Event Description:                         

Members will enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at this stunning venue before settling in for a captivating theatre performance.  

*Guests warmly welcomed for this event*

Learn about the theatre’s history and operations with Executive Director, Kathryn M. Lipuma.  Following a Q&A session, we will transition to the theatre to view the performance of "As You Like It" directed by Writers Theatre Artistic Director Braden Abraham.

The Chicago Tribune stated, Writers Theatre is "such is the astonishing level of intimacy here." This regional theatre located on the Northshore, has been in operation since 1992 and moved into the current location in 2016. They value the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life.

https://www.writerstheatre.org/about

Described by the New York Times, “As You Like It” Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery’s musical is a frolicsome, feminist adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy of cousins, lovers and disguised identity in the Forest of Arden. Braden Abraham directs. (October 30 – December 14, 2025 Writers Theatre, Glencoe, IL).

Details:

6:00pm: Cocktail and Hors d’oeuvres Reception and Behind the Scenes Gathering

7:30pm: Performance Begins

'Tis the season to gather and spread cheer after a great year! Mark your calendars and join us for an evening full of festive cheer, good company, and joyful memories in the making.

Members are warmly welcomed to this annual hallmark event for IWF Chicago.

TASTE 222

222 North Canal Street, Chicago | Mixology + Innovation Rooms
Monday, December 8 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

DETAILS: 

• Drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served.
• Business attire is required for all members. No denim, please. 

SUPPORT A CAUSE: 

Consider donating a gift card or new warm winter clothing for girls in need in the Chicagoland area.  All items will be donated to our Championess 2025 grantee.

Event Description:                         

Members will enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Secure Community Network (SCN), the organization serving as the security shield for Jewish communities across North America. In an era of rising antisemitism and increased threats, SCN stands as the first line of defense protecting Jewish life, culture, and community. During this immersive experience, you’ll step inside SCN’s national command center, where intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security professionals use advanced technology to monitor risks, share real-time intelligence, and coordinate rapid responses with agencies across the country. You’ll gain insights valuable to anyone concerned with community protection—how partnerships, preparedness, and proactive defense can safeguard not just one group, but all who are targeted for who they are or what they believe. 

Details:

The evening includes: • An overview of their mission and operations • A guided tour of SCN’s monitoring facility • A Q&A session with members of SCN's organization • A reception before and after the program for networking and conversation.

Space is limited to 25 people — reserve your spot today.

Learn More About Secure Community Network

Join us for an interative workshop on mindfulness in leadership with Ashley Nelson of Inseus

In today’s fast-paced and hyperconnected world, it’s no wonder that we default to running on autopilot—doing rather than being, reacting rather than leading. Wake Up! Leveraging Awareness in Leadership & Life is an inspirational experience that explores how we can break this cycle and reclaim our most powerful skill: awareness. At the intersection of mindfulness, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence, we’ll explore how shifting from autopilot to awareness allows us to live and lead more fully. We’ll explore how to recognize unconscious patterns, shift from autopilot to awareness, and tap into conscious leadership at work and in life. Whether you're leading teams, driving innovation, or shaping organizational culture, this interactive speech offers a practical roadmap for leading with presence and intention, using accessible mindfulness-based skills. Participants will receive a follow up digital toolkit designed to help them leverage awareness in everyday life, unlocking effectiveness and a new way of being.

Ashley Nelson is a dynamic force for personal and organizational growth, committed to helping individuals lead more connected, authentic, and intentional lives. As the founder of Inseus, she brings a unique blend of expertise as a speaker, coach, and certified instructor in emotional intelligence and mindfulness-based stress reduction. With a distinguished career as a former senior leader at a Fortune 500 global enterprise, Ashley empowers individuals and organizations to thrive by fostering high-performing cultures of resilience, engagement, and trust.

Known as an authentic and inspiring leader with an ability to drive meaningful change, Ashley draws from over 25 years of experience scaling businesses and consumer brands, leading global commercial teams, serving on nonprofit boards, and leading the Americas global business unit at The Fossil Group. Her leadership journey is rooted in a passion for cultivating highly effective teams and delivering sustainable results.

An alumna of the University of Michigan, Ashley holds advanced certifications in applied neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence from the SIY Global Leadership Institute and the University of California San Diego’s Center for Mindfulness in the School of Medicine. At Inseus, she and her team design and deliver science-backed leadership programs, experiences, and keynote speeches that inspire action and drive transformation across diverse sectors, including corporate environments, nonprofits, healthcare, and government agencies.

Ashley is a firm believer in the transformative power of mindfulness. She champions its accessibility, advocating that it can reshape not only individual lives but also the way communities and leaders connect, innovate, and inspire.

When she’s not guiding others to unlock their potential, Ashley finds joy in exploring the world with her husband and daughters, cycling the scenic backroads of Southwest Michigan, or rowing on the Chicago River alongside fellow breast cancer survivors. Whether in work or play, Ashley embodies a commitment to resilience, adventure, and the pursuit of a life well-lived.

More about Inseus can be found here Inseus Website

*Zoom details will be shared closer to the event date*

The Signature Event is the centerpiece of the IWF Chicago year. It celebrates International Women’s Day annually and brings together leaders whose work transforms organizations, communities, and lives.

This event supports IWF Chicago and enables us to fund our philanthropic initiatives, such as the IWF Fellowship Program, empowering emerging women leaders; The Championess Grant, supporting local organizations that elevate women and girls; and the IWF Day of Service in Chicago. Sponsors make possible the mission — advancing women’s leadership and championing equality worldwide. 

About IWF Chicago

The International Women’s Forum (IWF) is a global membership organization of more than 8,000 diverse and accomplished women from 35 nations on six continents. An affiliate of IWF since 2003, the Chicago Forum includes over 250 extraordinary women in business, law, the arts, social services, government, academia and entrepreneurial endeavors. Founded in 2003, IWF Chicago is the hub for global women’s leadership in Chicago. IWF Chicago members convene for local programs and global conferences to consider the world’s most challenging.