ALUMNI SPEAKERS

Bold narratives from brave women.

Listen to stories from women about their experiences, challenges and triumphs. Our outstanding speakers share real-world accounts that foster personal and professional growth.

Celebrating Alumni

Our Suite Escape Alumni represent hard-working women making a positive difference in the world.  The variety and range of engaging topics presented have inspired the Suite Escape community for the few years. And we’re just getting started.

2025

  • Allison Fragale, Ph.D.

    Professor, Author, Keynote Speaker

    Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve

  • Laura Cox Kaplan

    Creator & Founder, She Said/She Said Podcast and Media Company

    Elevate Your 2025 Goals

  • Christie Jordan, L.Ac.

    Founder Source Healing

    Ripple from the Inside Out: Heal Yourself, Your Family, Your Community & the World

  • Megan Mawicke Bradley

    Network TV Sports Reporter, Luxury Real Estate Broker

    From the Pressbox to the Penthouse: A Sports Broadcaster’s Journey

  • Lisa Strasman

    Chief People Operations Officer at IMG Academy

    Navigating the Recruiting Journey

  • Hannah Gordon

    CEO & Author

    SZN of Change: The Competitor’s Playbook for Joy on the Path to Victory

2024

  • Dr. Melinda Ring

    M.D.

    Empowering Your Health with Integrative Medicine

  • Clothilde Ewing

    Author, Mother, Advocate, Optimist

    Ink & Insight: Representation and Diversity in Children’s Books

  • Dr. Jill Baren

    President, Lake Forest College

    The Importance of Critical Thinking in the Age of A.I.

  • Dr. Aliza Pressman

    Ph.D., Author

    The Five Principles of Parenting

  • Disha Gulati

    Founder & CEO Here Here Market

    Restaurant to Retail: A Platform for Culinary Creators

  • Brooke Skinner Ricketts

    President & Co-Founder, Beyond Barriers

    Unlocking Potential, Igniting Success

  • Mariah Wood

    Co-Founder, Tilden Beverage

    Pioneering Premium Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

  • Sally Lou Loveman

    Author & Founder of LoveSpeaks® Method

  • Annie Taube

    CMO, LoveShackFancy

  • Taylor Kiland

    Author & Veteran

    The Story of Leave No Man Behind: Military Wives Turn Activist in the 1960s

  • Mia Gregor

    Psy.D., ABPdN

    Success Starts Here: Mindset and Goals for a Bright School Year

  • Nikki Barua

    Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker & Author

    The Art of the Vision Board: Charting Your Path to Success

  • Trish Thomas

    Founder & CEO, Every Body Eat

    Designing Your Life to Realize New Ventures

  • Paulette & Jodi Wolf

    Founder & CCO; CEO

    Elevating Events with Innovation and Creativity

  • Alicia Waters

    President, Crate & Barrel and Crate Kids

    A Conversation in Leading Transformation

  • Madeline Fetterly

    CEO & Founder, Be the Brand Collective

    The Art of LinkedIn - A Digital Workshop

  • Julie Hoffmann

    Founder & CEO, JH Philanthropy

    Elevate Your Impact: A Philanthropy Discussion

  • Marianne Markowitz

    President & CEO, First Women’s Bank

    Highlighting the First Women’s Bank

  • Nancy Doyle

    CFA CFT™

    Investing 2.0

  • MaryLiz Lehman & Lauren Peters

    Founder, GoodPix & Lillie Alexander Boutique Owner

    The Future of Retail: Redefining Style, Confidence & Choice

2023

  • Rachel Cannon

    Litigator

    Cryptocurrency - What You Need to Know

  • Michelle McBride

    Founder, GoodSport

    Keeping the “Good” in the Game

  • Ellie Nottoli

    Owner & CEO EllieStyled

    Storytelling thru Elevated Events

  • Lauren Schifferdecker & Agi Semrad

    Mental Health Professional

    Managing Mom-Anxiety

  • Emily Groden

    Founder, Evergreen

    Creating a Business for a Better Breakfast

  • British Robinson

    President & CEO Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

    Following Your Crooked Path

  • Dr. Kristie Bennett

    Midwest Center for Women's Health

    Are You There God, It's Me, Menopause

  • Alyssa Quinlan

    CEO Hindman Auction House

    Fine Jewelry at Hindman

  • Kitty Brandtner

    Founder, March Fourth

    Mom with a Mission to Protect Kids

  • Amy Kadens

    Founder, MOD Collective

    Making a Difference with Diaper Dollars

  • Charlie Saffro

    CEO, CS Recruiting

    Make Your Passion Your Paycheck

  • Laura Calvert

    Executive Director, Elawa Farm

    Harvesting Inspiration

  • Nadia Rawlinson

    Co-Owner & Operating Chair Chicago SKY

    Chief Optimism Officer

2022

  • Sally Lou Loveman

    Author, Speaker, Coach

    Your Story is Your Superpower

  • Lydia Kutko

    Art Consultant & Entrepreneur

    How to Value Modern Art

  • Wendy Franzen

    Entertaining & Culinary Expert

    Elevating Your Everyday

  • Christina Glickman

    Creator

    Unapologetic Confidence & Xtra the Art of Being

  • Alyssa Rapp

    Author, Entrepreneur & Executive

    Potential to Powerhouse

  • Laura George

    Founder, LCC Consulting

    Current Trends in College Admissions

  • Leah Bostrom

    Founder, Chia Leah Clean Eats

    Fueling a Healthy Lifestyle

  • Karen Firsel

    Television Personality & Lifestyle Expert

    Life Story to Lifestyle - My “Top 10”

  • Courtney Wright

    Founder, Gemini Builds It, LLC

    How I Built My Business

2021

  • Catherine Grace Katz

    Author

    Daughters of Yalta

  • Kendra Thornton

    President, Royal Travel & Tours

    Travel Advice & Inspiration

  • Emily Hikade

    Founder & Ceo Petite Plume

    Tales of Diplomacy & Entrepreneurship

  • Elaina Vasquez

    Founder, Towne & Oak

    Come and Knock on my Door

  • Nancy Watson

    Licensed Social Worker and Counselor

    The Art of Ordinary Magic & Building Resilience in our Children

  • Addie Gundry

    Inventor & Founder, Pluie

    What Do You Do with an Idea

  • Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo

    Author & Clinical Psychologist

    Our Teens Deserve to Thrive, Not Simply Survive

  • Dr. Elizabeth Fishman

    Lake Forest Wellness

    The Art of Ordinary Magic & Building Resilience in our Children