Women for Good Annual Weekend 2026

Women For Good Annual Weekend 2026

Date: May 1-3, 2026

Location: Notre Dame Campus

Hesburgh Women of Impact members are invited to join us for our annual weekend which is a joyful celebration of the women of Our Lady’s University as a powerful force for good in our world. Over the course of the weekend, you will connect with inspiring women who share a commitment to philanthropy, community, and leadership, engage in meaningful and thought-provoking conversations, and help empower the next generation of leaders at Notre Dame and beyond.

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 1, 2026
1 p.m.: Doors open in Downes Club in Corbett Family Hall
2–5 p.m.: Afternoon programming in Downes Club
5–7 p.m.: Intimate small-group dinners across campus
7–9 p.m.: Evening programming at DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

Saturday, May 2, 2026
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Breakfast begins in Downes Club in Corbett Family Hall
8:30–11:30 a.m.: Morning programming in Downes Club
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30–3:30 p.m.: Campus-based Masterclasses
5:30–9 p.m.: Dinner hosted at Dolly Duffy’s home, Executive Director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association

Sunday, May 3, 2026
8:30 a.m.: Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
9 a.m.: Brunch begins in the Smith Ballroom at The Morris Inn
9:45 a.m.: Keynote Speaker in the Smith Ballroom
11:00 a.m.: Weekend concludes

Meet the 2026 Featured Speakers

We are pleased to share a preview of the inspiring women who will help shape this year’s conversations. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming months.

Sister Nathalie Becquart

Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, is a pioneering Catholic leader and theologian who serves as Under-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican. Appointed by Pope Francis, she is the first woman to hold this role and the first woman with voting rights in the Synod of Bishops, an historic step for women’s participation in Church decision-making. A French religious sister with deep experience in youth ministry and synodality, Sr. Nathalie brings passion, insight, and a spirit of collaboration to the global conversation on faith, listening, and the future of the Church.

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Tammi Carr

Tammi Carr is Co-Founder of the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, leading efforts to fund innovative research and raise awareness for pediatric brain cancer. After losing her son Chad to DIPG, she has become a passionate advocate for families facing the disease, helping accelerate progress toward better treatments. A dynamic speaker and the proud mother of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, Tammi brings resilience, purpose, and hope to everything she does, transforming grief into meaningful action in the fight against pediatric brain cancer.

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Barbara Costello

Known as "TikTok's favorite grandma," Barbara “Babs” Costello reinvented retirement by becoming a social media sensation in her 70s. Now followed by millions through her @brunchwithbabs platforms, she shares practical life tips, family traditions, and heartfelt wisdom with warmth and humor. A former preschool director, devoted grandmother, and big-time Notre Dame fan, Babs inspires audiences of all ages to stay curious, connected, and joyful at every stage of life.

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Kathleen Sprows Cummings MA '94, PhD '99

Kathleen Sprows Cummings is the Director of Notre Dame's Global Catholic Research Initiative, professor of American Studies and History at Notre Dame, and a concurrent faculty member in Gender Studies and Italian Studies. She is also a fellow of the Nanovic Institute, the Keough Institute for Irish Studies and the Ansari Institute for Global Religious Engagement. She is currently writing a book about the globalization of canonization.

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priest with glasses standing and smiling warmly on Notre Dame campus

Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. '87

Fr. Dowd is the President of the University of Notre Dame, where he provides strategic leadership grounded in the University’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission. A member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, he previously served as a professor of political science and as Vice President and Associate Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives, strengthening global engagement and research collaboration across campus. Known for his thoughtful and mission-driven leadership, Fr. Dowd is committed to advancing academic excellence, faith formation, and community at Notre Dame.

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Ann Firth '81, '84 J.D.

Ann Firth serves as Vice President and Chief of Staff to Notre Dame’s 18th President, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. Firth’s responsibilities include: advising the president; managing the staff and operations of the office; serving as the primary liaison to the University’s Board of Trustees; serving as a member of the Budget Working Group and the Faculty Board on Athletics; coordinating the work of the President’s Leadership Council; and leading the planning for the University’s Commencement Exercises and other University-wide events hosted by the President.

