The concept for ARA began quite simply ― it started eight years ago as a quarterly dinner between three IT professionals and friends living in Chicago. The dinner offered a way to discuss general industry trends and advice for women working in IT.
Over the years, more friends and colleagues started joining in these dinners, offering insights, tips and career advice. Pretty soon, these “small dinners with friends” blossomed into major events each quarter – with a current list of 350+ senior women IT executives, the group officially named itself the Chicago Executive Women’s Networking Group.
Sensing an interest and need for a formal organization to provide opportunities for women in IT to learn and advance their careers, ClearEdge Marketing CEO and Founder Leslie Vickrey, McCann Partners Chief Growth Officer Jane Hamner, and McCann Partners President and Founder Megan McCann, formally founded ARA in early 2013.
Bringing the industry together
to discuss the issues, trends and
challenges facing women in tech
Check out our Upcoming Events
Providing organizations and their tech employees with networking and development opportunities and resources
Learn About our Leaders
Founding City in 2013 where ARA made its start. Now after many years Chicago is taking the world by storm, leading change.
Harvey Nash and a committed following in NYC made this our second expansion in 2013, taking a bite out of the Big Apple.
When Seattle was added to the ARA family it was raining with support from organizations to increase women in STEM.
Texas is a big deal and ARA members, supporters and enthusiasts are making a difference in the South.
Connecticut is rich with history on the East Coast and ready to make a difference by increasing Women in Tech.
Midwest meets Southwest in Dallas where female leaders and technologists are plentiful and ARA is connecting them.
A known epicenter of technology talent combines with ARA to enhance and increase Women in Technology.
Be an organization committed to attracting, retaining and advancing women in technology roles and leadership
PARTICIPATION: For the last 5 years women have made up only 21% of technical roles.
ATTRITION: "Women working in STEM fields are 45% more likely than men to leave within the year."
Our sponsors help us to provide programs and events that support women in technology careers.
Sponsorship opportunities include Annual Program Support, Event Specific, Mentorship and In-Kind Venue.
Are you Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Contact us at info@aramentors.com
Though we can’t get together in person, we are committed to supporting the ARA community through COVID-19 and beyond, by bringing everyone together and providing educational and timely content. That’s why we will be hosting a virtual webinar series titled “Inspiration to Thrive, Not Just Survive.” In this series, we will be diving into topics that matter right now and into the future. Expected to be interactive discussions attended by the ARA community across the U.S., below you will find the events details for the series. We look forward to seeing you there!
Experts in their fields who bring knowledge and inspiration to our members.
Speakers able to turn their knowledge and expertise into shared experiences our members can learn from and implement.
People who are excited about technology and how it shapes our world today and tomorrow.
Change agents and visionaries who see a way forward to more diversity and inclusion in IT.
From the "In Her Own Words" series to the interviews with female leaders from cities across the US with companies like Uber, Microsoft, Google, AON, McDonalds, and so many more our blog is designed to deliver great to-the-point tips that you can apply to Advance your career in technology.
