Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 27th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

Have you missed the exchange of ideas, industry information, pop culture recommendations, random conversations about topical events, and general camaraderie that used to happen in the “before times” at the water cooler, in front of the restroom sink, and in the lively chatter before the start of a WMG event? As we optimistically look forward to more in-person communication, we could all use a little TLC, so come Talk, Listen, and Connect! Join WMG board member Jennifer Perry for an hour of chit-chat about whatever you want to discuss the day we meet, with an emphasis on current media events and media buzz. Maybe it’s the virtual nature of book fairs or the newest best sellers or the rise of TikTok as a marketing platform for books. Or perhaps you've been following how media companies are responding in different ways to the need to increase diverse voices. Or you can't wait to share thoughts about book-based TV series. Jennifer will have a short list of suggested topics to jumpstart the meet-up, and welcomes and encourages your ideas, too. jennifer's area of special interest is Publishing, but members from all areas of media are very encouraged to attend. No homework necessary: just a willingness to share ideas and opinions about anything you’d like to discuss with a group. Our very own WMG brand of TLC!

About Jennifer

WMG Board member Jennifer Perry is focused on reaching all kids and families with meaningful literacy opportunities. She has created educational resources as a publisher, museum educator, Sesame Street brand ambassador, and consultant for child-focused media companies and non-profits. Currently, she is Director of Audiobooks at Barnes & Noble. She is a frequent speaker on ways to reach and teach kids with effective, engaging, and empowering digital experiences.

Wednesday, August 4th, 5:00-6:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members & non-members

The bestselling author of American Housewife and Southern Lady Code returns with a viciously funny, deeply felt collection of essays on friendship among grown-ass women. Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light reads like the best cocktail party of your life. Plan to join us on August 4, as we gather (virtually) with Helen Ellis for a  happy hour filled with questions, conversation and likely, more than a few laughs. 

Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light is twelve gloriously comic and moving essays! Helen dishes on married middle-age sex, sobs with a theater full of women as a psychic exorcises their sorrows, gets twenty shots of stomach bile to the neck to get rid of her double chin, and gathers up the courage to ask, “Are you there, Menopause? It’s Me, Helen.”

Kirkus calls it “Darkly hilarious” and Martha Steward Living says it’s “an uproarious joyride, best enjoyed with a souvenir cup of white wine”. Come find out for yourself on August 4 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm Eastern at this Zoom event moderated by WMG board member, Kelly Hoey.

The WMG Programming Committee is thrilled to be collaborating with Shakespeare & Co. for this Happy Hour with Helen. Purchase your copy of Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light here. 

About the Author: 

Helen Ellis is the author of Southern Lady Code, American Housewife and Eating the Cheshire Cat. Raised in Alabama, she lives with her husband in New York City. You can find her on Twitter @WhatIDoAllDay and Instagram @HelenEllisAuthor.

About the Moderator: 

Kelly Hoey is the author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World. Raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Kelly has called NYC home since 1998. You can find her on Twitter @jkhoey and Instagram @jkellyhoey.

About Shakespeare & Co: 

Shakespeare & Co. is an iconic Manhattan bookstore founded in 1983. Its store at 939 Lexington Avenue, adjacent to the Hunter College campus, has been a staple on the Upper East Side for over 20 years. Shakespeare & Co second location in New York is at 2020 Broadway (between 69th and 70th Streets) and they also are located at 1632 Walnut Street (between South 16th and South 17th Streets) in downtown Philadelphia.

Wednesday, September 15th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members & non-members

According to Forbes, influencer marketing spend is projected to hit $15 billion in 2022 a rise from $8 billion in 2019.

 

Influencers are reaching more consumers than ever. Importantly, influencers have credibility with their followers and are successfully building awareness & sales for brand and retail partners.

 

Why are marketers so excited about influencer marketing? Because influencers are successfully driving action both online and increasing foot traffic in-store.

 

During this 1 hour webinar, you'll learn:

 

• How to effectively leverage influencers to drive impact for your brand/business.

• A how-to guide to ensure influencer marketing campaign success.

• How to Measure Campaign Success & deliver ROI.

