At some point in their careers, many women find themselves in a place where, when presented with opportunities, we reflect inward and hesitate. We deem we’re not ready or worthy enough to move forward, whether that is to raise our hands for a promotion or go for the next role.
Author and Clinical Associate Professor at the Kellogg School of Management Ellen Taaffe considers this our mirrored door, and in her interactive talk, Open the Mirrored Door: you are more ready than you think, she unpacks the gendered expectations that girls and women internalize over entire lifetimes that create a hidden barrier which keeps us from reaching our full potential.
At the Fall BCLK event, Ellen Taaffe will talk us through the mirrored door and the five success strategies that raise us up in our careers and then—in an ironic twist—block our careers as expectations rise. Join us for a lively discussion about how we can create the professional success we desire and deserve.
Join us for a special Big Careers Little Kids summer networking event where you can make meaningful connections with other women navigating careers while raising children.
For the event, attendees will be “matched” based on the professional and parenting advice they can offer or are seeking. Simply complete a few quick questions in the RSVP form to help the BCLK team design the optimal match.
Need an updated professional headshot? A professional photographer will be available to capture your best shot.
Space is limited for this event, which is generously sponsored by Cooley, so register early to reserve your spot. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
We’re kicking off our annual event season with a discussion that will help you lead your kids through the myriad challenges they are bound to face. To thrive, kids need to trust in their capabilities. They also need to know they can manage even if they aren’t successful at something. That’s where confidence comes in. Developing confidence early helps young people try their best at new things, shine in difficult situations, and have patience with their growing selves. But how do we help kids build self-confidence?
Like everything in child-rearing, there’s no one-size-fits-all method, which is why we’re inviting a panel of distinguished women to share their varied experiences instilling confidence in their now-older children while championing their own professional success in demanding careers. Join us for a lively discussion that is sure to give you new ideas and inspiration for raising your own confident kids.
Space is limited so register early to reserve your spot. We look forward to seeing you there!
At our fall event, entrepreneur, author, DEIB* consultant, and expert in creating change and breaking gender stereotypes, Jodi Bondi Norgaard will share her story of the hard battle she would fight when learning that her persistence, determination, and passion would serve her well. When Jodi decided to launch a socially responsible product, she never imagined the long road ahead of her. Her experience will encourage BCLK members to take their best idea, step over fear, find courage, tap into their passion and persist when the road becomes difficult.
Event attendees will leave with new perspectives from Jodi, including:
Before and after Jodi's talk you'll have a chance to mix and mingle with other BCLK members. Drinks and refreshments will be served. We hope you can join us for this thought-provoking event.
*Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Friends in High Places: How the Friendships You Make and Maintain Can Play A Critical Role in Your Personal and Professional Development
The lines between personal connections and professional success have blurred. The friendships that we make and maintain throughout our lives bring us personal fulfillment. They can also contribute to our professional achievements in myriad ways.
But these types of friendships go beyond liking and commenting on a social post. The connections that will play a critical role in your personal and professional development are the ones you thoughtfully nurture. It may sound daunting but it doesn’t have to be.
Join us for a session with Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships. Susan will lead an exciting discussion on how to cultivate the types of relationships that inspire and move us forward.
Register now and get ready to go beyond the networking you know to build the connections that you need. We look forward to seeing you there!
Companies have long understood the importance of having a strong board of advisors. In the last few years smart executives have embraced a similar idea, creating informal boards to help them navigate their careers and personal lives.
A strong personal advisory board can help you identify and assess opportunities, avoid potential pitfalls, and make introductions that can dramatically impact the trajectory of your career.
In this session you will learn why a personal advisory board can be so powerful, what to look for in potential board members, how to cultivate these relationships in an authentic way, and how to maximize the effectiveness of your board once it’s formed.
It should be an insightful session, and give you plenty to think about as you start to look toward 2023. We hope to see you there!
After 2 years of virtual events, we couldn't be more excited to see you all in person again. The topic is timely as well, as many women have recently been contemplating taking risks or pursuing opportunities that are more consistent with their values.
In this discussion, our panelists will discuss the major reinventions they have made in their own lives, discuss lessons learned, and share advice for other women considering their own changes in the coming years.
You’re invited to join the Big Careers Little Kids virtual event focused on how to activate your leadership skills to gain a greater sense of purpose, control, and connection as you strive to meet the demands of being a working mother in today's world., featuring Dr. Alyssa Westring, professor, researcher, working parent, and author of Parents Who Lead.
You’re invited to join the Big Careers Little Kids virtual event focused on guidance to end burnout and gain resilience, featuring Cait Donovan, burnout expert and author of The Bouncebackability Factor.
Over your lunch break, participate in engaging storytelling and knowledge sharing on the latest professional growth strategies guided by special guest Sue Bettman, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at LSC Communications . Sue will facilitate a discussion on how to build confidence and productivity during times of uncertainty and constant change.
Start your day with leading executive women and engaging conversations. Joining us will be Julie Marcello, Managing Director and Head of Marsh Chicago , who will talk about ways to maximize the intersection of personal happiness and professional and parental success.
Our Fall 2019 event is focused on “The Confidence Factor: Understanding and Addressing Impostor Syndrome in the Workplace” with Dr. Valerie Young. Millions of people secretly worry they're not as smart or talented as other people "think" they are. It's called the impostor syndrome. During this seminar, gain practical, immediately usable strategies to help yourself, people you lead and/or your children end this unique form of self-doubt. Key takeaways include: • Discover the sources of impostor feelings in high achievers Understand how impostor syndrome intersects with diversity and inclusion – and why it matters • Identify your personal competence type • Learn the unconscious coping behaviors people with impostor feelings use to avoid being found out • Understand the individuals and organizational costs of impostor syndrome
The Big Careers Little Kids Summer networking event will take place at the home of our advisory board member, Lisa Snow. Join us for a casual evening of appetizers, cocktails and conversation for leading professional women in the fields of law, finance and business. This event is a great opportunity to reconnect and meet BCLK leadership, partners and members. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Our Spring 2019 event is focused on “The Mindful Leader: Gaining Your Edge by Building Resilience” with Dr. Kristen Race. The pace and stimulation of life today has the brains of many women operating in a constant state of fight or flight. Here's the good news: reversing the effects of our hectic world is not as monumental of a task as it may seem. In this humorous and engaging talk, Dr. Race presents simple, brain-based mindfulness practices that lead to powerful results - increasing resilience, engagement, productivity and happiness - for today's executives. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Join leading female professionals in the fields of law, finance and business at the Big Careers Little Kids Fall networking reception on Wednesday, November 28 at the K&L Gates Chicago Office. Our Fall event will focus on the importance of investing in relationships. The mission of Big Careers Little Kids was formed on the understanding that relationship building has become critical to success at the workplace and at home.
The Big Careers Little Kids breakfast seminar, titled "Leading Through Change" will feature a panel of female leaders who have navigated through significant change both professionally and personally.
Connect with Chicagoland's most elite female professionals in the fields of law, finance and business. Our Spring event will feature a leading executive who will share her story on navigating, balancing and excelling at a "big career" while raising "little kids" in today's world. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
I've attended a number of events that Big Careers Little Kids has hosted over the past few years and have found this to be a group of thoughtful and welcoming women that are able to have discussions relevant to topics that we face in our careers and as parents. It is really nice to have a local support network of working moms in similar roles to share ideas and network with.
