WPO Chicago Summit 9/10: Your Trust Advantage with Andrew Sykes

©2026 WPO Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Join us for our 23rd Annual WPO Chicago Summit on Thursday, September 10 in Chicago at 1:30 PM CT.  Our keynote and workshop leader is Andrew Sykes, CEO, Habits at Work and he will speak on "Your Trust Advantage:  How To Be the Most Trustworthy Leader in Every Room."

As leaders, we have trust issues, including many that we might not know about! In this session, Andrew will highlight these trust issues, understand how others assess our trustworthiness and explore some of the myths about trust, replacing them with not only research-based truths, but practical ways to become the most Trustworthy person (and leader) you know!

WPO Chicago Steering Committee

• Nida Khan, Founder & President, Arya Consulting Partners (Chicago I member)
• Lauren M. Loew, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP (Chicago II member)
• Ellen M. Wheeler, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP (Chicago I member)
• Laurel Delaney, President, Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global (WPO Chicago Chapter Chair)

Hosted by:  Foley & Lardner.

Interested in attending?  If you pre-qualify for WPO Chicago membership and would like to attend, kindly email Laurel Delaney (noted in the agenda above), WPO Chicago Chapter Chair.

This event is for members and WPO sponsors only.

Super Success: 21st Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2024!

21st Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2024

WPO Chicago chapter members had a wonderful time networking and learning about what it takes to scale a a business, "Hyper Growth:  The 5 Phases to Scale Your Revenue, Profits and Team," from keynote speaker and CEO Allison Maslan (pictured in front row/center).

Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network (https://pinnacleglobalnetwork.com), was recently named “One of the 10 Women Entrepreneurs to watch in 2023”, by Forbes Magazine. She is the Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of, Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank. Allison’s built 10 successful companies over the last 40 years.

Here's what we learned from Allison:

Scaling doesn't come from working harder. It comes from thinking and acting strategically. 

If you, the CEO, are still rescuing projects, deadlines and micro-managing team members while chasing after clients, you are not going to be able to scale. Instead, you are choking the growth of your company.

It is critical that you become 'un-required' in your business and build a team-managed company that can flourish without you there. It is also important that you expand to a more scalable model that can multiply your impact, profits, and the number of people you serve.

In addition, she showed us:

• What Scaling Phase your Company is in right now and what needs to happen to elevate to the next level
• How to Hire for Growth so that each team member more than pays for themself
• How to Build a Team-Managed Company that can flourish without you in the day-to-day
• 15 Scalable Models that the most successful companies utilize to multiply their growth

I'd like to thank Foley & Lardner for hosting us – especially the extra assistance from Partners Lauren Loew (and Ellen Wheeler) along with their assistants Lorri Kilavos (and Cynthia Bailey).

Our Steering Committee members get a big shout out for their help:

1. Kim Robinson, President, FrontlineCo (Chicago I)
2. Angel Li, Founder & CEO, RISE Education (Chicago I)
3. Margo Jacquot, Chief Care Officer & Owner, the Juniper Center (Chicago II)
4. Nasutsa Mabwa, President, ServiceMaster by Simons (Chicago II)
5. Lauren Loew, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago II chapter member)
6. Laurel Delaney, President, Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global (Chapter Chair)

Huge thank you to Allison for sharing her experience with us.

Gratitude to all for achieving a super success at our 21st Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2024!  A few photos can be found here.

21st Annual WPO Chicago Summit 9/12/24

20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit: The Art of Balancing Style With Substance (9/14/23)

Jazzed.  Excited.  Proud.  Looking forward!  To our 20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit:  The Art of Balancing Style with Substance on Thursday, September 14, 2023 and hosted at Foley & Lardner, Chicago.

Steering Committee

• Karolyn Raphael, President, Winger Marketing (Chicago I chapter member)
• Lauren Loew, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago II chapter member)
• Ellen Wheeler, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago I chapter member)

Program Agenda (all Central Time)

• 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Registration and networking 
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Welcome and introductions
• 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Workshop presenter:  Jessi Sheehan
• 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. Questions and discussion
• 4:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closing remarks, and thank yous 

Talented Wardrobe Stylist and Costume Designer, Jessi Sheehan, will share her wisdom, outlining practical strategies to optimize your professional look delving beyond surface-level aesthetics. 

Discover how to infuse your personal brand with the substance necessary to captivate your audiences and make a lasting impact.   In addition, you will learn:

• Decision fatigue - creating your go-to looks so you can focus your energy on other things.
• Color analysis - find the best colors for you to wear.
• Brand discovery - you are sending a message with your outfit, let’s make sure it’s the right one. 
• Dressing for the body you’re in right now - a guide to intentional pieces based on your body type and silhouette 
• In doubt about your look?  Text-A-Stylist – Jess will share more on this! 

With intriguing visuals and thought-provoking analysis, she will provide a valuable resource for anyone longing to enhance their understanding of style. 

We look forward to this fun, engaging and interactive workshop. 

About Jessi Sheehan

Jessi Sheehan (https://jessisheehan.com) is a Wardrobe Stylist and Costume Designer with clients in Nashville and Chicago.

She started her fashion career almost a decade ago, working as an assistant fashion designer in New York.  She then moved back to Chicago and began working in luxury bridal, with private clients in their closets, and styling her own photoshoots. She built a wonderful network filled with many different people, photographers, models and actors.

Her versatility and profound passion for the craft keeps her busy in all facets of the styling world across private clients, commercials and film. 

She has worked with a variety of clients including: Eva Longoria, Jimmy Butler, Jeff Mauro (Food Network), Fall Out Boy, and Second City. 

