FEI Chicago Chapter female members form a 'SPA' group.

• Position: CHAPTER UPDATE - Financial Executives International - Strategic Professional Alliance

Over coffee at a local Starbucks, three members of the FEI Chicago Chapter discussed starting a women's group to address the request by several female members for women's programming within the chapter.

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Each member felt that this type of programming would be very beneficial to the women members, many of whom are dealing with work/life balance issues and are seeking female role models and mentors within the finance profession.

They also believed that a women's group could be a great benefit to the entire chapter, as it would help get more female members actively involved in chapter activities and could be a powerful recruiting tool.

The newly formed committee conducted a poll of the chapter's women members and found that attending the traditional dinner meetings were a challenge for them. After a careful assessment of the need for such a group, they began formulating the mission and agenda for what is now the Strategic Professional Alliance (SPA).

"We wanted our group to be a special place for women finance professionals to reenergize and refocus," says Sharon Walton, SPA Committee chairperson and a vice president of the Chicago Chapter. Generally, 20 female members attend events (with 120 female members in the chapter), representing approximately 16 percent participation and growing, adds Walton.

The name also captures the mission of the group: To assist members in expanding their professional careers by building strong strategic relationships with other FEI female members and creating alliances with other local women's professional organizations.

SPA activities to date have been centered around breakfast meetings, alternating between suburban and downtown locations to reach a wide audience. Topics...