EVENTS
Witness the power
of community
Suite Escape offers dynamic and curated events featuring exceptional speakers that spark lifelong connections and fulfill intellectual curiosity.
Schedule your Suite Escape…
Browse Events
Art & Insight: An Art Aficionado’s Lunch with Monica Brown
Art & Insight: An Insider’s Lunch with Art Aficionado Monica Brown
This month, we are shining a spotlight on women in the field of art, showcasing how they make their mark with creativity, style, and a unique perspective that shapes culture and conversation.
Suite Escape is delighted to welcome Monica Brown, Managing Director of Fine Art at Freeman’s Hindman Auctions, as our keynote speaker on April 23, 2025. Monica's journey in the art world began in Lake Forest, where she attended Lake Forest College and played a pivotal role in cataloging nearly the entire Lake Forest Historical Society collection. She launched her career at Leslie Hindman in Chicago, where she also contributed to the Newberry Library’s esteemed collection.
Her expertise deepened during her years in London, where she worked at Sotheby’s and collaborated with numerous galleries. Upon returning to the United States, she opened her own gallery and earned a Master’s in Art. Over six years ago, Monica rejoined Freeman’s Hindman as Managing Director of Fine Art, solidifying her status as a seasoned expert in the field. Monica is thrilled to be back in Lake Forest.
With extensive experience attending and speaking at major art fairs—including Expo Chicago since its inception—Monica is eager to share her insights on navigating art shows. She will offer guidance on discovering top-tier dealers, identifying emerging artists, and maximizing your time at these events, whether you're exploring as a collector or curating a collection.
During our time together, Monica will break down:
Expo Chicago – How major art fairs are organized, key sections to explore, and how to navigate the event efficiently.
How to shop at an art fair – Tips on engaging with galleries, asking the right questions, and making informed purchasing decisions.
Spotting Emerging Artists – Understanding market trends and discovering new talent before they gain widespread recognition.
We are beyond excited to have such a highly educated and engaging speaker join us for this special event. Whether you are an experienced collector or simply an art lover looking to expand your knowledge, this is an incredible opportunity to gain an expert’s perspective on one of the most dynamic art fairs in the world.
Join us for an unforgettable lunch with Monica and Suite Escape!
Bringing Legacy to Life with Marie Tillman Shenton
Bringing Legacy to Life with Marie Tillman Shenton
Join us for an inspiring lunch at Towne & Oak in Winnetka, where we’ll gather to explore the meaning of legacy—what it is, how we create it, and why it matters.
We are honored to welcome Marie Tillman Shenton, an internationally recognized founder, philanthropist, author, and leader who has dedicated her career to helping others find their unique path to impact. Marie understands firsthand the delicate balance of pursuing purpose while managing the demands of daily life—she is a mother of five children, giving her a deeply relatable perspective on the challenges and joys of creating a legacy while raising a family and staying engaged in community and career.
Marie is passionate about guiding others to discover their own legacy, using the greatest assets from their lives and work to create impact. She has shared her story on stages across the country, from corporate retreats to nonprofit conferences and academic institutions, encouraging others to step into their purpose with confidence and intention. Her memoir, “The Letter”, explores love, loss, and resilience, offering an intimate look at her personal journey.
During this special gathering, Marie will discuss Bringing Legacy to Life, sharing her perspective on how we can live with intention and impact while juggling the many roles we play. She will introduce her Three C’s of Legacy: Clarity, Communication, and Consistency, offering practical insights into defining our purpose and taking action. She will also share how she found her own path to this work, why it fuels her passion, and how each of us can begin crafting our own legacy—no matter where we are in our journey.
Legacy isn’t just something we leave behind; it’s something we build every day through our actions, values, and the impact we have on others. As women, we take on many roles—mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, leader, volunteer—and in each of these roles, we have the power to shape a legacy that is both personal and purposeful.
This is more than a lunch, it’s an opportunity to reflect, recharge, and connect with like-minded women who are passionate about living with purpose. Set at Suite Escape’s favorite spot Towne & Oak in Winnetka, this event will nourish both body and soul.
Seats are limited, reserve your spot today and take this opportunity to reflect on the legacy you’re building every day.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Interested in
becoming a sponsor?
Enhance your brand visibility, support a women-led businesses, and connect with a growing community of women ready to engage with your product or service.
Complete the form below to share your contact details. We will follow up with you to discuss sponsorship options.