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Suite Escape offers dynamic and curated events featuring exceptional speakers that spark lifelong connections and fulfill intellectual curiosity.
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Elevate Your 2025 Goals with Laura Cox Kaplan
Elevate Your 2025 Goals with Laura Cox Kaplan
Ready to make 2025 your most successful year yet? Join us for a transformative digital event with Laura Cox Kaplan, podcast host and a leading personal and professional development expert.
In this exclusive event, you'll learn how to:
Use STORY to set Goals and intentions: Discover how to use your story to recognize limiting beliefs and to leverage setbacks
Overcome Obstacles: Learn practical strategies to identify and conquer the challenges that may hinder your progress.
Build Accountability: Develop practical techniques to stay motivated and accountable to your goals.
Uncover the real secrets to Time Management: Optimize your time and energy to maximize productivity and increase work-life balance.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Learn how to see everyday experiences as opportunities for growth and improvement.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain knowledge and inspiration. Register now and join us for a life-changing experience.
Ripple From the Inside Out: Heal Yourself, Your Family, Your Community & the World
Ripple From the Inside Out: Heal Yourself, Your Family, Your Community & the World
Join us at Suite Escape on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 for insight into how to navigate change and constant stressors with higher consciousness, greater awareness and self-compassion. In doing so, you will have greater impact with the immediate world around you.
Christie Jordan is an intuitive acupuncturist, herbalist, and the Founding Director of Source Healing, an inspired holistic health studio that started in 1999 in the River North neighborhood downtown, expanded to Winnetka, and is now also in Lake Forest.
During coffee, you will learn how to move into the practice of looking at your body, emotions, thoughts and life with a higher lens.
Over coffee, Christie will discuss:
How everything is Qi or Energy and how to use it intentionally to create your health and life.
How the world around you is constantly interacting with your body and health
How your thoughts and emotions chemically affect your body’s stress response, and what you can do about it.
Why it’s critical to prioritize awareness of your own healing process.
How health challenges can be the greatest wake-up call.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to mingle and be inspired to practice greater compassion and self-awareness on behalf of the beautiful body you have that is here working for you.
Learn More Register Now
From the Press Box to the Penthouse: A Sports Reporter’s Journey
From the Press Box to the Penthouse: A Sports Reporter’s Journey
Join Megan Mawicke Bradley, a former newscaster and sports reporter as she shares her experience breaking barriers in the male-dominated sports industry. Often the only woman in the room, she covered major sporting events, interviewed legendary athletes, and fought for credibility in an era when female voices in sports journalism were scarce.
After two decades in the sports world, she made a bold pivot, leveraging her storytelling skills, competitive drive, and network to become one of the most successful real estate agents in Chicago. Megan’s journey is not just one of career evolution but a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in high-stakes environments.
Learn MoreRegister Here
SZN of Change: A Competitor’s Playbook for Joy on the Path to Victory
SZN of Change: The Competitor’s Playbook for Joy on the Path to Victory
Join us online for a special event with Hannah Gordon, a woman who penetrated the most male-dominated sport in America. Hannah is the author of Szn of Change: The Competitor's Playbook for Joy on the Path to Victory. Hannah will lead an interactive session, working with a series of prompts that will arm you with tools used by the most elite performers in the world.
Szn of Change is a football story you’ve never read before – about how a game that millions of Americans watch every Sunday helped a woman become free, brave, and able to handle anything. Beyond a story of survival and redemption, Hannah Gordon makes actionable the eight lessons from football that will help you move through any environment towards victory – with clarity, grace, and joy.
Hannah has been featured by Good Morning America, Oprah Daily, CBS News, NBC, The Daily Mail, Associated Press, Entertainment Tonight Canada, NFL Network, and Girl Scouts of America, among others.