About the Speaker:

WMG member Aliza Freud is the founder & CEO of SheSpeaks and award-winning influencer marketing company that works with some of the world's most respected brands. Aliza is also the host of top rated podcast, SheSpeaks: How She Does It which is dedicated to telling women's stories.

Thursday, September 23rd, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members & non-members

Writer and editor Michelle Burford has co-authored ten memoirs and six New York Times best sellers (three of which debuted at #1) including Just As I Am written with legendary actress Cicely Tyson (who tragically passed away on January 28, 2021, two days following publication of her memoir). Michelle’s celebrity collaborations also include books with Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton and Simone Biles (to name just a few) - plus there are more in the pipeline (this past summer Michelle was working on no less than three memoirs). Her extraordinary ability to deliver dazzling life stories under tight deadlines is just one of Michelle’s many strengths as an author and editor.

The Oprah Magazine calls Just As I Am an “essential, passionate, raw, revelatory account of a woman who refused to allow any obstacle to thwart her quest for excellence—racism, misogyny, poverty, single motherhood—and today stands as one of the greatest actresses of all time.”

The New York Times book review of Just As I Am noted “A throng of admirers has been eager to hear whatever she [Cicely Tyson] wants to tell. [Michelle] Burford, a sensitive listener, has organized 96 years’ worth of stories with grace. Right about now, the autobiography of Miss Cicely Tyson is a balm for the afflicted.”

In this WMG conversation with Michelle on September 23, we’ll explore not only the extraordinary careers of her memoir collaborators but Michelle’s own career story: how her writing career started, why she’s passionate about book collaborations and her secret to getting things done. 

The WMG Programming Committee is thrilled to partner with Shakespeare & Co. for this conversation with Michelle. Purchase your copy of Michelle’s book Just As I Am.

About Michelle Burford: 

Michelle Burford is a #1 NYT bestselling collaborative writer and a founding editor of Oprah Magazine. Michelle has written memoirs for iconic actress Cicely Tyson, whose memoir debuted at #1 on the New York Times' list; singer Alicia Keys; Olympic champions Simone Biles and Gabrielle Douglas, singer Toni Braxton, "Dancing With the Stars" sensation Amy Purdy, "Orange Is the New Black" actress Diane Guerrero, and Cleveland survivor Michelle Knight, the first young woman kidnapped and brutalized by Ariel Castro. She has co-authored 10 books and six NYT best sellers. More about Michelle: michelleburford.com.

About the Moderator: 

Kelly Hoey is the author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World (her first book, though she is bravely embarking on her second).  More about Kelly: jkellyhoey.co.

About Shakespeare & Co: 

Shakespeare & Co. is an iconic Manhattan bookstore founded in 1983. Its store at 939 Lexington Avenue, adjacent to the Hunter College campus, has been a staple on the Upper East Side for over 20 years. Shakespeare & Co second location in New York is at 2020 Broadway (between 69th and 70th Streets) and they also are located at 1632 Walnut Street (between South 16th and South 17th Streets) in downtown Philadelphia.

PAST EVENTS

Wednesday, July 21st, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

A fun and informal way for new members to virtually connect and really get to know each other. It's a wonderful way to meet meet other talented, high-energy women, all ready to assist one another in our professional endeavors.

This social is open to anyone who joined WMG between July 2020 and now and will be hosted by WMG Co-President Kathy Sandler.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Wednesday, June 23rd, 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

A fun and informal way for new members to virtually connect and really get to know each other. It's a wonderful way to meet meet other talented, high-energy women, all ready to assist one another in our professional endeavors.

This social is open to anyone who joined WMG between June 2020 and now and will be hosted by WMG Co-President Julie Blattberg.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Tuesday, June 1st, 5:30-6:30 PM ET

Free for WMG members, $15 for non-members

Attendees will learn to:

• Identify negotiating opportunities
  
• Recognize how you undermine yourself
  
• Prepare for negotiations great and small
  
• Develop a repertoire of options
  
• Deal with resistance
  
• Advocate for yourself

Foremost authority in the fields of negotiation leadership and gender, Deborah M. Kolb is the Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Professor for Women in Leadership (Emerita) and co-founder of the Ford Foundation–funded Center for Gender in Organizations at Simmons College School of Management. 

