Getting Creative to Build Women’s Communities at Work

GETTING CREATIVE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF TRANSACTION FOCUSED WOMEN

EY Parthenon Partners, Elizabeth Kaske and Nina Lapachet had shelved the idea of launching a new transaction-focused women’s network back in March due to COVID-19.  As the reality of a long-lasting pandemic unfolded, however, they were inspired to get creative.  What better time than now to bring women together to build community and share ideas for tackling challenges?  With women disproportionately leaving the workplace in 2020, as multiple studies have shown, the need for connectivity and support in an already male-dominated field has never been more important. 

The Women in Transactions network launched in July with a virtual event series entitled, “Conversations Uncorked.”  The events, a virtual wine-tasting and professional development series in conjunction with ReBoot Accel and Rarecat Wines, bring together women to learn and grow with each other.   Participants receive a giftbox (wine and book) before each event, and then spent 75 minutes each quarter engaged in meaningful conversation around topics such as unconscious bias, growth mindset, virtual M&A execution, defining transaction success, and the importance of “owning the wine list.”   Networking is fostered through virtual break-out rooms and suggested conversation starters.

"In a world of video meeting fatigue, we were amazed by the strong turnout," said Elizabeth Kaske, Partner at EY. "Almost 96% of those who RSVP'd showed up." 

The series is scheduled to run quarterly throughout 2021.