Many of us are having a quiet conversation with ourselves about timing, ambition, and whether building a career and a family at the same time is actually possible.

 Helena Gonzalez, JD, certified executive coach, is bringing that conversation into the room.

 The Cost of Ambition: Navigating Career & Caregiving Without Apology is a strategy session for women professionals who are planning ahead, in the middle of it, or figuring out what comes next. Expect real talk and practical tools on:

• The career and fertility timing collision

• The ambition penalty — what happens to perception at work when women become mothers

• How opportunities may quietly disappear, and how to reclaim them

• Navigating leave and caregiving on your own terms

Helena coaches high-performing leaders to think in "both/and" terms and lead with full authenticity. This session reflects exactly that.

Come as you are. Leave with a plan.

Speaker Bio:

Helena Gonzalez, JD, is a Certified Executive Coach whose career has been defined by one throughline: helping high-performing professionals own their success at every stage and in every season of life.

A former litigation associate turned talent strategist, Helena has spent her career inside the highest-pressure environments — law firms, global organizations, and executive leadership teams — coaching and developing the people who keep them running. Her experience working with lawyers has given her an unusually precise understanding of what it means to operate at the top of demanding professions across industries.

Certified through the Center for Executive Coaching and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Helena works with ambitious professionals who are navigating the intersection of career and caregiving — and refuse to treat one as a concession to the other. Her coaching philosophy is rooted in "both/and" thinking: the belief that authenticity and ambition, leadership and family, excellence and wholeness are not in conflict. They are the whole point.

As a special bonus, attendees will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to receive a complimentary 1:1 coaching session with Helena.

The Fifty+ Collective is pleased to invite you to Paint n’ Sip, a relaxed and creative evening designed to help you unwind, socialize, and explore your artistic side. Join us at the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) Gallery in Bridgeport for an enjoyable night of conversation, creativity, and connection.

While sipping your favorite beverages and enjoying light snacks, participants will be guided step‑by‑step through an acrylic painting by CAPE teaching artist Jessica Mueller. No prior painting experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and willingness to have fun. This welcoming event blends creativity with community, making it a perfect opportunity to de‑stress, connect with others, and leave with your own finished artwork.

Come ready to relax, connect, and create—paint, sip, and enjoy an evening designed just for you!

5:30 PM – Networking, beverages, and snacks
6:00 PM – Guided painting begins

Cost includes teaching artist instruction; all art supplies (each participant will paint on a 12” x 9” canvas); wine, beer, seltzer, and snacks

Parking: Available in the lot adjacent to the building or on surrounding streets.

Registration limited to 30.

You have a folder of half-finished notes. A shoebox of receipts. An inbox you're behind on. What if you could just hand all of that to an assistant?

In this hands-on online session, Maya runs a step-by-step tutorial on setting up your own AI agent using Claude. No coding, no technical background needed.

You'll create an agent that will do:

1. Presentations

2. Expense Reports

3. Summarize Your Daily Emails

60 minutes of tutorial, 30 minutes of live Q&A. Bring your questions.

To follow along, download the Claude desktop app (claude.com/download) ahead of time, then upgrade to a paid plan before the session (Pro starts at $20/month). We'll send full setup details when you register.

Important: Many work laptops block software installs like this. Please plan to use a personal laptop or computer for the session.

The link to join the online meeting will be sent after you register.

Save your spot.

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.

Some evenings are just different.

Heart & Soul is PWCC's annual celebration of the people who make this community what it is -- the committee members who show up, the SIG leaders who spark conversation, the sponsors who invest in our mission, and the members who have called PWCC home for 10, 15, even 20 years.

This year, we are gathering at the Metropolitan Club - one of Chicago's most iconic venues - for an evening of cocktails, appetizers, and the kind of conversation that happens when a community comes together to celebrate itself.

If you have volunteered your time, championed our work, or simply shown up for this community, this evening is our thank you to you.

Complimentary event. Attendance is by invitation.

To celebrate Spring and all that blooms, join us for an elegant and lively twist on traditional high tea at the “Tipsy Tea” party event – held at Private Affairs (a private room), located on the 5th floor of the Gwen Hotel.

Date: Saturday June 27^th at 12:30 pm.

Place: 521 North Rush St. 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611

The price to reserve a spot includes ONLY the rotating Tea Tower of delicately crafted bites – savory and sweet.

All beverages are a la carte – your choice – and you pay for these on site.  Please bring cash to facilitate settling the drink bill.

Beverages range from fragrant botanical Rishi teas, artfully mixed tea-infused cocktails (hence the name: Tipsy Tea), various Mimosas, many varieties of wines, and spirit-free sips. 

Perhaps you will delight in “Tipsy Teas” like: Ladybug Lemonade, Spritz in the Garden, Daisies and Butterflies, and others?

Registration limited to 12 persons.

Connect for a Cause | PWCC's Third Annual Nonprofit Fair & Networking Event

PWCC is proud to present Connect for a Cause, our third annual Nonprofit Fair and Networking Event — an evening dedicated to spotlighting the incredible nonprofit organizations our members are passionate about.

Join us for an inspiring night of connection, community, and purpose as participating nonprofits showcase their missions and members come together to celebrate the causes close to their hearts.

Wednesday, July 15th 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 30 S. Wacker Drive | Offices of RSM US

Light refreshments will be served, and the evening will include a structured networking session.

Want to nominate a nonprofit? Submissions are open May 13–27. Only PWCC members are eligible to nominate, and the nominating member must be actively involved in the organization they submit. Space is limited to 20 nonprofits — nominating members are expected to attend and serve as one of their nonprofit's table representatives.

Selected nonprofits will be contacted by a member of our Community Outreach Committee. A preparation checklist with recommended materials will be provided as the event approaches.

A special thank you to RSM US for once again generously hosting us in their conference space!

Picnic, Broadway, and Convo in Millennium Park!

Join the Art and Culture SIG as we enjoy the Grant Park Orchestra, Chorus and Broadway stars perform songs from Tony award winning shows. 

We will meet an hour before to concert starts to grab a space on the lawn where we can watch the show. Starter snacks and wine provided.  Please bring something to share and sit on!

Date: July 21st, 2026

Time: 5:30pm meet in Millennium Park on front area of lawn near the seats

Starter snacks and wine provided.

We suggest that you bring a beverage or snack to share and a blanket to sit on.

Note: if rain is predicted, the event will be cancelled

See you there!

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.