• The live event series, Young Women LEAD (YWL), returned to Robinson, Illinois, for a third year in a row this March.
• The national live event series, which aims to create life-changing experiences for high school girls across the country, first came to Robinson in 2022.
• Marathon Petroleum’s refinery in Robinson not only supports the popular event as a sponsor, but employees also help prepare for and play an active role in the event.

With its mission to inspire and boost the confidence and ambitions of high school girls across the country, the national tour Young Women LEAD (YWL) returned to Robinson, Illinois, in March, marking the live event’s third trip to Robinson.

Employees from Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery played a key role in bringing the inspirational leadership conference to Robinson for its inaugural trip in 2022. Each year hundreds of teen girls from across Crawford, Clark and Jasper counties gather at Lincoln Trail College to hear presentations from local and nationally recognized women leaders who share their life experiences and tips to a successful and meaningful future.

“What is happening here with the support of Marathon Petroleum and Young Women LEAD (YWL) is nothing short of extraordinary,” YWL’s 2024 Keynote Speaker Julie Carrier said. “Transformations are happening every moment of this experience.”  

Carrier, a success coach, award-winning national speaker, author and host of MTV’s hit show "MADE," also served as YWL’s keynote in the 2022 event. Then and now, Carrier shared her hard-fought secrets to success and how her mantra “ABC – Always Be Confident” helps her continue to meet life’s challenges head on.

“A lot of people might wonder, what’s the impact of a one-time event or leadership conference for girls? I can tell you from my own experience at 14, struggling with crippling anxiety and self-doubt – I couldn’t even raise my hand in class to speak – and it was an event like this that changed my whole life,” Carrier said. “And it was actually what planted the seed that someday I wanted to be able to impact the lives of other young people the same way that conference impacted me.”

YWL was founded in 2010 and since then has served close to 50,000 high school girls across the country. 

“From here in Robinson to our events across the country, these would not be possible without the generous support from wonderful partners like Marathon Petroleum,” said YWL Executive Director Kimberly Code, PhD. “Not only do they provide financial support but volunteers for each of the events. Even more important is their support of girls and encouraging girls to go into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.”

Each year, employee volunteers from the Robinson refinery have helped coordinate the event, along with other community partners, while also helping lead some of the breakout sessions. 

“What is happening here with the support of Marathon Petroleum and Young Women LEAD (YWL) is nothing short of extraordinary.”

“Our team has proudly supported Young Women LEAD, and it’s been such a rewarding experience to be part of,” said Taylor Bartram-Haislip, a Refining Engineer at the Robinson refinery. 

Bartram-Haislip and Brenna Beltz, also a Refining Engineer at the refinery, co-led this year’s event.

“We added these breakout sessions after the first year, because we saw a need for getting the girls in smaller groups, so we could really engage them on a more personal level,” said Beltz. 

Approximately 200 students took part in the 2024 event at Lincoln Trail College. Here’s what a few of the attendees had to say: “It was really fun; I would totally recommend going if you get the chance.” “The speakers were so amazing, so fun and it was amazing to see so much women empowerment in one place.”  “What really stood out: the A-B-C’s, you know, Always Be Confident in whatever it is you’re passionate about.” Robinson High School Teacher Beth Richardson added, “As a teacher, the message that resonated with me the most was when my students were told how invaluable they are, how priceless their lives are and how much potential they have. The event was just filled with so much encouragement; inspiring our girls to go for their dreams no matter what setbacks they may experience along the way.”