Wednesday, May 26th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

A fun and informal way for new members to virtually connect and really get to know each other. It's a wonderful way to meet meet other talented, high-energy women, all ready to assist one another in our professional endeavors.

This social is open to anyone who joined WMG between March 2020 and now and will be hosted by WMG Co-President Kathy Sandler.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Thursday, May 20, 6:00-8:00 PM ET

Free for WMG members and non-members

Courtesy of Hallmark Channel and screenwriter Sarah Montana, join WMG for a front-row viewing of Sarah’s “Love to the Rescue,” featuring Nikki Deloach (“North Shore,” “Love and Other Drugs”) and Michael Rady (“Sleeper Cell,” “ER”). Two single parents come head to head when their kids want to adopt the same dog. Agreeing to co-foster, free-spirited Kate and type-A Eric must work together to find the dog's forever home. Stay for the exclusive Q & A!

Tuesday, April 13th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET

$15 for WMG members, $25 for non-members

Shameless humor and wild wit are guaranteed when Women’s Media Group celebrates Annabelle Gurwitch's new book, You're Leaving When? (HBO special forthcoming). The author will tell all with fearless performance artist and fellow comedian Sandra Tsing Loh, who deemed Annabelle's new book "A cheering midlife romp!"

You're Leaving When? is for anybody who thought they had a semblance of security but wound up with a fragile economy and a blankie. Gurwitch offers stories of resilience, adaptability, low-rent redemption, and the kindness of strangers. Even in a muted Zoom.

Purchase the book here. 

Annabelle Gurwitch was a star performer at WMG’s inaugural Female Authors of Comedy Night. She is an actress, activist, and the author of I See You Made an Effort (a New York Times bestseller and Thurber Prize finalist); Wherever You Go, There They Are, You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up (with Jeff Kahn); and Fired! (also a Showtime Comedy Special). She is currently adapting You're Leaving When? for HBO with Bill Maher executive producing. Gurwitch was the longtime co-host of Dinner and a Movie on TBS and a regular commentator on NPR. She's written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and Hadassah amongst other publications. Her acting credits include Seinfeld, Boston Legal, Dexter, and Melvin Goes to Dinner. She performs on the Moth Mainstage, Caroline’s on Broadway, and at arts centers around the country. Gurwitch thought she'd be empty nesting by now; instead, she lives in LA with her cat and child—a college graduate of the COVID class of 2020. She co-hosts the Tiny Victories podcast on the Maximum Fun Podcast Network, which Vulture called a “bright spot of light and laughter in 2020.”

Sandra Tsing Loh is a writer and performer. Her work has been heard on NPR’s Morning Edition and This American Life, and is currently the host of "The Loh Down on Science" podcast on NPR. Her book, The Madwoman in the Volvo, was a New York Times Notable Book of 2014. Her latest book, The Madwoman and the Roomba, came out in June 2020. Loh lives in Pasadena, California.

Wednesday, April 7th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

A fun and informal way for new members to virtually connect and really get to know each other. It's a wonderful way to meet meet other talented, high-energy women, all ready to assist one another in our professional endeavors.

This social is open to anyone who joined WMG between March 2020 and now and will be hosted by WMG Co-President Julie Blattberg.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Wednesday, March 31st, 6:00-7:00 PM ET

Free for WMG members and BAWIP members only

Join the WMG Book Club on March 31 as we deliciously dive into Mango and Peppercorns: A Memoir of Food, an Unlikely Family, and the American Dream, a culinary memoir (with recipes) and story of resilience, friendship, family, and food from the acclaimed chefs behind the award-winning Hy Vong Vietnamese restaurant in Miami. We will be joined for this event by the book’s collaborator (and WMG member) Elisa Ung and Lyn Nguyen, one of the book’s authors three authors. 

Mango and Peppercorns is uniquely told from the perspective of three women - a Vietnamese refugee, her American hostess, and the refugee's daughter (Lyn Nguyen), who was conceived in a refugee camp and went on to become the CEO of an AI firm. 

