GSB Women’s Circles

Alumni of Stanford GSB, specifically the MBA, MSx, PhD, and SEP, programs are eligible for Women’s Circles membership and will be invited to annual kickoffs in September.

Women’s Circles gather monthly in the interest of connecting, reflecting, supporting, and inspiring one another to live our best lives.

The Women’s Circles program was started in 2013 by two alumnae with the vision of GSB alumnae connecting deeply across generations, industries and life experiences. They wanted to ensure that alumnae are supported to thrive as they face unique challenges in the arc of their lives post-GSB. Circles create an environment to support and learn from each other, as we ask big life questions and experience personal and professional transitions.

When signing up for a circle we ask that you commit for at least one year of participation. This commitment is critical to developing deep trust and understanding of one another in the circle. What you get from a circle is commensurate with what you give to it.

By joining, you commit to attending each meeting (with the exceptions of emergencies and unavoidable travel) for the upcoming twelve months and bringing your whole self to participate, engage, and contribute. Last but most importantly, you are expected to commit to full confidentiality.

In the fall, we will send an invitation for the kickoffs with registration details, and 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.

Annual Community Kickoffs will be held virtually and in person in some geographic locations. The Community Kickoffs are essential to the GSB Women’s Circles program. At the Community Kickoff, you will have a chance to meet members of the existing community and learn about the commitment and engagement expected of every circle member.

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 circle. The Women’s Circle year commences in January.

If you are interested in joining a local Women’s Circle but cannot attend an 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, 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 the preferences of the women who join a circle.

In-Person Meetings

In-person circles meet monthly, 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 meet monthly, with meeting timing based on time zone and proximity.

Circle Co-Leaders (two per circle) work closely with the GSB Women’s Circles Regional Leadership Board to ensure a smooth and beneficial experience for all Circle members. They help keep things organized and make sure the circle conversations are constructive and inclusive during the monthly meetings. Co-Leaders align circle members on the agenda for the next meeting, help with logistics, and do any follow-up needed between meetings. A circle co-leader will spend about 1-2 hours a month on GSB Women’s Circles in addition to the time in her actual circle meeting.

Co-Leaders are provided with facilitation skill-building through virtual trainings and monthly virtual calls covering specific topics identified by our Circles leadership. Co-Leaders are also invited to the optional Global Leadership Summit held at the GSB.

If a circle does not have two Co-Leaders, all members of the circle will share this responsibility.

If you are interested in volunteering to become a circle Co-leader, please check the box when you fill out the circle formation survey that you receive after attending an Annual Community Kickoff. Also, you can email us or submit an interest form.