Conference Launch The Women in Organizational Leadership Conference (WILC) debuted in 2016 at National University’s Sanford Education Center in Torrey Pines. The inaugural event honored Dr. Donna Elder by establishing the Donna Elder Inspired Leader Award (DEILA), recognizing outstanding women leaders in education and organizational contexts.

Institutional Support & Formalization WILC gained strong institutional backing within the Sanford College of Education at National University. Then Dean, Dr. Judy Mantle, recognized the conference's value and requested the WILC team to develop a dedicated budget line. This led to the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: Women in Leadership Organization (WILO) — formalizing the mission and ensuring sustainable funding and operations.

International Recognition In 2022, WILO achieved significant milestone status when it was approved by the United Nations Council on the Status of Women (CSW) as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Since 2021, WILO teams have presented annually at the CSW, amplifying the organization's global voice on women's leadership and organizational development.