No quizzes just fun conversation! All WMG members are invited to attend to connect and converse with other book lovers. 

Elisa Ung is an award-winning writer, editor, book collaborator, and ghostwriter with more than two decades of professional storytelling experience. She was previously a food critic and columnist at The (Bergen) Record and Northjersey.com, and a news reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Lyn Nguyen, the daughter of Vietnamese refugee and acclaimed chef Tung Nguyen, earned degrees from Harvard and Cornell, and is the CEO and cofounder of Liquid Analytics, an artificial intelligence innovation firm.

WMG board member Kelly Hoey is a networking expert and author of Author of “Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World” (Tarcher Perigee). 

Find Mango and Peppercorns at your favorite local book shop: https://bookshop.org/

About WMG Book Club

The WMG is for those who love books, are equally curious about the stories behind the books and want a person not an algorithm to randomly suggest their next read. 

Books are selected quite randomly based on your submissions. What book(s) should we learn about, read next, discuss, and gather around next? Submit your suggestions directly to host Kelly Hoey at kelly@jkellyhoey.co who randomly selects a new book each month from WMG member submissions, the next book(s) we’ll be gathering around.

Wednesday, March 17th, 6:00-7:00 PM ET

Free for WMG members and BAWIP members only

Come one, come all to the WMG Book Club on Wednesday, March 17th at 6:00 p.m. ET, featuring WMG member, Candi S. Cross, author of Come Hope or High Water: Escaping Addiction to Save Family Farms in the Western Corn Belt, our latest book club selection. As a ghostwriter and editor, Candi has co-developed 140+ books; however this new book features her name exclusively on the cover. 

Come Hope or High Water is the authorized biography of Steve Knuth, CEO of AgWest Commodities. It is a recovery story about a man of many missions – from staying sober to saving the family farm in rural Nebraska. Fingers crossed that Steve will be joining us for WMG Book Club (so we can delve further into what makes for successful writing collaborations, beyond having a riveting story to tell). 

No quizzes, just fun conversation! All WMG members and BAWIP members are invited to attend to connect and converse with other book lovers. 

A pro writer since the 3rd grade when she won the state title in a national essay contest, WMG member (and board member) Candi S. Cross has a unique combination of skills that matches the needs of aspiring authors with a tale to tell. Candi’s clients range from execs and entertainers to doctors and attorneys, and hail from as far away as China, England, Japan, and Germany. She is committed to helping diverse individuals with contemporary stories to tell—no theme is too provocative, no message too controversial unless it propagates harm toward others.

WMG board member Kelly Hoey is a networking expert and author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World (TarcherPerigee). 

Find Come Hope or High Water at your favorite local book shop: https://bookshop.org/

About WMG Book Club

The WMG Book Club is for members who love books, are equally curious about the stories behind the books, and want a person not an algorithm to randomly suggest their next read. 

What book(s) should we learn about, read, discuss, and gather around next? Submit your suggestions directly to host Kelly Hoey at kelly@jkellyhoey.co, who randomly selects a new book each month from WMG member submissions.

Wednesday, March 10th, 12:00-12:30 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

Please come to the WMG 2021 Annual Business Meeting on March 10th from 12:00-12:30 p.m. ET via Zoom. 

Spend 30 minutes with Co-Presidents Julie Blattberg and Kathy Sandler, and members of the board, in an abbreviated virtual meeting to:

• Vote in the new board
• Welcome new members
• Review highlights of the past year
• Talk about opportunities to volunteer

We value your time and participation, and hope to see you there!

Wednesday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Free for members only

Though separated by about 3,000 miles and 3 time zones, the Bay Area Women in Publishing has much in common with WMG. BAWiP connects and supports current and aspiring colleagues who identify as women or non-binary, helping them to build professional networks in and beyond the Bay Area, and advance their career goals while building community and a more equitable environment in publishing. Sounds good, right?

Make yourself a postprandial cup of tea or digestivo, and join our colleagues on the West coast while they’re in happy hour mode. 

This networking opportunity will feature ice breakers, small-group breakout rooms, and ways to expand your professional circles.

