time under my chairmanship is about change, built around our strategic plan. We have a nice, solid foundation, but we need to be able to look to the future, make some hard changes and reinvent ourselves. We want to build the WPO into something that can be sustainable for the next one, 40, 100 years. And so that’s why I’m here – to drive and execute change.”
Kathy says at the WPO’s 2025 Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum in San Antonio, Texas, she took on board insights from members about the opportunities and challenges they face in their respective industries.
‘The WPO makes you feel less alone’
“There’s uncertainty around certain challenging economic drivers with some members, although with others, their growth is exploding right now. I would say we’re all looking at growth, though.
“The employment market has loosened up a little bit here in the United States, compared to a few years ago, when employees were making certain demands that affected some of our smaller business owners. So the positive thing I hear is that hiring has been better for members. And they’re always concerned about how they’re serving the economy and the world – are they making a difference?”
She reveals that a common refrain expressed by WPO members is that it’s lonely at the top as women business leaders. “But the WPO has provided me with a community – a base of members and friends who are on the same journey as me. They may be from different industries and different-sized companies, but they’re women who feel the same anxiety as me about how I grow my business, while balancing that with my personal life.
“So, the WPO makes you feel less alone. These are women walking on the same path I’m walking on. Maybe our paths look a bit different, but I understand the challenges they’re facing – and it helps me to link arms with them and walk together. That way, we’re stronger together. I think that’s why women stay in the WPO for years and years, because of that valuable support structure.”
She relishes the challenge of juggling her business commitments with her WPO role. “I like to be busy. I think a lot of women do, actually!”
Kathy finds it fascinating to listen to members share their insights during chapter meetings, and to imagine herself in their shoes for just a moment. “It’s fun. You walk away full; you really feel connected.”
What’s the best piece of business advice she’s received? “I’ve heard this from more than one mentor: trust your gut. Even when we as women have the moxie to be running a business, it’s so easy to second-guess ourselves and doubt ourselves. But you should trust in your decision, and in your conviction around that decision.”