GSB Women’s Circles

Graduates of Stanford GSB degree programs, specifically MBA, MSx, PhD, and SEP, who identify as female are eligible for Women’s Circle membership and will be invited to annual kickoffs in September.

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. Circles are a place to slow down, reflect, let your hair down, be inspired by others, connect, and support each other in the face of life’s personal and professional ups and downs after graduation, so that each woman can thrive; however, she defines it.

Circles are not networking groups or business opportunities.

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.

1. The expectation is that by joining, you commit to attending each meeting (barring emergencies and unavoidable travel) for the upcoming 12 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, you are required to participate in one of the kickoff events. We encourage you to participate in your region’s kickoff, but you may join any of them.

In the fall, we will send an invitation for the kickoffs with registration details to all GSB alumnae. 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 are 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 activities. After attending the kickoff, you will be sent a Women’s Circle formation survey and invited to make a commitment to join a local circle. The Women’s Circle year commences in January.

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

After the annual community kickoff, all participants will be sent a Women’s Circle formation survey. If you decide to join a Circle and commit to participating in a Circle for one year after the kickoff, we would be delighted to welcome you! Membership in each Women’s Circle is carefully crafted by Stanford GSB staff and Women’s 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 a circle 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 placement. Newly placed members will begin attending meetings in the month of January.

Members may join either an in-person circle in an existing region (which will meet virtually if it is determined to be unsafe 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 Women’s 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.

Training sessions for new and continuing co-leaders are held in the October to November timeframe. Year round support is provided by volunteer co-leader ambassadors, the GSB Alumni Relations Office, and the Circles Leadership Coach. Co-leaders are invited to special events to support their Women’s Circles leadership work.

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

If you are interested in volunteering to become a co-leader, email us or submit an interest form.