Friday, February 26th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members only

A fun and informal way for new members to virtually connect and really get to know each other. It's a wonderful way to meet meet other talented, high-energy women, all ready to assist one another in our professional endeavors.

This social is open to anyone who joined WMG between March 2020 and now and will be hosted by WMG Co-President Kathy Sandler.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Thursday, February 25th, 6:00-7:00 PM ET

Free for WMG members and BAWIP members only 

Join WMG Book Club on February 25th to celebrate fierce, trailblazing women authors including WMG member Lauren Marino herself, author of our latest book club selection Bookish Broads: Women Who Wrote Themselves into History (Abrams). 

Lauren’s new book features more than sixty brilliant and bookish broads, cleverly illuminating the greats as well as the literary powerhouses that history has wrongfully overlooked. 

Jump online with book club host Kelly Hoey and Lauren to celebrate the perspective of women writers and their impact on literature.  

All WMG members and BAWIP members are invited to attend to connect and converse with other book lovers. No quizzes, just fun conversation

WMG member Lauren Marino is a writer and executive editor at Hachette Books. She is the author of What Would Dolly Do? How to Be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World and Jackie and Cassini: A Fashion Love Affair and has collaborated with celebrities, doctors, entrepreneurs, psychologists, and experts on their books.

WMG board member Kelly Hoey is a networking expert and author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World (TarcherPerigee). 

Find Bookish Broads at your favorite local book shop: https://bookshop.org/

About WMG Book Club

The WMG Book Club is for those who love books, are equally curious about the stories behind the books and want a person, not an algorithm, to randomly suggest their next read. 

Books are selected quite randomly based on your submissions. What book(s) should we learn about, read next, discuss, and gather around next? Submit your suggestions directly to host Kelly Hoey at kelly@jkellyhoey.co who randomly selects a new book each month from WMG member submissions, the next book(s) we’ll be gathering around.

Wednesday, January 6th, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST

Free for WMG members only

Ready to send off stress-aplenty 2020? Join WMG for a one-of-a-kind virtual party to kick off 2021 with flair! This past year was chockfull of challenges, but we pulled through together to host 30+ virtual events and welcome 60+ new members. Come celebrate with us, get to know your new fellow members, and reconnect with old friends. We’ll have guided breakout rooms with festive themes for intimate networking, contests for Best Zoom Décor and Most Creative Cocktail or Mocktail, and we’ll be naming a Belle of the Ball. So, feel free to dress to impress…without having to leave the comfort of your home!

Thursday, December 10th, 7:00-8:00 PM ET

Free for WMG members only

The inaugural selection for the WMG Book Club is WMG member Marlene Adelstein’s debut novel, Sophie Last Seen. A USA Today bestseller, Sophie Last Seen has been hailed by reviewers as “a gripping tale of heartbreak and eternal hope” and “a multi-layered mystery, impossible to put down.” 

Gather online with book club host Kelly Hoey and Marlene on Thursday, December 10 at 7pm EST to hear the author speak about her book, the inspiration for the story and her path to publication of her debut novel.

All WMG members are invited to attend to connect and converse with other book lovers. No quizzes, just fun conversation!  

WMG member Marlene Adelstein is a freelance book editor specializing in novels, memoirs, and screenplays. A former film development executive, Marlene has had personal essays published in Longreads, Manifest-Station, Talking Writing, and Rewireme and has been awarded residencies at Yaddo, MacDowell, The Wurlitzer Foundation and other artist colonies. She is currently working on a new novel and a memoir in essays. 

WMG board member Kelly Hoey is a networking expert and author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World (TarcherPerigee). 

Find Sophie Last Seen at your favorite local book shop: https://bookshop.org/

About WMG Book Club

The WMG is for those who love books, are equally curious about the stories behind the books and want a person not an algorithm to randomly suggest their next read. 

What book(s) should we read, discuss, and gather around next? Submit your suggestions directly to host Kelly Hoey at kelly@jkellyhoey.co who randomly selects a new book from WMG member submissions.

Tuesday, December 8th, 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Free for members & non-members

Take your virtual presence to the next level!

