The Lucella Project is powered by the incredible people who believe in the potential of young women. Our conferences and workshops bring together a diverse community of professionals, industry experts, and local leaders who share their knowledge, experiences, and encouragement. From accomplished women in business and education to dedicated community members and mentors, each person contributes to creating a space where high school girls feel seen, supported, and inspired. It’s this collective effort—women and allies joining together—that makes The Lucella Project more than an event; it’s a movement of people committed to helping the next generation live and lead boldly.
Advisory Board Members or Committee Members:
Kelly Borman
PRN Healthcare
Ashley Senk
Ashley Senk LLC
Janet Elliott
Images by J Lynne
Lisa Piikkila
Coalesce Marketing
Dawn Ruchala
US Venture
We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, speaker, volunteer, and community member who makes The Lucella Project possible. Your time, expertise, and generosity fuel our mission to close the confidence, courage, and belonging gaps for high school girls. Because of you, young women are discovering their voices, building connections, and stepping boldly into leadership. If you’re inspired by this work and want to be part of the movement, there are many ways to get involved from volunteering to sponsoring to sharing your expertise. Together, we can continue to empower the next generation of leaders.
Meet Vicki Updike:
Founder of The Lucella Project & Women’s Leadership Conference
Vicki Updike is a dynamic leadership coach, keynote speaker, and lifelong advocate for women and girls. With years of experience coaching professional women, she saw a growing gap in confidence and leadership in younger generations—and decided to do something about it.
As the visionary behind The Lucella Project, Vicki brings practical insight, boundless energy, and a heart for helping girls discover their courage and leadership potential. Whether she’s speaking at a conference, mentoring students, or building programs behind the scenes, her mission is clear: to empower young women to live and lead boldly.