What if the key to unlocking leadership potential was hiding in a deck of cards? At this year’s Women Who Win event, more than 300 students packed the Robertson Auditorium at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business to find out.
Hosted by Undergraduate Michigan Business Women and supported by U-M’s Michigan Ross Business + Tech and Center for Entrepreneurship along with Poker Power, Women Who Win offered students a chance to connect with inspiring leaders, explore women-driven innovation, and build real-world skills to fuel their future careers. The event’s inspiring keynote speaker, Jenny Just–a self-made billionaire, investor, and co-founder of fintech powerhouse PEAK6–shared how she’s using poker to change the game for women in leadership.
A Visionary in Finance and Female Empowerment
Jenny Just, a proud U-M alum, joined Ross School of Business Dean Sharon Matusik on stage for a candid conversation about her path from launching PEAK6 with $1.5 million in seed funding to scaling it into a multibillion-dollar empire. But more than just a business success story, Jenny brought a powerful message: strategic thinking can be taught—and it starts with learning how to play the game.
“In the workplace, power exists at the money decision-making table,” Just explained. “We have to get in the game, practice playing the game, and then we can participate in all those things that we have been left out of.”
Her organization, Poker Power, started as a small experiment teaching poker to a group of moms and daughters. The impact was immediate—confidence soared, decision-making sharpened, and strategy became second nature. Today, Poker Power has grown to reach women in over 60 countries, partnering with 330+ companies to teach skills like calculated risk-taking, capital allocation, and leadership—all without placing a single bet.
Spotlight on Women-Led Innovation
Beyond Jenny Just’s fireside chat, the event also showcased women who are already making an impact through entrepreneurship. The FoundHERS pitch session introduced three groundbreaking ventures:
- NeoNest Global (Dhiya Krupashankar & Erin Donnelly) A nonprofit developing infant incubators to combat newborn mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- SoarAway (Ndi Megga Nalutaaya): An initiative investing in Africa’s youth to foster future leaders.
- Zan Times (Zahra Nadar): A media organization dedicated to covering human rights issues under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
These student entrepreneurs embodied the spirit of Women Who Win—proving that with resilience, creativity, and support, big change is possible.
High-Stakes Learning: Poker as a Tool for Leadership
To close out the evening, students got a chance to hit the tables—literally. The Poker 101 session led by Poker Power facilitators introduced the basics of the game, giving students a chance to practice risk-taking and strategic decision-making firsthand.
“We’re not teaching poker so you can play in a casino,” she said. “We’re teaching strategy, taking risks, capital allocation—and giving you a place to practice doing those things.”
For many students, this was their first ever poker experience, and a surprisingly fun way to pick up valuable leadership skills.
A Night of Inspiration and Action
From Jenny Just’s transformative insights to the powerful FoundHERS pitches, Women Who Win 2025 left attendees with a clear message: women belong in spaces of power, decision-making, and financial leadership. With the right tools, whether through entrepreneurship or even a deck of cards, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.
From Jenny Just’s powerful insights to the student-led pitches, Women Who Win 2025 left attendees with a clear takeaway: women belong in every room where decisions are made. With the right tools—whether it’s entrepreneurship, mentorship, or even a deck of cards—they can get there.