Congrats Kelly Norton, 2026 Woman of Achievement

The Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund is thrilled to announce Kelly Norton as the recipient of the 2026 Woman of Achievement Award, an honor recognizing exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the community.

Norton will be recognized at the 22nd Annual Power of the Purse Luncheon, a transformative community event celebrating women’s empowerment and collective impact. Taking place on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, this year’s event centers around the inspiring theme “Your Power Within.”

The Power of the Purse Luncheon brings together community members, business leaders, and changemakers to recognize the strength, resilience, and potential of women and girls in the Fond du Lac area.

Since 2005, the Women’s Fund has recognized distinguished women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, philanthropy, and dedicated service in business, education, and community organizations. Kelly Norton embodies these virtues through her unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the Fond du Lac community. She is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and servant leadership. With 11 years of dedicated service to the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund, Norton has been instrumental in building community initiatives that uplift women and girls. Her leadership spans multiple organizations, including the MPTC Foundation, where she served as the first Director of Development, and the Saint Mary Springs Association (SMSA) campus, where she played a pivotal role in its construction and community collaboration, and currently at Grande Cheese Company as Enterprise Brand Senior Director.

Norton’s approach to leadership is rooted in servant leadership—leading through love and creating space for others to shine. “Leadership isn’t about making decisions alone,” Norton explains. “It’s about establishing the vision, supporting the team, and empowering them to execute in a way that feels authentic to them.” Throughout her career, Norton has championed initiatives that empower women, including her work launching FDL Says No More, a community awareness campaign addressing domestic violence. Her commitment to mentoring women and fostering confidence in the next generation of leaders makes her an ideal voice for this year’s theme.

Event Highlights:

• Keynote address from Kelly Norton on servant leadership and women’s empowerment
• Networking opportunities with like-minded community members
• Silent auction featuring items from local businesses and generous donors
• Celebration of women’s achievements and community impact
• Recognition of outstanding women leaders in Fond du Lac

“Your Power Within reminds us that every woman has the strength and potential to create bold change,” said Morgan Schmidt, Board Member and Past President of the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund. “Kelly Norton embodies this message through her unwavering commitment to lifting up women and girls in our community. We’re excited to gather as a community to celebrate that power and invest in the futures of women and girls right here in Fond du Lac.”

Since its founding in 2004, the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund has been dedicated to facilitating bold change for women and girls through strategic grantmaking, community education, and hands-on programming focused on economic self-sufficiency, education, leadership development, and safety. Event Details:

• Tuesday, April 22, 2026
• Doors open at 10am for Registration, Networking & Silent Auction
• Theme: Your Power Within
• Location: Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Fond du Lac
• Tickets: Now available at https://app.galabid.com/pop2026

All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction directly support the Fund’s mission to empower women and girls in the community through grants and programming.