Hannah is CEO of Hannah Gordon Advisors LLC. Trusted by leagues, governing bodies, teams, companies, and executives in sports and entertainment and beyond, Hannah sets bold visions and executes winning strategies. Named one of the most influential women in football by NFL.com. Hannah has been recognized as a Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 and Game Changer, The Athletic NFL Forty Under 40, Leaders Under 40, Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence and Corporate Counsel Diversity Champion, San Francisco Business Times Inspire award winner, Legal 500 GC PowerList US Rising Star, one of PureWow’s 20 in ‘20 Up-and-Coming Leaders Trying to Better the World, and by ICA Cristo Rey as a Leader in Mission. Hannah’s prior roles include Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Senior Advisor to the President of the San Francisco 49ers. Her prior experience included the NFL Players Association, the NFL, the Raiders, Cal Athletics, Octagon, Fox Sports West, and Dance Magazine. Hannah is a Presidential Leadership Scholar. She was a Lecturer In Law at Stanford, where she earned a J.D. Hannah holds a B.A. from UCLA.
The Future of Retail: Redefining Style, Confidence & Choice
The Future of Retail: Redefining Style, Confidence & Choice
Join us for a “Field Trip” to Lillie Alexander in Lake Forest for insight on one of the most challenging dilemmas for women - What should I wear? Style, comfort, trends, and cost all go into buying clothes and getting dressed. Why is it always so complicated?
Two women are on a mission of change. Meet MaryLiz Lehman, creator of the online styling app GoodPix and Lauren Peters, new owner of the Lillie Alexander boutique in Lake Forest.
During coffee you will discover how these women are changing the in-store and online retail experience by integrating technology to create a truly personalized experience. This will revolutionize the way you connect, style, and build your wardrobe.
Over coffee, MaryLiz and Lauren will discuss how to:
Create a digital closet and curated lookbooks
Establish a connection with the right stylist according your needs
Create a sustainable, capsule wardrobe
Don’t miss out on this chance to mingle, caffeinate, and get inspired by the latest in fashion and tech!
Learn MoreRegister Here
“Investing 2.0” with Nancy Doyle, CFA CFT™
“Investing 2.0” with Nancy Doyle CFA CFT™
Join financial expert Nancy Doyle for coffee and inspiration to get up to speed on your financial literacy and investing goals. This engaging conversation will motivate you to take charge and ask yourself: "Is my money working for me?" Build your financial confidence to move toward a brighter financial future!
With 30 years of experience, Nancy brings clarity and simplicity to a wide range of financial topics. Her straightforward approach, focusing on organization and behavioral finance, will empower you to overcome obstacles and achieve your financial goals.
Over coffee, Nancy will discuss:
Understanding fundamental investing concepts helps build a strong foundation for making informed financial decisions, reducing risk, and enhancing long-term returns. Nancy will highlight principles to guide you in navigating markets with confidence and foresight.
Engagement and discipline are key to achieving investment success. By staying focused and making sound decisions, you are better equipped to weather market fluctuations and steadily grow your wealth.
Setting clear financial priorities ensures that your investment strategy aligns with both short-term needs and long-term aspirations. This approach helps you allocate resources effectively and stay committed to financial goals amidst life's changing demands.
Nancy holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a Certified Financial Therapist Practitioner (CFT™), and is a Professional Member of NAPO. She's a graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She is a sought-after speaker and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including U.S. News, Reader's Digest, and MarketWatch.
During the discussion, Nancy will share practical insight and helpful tools for making informed financial decisions. You will leave this event with increased confidence and knowledge about your financial future!
Registration also includes a copy of Nancy's book, "Manage Your Financial Life: A Thoughtful Organized Approach for Women" (2016).
Highlighting the First Women’s Bank with Marianne Markowitz, President & CEO
Highlighting the First Women’s Bank with Marianne Markowitz, President & CEO
Please join us online at Suite Escape for our Digital Event featuring Marianne Markowitz, President & CEO of First Women's Bank on Friday, November 15th.
During this event, Marianne will discuss:
The Gender Lending Gap - For over two decades, the number of women-owned businesses has increased at twice the national average. Despite this progress, women are not scaling their businesses to their full potential due to significant barriers in accessing capital. Connecting women to capital is precisely why First Women's Bank was founded in 2021.
About First Women’s Bank - FWB is the only commercial bank in the country strategically built to help close the gender lending gap. Whether you’re a woman entrepreneur, business owner, or simply passionate about supporting womens’ initiatives, this is your chance to learn how First Women's Bank is changing the financial landscape.
