this is the thread
Where we’ve come from and where we’re going
who we are
Welcome to The Thread, a women’s leadership collective created for those who refuse to play small in work and in life. With tailored programs, events and resources, we're here to build you up, connect you with like-minded women and challenge you to stretch. If you're craving authentic relationships and increased self-trust in your professional and personal journey, you've found your place.
The Thread was originally founded in Wichita by Audra Dinell in 2020. Since then it has grown to a community of over 125 women and most recently opened its second chapter in Kansas City.
Meet THE Wichita TEAM
Audra is the Founder and CEO of The Thread, applying her bold vision and action-oriented approach to transform women’s confidence and leadership abilities through an award-winning personal development experience. She brings more than a decade of marketing experience and a social entrepreneurship focus to community building in the Midwest.
Founded in 2020, The Thread community has over 100 members in Wichita, Kansas, and aims to expand to 20 chapters in the Midwest region by 2028 through a licensee model. Audra is regularly asked to speak on topics that involve women in the workplace, leadership and confidence. She’s passionate about helping women feel more alive in their ‘one, wild and precious life,’ like the Mary Oliver poem.
Audra is married to her high school sweetheart and is the mother of two energetic young boys.
audra
Kristen serves as Special Projects Manager for The Thread team. She came on board just as Cohort One launched and has been executing by Audra’s side ever since. Kristen is a strategic thinker and expert problem solver with 16 years of experience working with business owners and executives to help them reclaim time, increase efficiency and focus on what matters most.
Born and raised a Texas girl, Kristen calls Wichita her forever home where she lives with her husband and three children just outside of the city. In her free time, you’ll find her jogging, adventuring with her family and spending as much time as possible on her front porch.
kristen
While working as an HR leader in a global corporation, Kendra was a member of Cohort One and has been a part of The Thread since then! After C1, Kendra served as lead for the Communications Committee for The Thread Alumnae Experience. In 2022, Kendra joined The Thread team as our Head of Community. In this role, Kendra is the main point of contact for cohort members, speakers, mentors and partners. She’s also responsible for onboarding cohort members and helps craft the curated experience for each and every cohort. Kendra’s strengths and passions are developing others, creating systems and processes and building authentic relationships—all of which serve her extremely well in her Head of Community role.
Kendra lives in Wichita with her husband, Weston, her two sons and their family golden-doodle, Harry (named after Harry Potter). Aside from The Thread, Kendra enjoys reading, spending time outside, watching sports and movies and building her health and wellness coaching business.
kendra
explore our other chapters
