Join us as four local, influential women take the stage to talk about their experiences, challenges, rewards and surprises they've encountered as women in leadership positions. Men and women alike are invited to join and learn from each other during a morning of learning, growing and inspiration. This event is organized by the Chamber's Pulse Young Professionals Network.
Meet the Panelists:
Chakla Davis - Sr. Executive HR Leader, Plexus Corp.
With over 20 years of progressive leadership experience, Chakla has excelled in Fortune 200 companies such as Shaw Industries, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, and Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where she held multiple high-impact roles. Currently, she brings her expertise to Plexus Corporation in Neenah, WI, where she continues to shape innovative HR strategies and cultivate strategic business partnerships.
Chakla’s career is marked by her creative approach to HR leadership and ability to drive transformation. Her extensive portfolio includes global and regional HR leadership roles across functions like Digital Innovation and Capabilities, Insights and Analytics, Brand Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Research and Engineering. She also brings valuable experience in Manufacturing/Operations, Accounting/Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, and nonprofit board leadership.
Recognized as a leader of influence, Chakla has earned numerous accolades, including being featured in African-American Career World magazine and named one of Wisconsin’s 51 Most Influential Black Leaders in 2023 by Madison365. In 2023, she served as Chair of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Board, of which won the prestigious National Chamber of the Year award in 2024. Additionally, she is a McKinsey & Company Black Executive Leadership Program graduate, further solidifying her as a trailblazer in her field.
Chakla’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond her career. She was recently published as a contributing author to a book which was an anthology project titled Women Redefining Leadership with S.P.I.C.E. which was dedicated to a new vision for modern leadership.
Polly Olsen - Chief, Appleton Police Department
Chief Polly Olson has been employed with the Appleton Police Department for over 24 years. She oversees this agency with 115 sworn officers and 27 civilian employees. The APD handles more than 33,000 citizen-initiated calls for service per year.
Chief Olson held a variety of different positions during her time with the APD:
She was then promoted to Assistant Chief, and now Chief of Police in January of 2023 – being the first female at the Appleton Police Department in each of these roles.
Polly has a passion for issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing in our community and department. She was instrumental in creating a county-wide Peer Support Team, one of the first in the State of Wisconsin that has been replicated many times since.
She was an adjunct instructor with Fox Valley Technical College, teaching sexual assault investigations and domestic investigations in the Recruit Academy. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association. She is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Polly is proud to be serving as Chief of Police in her hometown of Appleton, Wisconsin.
Lisa Piikkila - Owner/Creative Director, Coalesce, Inc. Marketing & Design
As co-founder and creative director of the agency, Lisa Piikkila leads branding, strategy, campaign development, and design for clients across local, national, and global markets. With over 30 years of corporate and agency experience, she has produced award-winning work for industry leaders including ESSITY, Alliance Laundry, and New North, Inc. Lisa holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a BFA in Graphic Design from UW–Stevens Point. Passionate about community impact, she is actively involved with numerous nonprofits, has served on multiple boards and committees, and is a founding board member of Women in Technology and The Monthlies Project and is currently helping to bring the She Leads initiative to life in our community.
Heather Wessley - Vice President of Community Impact, Fox Communities Credit Union
Heather Wessley is the Vice President of Community Impact at Fox Communities Credit Union, where she has proudly served for over 26 years. A lifelong advocate for the credit union movement, Heather is passionate about building strong, connected communities and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to making a difference—whether she’s organizing local initiatives, supporting community partners, or sparking meaningful connections. Heather played a key role in launching Pulse, the Young Professionals group through the Fox Cities Chamber, and continues to mentor emerging leaders, always seeking opportunities to foster growth and build lasting relationships.
Outside of work, Heather finds joy in spending time with her family—cheering on her kids at the ball diamond, enjoying time on the water, and exploring new places through travel. Her energy, warmth, and dedication make her a powerful force for positive change, both professionally and personally.
Member: $35
Non-Member: $50
