The evening featured leadership coach and speaker Ann Vote, who challenged attendees to identify their passions, take action, and consider the ripple effect their efforts could have on themselves, their families, their careers, and their communities.

Vote opened her talk by guiding participants through a reflective exercise, asking each woman to identify one passion, strength, or dream they want to pursue, something she called “lighting your match.”

The exercise was intentionally personal and could apply to anything from professional ambitions to deeply held personal goals. Whether someone wanted to improve her leadership skills, launch a business, become a better parent, or simply sleep better at night, the message was the same: knowing your impact matters.

“You will not follow through,” Vote told the crowd, “if you don’t know what that impact is going to be for yourself, your family, your career, your community.”

Over 150 women gathered for networking and professional development at the 12th annual Mingle with a Purpose event.

A former teacher, Vote described watching the trickle-down effect of influence, how one person’s growth can inspire others, who then go on to influence more people still. She recalled being asked early in her coaching journey how much she would charge for her work.

Her answer at the time was simple: nothing.

“I just want leaders believing in themselves,” she said.

One of the evening’s most energetic moments came when Vote asked attendees to physically move to one of four corners of the room based on where they felt their passion would have the greatest impact: self, community, family, or career.

Women grabbed their notecards and dispersed, gathering in clusters to share and write down every way their goals could make a difference.

From left, Kara Fluegge, Rachel Becker, Elly Klosterbuer and Jen Anderson mingle during the 12th annual Mingle with a Purpose event at the Best Western Plus New Ulm on Thursday.

When the groups reported back, the lists were striking. The self group named energy, creativity, confidence, mental health, wisdom for younger generations, peace, self-worth, wellness, dream fulfillment, happiness, and, drawing particular applause, better sleep.

The community group cited increased tourism, education, support for seniors and caregivers, economic impact, and building community leaders through networking.

The career group listed staff longevity, financial freedom, legacy over “just a job,” business expansion, and increased influence.

The family group spoke of breaking generational curses, creating lasting memories for their children, building retirement security, and passing on the belief that “I can do hard things.”

Vote tied it all together with a challenge: “If every single person in this room walks out tonight burning bright, it is going to exponentially change things.”

Guests gathered for networking and professional development at the 12th annual Mingle with a Purpose event.

Among those in attendance was Elly Klosterbuer, assistant nutrition manager at Oak Hills Living Center, who recently moved to New Ulm from Hills, Minnesota where she grew up in the small town of Steen in Rock County.

Klosterbuer joined the career corner, drawn by her aspirations in leadership.

“I just want to be a good leader,” she said. “I’m already in the National Guard, so I like to lead.” Klosterbuer, who began her role at Oak Hills in January, will soon take the name Elly Selders when she marries her fiancé, Nick Selders, a salesman at Jensen GMC, next weekend.

Her coworker Rachel Becker, recreation director at Oak Hills, said events like this help recharge her professional drive.

“It helps fuel your passion and reignite you to be passionate about your work and your job and your career,” Becker said. “And I love connecting with other women.”

Keynote speaker Ann Vote passionately emphasizes the "fire" of personal impact during her "Ignite Your Impact" presentation at the 12th annual Mingle with a Purpose event.

Christina Koester, a mother of five, chose the family corner, and though her written goal was professional, her mind went straight to her children.

“The goal I set for myself was professional, but when I thought of the impact it could have, my family was the first thing that came to mind,” she said. “If I can achieve the goals I set for myself, I am setting an example for my children, sending them the message that you can do hard things. I want them to learn that they can achieve great things for themselves too, in any area of their life.”

Co-chair Sarah Warmka, who chose the community corner, shared a bold idea: she wants to set a Guinness World Record for the largest beer tasting at New Ulm’s own Oktoberfest. The current record stands at 1,264 participants, and she believes the city is more than capable of surpassing it.

The evening’s diamond sponsor, Simply Skin, was represented by a video message from owner and registered nurse Carrie Reinhart, who reflected on her journey from the emergency room to aesthetics. It took her nearly three years, she said, to understand the real impact she was having on patients. “Aesthetic treatments are not about vanity, it’s about a feeling,” Reinhart said. “When you can walk into a room feeling more confident about yourself, that’s impactful.”

Vote closed the evening by asking the audience to imagine two scenarios: one where they take no action at all, and one where they go all in.

“What if it works?” she asked. “What doors open for you? What kind of impact do you create?”

Organizers said planning for next year’s Mingle with a Purpose will begin in May or June.

Warmka said the event maintained strong engagement throughout the evening.

“At the beginning, when she asked who’s pursuing a passion, only a few hands went up,” she said. “By the end, it was the whole room.”