FWB Mission Partners & Strategic Advisors - To execute this mission, FWB recruits deposits from individuals, organizations, and corporations that share their vision. These funds are strategically deployed to finance small businesses, with a strategic focus on supporting the women’s economy. Corporate Mission partners include companies such as BCG, Good Chaos, La-Z-Boy, United Airlines, Airbnb, Ariel Investments, TransUnion and many more who hold deposits at the bank.
FWB was founded by an incredible group of entrepreneurial women who have built a world-class community of well-known individuals who continue to advise and support the mission. As lifelong champions and advocates for equality, their support has helped tell the story of the women’s economy to a national audience. FWB’s growing list of Strategic Advisors includes Billie Jean King, Sophia Bush, Nia Batts, Allyson Felix, and Wes Felix – all of which have been instrumental allies in their journey.
This isn’t just about banking. It’s about fostering a community that values diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. With collaborative networks and educational resources, First Women’s Bank is more than just a financial institution—it’s a platform for growth and innovation! If you know of any women businesses looking for growth opportunities please contact First Women’s Bank.
Marianne Markowitz is the President & CEO of First Women’s Bank. Previously, Markowitz served as the Acting Administrator and Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration and as an interim member of President Obama’s Cabinet.
Elevate Your Impact: A Philanthropy Discussion with Julie Hoffmann
Julie Hoffmann, JH Philanthropy
Join us for an interactive lunch, where we will explore how to amplify your impact through the creation and implementation of meaningful strategies tailored to your philanthropic goals. Whether you're a seasoned donor or just starting out, Julie will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to make a lasting difference.
Julie Hoffmann will guide you through the intricacies and complexities of charitable contributions, empowering you to drive meaningful change in the causes that resonate with your values.
Discover how to best support your passions—whether it's education, healthcare, the environment, or social justice—and learn how to deliver the greatest results for the issues that matter most to you.
Julie will discuss:
· Thoughtful Giving: Learn how to create a personalized approach that enhances your philanthropic impact while showcasing your unique vision.
· Cultivating Joy and Purpose in Family Philanthropy: Explore how to engage the next generation in meaningful ways, empowering them to participate in giving and decision-making.
Julie Hoffmann is a passionate advocate for strategic giving with over 20 years of experience helping families maximize their philanthropic impact. She's a trusted advisor known for her personalized approach, guiding families to align their charitable efforts with their values and achieve their goals. Before founding JH Philanthropy, she served as CEO of the New Coast Foundation and held leadership roles at A Better Chicago, America Needs You, and Cara Chicago. Her expertise has been instrumental in transforming the way families approach charitable giving to create impacting legacies.
Examine the Art of LinkedIn: A Digital Workshop with Madeline Fetterly
Examine the Art of LinkedIn: A Digital Workshop with Madeline Fetterly
Join Suite Escape and Madeline Fetterly for an exclusive digital workshop where you’ll dive into proven strategies to elevate your LinkedIn Presence and unlock its full potential. Whether you’re aiming to stand out, attract new career opportunities, or solidify your personal brand, Madeline will provide valuable insights to turn your LinkedIn profile into a powerful tool. Learn how to optimize your profile, engage with your network, and effectively position yourself. At the end of the session, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tactics to make LinkedIn work for you, driving real results and accelerating your personal and professional growth.
During this workshop, you will:
Examine the art of LinkedIn: Learn how to build a polished profile, create engaging content, and connect with key influencers to expand your network
Gain clarity and confidence: Banish imposter syndrome and step into your power as a thought leader in your industry.
Unlock your earning potential: Position yourself for career advancement and success by showcasing your expertise.
This event will take place via ZOOM at 11 am CST on Tuesday, October 29th, and includes:
An interactive workshop led by Madeline Fetterly including a guided presentation, worksheets, and online Q&A
Virtual networking opportunities with other dynamic women
Designing Your Life: Redefine Your Routine to Realize New Ventures
rish Thomas
Join serial entrepreneur and four-time founder Trish Thomas for an inspiring lunch at Suite Escape. Trish will discuss how she built companies from scratch and scaled global brands, all while raising a family. Trish's journey, from selling her first company right out of college to teaching entrepreneurship at Northwestern, exemplifies the power of redesigning your life as you go and always saying the "yes" to the next challenge.