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Micki Kidder MBA '19

Micki Kidder serves as the Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment. In this role, she leads the Enrollment team in building and deepening relationships with prospective students and enrolling and supporting scholars. The division is home to several units that support students from the beginning of their college search through their final year on campus, including the Offices of Pre-College Programs, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and more. During her tenure as Associate Vice President of Development, Micki played a pivotal role in spearheading the Hesburgh Women of Impact Initiative at Notre Dame alongside co-founders Anne Thompson and Cindy Parseghian

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Pam Kramer

Pam Kramer is the Chief Executive Officer of KC2026, the nonprofit leading planning and activation efforts for the FIFA World Cup 26 in Kansas City. A seasoned sports business executive, as well as a Notre Dame parent, Kramer previously served as Fractional COO for KC2026 and brings decades of leadership experience spanning global events, professional sports, and major brand partnerships. She combines strategic vision with operational excellence, bringing deep expertise in brand strategy, sponsorship marketing, media relations, and financial leadership to drive brand growth and business results.

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Juliette Leong

Juliette Leong is a young philanthropist, artist, and violinist whose creativity and generosity have inspired audiences worldwide. A TEDx speaker, award-winning performer, and daughter of a Notre Dame alumna, she has appeared at venues like Carnegie Hall and uses her art and music to support education, healthcare, and community causes. Juliette’s passion for giving back and leading with heart makes her a powerful voice for the next generation.

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Kátia Lund

Kátia Lund is a Brazilian-American filmmaker and screenwriter best known for co-directing City of God, the acclaimed film that received four Academy Award nominations and appears on famed director Spike Lee's Essential Films for Filmmakers List. A Notre Dame parent, Kátia's work centers on powerful, socially driven storytelling, bringing authentic voices and global impact to film and television.

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Anne St. Peter

Anne St. Peter is the Founder of Global Prairie, a purpose-driven global marketing firm. A pioneer in purpose consulting, as well as a Notre Dame parent, Anne advises organizations and leaders on harnessing purpose to drive bottom-line results, employee engagement, and meaningful social impact. Deeply engaged in civic leadership, Anne serves in numerous board roles across the Kansas City community, including the University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board of Directors.

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Rebecca Struch

Rebecca Struch is the managing director of the Notre Dame Arts Initiative. As a scholar, artist, and educator, her work focuses on community-engaged, site-specific, social justice, and devised performance. Rebecca also devises, directs, and produces performance in both professional and university settings. Internationally, she has trained in Brazil at the Center for Theatre of the Oppressed and has worked with artists, therapists, youth, and health educators in Rwanda and Kenya.

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Kristin M. Young '94

Notre Dame alumna and parent Kristin M. Young is a theologian, pastor, writer, and photographer who invites people to find hope and beauty in everyday life. With a passion for reconciliation and intergenerational ministry, she leads thoughtful conversations about faith, justice, and community. Kristin serves at Spark Church and brings a creative, inclusive voice to spaces where spirituality and storytelling meet.

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John Wroblewski '03

John Wroblewski is the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team, leading Team USA to a gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Appointed in 2022, he is the only coach in IIHF history to win gold with both a women’s and men’s national team. Previously, he coached the Ontario Reign (AHL) and worked with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. A former Notre Dame captain and MVP, he is known for his strong focus on player development and analytics-driven coaching.

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A Look Back At Previous Sessions

Design Theme

This year marks the introduction of new design elements that will carry through the event and beyond. Below, we explore the meaning and symbolism behind them.

Celtic Heart

Mary stands atop the Golden Dome as the beating heart of Notre Dame, the pulse that animates the spirit of Our Lady’s University. So too, the heart at the center of the Celtic cross motif serves as a visual metaphor of Mary’s influence being central to Hesburgh Women of Impact. It celebrates women’s pivotal role in the University’s story and Hesburgh Women of Impact’s purpose to shape the next generation of women leaders – Women for Good.

Mary’s Crown

Atop her head sits her crown: a symbol of honor, guidance, and aspiration that calls us to lead with humility and strength as Women for Good. The rosary adornment reminds us of the power of prayer and grounds our leadership in faith, reflection, and Our Lady’s steady guidance.

Oak Leaf

The oak tree is a symbol of strength, wisdom, and longevity, and can be found on campus beside the Basilica and underneath the Golden Dome overlooking the Grotto. The oak’s deep roots ground us in our purpose of shaping Women for Good at Notre Dame, and its towering height draws our hearts closer to Our Lady. The oak leaf reflects our members: exceptional women of enduring strength, wisdom, and impact.

Together, the Celtic Heart, Mary’s Crown, and the Oak Leaf design motifs celebrate the spirit of Hesburgh Women of Impact, rooting our organization in Our Lady’s enduring love and impact.

Voices From Our Community

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For more information about the Hesburgh Women of Impact giving initiative, future events, and special engagement opportunities, contact us.

Women for Good Annual Weekend 2026