 

In this fun and fully participatory workshop, award-winning actress and communications expert and coach, Annie Meisels, will share fresh, unique ways to forge genuine connections, build trusting relationships, and create community in a virtual setting. As we all continue to adjust to holding meetings, giving presentations and interconnecting online, sharpening our communication skills is essential in order to thrive!  Join Annie and the WMG as we learn and put into practice these new tools and techniques taught through her lens as an actress and coach.

Annie Meisels is a master communicator. Having polished her skills over 25 years of stage, screen, and voice experience as an award-winning actor, Annie now brings this expertise to the working world. She works with companies and organizations, teaching highly skilled professionals how to seriously up their communication and presentation game. For more information and to book private coaching sessions with Annie, please visit her website.

Wednesday, December 2nd, 6:00-7:00 PM ET

Free for WMG members only

A fun and informal way for new members to virtually connect and really get to know each other. It's a wonderful way to meet meet other talented, high-energy women, all ready to assist one another in our professional endeavors.

This social is open to anyone who joined WMG between March 2020 and now and will be hosted by WMG Co-Presidents Julie Blattberg and Kathy Sandler.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Wednesday, November 11 at 8:00 p.m. EST

Free for members only

Though separated by about 3,000 miles and 3 time zones, the Bay Area Women in Publishing has much in common with WMG. BAWiP connects and supports current and aspiring colleagues who identify as women or non-binary, helping them to build professional networks in and beyond the Bay Area, and advance their career goals while building community and a more equitable environment in publishing. Sounds good, right?

Make yourself a postprandial cup of tea or digestivo, and join our colleagues on the West coast while they’re in happy hour mode. 

This networking opportunity will revolve around the theme of “Celebrate Yourself,” and will feature ice breakers, small-group breakout rooms, and ways to expand your professional circles.

Wednesday, October 14 at 12:00 p.m. EST

Free to attend for members. Guests welcome!

Are you shy in front of a camera or hate most of your pictures? Time to take a new headshot and can't find the right angle? Then this action-packed session is for you!

 

During this virtual session, you’ll learn:

• Liza’s insider tips for taking the best photo that values your assets and minimizes any flaw…every time
  
• The philosophy behind “body mapping,” which has helped dozens of professionals take great shots and improve their self-esteem
  
• Accelerate your confidence by being your own practice photographer and studying your pics
  

Speaker bio:

Liza Andrews is a self-development coach, photographer and the creator of the PictureCure Methods. Her education and experience involve human resources, psychology and photography.  She started her career in the corporate world, working with recruiting and training programs. With the advent of social media, having a strong professional presence online became mandatory, and Liza brought her expertise in portraiture to the table. Her methods contemplated not only the moves to look good on camera, but also, the psychological aspects that make people feel shy and self-conscious about their image. Liza has taught her own method on “How to Become Photogenic” in Europe, South America, and the United States, and she has helped people with physical limitations and depression improve their self-esteem using photography. Liza was interviewed by Globo TV about her volunteer work with cancer survivors, and Bold TV New York about the importance of one’s profile photos to get the best jobs.

Thursday, October 8 at 6:00 p.m. EST (Martini Glass-in-Hand Time!)

$10 for members. $15 for non-members.

***The first 75 to register will receive a free copy of Candace’s book, Is There Still Sex in the City?

Keep calm—there is still Sex in the City! According to Candace Bushnell. Through her books and television series, Candace's work has influenced and defined two generations of women. There’s no better time than the wacky year of 2020 to hear what she has to say about all things sex, dating, friendship, and fierce feminism in a New York minute! The first 75 people who sign up will receive a copy of her book, Is There Still Sex in the City? (Grove Press). 

Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed, international best-selling author of ten books, including Is There Still Sex in the City, Sex and the City, Summer and the City, The Carrie Diaries, One Fifth Avenue, Lipstick Jungle, Trading Up, Killing Monica and Four Blondes. Sex and the City, published in 1996, was the basis for the HBO hit series and two subsequent blockbuster movies. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television series on NBC, as did The Carrie Diaries on the CW. “Is There Still Sex in the City” is currently in development as a TV series with Paramount. Bushnell’s new book, Rules for Being a Girl, is out now.