Trish will share her insights from the boardroom, the classroom and the home front. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and maybe even a little hungry for your next adventure.
Trish is the Founder and CEO (“Chief Eating Officer”) at Every Body Eat®. Trish also teaches classes in Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. A Mom to two sons, four stepsons, 2.75 grandsons (next one due in October) and multiple dogs - Trish is an expert on feeding people! She currently resides on Chicago’s North Shore with her husband and family.
Every Body Eat® was created to bring people together over a shared love of delicious food, regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences. Every Body Eat® are clean and craveable snack thins, crispbread crackers and small batch cookies that are free of the top 14 allergens so that everyone can enjoy delicious snacks. These products can be found locally at Foodstuffs, Sunset Foods, Mariano’s, The Winnetka Grand Food Mart, as well as nationally at Sprouts Markets and Whole Foods.
The Art of the Vision Board: Charting Your Path to Success
Nikki Barua, The Art of the Vision Board: Charting Your Path to Success
Nikki Barua is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, best-selling author and leading expert in helping people and organizations adapt to change. Nikki is the CEO & Co-Founder of Beyond Barriers, an AI-enabled Career Fitness platform to help professionals accelerate success with personalized guidance, proven strategies and a powerful peer community.
An immigrant from India, Nikki overcame adversity to achieve success in her corporate and entrepreneurial career. She has an inspiring story of turning barriers into breakthroughs. She believes in manifesting your vision with the right mindset and emotionally aligned goals.
“Clarity on your vision is not just identifying your desired end result but also harnessing the power to visualize the steps you need to take to get to that vision.”
Creating a vision board will help you clarify your goals, stay motivated, cultivate a positive mindset, and take intentional steps towards achieving your dreams. It serves as a powerful tool for personal growth, empowerment, and manifestation of your desired outcomes. A vision board can also serve as an accountability tool. By visually representing your goals you will be reminded of the steps you need to take towards consistent effort to achieve your aspirations.
Success Starts Here: Mindset and Goals for a Bright School Year
Dr. Mia Gregor - “Success Starts Here: Mindset and Goals for a Bright School Year”
Whether you are a parent, educator, or caregiver, this lecture will provide the knowledge, context and tools needed to support children in reaching their full potential. Start the school year off strong with Dr. Gregor's expertise, emphasizing the power of mindset and goal setting in shaping bright futures. Success truly starts here!
Over coffee Dr. Gregor will discuss cognitive and social/emotional development during the critical elementary and middle school years.:
The stages of cognitive development and their impact on learning.
The role of social/emotional growth in fostering resilience and positive mindset.
Practical goal-setting strategies that align with developmental stages.
Techniques to nurture cognitive and social/emotional growth in children.
Dr. Mia Gregor is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and former program lead of the pediatric neuropsychology department at Banner Children’s Hospital in Arizona.
Dr. Gregor has recently returned to the North Shore and is a Mom to high school and middle school aged boys.
Annie Taube, CMO - LoveShackFancy
Annie Taube
Annie Taube is a visionary marketing leader with over two decades of experience shaping brand identities, driving consumer engagement, and delivering exceptional results across various industries. Currently serving as the Head of Marketing at LoveShackFancy, Annie oversees innovative strategies to elevate LSF’s brand presence and strengthen its market position.
Prior to LSF, Annie held key positions at Condé Nast, where she honed her expertise in consumer marketing, branding, and creative leadership. As the Consumer Marketing Brand & Creative Lead, Annie crafted and executed over 40 go-to-market strategies, ensuring the delivery of unique value propositions to customers along with a competitive advantage. While at Condé Nast, Annie contributed to the success of paid media campaigns across 11 key brands. Annie's experience also includes almost 8 years at Vogue magazine where she worked accross the categories of Events, TV, Fashion Show Production and sales while navigating the constantly-evolving media landscape including the launch of e-commerce sites, social media and affiliate networks
Sally Lou Loveman, Author & Founder LoveSpeaks®
Sally Lou Loveman
Sally Lou has spent a lifetime doing what she loves. After a 36-year career in television and having entertained over half a million people from the Oprah stage, Sally Lou has built a practice teaching and inspiring others to tap into the most meaningful parts of their stories in order to speak on any occasion, big or small, with confidence and purpose.
