Tamara Gracon

Good Governance Begins With a Solid Foundation Who We Are: Our sole focus is on the unique governance needs of private companies throughout the lifecycle of their businesses. Good governance drives private company growth which in turn helps build strong communities and economies. The Private Directors Association, established in 2014, is an independent 501(c)(6) organization based in Chicago. It stands as the sole national association devoted to enhancing the growth and sustainability of private companies through effective board governance. PDAs mission is to drive private company success through the creation and optimization of governance boards, comprised of qualified and diverse members. Our vision is for the Private Directors Association to become the leading professional association for private company directors, advocating and championing board excellence. With a membership exceeding 3,400+, the association represents a diverse and highly skilled community of executive leaders, encompassing current and prospective board members, private company owners, C-level executives of family-owned businesses, ESOPs, private equity-backed companies, and early-stage ventures. Our members engage across our 20 Chapters nationwide (and growing) to promote the mission of enhancing corporate value through high-performing boards. Our value lies in our exclusive focus on addressing the distinctive governance requirements of private companies throughout their business lifecycle. We recognize that strong governance drives private company growth, thereby contributing to the development of robust communities and economies. For more information, visit privatedirectors.org or call 847.986.9350.

How Women Lead was created for women who believe in making a powerful impact in the world. We fearlessly forge ahead where other organizations do not go. Our diverse women leaders tackle issues of equity and impact and band together to collectively make change and support each other to greater success. We impact issues like women’s leadership on corporate boards, in the C-Suite, in film and public office. We support the courageous leaders who build change organizations but lack the means to raise funding and connect with investor networks. How Women Lead offers monthly events and forums designed to address critical issues and innovative ideas, and to offer solutions and collective impact. Our 3000 person network consists of senior leaders who want to contribute to the conversation and take action around women’s leadership. We have two high impact initiatives within How Women Lead focused on funding organizations that are improving our communities: How Women Give A network of philanthropists who collectively provide angel grants and support for organizations solving critical community problems impacting women and girls in marginalized communities. Each philanthropist in our network contributes an annual minimum-giving fee of $1050. Members vote quarterly on charities to receive grants. How Women Invest Seeds angel investments with diverse women founders of for-profit startups focused on transformational change. This program (still in development) has an annual minimum investment fee, with all net proceeds fueling portfolio startups.

Good Governance Begins With a Solid Foundation Who We Are: Our sole focus is on the unique governance needs of private companies throughout the lifecycle of their businesses. Good governance drives private company growth which in turn helps build strong communities and economies. The Private Directors Association, established in 2014, is an independent 501(c)(6) organization based in Chicago. It stands as the sole national association devoted to enhancing the growth and sustainability of private companies through effective board governance. PDAs mission is to drive private company success through the creation and optimization of governance boards, comprised of qualified and diverse members. Our vision is for the Private Directors Association to become the leading professional association for private company directors, advocating and championing board excellence. With a membership exceeding 3,400+, the association represents a diverse and highly skilled community of executive leaders, encompassing current and prospective board members, private company owners, C-level executives of family-owned businesses, ESOPs, private equity-backed companies, and early-stage ventures. Our members engage across our 20 Chapters nationwide (and growing) to promote the mission of enhancing corporate value through high-performing boards. Our value lies in our exclusive focus on addressing the distinctive governance requirements of private companies throughout their business lifecycle. We recognize that strong governance drives private company growth, thereby contributing to the development of robust communities and economies. For more information, visit privatedirectors.org or call 847.986.9350.

Strategic Impact Partners works with smart, ambitious, and purpose-driven organizations to leverage change in creating a unique competitive advantage. We produce breakout results for client partners who are eager to build and/or sustain their leadership by winning within the new realities of todays dramatically shifting landscape. Our team provides customized, high-touch intel and analysis, development, and counsel combined with our experience in accelerated scaling via full implementation, ongoing execution, and management options. Our SIP team can help you: * Transition your enterprise into a state of accelerated growth and optimized exit readiness; * Create new value, or enhance existing assets, and break out to your next best opportunities; * Master the new risk terrain of volatility and disruption you cannot directly control to build durable resilience; * Lead, govern, and manage with integrity; * Empower your people to live out a transformational brand experience with your customers or clients.

How Women Invest is a venture firm, and sister entity to How Women Lead, a professional network of over 24,000 women. We see that female founders are a force to be reckoned with and are part of an untapped venture capital landscape. We invest in U.S. based, female-led and female-majority owned companies in most industry sectors. With 40% of companies founded by women, generating 26% greater returns, and yet only 2% of venture backing, How Women Invest focuses at the intersection of this opportunity to create ecosystem change. To learn more about the firm: www.howwomeninvest.com and info@howwomeninvest.com.

How Women Lead was created for women who believe in making a powerful impact in the world. We fearlessly forge ahead where other organizations do not go. Our diverse women leaders tackle issues of equity and impact and band together to collectively make change and support each other to greater success. We impact issues like women’s leadership on corporate boards, in the C-Suite, in film and public office. We support the courageous leaders who build change organizations but lack the means to raise funding and connect with investor networks. How Women Lead offers monthly events and forums designed to address critical issues and innovative ideas, and to offer solutions and collective impact. Our 3000 person network consists of senior leaders who want to contribute to the conversation and take action around women’s leadership. We have two high impact initiatives within How Women Lead focused on funding organizations that are improving our communities: How Women Give A network of philanthropists who collectively provide angel grants and support for organizations solving critical community problems impacting women and girls in marginalized communities. Each philanthropist in our network contributes an annual minimum-giving fee of $1050. Members vote quarterly on charities to receive grants. How Women Invest Seeds angel investments with diverse women founders of for-profit startups focused on transformational change. This program (still in development) has an annual minimum investment fee, with all net proceeds fueling portfolio startups.

How Women Lead is at the center of the movement to disrupt antiquated, unequal systems by propelling women into even greater leadership roles. We provide a platform for women to connect, learn, find purpose and make an impact. We work with experienced women in senior positions, giving them the training, connections and support to step up to the next level and increase opportunities for all women. By training and connecting diverse women executives from the corporate, public, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, we propel women to become catalysts for change far beyond their own fields.