Blog

If you’ve arrived here, hopefully, you’ve had a chance to check out the first two articles in our Women in Tech Series. The first article discusses the current state of women in tech, and the second article explores what we can do to retain more women in tech. But the journey doesn’t stop there. WeRead more

In article one of our Women in Tech Series, we discussed the progress that’s been made and work we have yet to do in rising up women in the technology field. As the pipeline of women increases, so do their opportunities. But just as critical as drawing women into tech is retaining them. Women leaveRead more

Let’s face it, life happens. Some life events we choose, while others are out of our control. Research shows that 9 out of 10 people have gaps in their employment history. This can be from a personal choice to leave the workforce, such as going back to school, caring for an elderly family member, relocationRead more

Series Introduction To know me is to know my passion for advancing women in technology. In fact, it was 10 years ago that I, along with Leslie Vickrey and Jane Hamner, founded ARA, an organization dedicated to that mission.  We celebrated this monumental milestone with a virtual event back in March. We brought ARA foundersRead more

Women have gained footing in the professional world for decades, but we’ve lost some critical ground in recent years. For leaders who are ready to make a concerted change in 2023, here’s a look at why and how to get serious about promoting and retaining women. Who We Lost: 2020 We all saw how 2020Read more

The Pandemic’s Catalyst Effect: The Great “Re” Last month, ARA had the honor of presenting a panel discussion at the Chicago Women in Technology Conference (CHIWITCON). Led by Sandee Kastrul, three top women executives, Kendra Cato, Disha Gulati, and Madeline Stone Kutis discussed how they have found success in getting to know people and reconnectingRead more

It’s another day for women. Women’s Equality Day, celebrated every August 26, commemorates the passage of women’s suffrage in the U.S. and reminds us of the hurdles overcome by the heroic women who faced violence and discrimination to propel the women’s movement forward. If you’re like me, you are faced with many emotions today—gratitude forRead more

Join ARA , ClearEdge Marketing, and McCann Partners, in welcoming The Lady Leaders Book Club, a group of experienced authors and industry leaders — from CEOs to Presidents to Founders and Co-Founders — as they bring their book to life. Together We Rise recounts the uplifting true stories of 15 passionate and unstoppable lady leaders. Their chapters are filledRead more

McCann Partners welcomes Asha Aravindakshan author of Skills: The Common Denominator for a lunch hour of inspired conversation on Thursday, July 21 at noon CST. Register today! Asha is a corporate executive, startup advisor, and career strategist. Early in her career, she learned the importance of identifying and articulating her own transferable skills to landRead more

McCann Partners presents a special Poker Power virtual lesson on Tuesday, May 10 at noon CST. Register today! We are excited to partner with Poker Power, an organization that knows there is a strong connection between women’s success, money ownership, and the game of poker. They teach women how to play Texas Hold’em, to compete and succeedRead more

McCann Partners welcomes Christine Stone, author of The Parent Track, for a lunch hour of inspired conversation on Wednesday, April 20 at noon CST. Register today! After raising four children while moving up in the competitive world of technology, Christine, Groupon’s Global Head Product, Engineering Operations, Strategy, and TPMO, compiled an authentic, funny, and realistic resource toRead more

As March and Women’s History Month come to a close, I’m reflecting on some of the uplifting content that’s been shared throughout the past several weeks. There’s been a lot happening, as usual, but this of course includes how people marked #InternationalWomensDay on March 8, a global day of celebration where all were encouraged toRead more

International Women’s Day was officially celebrated earlier this month, but I received such an overwhelmingly positive response to my initial outreach to the Chief network, that one post just wasn’t enough. I would be remiss if I didn’t share all of the fantastic insights, advice, and personal stories that came my way! This is theRead more

Connecting with, learning from, and lifting up other female leaders is in my DNA, so when presented with an invite to join Chief earlier this year, I enthusiastically accepted. Chief is a private network for women in executive leadership, and while founded in 2019, it recently expanded its reach nationwide and started offering virtual memberships.Read more

While many aspects of life have started to return to some kind of “normal” following 16+ months of disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are others, like travel, workplaces, and family dynamics, that are forever changed.   Like many working parents, when I look back on the past year and a half, my memories and emotionsRead more

National days of recognition are aplenty (I see you National French Fry Day!). The one that strikes the strongest chord with me though, is the one we honor today: International Women’s Day (IWD). Lifting women in business and tech is at the foundation of most decisions I make—in both my personal and professional worlds. WhetherRead more

It was not long after the launch of ARA, an organization which aspires to attract, retain and advance women in technology and leadership, that my co-founders and I were introduced to Chicago Tech Academy High School.  From facilitating a virtual power lunch with their Young Women’s Leadership Society, to welcoming an intern from the Academy, weRead more

Meeting i.c.stars President and Co-Founder Sandee Kastrul has been a huge blessing in my life. Not only is Sandee a friend and mentor, she is pure inspiration. I am in awe each and every time I am in her company – virtually or otherwise. It is fitting, therefore, to highlight the amazing program she has builtRead more

Community matters. Meaningful connections are magical. Mentorship creates opportunity for growth and learning for everyone involved. Relationships are the foundation for everything.  I believe in these statements. They are my truths. And, despite all that 2020 has served us in terms of local, national, and world news – from the global pandemic, to racial injustice,Read more

Building upon ARA’s June 2020 “Allyship in Action” Webinar, the organization is producing a five-part series, “Allyship, Advocacy and Taking Action,” in partnership with three visionary organizations: i.c.stars, Chicago Tech Academy and Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE). This continuing series is designed to help ARA members learn how to become better allies to marginalizedRead more