Coffee with Sally Lou will be memorable - her name speaks for itself! You will leave inspired by her passion, humor and truth, along with a new set of skills to bring your speaking delivery to the next level.
This event is exclusively sponsored by Valentina.
Mariah Wood, Co-Founder & COO, Tilden Cocktails
Mariah Wood
Mariah Wood is a Co-Founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Tilden Cocktails, which sells a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails. Why non-alcoholic beverages? For Mariah, it’s simple. “I believe people should have options.” Drinking alcohol is a key part of many professional and social events. Tilden aims to provide options for consumers to engage in these activities without consuming alcohol. “We at Tilden are helping drive forward a cultural change towards being yourself. We support that authenticity instead of feeling like you need a mind-altering substance to achieve personal connection.”
Over Zoom, Mariah will share her story of creating and building the Tilden business, and how she has grown personally and professionally beyond her initial career in corporate consulting. With an 80% repurchase rate from over 100 restaurant, retail, and hotel customers, Tilden’s award-winning cocktails are certainly getting alot of “Buzz”.
Mariah Wood is a Harvard Business School Graduate and currently resides in Boston along with her husband and young child.
Unlocking Potential, Igniting Success
Brooke Skinner Ricketts
Brooke Skinner Ricketts is Co-Founder and President of Beyond Barriers, a unique Career Fitness platform designed to transform professional women into leaders. Over coffee Brooke will share her story about what drives her passion for problem-solving and why she is inspired to create a more equitable workplace.
From educating and empowering employees for advancement, to working with companies to deliver breakthroughs, Brooke is committed to unlocking the leadership potential that lies beneath the surface of many female corporate professionals.
Restaurant to Retail: A Platform for Culinary Creators
Disha Gulati
Disha Gulati is the founder and CEO of Here Here Market, a technology startup curating the largest community of chef-driven and independent food brands. Prior to this, she was the head of global analytics for Mondelez International, a fortune 100 CPG company. Over lunch, Disha will share how her personal and professional experiences provided the framework for Here Here Market— a platform created by Gulati to honor and amplify the diverse talent in the culinary world.
The Five Principles of Parenting
Dr. Aliza Pressman
Over lunch, Dr. Pressman will share her five, science-backed parenting principles, explore how they cultivate resilience, and demonstrate how they can be applied to any common parenting scenario -- from tantrums to managing screen time, supporting child autonomy, discipline, and more.
The Importance of Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of AI
Dr. Jill Baren
Dr. Baren will share her personal story of finding her passion and purpose first in medicine and then transitioning to teaching, and discuss her perspective on a liberal arts education and why the human component of students must be prioritized. Dr. Baren will also share her ideas for engagement opportunities with the College for women who share a passion for life-long learning. This event is sponsored by @properties Christie’s International Real Estate.
Ink and Insight: Representation and Diversity in Children’s Books
Clothilde Ewing
Clothilde’s goal is for people to see more children of color in books that are not defined primarily by race or struggle, but rather belonging and joy.
“It is important for all children, regardless of race or ethnicity, to see children of color in books where kids are just being kids and having fun.”
Connection
Unite with women who believe in the power of supporting one another.
Community
Experience the meaningful synergy of women celebrating achievements and navigating challenges.
Education
Make learning a priority through curated content and dynamic events created to educate and motivate members.
Inspiration
Cultivate your passions and enrich your purpose to be a positive force in the world.
Tomorrow Starts Today.
“Suite Escape is a wonderful addition to the North Shore community. I have thoroughly enjoyed the speaker luncheon series and have found the events to be tremendous networking platforms. On several occasions, I have met the most amazing women and have even run into old friends who have become new again.”
-DUSTIN
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