Pay your own coffee/breakfast.

Think ART! 

Let’s meet at the stunning Cliff Dwellers Club for Happy Hour socializing on Thursday, April 2nd at 5:30pm. Thanks to our friend, PWCC Member, and Fifty+ Collective pal Sherry Watkins (Soprano extraordinaire), we will get to experience this storied, small private club located on the top floor of 200 S. Michigan Avenue. Founded in 1907 the club’s focus is all about ART. Its members are professionals involved in the fine and performing arts. 

Please note: Attendees are responsible for their own drinks (cash or Zelle only). Space is limited to 14 participants, so reserve your spot today.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Tech Connect is hosting a panel discussion, bringing together women leaders navigating leadership in male-dominated tech environments. Moderated by Renee Giacalone, the conversation will focus on practical strategies, real experiences, and actionable insights.

Topics will include:

• Using emotional intelligence as a leadership advantage without it turning into emotional labor
• Building credibility quickly in high-velocity environments
• Navigating interruptions, credit drift, and “prove it again” moments
• Effectively leading male-majority teams
• Building allies, sponsorship networks, and setting boundaries that actually work

Panelists:
Patricia O'Shea, Senior Director, Customer Engagement and Personalization, Ahold Delhaize USA

Patricia O'Shea is a technology and product leader with 20+ years transforming digital experiences across Fortune 500 retail, QSR, manufacturing, and CPG companies. Currently Senior Director, Product at Ahold Delhaize USA, she leads a team driving digital customer engagement and personalization via a proprietary omnichannel shopping platform in 5 brands serving 26 million weekly customers. She builds high-performing teams in complex, matrixed organizations by combining strategic vision and customer centricity with hands-on execution.

Kate MeLynda, Founder, CEO, and Principal Consultant, AxonCatalyx

Kate MeLynda is a fractional executive and founder of AxonCatalyx, enabling companies to scale by building the go-to-market and operational foundations required for growth. She brings 20+ years of in-house experience leading growth and operational transformation across Physical AI, predictive analytics, IoT, and cybersecurity, most recently serving as President of Formant, a robotics operations software company.  She is passionate about building strong organizations and advancing women in tech.

Are you eager to broaden your professional connections within the Chicagoland legal community? Look no further!

Join us for our monthly Attorney SIG Networking Lunch, where attorneys come together to connect, collaborate, and foster meaningful relationships. Whether you're on the hunt for career opportunities, exploring potential partnerships, seeking referral connections, or simply looking to share insights with fellow legal professionals, this casual networking lunch is the perfect opportunity for you. Don’t miss out on the chance to grow your network in a welcoming environment!

Members: free / Non-Members: $15

Bring your own lunch.

Join the Health & Wellness SIG for a 40‑minute strength session designed to teach you how to lift safely and feel stronger and confident doing it! We break down essential movement patterns, add controlled pulses and isometric holds, and guide you through strength work that supports real‑life demands—carrying groceries, climbing stairs, and feeling steady in your body. All levels are welcome.

There is free parking available at We The People.

After the session, we'll head to Tecalitlan Mexican Kitchen & Margarita Bar (1 mile from the studio) at 1538 N Clybourn Ave and enjoy networking, food and beverage.  There is a parking garage available and food will be at your own cost.

Join us for 4th Friday Coffee, a relaxed monthly meetup hosted by PWCC President Betsy Barnich. It’s your chance to connect with other professionals, support local coffee shops, and learn more about the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago—all before your workday begins!

We meet on the 4th Friday of each month at rotating coffee shops around the city.

No cost to attend—just the cost of your coffee.
Bring a friend. All are welcome!

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

Join us for cocktails and light appetizers followed by a panel discussion. The panel will focus on the fundamentals of financial planning, where women often get stuck, what to tackle first, and how to move forward with greater confidence and clarity!

Speakers Info:

Molly Girard: Molly is a CFP®, CPA, Partner and Financial Advisor at Verismo Financial, focused on advising Big 4 professionals and women who want a clearer, more intentional approach to their finances. She brings clarity to investments, tax strategy, estate planning, and long-term planning so clients can move forward with confidence and control.