*** Please RSVP to Laurel Delaney, ldelaney(at)globetrade.com by no later than 9/11/23 if you plan to attend (for members and sponsors only).***

20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit: The Art of Balancing Style With Substance (9/14/23)

19th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 9/8/22: Grow and Scale Your Business

18th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2021 a Smashing Success!

©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Thank you for attending our 18th Annual WPO Chicago Summit hosted via Zoom September 9, 2021.  We had a wonderful program and learned how to boost a brand for yourself and for your business.  In addition, we had a chance to get to know one another better to deepen our WPO relationships, which we all value.   

We thank SimplyBe. CEO Jessica Zweig for her keynote presentation and Bryan Carter for his fine assistance.

 

We thank all of our sponsors who support WPO.   

Special thanks to our virtual host Foley & Lardner – Chicago members Lauren Loew and Ellen Wheeler.

Much appreciation to our WPO Chicago Steering Committee members: Karolyn Raphael, President, Winger Marketing (Chicago I), AJ Goehle, CEO, Luci Creative (Chicago I) and Genevieve Custer Weeks, Founder, Tutu School Franchises (Chicago II). Without their help, this program would not have been possible.  

Lastly, a shout out to designer Laura Fairman for her great work on the graphic!

Looking forward to next year's Summit and meanwhile, stay in good touch!

Join Us for the 18th Annual WPO Chicago Summit (9/9/21)

16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2019 on Artificial Intelligence Rocked!

There are so many people to thank who contributed to the success of our 16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2019 on "Artificial Intelligence:  What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Business," and if I fail to mention anyone, please pardon my oversight.

WPO Chicago Steering Committee Members:

• Chaoran Jin, Keystone Capital
• AJ Goehle, Luci Creative
• Teri Sharp, American Precision Supply
• Xza Higgins, Parent & Co.
• Ralph Jacobsen, IBM

Speakers:

• Sue Hallen, IBM
• Ann Yeung, Northwestern Mutual
• Dale Miller, Visionati

Other important people who contributed to our winning program:

• Sally Roessler, IBM
• Laura Fairman, Blue Canvas Inc.
• Tomi Jane DeTorres, Women Presidents' Organization
• All our sponsors, especially IBM for hosting our event in their magnificent Innovation Center!
• All our members who participated in the program!

We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year's 17th Annual WPO Chicago Summit!

Photos courtesy:  ©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2019

Please join us for our exciting 16th Annual WPO Chicago Summit on Thursday, September 12 on "Artificial Intelligence (AI):  What It Is and Why It Matters for Your Business" and hosted at IBM (71 S. Wacker Drive) from 1:30-7:30 p.m. Central Time.  This event is a private event for members and sponsors only.  We have a great lineup of outstanding speakers:  Sue Hallen, IBM, Ann Yeung, Northwestern Mutual, and Dale Miller, Visionati.com.

Special thanks to our dynamic Steering Committee members highlighted in the graphic for their assistance on this program and to our wonderful sponsors to WPO!

To find out whether your business qualifies for WPO membership, visit here.  If you are interested in becoming a WPO Chicago chapter member, send me [Laurel Delaney] a LinkedIn invite and we'll get the dialog and process going.

Mia Allen Moves the World and Helps Others

Rose Pallets Vice president and co-owner Mia Allen (pictured) joined the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO Chicago) and the International Association of Women (IAW) because she felt a need to connect with growth-oriented women execs and business owners. Through her involvement, she is able to share business expertise and learn from fellow women business leaders.

She recently sat down with Guy Gruenberg to discuss her participation in these organizations and how it has benefited the company, her employees, and her customers.

Read the interview:  How Women Executives Move the World and Each Other

Fav program through WPO Chicago?

"I really enjoyed the Women Presidents’ Organization Chicago Summit last fall at Radio Flyer’s home office on Chicago’s west side. The program was focused on building a great company culture. All of the women in attendance were there with the same purpose—to learn from each other and gain ideas to foster employee happiness for better company performance.  And, I must admit, it was pretty cool to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of one of childhood’s most beloved icons—the Little Red Wagon."

15th Annual WPO Chicago Summit Was Insanely Great!

We thank Amy Bastuga (second from bottom photo), Senior Vice President, Human Resources, at Radio Flyer and her great team for hosting the WPO Chicago members at the 15th Annual WPO Chicago Summit on Thursday, September 13, 2018.  The pictures tell all.

Biggest takeaway from the insanely great program:  Building a great company culture is purposeful and intentional.

Are you not a WPO Chicago member yet?  Perhaps you should consider.  Visit the Women Presidents' Organization and then, if you pre-qualify, contact Laurel Delaney, ldelaney@globetrade.com.

Join Us: 15th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2018

14th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 9/14/17

13th Annual WPO Chicago Summit a HUGE Success

We were delighted to have the following speakers at our 13th Annual WPO Chicago Summit held on Thursday, September 8th and hosted by Foley & Lardner.

• Paul Leinwand, PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory
• Sandy Marsico, Sandstorm Design
• Joanna Sobran and Karen Burneister, MXOtech

This year's theme was Create a Winning Business Strategy and all speakers knocked it out of the park on substance and delivery.

Thank you to all who participated and until next year's Summit, keep growing!

Photo credit:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

12th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2015: You Must Be a Member to Join Us!

If you are interested in becoming a WPO member and joining us for the Summit, please contact Laurel Delaney.

Event of Interest: 10th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2013!

Event of Interest: 9th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2012!

For more information, contact WPO Chicago Chapter Chair Laurel Delaney, ldelaney@globetrade.com or 773-381-1700.

For Members Only.

Event of Interest: 8th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2011

Save the Date: 7th Annual WPO Chicago 2010 Summit