Women in Propane Leadership Retreat Fueled Growth & Engagement

In July, Women in Propane board members and volunteer leaders gathered in Arizona for the organization’s second-annual strategy retreat, a collaborative event focused on shaping the future of Women in Propane and strengthening its impact across the propane industry.

The retreat provided an opportunity for leaders from across the country to evaluate current programs, discuss new opportunities and develop strategies to support continued growth. Key topics included communications and outreach, membership development, volunteer engagement, expansion of the DiSC behavioral assessment program and growth of the Knowledge Exchange mentorship program.

More importantly, the retreat offered dedicated time for board members to connect, share ideas and align around a common vision for the future of the organization.

Strategic Conversations That Move the Organization Forward

As Women in Propane continues to evolve, leaders recognized the importance of ensuring programs and resources remain relevant to the needs of members at every career stage.

Chair Mandy Swanson said the retreat provided an invaluable opportunity to focus on long-term planning and organizational growth.

“The strategy retreat is foundational for the council because it allows us to step back and think strategically about how we can best serve our members,” said Swanson. “We had meaningful discussions about our current programs, future opportunities and ways to continue expanding our impact throughout the industry.”

Through facilitated discussions and brainstorming sessions, participants identified opportunities to strengthen existing initiatives while exploring new ways to deliver value to members.

“Whether we were discussing communications, mentorship, professional development or membership growth, the focus remained on creating opportunities that help our members succeed,” Swanson added.

Increasing Communications & Outreach

One of the primary focus areas was increasing communications and outreach efforts. As Women in Propane continues to expand its reach, leaders discussed strategies to increase awareness of the organization’s mission, programs and professional development opportunities.

Board members explored ways to better share member success stories, increase engagement through digital channels and strengthen relationships with propane marketers, industry partners and state propane associations.

Vice Chair Megan Sharp emphasized the importance of ensuring industry professionals understand the value of becoming involved.

“Building our organization begins with building relationships,” Sharp said. “We want everyone — whether they’re just starting out in the industry or bring years of leadership experience — to feel welcomed, valued and empowered to get involved.”

Leaders agreed that outreach efforts should focus not only on attracting new members, but also on fostering a welcoming community where individuals feel supported and encouraged to participate.

“There are talented, driven professionals across the propane industry who stand to benefit from the connections and resources Women in Propane offers,” Sharp said. “This retreat gave us a chance to take a step back, rethink how we tell our story and find better ways to communicate what membership really offers — networking, leadership development and professional growth.”

Expanding the DISC Program

The Women in Propane DiSC program continues to be one of the organization’s most impactful professional development offerings. The program helps participants better understand communication styles, strengthen workplace relationships and enhance leadership effectiveness.

During the retreat, board members discussed ways to increase participation and expand awareness of the program throughout the industry.

DiSC Committee Chair Jennifer Jackson noted that feedback from participants consistently highlights the program’s value.

“We’ve seen firsthand how impactful the DiSC program can be,” said Jackson. “Participants often tell us that the experience helps them become more effective communicators, stronger leaders and more successful team members. One of our goals is to continue growing the program so more propane professionals can benefit from it.”

Leaders also discussed opportunities to build additional learning experiences around DiSC and further integrate the program into broader leadership development initiatives.

Growing the Knowledge Exchange Mentorship Program

The retreat also focused on strengthening the Women in Propane Knowledge Exchange mentorship program, which connects industry professionals for mentorship, guidance and career development.

Board members explored strategies to increase participation, improve mentor and mentee matching and provide additional resources to support long-term success within the program.

“Mentorship is one of the most meaningful ways we can support the growth of professionals in our industry,” said Whitney O’Toole, immediate past chair. “The relationships built through the Knowledge Exchange program often extend well beyond the formal mentoring period. We discussed several exciting ideas that will help us expand participation and create even more opportunities for meaningful connections.”

Leaders agreed that mentorship plays a critical role in developing future propane industry leaders while helping preserve and share valuable industry knowledge.

Recognizing Outstanding Leadership & Service

The retreat also provided an opportunity to recognize two individuals whose leadership and dedication have helped Women in Propane grow and thrive. Board members honored Whitney O’Toole for her service as chair and her lasting contributions to mentorship, professional development and member engagement, helping guide the organization through a period of continued growth.

Women in Propane also presented its inaugural Women in Propane MVP Award to Jennifer Jackson, recognizing her exceptional volunteerism and commitment to the organization. Through her leadership of the DiSC program, support of fellow members and dedication to advancing key initiatives, Jackson has made a significant impact on Women in Propane. As Chair Mandy Swanson noted, “Jennifer represents the very best of Women in Propane. Her enthusiasm, leadership and dedication have helped move our organization forward in countless ways.” 

The recognition highlighted the vital role volunteers play in strengthening the organization and advancing its mission.

Looking Ahead

As the retreat concluded, participants left Arizona energized by the ideas generated and the momentum created through their conversations.

For Swanson, the retreat highlighted the passion and dedication that continues to define Women in Propane.

“What makes Women in Propane special is the willingness of people to share their time, experience and talents to help others succeed,” she said. “The strategy retreat reinforced that commitment and helped create a road map for continued growth and impact.”

With a clear vision and renewed enthusiasm, Women in Propane is well positioned to continue fostering leadership, professional development and meaningful connections throughout the propane industry.

For more articles providing resources to propane industry members, take a look at our Workforce Development section.