Karie Oconnor, CIMA®, CPFA®, AIFA®: Karie is a Wealth and Retirement Plan Advisor with RMR Wealth Builders, working with institutions, their employees, and individual private clients to simplify holistic goals based financial planning.  She helps clients cut through complexity, and is passionate about helping clients gain clarity, build confidence, and make more informed financial decisions through straightforward, practical guidance.

Kelly Weiss: Kelly is a long-standing advisor at BCU Risk Advisors, bringing more than a decade of experience serving successful families and affiliated agencies. She focuses on building trusted, long-term client relationships and delivering personalized, relationship-driven insurance solutions with a client-first mindset.

May Luncheon - featuring Carol J. Sharp of The Night Ministry

Carol J. Sharp, MPA, is a purpose-driven Chicago leader with more than 20 years of experience expanding opportunity for marginalized communities. She has dedicated her career to improving the living, learning, and earning potential of under-resourced youth and young adults, leveraging people, partnerships, and evidence-based strategies to help leaders and organizations thrive despite systemic barriers.

Currently, Carol serves as President & CEO of The Night Ministry, a Chicago-based not-for-profit that provides housing, health care, and human connection to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. She is focused on honoring the organization’s 50-year legacy while leading its evolution through innovation and compassionate service. Her previous leadership roles include Youth Guidance, Girls Inc. of Chicago, Perspectives Charter Schools, and the Chicago Scholars Foundation.

A sought-after speaker, Carol has engaged audiences across sectors - from moderating the Junior League of Chicago’s LeadHERship in Action panel to co-presenting on nonprofit board governance at Wintrust/Conlon’s “Coffee Talk” series and joining the Rustandy Center’s IGNITE panel on human behavior and trust in the age of AI.

In 2025, she delivered her widely praised TEDx talk, “L.I.V.E. Your Way Into Leadership: Leadership Lessons from a Little Girl on a Chicago Train,” in which she explored how lived experience, empathy, and presence shape transformative leadership.

She is an active member of the American Society for Public Administrators, is a Past President of the Chicago Chapter, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.

Ticket prices increase $10 if reservation is received after Friday, May 8, 2026.

Agenda

11:00am-11:30am PWCC Meet & Greet (Optional: first-time guests encouraged to attend!)

11:30am - 11:45am Open Networking

11:45am - 12:35pm Speaker Presentation

12:35pm - 1:15pm Lunch & Table Networking

Menu

Standard Option: Blackened Mahi-Mahi with Medley of Vegetables, Rice & Beans with Tropical Fruit Relish

Vegetarian Option: Blackened Braised Eggplant with Medley of Vegetables, Rice & Beans with Tropical Fruit Relish

Dessert: Blueberry & Calamansi with Fresh Blueberries (vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free)

These Entrees do not contain Pork, Nuts or Shellfish

This menu does contain Dairy

Are you eager to broaden your professional connections within the Chicagoland legal community? Look no further!

Join us for our monthly Attorney SIG Networking Lunch, where attorneys come together to connect, collaborate, and foster meaningful relationships. Whether you're on the hunt for career opportunities, exploring potential partnerships, seeking referral connections, or simply looking to share insights with fellow legal professionals, this casual networking lunch is the perfect opportunity for you. Don’t miss out on the chance to grow your network in a welcoming environment!

Members: free / Non-Members: $15

Bring your own lunch.

Is Your Business Exit-Ready? A Practical Workshop for Business Owners hosted by Kim Wasney and Alex Seydel of Ripples Edge Advisors

About This Workshop

Most business owners spend years building their company — but few spend time preparing it for what comes next. Whether a sale is on your horizon or still years away, the decisions you make today will determine how much you walk away with, and how smooth the transition will be.

This focused virtual workshop is designed specifically for business owners who want a clear, honest picture of where they stand — and what to do about it.

What We'll Cover

1. What Do You Actually Want From This? Before you can plan an exit, you need to know what you're optimizing for. We'll use a Values Priority exercise to help you identify and rank what matters most so your exit strategy is built around your priorities, not a generic playbook.

