Illinois State University will host the inaugural Women as Transformational Leaders event on March 25 and 26, with three alumnae: Dr. joyce gillie gossom (special education, ‘78), Kathleen Savio (speech communication, ’87, M.S. ’89), and Denise Moore (business administration, ‘89) who will share about their experiences as leaders in their respective fields. The two-day event is open to all Illinois State faculty, staff, and students. Registration will be required for some portions and space may be limited.
Featured speakers
Denise Moore ’89
Denise Moore is an entrepreneur, community advocate, and trailblazer who graduated from Illinois State University and retired from State Farm Insurance. In Bloomington-Normal, Moore founded the Black Business Alliance in 1997 and in 2007, the only African American community radio station, WXRJ LP-FM.
Moore became the first African American woman elected to the Peoria City Council serving from 2013-21. After 10 years owning and operating retail stores in Normal and Peoria, in 2013 Moore became the founder/CEO of the Black Business Alliance Peoria Chapter, Inc. (a 501c3 non-profit corporation), and established its affiliates, WPNV 106.3 LP FM, Peoria’s only African American-owned community radio station; the Minority Business Development Center that is helping build minority businesses, contractors, and professionals; and the Regional Workforce Solutions Center bridging the gap between 21st century opportunities and the minority community.
Moore is also the president of UpSouth Energy, LLC, a company devoted to connecting minority communities to renewable energy. She is married to Garry and has a daughter and two beautiful grandsons.
Dr. joyce gillie gossom ’78
Born in Chicago, Dr. joyce gillie gossom has spent her life going against the grain. At age 16, she felt so connected to the poetry and style of e.e. cummings that her mother let gossom legally change her name to all lowercase letters, which is frequently met with resistance.
gossom’s more than 40 years of professional experience range from special education teacher to elected official, organizational consultant, leadership coach and higher education administrator. Throughout her career, she has almost always served as an active member or officer with civic, professional, and community organizations.
Currently, she serves as The Princess of Best Gurl Inc., providing customized solutions for corporations, education, and non-profits that lead to improved performance. She is the author of Why Are They Following Me? A Guide to Effective Leadership and What Am I Supposed To Say? An Unconventional Guide to Transformative Leadership.
gossom and her husband have lived in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, since 1999, they have one son. She served as the 2021 president for Impact100 of Northwest Florida, is a member of the Illinois State University Foundation Board, and is the past chair of the Jule Collins Smith Museum Advisory Board. She likes butterflies, the colors purple and yellow, Winnie the Pooh, The Wicked Witch/Elphaba, and large bodies of water.
Kathleen Savio ’87, M.S. ’89
Kathleen Savio serves as an independent director on the boards of Brown & Brown—the sixth largest insurance broker in the U.S.—and Farmers Group, Inc. She retired from Zurich Insurance Group on December 31, 2023, serving for the previous three years as Zurich Group chief transformation officer. While in this role, she also held the dual role of Zurich Group chief people officer. Prior to this, Savio was CEO of Zurich North America (ZNA), board chair of Zurich American Insurance Company and Zurich Holding Company of America, and a group executive committee member.
During her 30-plus years with Zurich, she was president of ZNA Alternative Markets, providing insurance solutions through diverse operating and distribution models. She led the integration of Rural Community Insurance Services, a top-three U.S. crop insurer, following acquisition of the business from Wells Fargo. She also held key roles including chief administrative officer, VP of corporate marketing and communications, and management positions in strategic initiatives, diversified products, and more. Savio was a trustee of the Z Zurich Foundation from 2010-23, serving as chair in 2016 and 2017.
Savio earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication from Illinois State University. She also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School and the Executive Management Program at Northwestern University.
Event Schedule
March 25, 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Transformational leadership panel discussion open to all faculty, staff, and students in State Farm Hall of Business Room 366
This empowering panel discussion features three remarkable women alums who exemplify the power of transformational leadership. Discover how their passion, vision, and courage have ignited change and inspired progress within their respective fields. This is an invaluable opportunity to learn from these trailblazers and unlock your own transformative leadership potential. The panel is moderated by former U.S. Ambassador Geeta Pasi who is currently serving as the inaugural Donald F. McHenry Visiting Professor. A reception in the Afni Boardroom will follow on the fourth floor from 4:40-5:15 pm.
Advanced registration is required due to limited seating. Register now.
March 26, 8:30-10 a.m. – Student leadership networking breakfast, for leaders of registered student organizations in the Prairie Room, Bone Student Center
Building an effective professional network is important for leadership and career development. Networking is at the heart of this session. Student leaders will have an opportunity to engage with three notable alums and university leadership during this breakfast. The alumni and university leaders can offer guidance, advice and coaching during this casual networking event.
Advanced registration is required due to limited seating. Register now.
March 26, noon to 1:30 p.m. – Student Leadership Lunch: Inspiring Change Through Learning in the Prairie Room, Bone Student Center
Students are invited to network with Illinois State University alums who have walked in their shoes and achieved career success. They will learn how to navigate leadership and career success with other Redbird student leaders in an interesting networking session of conversation and food.
Advanced registration is required due to limited seating. Register now.
For any questions, or if you need an accommodation to fully participate in these events, please contact Connie Blick, administrative aide in the Office of the Provost at (309) 438-3662 or ctchojn@IllinoisState.edu. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
