GSB Women’s Circles

All alumni who are interested in the promotion of women, transgender, and gender non-binary individuals are invited to participate.

Only graduates of Stanford GSB degree programs, specifically MBA, MSx, PhD, and SEP, are eligible for Circle membership and will be invited to annual kickoffs.

We talk. We share. We support and encourage.

GSB Women’s Circles offer a great way to dive deeper into topics we all care about — but rarely get to discuss — with those who face similar challenges. A Circle is a place to slow down, reflect, let your hair down, be inspired by others, connect, and support each other.

Circles are not networking groups or business opportunities.

1. We ask that you commit to at least a year of participation. This commitment is essential to developing deep trust and understanding of one another. The expectation is that by joining, you also commit to attending each meeting (barring emergencies and unavoidable travel) for the upcoming twelve months. If you think you may not be able to attend at least 10 of the 12 meetings, consider waiting a year to join.
2. Commit to bringing your whole self and full attention to meetings: participate, engage, and contribute.
3. Lastly, but most importantly, commit to full confidentiality about discussions at Circle meetings.

Circles are formed once a year during annual community kickoffs in the fall, which all alumnae of Stanford degree programs are invited to attend. To join a Circle, participation is required in one of the kickoff events. You are encouraged to participate in your region’s kickoff, but may join any of them.

In the fall, all GSB alumnae will receive an invitation for the kickoffs with registration details. Registration information will also be available here on the GSB Women’s Circles page. To ensure that you receive the annual invitation, check that your current email address and other contact information is correct in the Stanford Alumni Directory.

At the kickoff, you will meet Circle members in your region and have an opportunity to ask questions about Circles. You will learn more about the level of commitment expected from a Circle member and local Circles’ activities. After attending the kickoff, you will be sent a Circle formation survey and invited to make a commitment to join a local Circle.

If you are interested in joining a local Circle but cannot attend the annual community kickoff, please email us.

After the annual community kickoff, all participants will be sent a Circle formation survey. If after the kickoff, you decide to join a Circle and commit to participating in a Circle for one year, we would be delighted to welcome you! Membership in each Circle is carefully crafted by Stanford GSB staff and Circle leadership to promote diversity across generations, industries, family status, children, and more. Diversity expands the scope of wisdom and life experience members share.

The survey will help identify your placement in Circles by taking into consideration scheduling and geographic preferences, among other variables identified through the registration survey. In early November, members will be notified of their Circle placement. Circle meetings will begin in January 2021.

Members may join either an In-person Circle in an existing region (which will meet virtually until it is safe to meet in-person) or a Virtual-only Circle (based on time zone and proximity). For both In-person and Virtual Circles, days of the week and meeting times are determined by preferences of the women who join a Circle.

In-Person Meetings

In-person Circles meet monthly for two hours at a time, either at the member’s home or office space. Meetings may be at the same location throughout the year or be rotated among members as they choose.

Virtual Meetings

Virtual-only Circles are typically one to one and a half hours and membership is based on time zone and proximity.

Each Circle has two alumni volunteer Co-Leaders.

Circle Co-Leaders create an environment of safety and trust in which all members’ voices are heard. Co-Leaders encourage deep and meaningful conversations.

Co-Leaders receive thoughtfully curated agendas prior to each Circle meeting and handle any logistical work needed between meetings.

If you are interested in volunteering to become a circle Co-Leader, email us or submit an interest form.