Thursday, October 1, 12:00 p.m. EST

Free to attend for members. Guests welcome!

U.S. payrolls grew by 4.8 million in June, according to the Labor Department, but the totality of damage to the economy as a result of the pandemic may not be known until well into 2021. As the coronavirus continues to rage throughout the world, where do you stand as an employee, employer or entrepreneur? Is your resume current and ready to go if you need to make a move or simply desire a change in your career and livelihood?   

During this virtual session, you’ll learn:

• Lesley’s insider tips on resume writing in the 21st century 
• New techniques to target your industry and others that could use your skills and are hiring
• The mindset for making a career move with confidence during these uncertain times  

Lesley Yvonne Hunter is president of Resume Makeover and Lesley Yvonne LLC. Lesley is a licensed Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and copywriter and member of PARW/CC (Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches). Her resume writing experience is vast as she has reconstructed and given resume makeovers to various clients cross-industry from recent college graduates to high-level executives. Some of the clients Lesley has worked for have applied for and obtained jobs in the fields of accounting, management, sales, entertainment, law, design, education, writing, administration, government and others. In her free time, she may be playing piano as she is a classically trained pianist since age 4. She is also a lover of languages and is fluent in French and Italian and has basic proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00 p.m. EST

Free to attend for members. Guests welcome!

Join this panel discussion where successful women in media share how they transferred their traditional media skills to work for brands. We will discuss the lingo that they had to learn, how to decifier foreign-sounding job descriptions, how to convince hiring managers that the candidate they are looking for in a competitive landscape, and more.   

Moderator:

 

Chandra Turner, founder of the Talent Fairy

Panelists:

Kara Corridan, Global Communications Manager, Prudential Financial

Angie Lee, Global Head of Brand and Marketing, Samsung NEXT

Tracy Perez, Editorial Director of Digital Content Strategy, IT Cosmetics, L'Oréal

Tuesday, September 15, 12:00 p.m. EST

Free to attend for members. Guests welcome!

The world is in crisis mode as a result of the coronavirus, and women in particular are more overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted…all the time. But in spite of stress, you can learn how to read the signs that your body is sending, make better choices in time and food/drink consumption without feeling guilty or desperate, and optimize your wellbeing. 

During this virtual session, you’ll learn:

• Sharon’s insider tips for knowing exactly what is on your plate and loving the results  
• New techniques for connecting to what your body is saying and getting to the root of symptoms, understanding the connection and what it means for you and your lifestyle, and taking action, trusting yourself and transforming your life  

Sharon Holand Gelfand, a functional diagnostic nutritionist, coach and speaker, transforms the lives of health minded professional women who are stressed out and overwhelmed by getting to the root of their most common health complaints through target testing, not guessing. She incorporates the results with their symptoms and flexible food choices to find the missing pieces of their health puzzle so they can reclaim their health and their lives. Sharon is also the creator of The G.U.T. Method®, a 3-step system to empower you to take back control of your health and the basis for her new book, The G.U.T. Method: Secrets Beyond Your Plate for Healthier, More Energetic Living.

Wednesday, August 19th, 12 p.m. EST

Free members-only event

Former New York Times Op-Ed editor Trish Hall wants to help you get your point across.

Join us on August 19th at 12 p.m. EST via Zoom for a conversation between Hall and WMG member Lydia Denworth, Contributing Editor at Scientific American and author of Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond. Hall will share her illuminating insights on the techniques and psychology of persuasive writing and answers your questions, while divulging stories of editing everyone from Nobel Prize winners and global strongmen (Vladimir Putin) to first-time pundits (Angelina Jolie). Some of the topics she’ll discuss:    

• The most crucial element of persuasive writing (and communicating)
• How to startle and surprise your audience
• Why some of the smartest people and ideas don’t gain traction
• How to make someone like what you’re writing (or saying)

Hall spent years immersed in argument, passion, and trendsetting ideas―but also in tangled sentences, migraine-inducing jargon, and dull-as-dishwater writing. In her talk and Q&A, she’ll highlight what works, what doesn’t, and how to effectively communicate above the digital noise. Of her clear, concise, and beguiling book, Writing to Persuade (which Publishers Weekly calls “profound”), bestselling author Adam Grant says, “She turns drivel into prose and rambling thoughts into elegant arguments. At long last, she’s revealing her secret sauce.”

