Why We’re Building WOIIA & What We’re Learning From the Women Stepping Forward

When we began envisioning Women of Impact, Influence, & Action (WOIIA), we weren’t trying to create another networking group. We were responding to a gap we had both experienced, at different points in our careers and in different ways. What we were looking for didn’t exist in the form we needed. So, together, we decided to build it.

Success Is Personal...Growth Doesn’t Have to Be

One of the most consistent themes we hear from women exploring WOIIA is this:

“I’m successful, but I don’t want to build the next chapter alone.”

These are women who have established careers, businesses, and leadership identities through experience, discipline, and intentional choices. They are confident in what they’ve built and thoughtful about where they’re headed. They aren’t looking for validation or surface-level connections; they’ve already earned credibility.

What they’re seeking now is shared elevation.

Women who think strategically and bring perspectives shaped by real experience. Peers who challenge assumptions respectfully and expand how problems are approached. Conversations that sharpen thinking rather than reinforce what’s already known.

Success creates independence. But meaningful, sustained growth often happens alongside others who are equally invested in doing the work well. WOIIA exists for women who understand that the people they build alongside matter.

Being Challenged With Respect and Intention

Another insight that continues to surface is the desire to be challenged in ways that feel constructive and aligned.

Not corrected.

Not coached from a place of hierarchy.

Not overwhelmed by unsolicited advice.

The women drawn to WOIIA are seeking dialogue with peers who understand the weight of leadership and the complexity of decision-making. They value thoughtful questions, earned perspectives, and conversations that move ideas forward without posturing.

That kind of environment doesn’t happen by accident. It requires clarity of purpose, shared standards, and mutual respect. WOIIA is intentionally built around those principles.

Giving Back Is Part of the Growth

Equally clear in our conversations is this: women don’t just want to receive—they want to contribute.

They want to open doors where they can.

They want to share experience without ego.

They want to be part of something where their insight and influence help others move forward.

This is where WOIIA intentionally shifts away from traditional mentorship models. What we’re cultivating is sponsorship, advocacy, visibility, and the thoughtful use of influence. When experienced women come together in the right environment, generosity becomes part of the culture.

Why WOIIA Is Being Built Differently

WOIIA is not designed to be everything to everyone. It is designed to be intentional, focused, and aligned.

It’s a place where:

• Standards are clear and upheld

• Conversations are strategic and substantive

• Relationships are built on trust and reciprocity

• Growth is collective, not competitive

As these early conversations continue, our conviction only deepens. The need isn’t for more noise;

it’s for spaces where accomplished women can think, contribute, and grow with intention.

That is why we’re building WOIIA—together. And it’s why the women stepping forward already feel aligned with what’s being created.