2. How Dependent Is Your Business on You? Here's a revealing question: if you left for two weeks with no phone and no email, what would happen? We'll walk through this exercise live to help you stress-test your business — identifying who calls, what breaks, and what decisions grind to a halt without you. Owner dependence is one of the top value-killers in any transaction, and this is your first step toward fixing it.

3. M&A Back to Basics: How Deals Actually Work We'll demystify the transaction process, covering:

• Buyer types 

• Diligence Process and Expectations

• Deal structure — and the critical difference between your headline purchase price and what you actually take home at closing

Who Should Attend

This workshop is built for business owners who are beginning to think about their eventual exit — whether that's 2 years away or 10. No financial background required. Come curious.

Curious about the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago? Join us for a 30-minute virtual session to learn who we are, what we offer, and why becoming a PWCC member is such a rewarding experience.

You’ll discover how PWCC supports professional women across industries with:

• A powerful network of leaders and peers

• Opportunities for growth, connection, and visibility

• Meaningful ways to get involved and make an impact

Whether you’re considering membership or simply want to learn more, this is the perfect place to start.

✨ All are welcome! Please register in advance so we know to expect you.

Join us for 4th Friday Coffee, a relaxed monthly meetup hosted by PWCC President Betsy Barnich. It’s your chance to connect with other professionals, support local coffee shops, and learn more about the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago—all before your workday begins!

We meet on the 4th Friday of each month at rotating coffee shops around the city.

No cost to attend—just the cost of your coffee.
Bring a friend. All are welcome!

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

*enter through the alleyway off Ravenswood

Are you eager to broaden your professional connections within the Chicagoland legal community? Look no further!

Join us for our monthly Attorney SIG Networking Lunch, where attorneys come together to connect, collaborate, and foster meaningful relationships. Whether you're on the hunt for career opportunities, exploring potential partnerships, seeking referral connections, or simply looking to share insights with fellow legal professionals, this casual networking lunch is the perfect opportunity for you. Don’t miss out on the chance to grow your network in a welcoming environment!

Members: free / Non-Members: $15

Bring your own lunch.

PWCC Night with Chicago Stars FC!

PWCC has partnered with Chicago Stars FC for an exclusive members night — and we want YOU there, along with your friends and family!

Join us pitch-side for a thrilling NWSL match as Chicago's own Stars FC take the field against the Bay FC. Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or just looking for an unforgettable summer night out, this is the event of the season.

As a community of professional women, we know the power of showing up for each other — and that includes showing up for women in sports. Chicago Stars FC represents the best of women's athletics.

Tickets are available at a special discounted rate exclusively for PWCC members, friends, and family. Grab yours before they're gone — these won't last long!

Join The Professional Women's Club of Chicago for an afternoon of learning the game and working on our golf skills in a fun and non-intimidating atmosphere!

NOTE: This event requires external registration.  We appreciate you registering here so we can contact you with updates about the event, but your registration is not final until you purchase your ticket here. (Ticket price: $45)

PWCC is teaming up with Fore the Ladies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, for an introduction-to-golf event! If you've never picked up a golf club or have recently picked up the game (within the last 2-3 years) - this event at The Glen Club is for you! Fore the Ladies, Inc., is a female-based community and non-profit organization on a mission to introduce more women to the game and bring them together to play, watch, and participate in everything golf has to offer. They hope to make golf more accessible and approachable, while removing the expected barriers such as cost, equipment, golf course access and intimidation.

Golf instructors will teach you the basics of the game and more so you're ready to take your next step in golf - whether that be lessons, the driving range or hitting the course. Ask all of your burning questions about the game, meet other golfers and have a fun afternoon with us at the golf club! Participants will rotate through 30-minute stations to learn fundamentals of putting, chipping and full swing shots. 

Don’t have golf clubs? No problem, we’ll have sets on hand for you to try. For more info on Fore the Ladies and to see photos from our past events, check out our past events here.

Who is this event for?

• Those who have never played golf or have minimal experience with the game
• Those who have been playing for a few years but would like some tips and instruction
• Those who love golf and want to hang with others/find a new playing partner and golf friends!
• Those who want to give golf a try with an open mind in a social atmosphere
• Please note, all sales are final, and the Fore the Ladies does not offer any money-back guarantees. We will use a waitlist in the event we can fill a spot.