United Way of North Idaho participates in North Idaho Women and Their Money Conference
by DEVIN WEEKS, Resource Development Manager
Rent and groceries, or pedicures and daily lattes?
Coffee math, retail therapy and weighing critical financial decisions regarding needs and wants were among the topics explored Tuesday during the second North Idaho Women and Their Money Conference at North Idaho College.
Founded on the simple belief that financial confidence can change lives, families and communities, the NIWATM Conference is designed for women at every stage of life to feel welcomed, supported and empowered as they navigate budgeting, estate planning, reducing debt, raising credit scores and more.
Allie Schumacker, born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, said she heard about the inaugural conference in 2025 but was unable to attend because of her work schedule. This year, she made it a priority, and she made sure to bring her mom, Lorry Schumacker.
“Just growing up in a low-income household and in this area, it’s always been a goal of mine to get as many resources as possible to take my life to that next level and not let who I am or where I come from be a limiting factor of what I can accomplish and what I can be,” Allie said. “That’s a big part of my mission in life — no matter your circumstances or your upbringing, you are capable of accomplishing and becoming whoever you want. This is just going to be a really good day to reiterate that and help me get to the next level of being wise with money-making, spending decisions, saving and things like that.”
Lorry said she didn’t know at first what she would get out of the conference because she’s retirement age.
“I feel like I’m just where I am and I’m OK here,” she said. “But when I started looking at everything, I thought it looks like a great thing that I can learn.”
She said Allie is always telling her, “You need to learn, Mom, you need to get out there and do different things.”
“I also feel that getting some knowledge about the life choices that I’ve made, and seeing her friends and all that, makes me feel like I’m glad that I came,” Lorry said.
More than 500 people attended the conference, which was keynoted by freelance correspondent and ABC News anchor Alison Kosik from New York City. Breakout sessions were led by “PRO”fessors from throughout the community, with expertise varying from banking, social work, business management and housing to loss mitigation, consumer behavior, real estate and insurance.
Forty attendees were awarded $1,000 NIC scholarships that were drawn at random during an exciting, confetti-filled conclusion to an extraordinary day.
United Way of North Idaho was proud to participate in the conference as an exhibitor, hosting a table with information and resources as well as a fun giveaway basket to be won by one lucky attendee who signed up for the United Way of North Idaho newsletter via QR code during the conference.
To further partner with the community, United Way of North Idaho provided $200 stipends for a cohort of 12 childcare providers to attend the free conference without losing their daily wages. The cohort participated in a post-conference debriefing session with Early Learning Coordinator Sara Welch. Cohort members will attend two collaborative sessions to support accountability and follow-through efforts following the conference later this summer.
Laura Cork, program director of Helping Hands Childcare in Post Falls, is one of the cohort members. As an in-home care provider, she said closing her business for the day is the only way she can participate in person in professional training events such as the NIWATM Conference.
“I can’t afford to lose that income for a day,” she said.
While she was already knowledgeable about the information offered in two of the day’s sessions, “the third one I took, it did educate me more on how to create a budget and how to live with a budget, so it was inspirational,” she said.
“I plan on attending next year, and I hope we can get more people to attend with our group,” Cork said.
Joining the cohort was an opportunity to network and make friends, as well.
“Now we have a whole group and we’ll be meeting monthly,” she said.
After she got home for the day, Cork said she realized she should have invited a few of her friends to attend the conference with her.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for any woman,” Cork said.
United Way of North Idaho Executive Director Erica Wrublik said it was powerful to see so many women come together to prioritize their fiscal health.
"There was truly something for everyone," she said. "Also, Sara Welch’s vision to sponsor a cohort of childcare professionals by awarding stipends for missed work and structuring it for continued learning is a testament to United Way of North Idaho’s approach to systemic change. Here, we shift the focus from temporary charity to addressing underlying structures holding individuals back. Our cohort of 12 dedicated women were educated, inspired and empowered to chart their financial futures.
"This level of impact triggers a ripple effect of positive change that stabilizes the economy, reduces generational poverty, and in this case, pours over into the future generations in their care every day. Powerful."
Be sure to put the North Idaho Women and Their Money Conference on the calendar for next year! It's only going to get better from here.
Info: niwatm.com