For nearly four decades, the Central California Women’s Conference has brought thousands of women together each year for professional development, inspiration and philanthropy.
Now, Conference Director Kelley Babigian Sanchez is helping guide the nonprofit into its next chapter, balancing its longstanding traditions with new ideas that keep the event relevant for future generations.
A Fresno native with a background in marketing and communications, Sanchez says her years as a conference sponsor gave her a unique understanding of what makes the event successful long before she stepped into its leadership role.
“I knew from my years as a sponsor that the Central California Women’s Conference was something people looked forward to every year,” she said. “But after stepping into this role, I’ve realized the connection runs much deeper than I ever imagined.”
About the Central California Women’s Conference
The Central California Women’s Conference is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering, uplifting and uniting women from all walks of life.
Founded in 1988 by the late Sen. Ken Maddy, the conference has grown into one of the nation’s largest one-day women’s conferences, attracting approximately 3,500 attendees annually.
Conference proceeds are reinvested into the community through grants supporting nonprofits serving women and children. To date, the organization has awarded more than $1.85 million in community grants.
A career built on communications
Before becoming conference director, Sanchez served as marketing and communications director for a local hospital that sponsored the conference for more than 20 years.
That experience, she said, prepared her to understand both sponsor expectations and attendee experiences.
“I understand firsthand what sponsors value, what attendees expect and the impact the conference has on our community.”
Why storytelling matters
Sanchez traces her communications career back to performing in local theater and television as a child.
Those experiences taught her how stories influence audiences — skills she now applies in marketing.
“Whether you’re promoting a cause, building a brand or encouraging someone to attend an event, you’re telling a story in a way that resonates.”
She believes marketing is often misunderstood because people only see the finished product rather than the research, planning and audience strategy behind it.
“Good communications can build trust, strengthen relationships and shape how an organization is perceived.”
Preserving a Valley tradition
One of Sanchez’s priorities is protecting the conference’s legacy while ensuring it evolves.
She says many volunteers have family histories with the conference stretching back decades.
“CCWC isn’t just an event — it’s a tradition.”
Her goal is to preserve the conference’s mission while embracing new programming, technology and ideas that continue attracting future generations of attendees.
“If we do that well, today’s first-time attendees will become tomorrow’s volunteers, sponsors and ambassadors.”
Life outside work
Away from the conference, Sanchez enjoys spending time with her family, decorating sugar cookies and lifting weights at the gym.
Her first paid job was performing with Good Company Players at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, where she learned lessons about teamwork, preparation and professionalism that still influence her leadership style today.
Best advice she’s received
One quote continues to guide Sanchez both personally and professionally:
“If you spend your life trying to be like everybody else, the world will miss out on the person you were created to be.”
She hopes every attendee leaves the conference believing their own experiences and perspectives have value.
Executive profile
Name: Kelley Babigian Sanchez
Title: Conference director
Organization: Central California Women’s Conference
Education: B.A. in Public Relations, Advertising and Mass Communication, California State University, Fresno
Family: Husband Peter Sanchez; daughters Macie and Sydnie; Charlie, a Havanese
The Central California Women’s Conference remains one of the Central Valley’s largest annual professional development events for women while generating ongoing funding for nonprofits serving women and children throughout the region.