We’re excited to share that Female Strong has been selected as a 2025 charity partner by both ARCO/Murray and Heidrick & Struggles . These collaborations will further support our efforts to equip young girls with the skills, confidence, and mentorship they need to thrive as future leaders.  ARCO/Murray will begin their partnership on March 6 with the WIC 2025 Women in Construction Celebration event , which will explore ways to support women in the construction and engineering industries. All proceeds from the event will benefit Female Strong. On July 30, they will host their third Female Strong Camp for girls aged 8 to 12. A consistent advocate for our mission, ARCO/Murray raised over $20,000 in 2023, significantly contributing to the expansion of our programming.

On behalf of the Female Strong and YEA! Chicago team, we extend our heartfelt thanks for making this year’s CEO Roundtable an engaging, inspiring, and unforgettable experience. This year’s panel centered on Women in Finance, exploring themes of resilience, self-advocacy, and leadership while highlighting the evolving role of women and their growing influence on innovation and decision-making in the industry. Powerful takeaways included believing in yourself when others do and leaning into opportunities, seeking game-changing mentors, and advocating for yourself even when results take time. Attendees were reminded to know their value, always make the ask, and lead with delegation, vulnerability, and accountability. Perhaps most importantly, they were encouraged to accept that an unfinished to-do list is part of the journey—and that’s okay. We are especially grateful to Dawn, Melissa, Brittany, and Brenda for sharing their invaluable insights and to our generous sponsors— BMO , JSI , and LevelReps —for making this impactful event possible! Special thanks to our amazing photographer Caitlyn Welty , who perfectly captured the energy of the evening. Find her on Instagram @brain.pets .