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Hello NAWBO Chicago,
"You need to meet this man," said my father, as he walked me into the federal courthouse downtown. I was about to start my first year of law school at "this man's" alma mater. The minute I walked into the judge's chambers, I understood my dad's enthusiasm. The man, at that time already in his 90s, was among the first Jewish federal court justices in U.S. history, and it was immediately apparent that he had lived history. The walls spoke volumes.
Every single square inch of his chambers was covered with framed photographs featuring people the judge had met: Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Hubert Humphrey, Joe E. Lewis, Jimmy Durante, popes, poets, senators, singers, and internationally recognized leaders. Every modern figure in history seemed to be hanging there. Then, the judge said something that stayed with me throughout my law school days and my career.
"See these people here?" he said, pointing to the sea of pictures. "I didn't ask them how they got there; I asked them who got them there." My takeaway: We often reach our greatest potential by the company we keep.
This story reflects the heart of NAWBO Chicago today. We are women business owners and corporate leaders, philanthropists and visionaries, dealmakers and creative architects. Our members are as diverse as those endless rows of pictures. We stand by each other, helping one another grow.
NAWBO's theme this year is "confidence."
C
onfidence is the gap between navigating your path and actually getting there. Whether you exchange ideas at one of our events, participate in a webinar or tap into our mentoring program, you are connected with women leaders set on getting you where you want to go.
As we approach the end of our NAWBO year (technically June 30), we prepare for the Celebration of Achievement Luncheon on May 2 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. Hundreds will gather to welcome keynote speaker Claire Shipman, author of "The Confidence Code" and senior contributor for ABC News' Good Morning America. You will meet women recognized for their contributions to business and walk away inspired by the day's boundless energy. In fact, our annual Achievement Luncheon is a good metaphor for NAWBO all throughout the year. It takes drive and support and confidence - culled from others and from inside of us - to win in business.
Of course, there are going to be obstacles for all of us. In fact, we tackle one of those issues in this newsletter: gender bias. As a woman in a male-dominated field, I can honestly say, it exists - but not always in the way you think (check out our main article).
I'll leave you with this: Confidence is not self-evident. It takes an army of people behind us. Confidence is that line in the sand, that tipping point that guides, pushes, believes and supports until one day someone may even want to take a picture with us. And then add it to their wall.
MICHELE KATZ
President, NAWBO Chicago
Founding Partner, Advítam IP, LLC
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NAWBO Chicago Member: 2008-2009, 2015 - On
Executive Position:
Vice President, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager, Morgan Stanley
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NAWBO Chicago wrote a letter to Alderman Anthony Beale, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, regarding measure 2015-8286, asking him for his support and that he call the ordinance for a vote at the next committee meeting. Why is this measure important? Getting a sign permit in Chicago is a lengthy process that involves multiple departments within City Hall and lengthy approval times for signs small and large. Currently, if the sign overhangs the sidewalk, even by an inch, along with a sign permit, the business will also have to get a public way use permit. A public way use permit requires passage by the entire City Council, just like any ordinance. Small businesses seeking to obtain a public way use permit wait between 60 to 130 days or longer, which hurts small businesses throughout Chicago. These public way use permits must also be renewed every five years and remarkably, even signs that have not been changed must once again, obtain City Council approval.
Save the Date for NAWBO Leadership Development Training June 15.
Spend a day on the Hill. No charge for Premier members. Registration information is on the website.
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On January 28, 2016, NAWBO Chicago and the Enterprising Women Foundation held the first annual Chicago Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Tea at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. The event benefited the Chicago Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) and provided scholarships for two outstanding Chicago high school girls to attend Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida on Feb 28 - March 1, 2016.
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NAWBO EXCLUSIVE EVENTS:
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
8:30 am - 10:00 am
COFFEE WITH THE PRESIDENT
Our focus is "bring a friend" to learn about NAWBO and consider membership during our membership drive. Held at the SmithAmundsen in Chicago.
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Monday, May 2, 2016
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
NAWBO CHICAGO ACHIEVEMENT LUNCHEON
Please join us at the table on May 2, 2016 to celebrate the achievements of our exceptional members and the dynamic NAWBO Chicago chapter.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
Brette Bensinger, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Jennifer Brown, Hangout Lighting
Kyra Cavanaugh, Life Meets Work, Inc.
Carmen Danzy, Seasons Restaurant & Catering
Hilary Davis, Therapediatrics LLC
Jacqueline Doyle, Coordinated Construction Project Controls Services
Lisa Elkins, 2 Point Perspective: Architecture & Interiors
Jenny Gumm, Sersano Consulting
Sherrie Hablitzel, Kahoots Creative Group
Erlene Howard, Collective Resource, Inc.
Marcia Hundt, S.N. Peck Builder, Inc.
Andrew Krause, AKA Media Inc.
Christine Kupfer, Ninja Paper
Liliana Lohan, Luxe Construction & Development, Inc.
Nasutua Mabwa, Servicemaster by Simons
Jennifer Mariani, Bank of America
Lorell Marin, LEEP Forward
Jamenda McCoy, Belle Up LLC
Kimberly Moore, KDM Engineering, LLC
Jenny Neimann, Forward Space
Jennifer Nemec, Ideation Studio Inc.
Florence Ann Romano, Original Six Media
Beth Silverman, The Silverman Group, Inc.
Wynter Susberry, Tactical Security Chicago LLC
Rosa Timmons, SW Chicago Wholesale, Inc.
Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba
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NAWBO Chicago
Newsletter Submissions:
NAWBO Chicago newsletters are published monthly. Submit all stories, ideas, comments and chapter events to the newsletter editor at
info@NAWBOChicago.org.
April Blog submissions due Friday, March 18.
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NAWBO Chicago Area Chapter
3332 W. Foster Ave., #121
Chicago, Illinois 60625
info@nawbochicago.org
312.224.2605
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