July 28th from 12-1pm EDT

Free members-only event

Join us for a special financial planning series with Molly Townsend, a Certified Financial Planner at UBS, specifically designed to help women learn how to take control of their financial futures and navigate turbulent economic times.  This is exclusive to WMG members.

Molly will cover:

·        Why women must break the cycle of financial abdication

·        Insights from women on obstacles they've faced taking control of their wealth

·        How to start the conversation around your finances and your future

Bio:

Molly Townsend is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER with the Zelniker Dorfman Group at UBS. She began her financial services career in 2008 in her hometown of Chicago before moving to NYC in 2015 to join the Zelniker Dorfman Group. Leading the team's financial planning process, Molly works closely with a broad range of multigenerational clients to gain an understanding of their priorities and help them articulate their goals. Analyzing clients' retirement, education, tax, philanthropy and wealth transfer opportunities, she prides herself on her ability to connect individually with clients and talk about the things that matter most to them.

Molly manages the team's 401(k) plan practice, and specializes in insurance, annuities, Social Security, pension income and 529 plans. On any day, she may discuss the risks of a highly concentrated position with an executive, help a widowed client navigate Social Security and survivor benefits, or work with a family to explore lending options for a vacation home. With all the ways her clients turn to her for advice and guidance, Molly prides herself on helping them live their lives to the fullest. Visit the team website here.

Tuesday, July 7, 12 p.m. EST

Free to attend for members & guests

The U.S. unemployment rate is skyrocketing, the stock market is uncertain, and the gig economy is currently at a standstill. In these tumultuous times, it’s so easy to wake up and go to sleep feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and like you are always trying to catch up. Join us for an empowering masterclass on how to reclaim your time and energy with bestselling author and life strategist, Sheri Riley. Guests welcome!

During this virtual session, you’ll learn:

• Sheri’s 5 keys to achieving inner peace and increased productivity during unprecedented change
• Practical solutions to help you pause, reflect, and focus on what matters
• Tools for making more intentional and productive choices that will lead to less stress, better clarity and a more fulfilling life

Sheri Riley is an entrepreneur, founding partner of the global John Maxwell Team, and award-winning author of Exponential Living®: Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are (Penguin Random House), which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. After 20 years of creating marketing strategies for Usher, TLC, Toni Braxton, Converse, the NBA, and Turner, to name a few, she now serves as an Empowerment Speaker and Life Strategist to clients around the world. She understands that personal development is the anchor to professional growth, increased productivity, and enhanced leadership skills.

Registration is closed.

Join WMG on Wednesdays in June from 4-5pm for exclusive, interactive Do & Dream networking sessions with Build Your Dream Network author (and WMG board member) Kelly Hoey!  

Kelly has been lauded by Forbes (“1 of 5 Women Changing the World of VC/Entrepreneurship”), Fast Company (“1 of the 25 Smartest Women On Twitter”), Business Insider (“1 of the 100 Most Influential Tech Women On Twitter”) and Inc. (1 of “10 Most Well-Connected People in New York City's Startup Scene”). Empowering A Billion Women By 2020 included her on their list of the “100 Most Influential Global Leaders Empowering Women Worldwide”. Not bad for a former lawyer (and no, not a career path she ever dreamed of).  

In these Do & Dream hangouts, Kelly is happy to offer up her practical strategies on connecting for success or sharing how she’s finally learned to dream bigger with her own career ambitions. 

Perfect for WMG members who depend on their networks for business prospects and/or are seeking new career opportunities, these fun sessions will address what’s top of mind for you, whether that’s:

1. How to leverage the networking tools you have to strengthen relationships

2. Ways to enhance or make new connections

3. How to approach a career transition or job search

4. Tips for networking during digital events 

5. Strategies for new business development

Registration is closed.

Thursday, June 11, 2:00 p.m. EST  

Remote work and video meetings are here to stay. Presenting well on camera can make all the difference for your business. Join us for a 30-minute masterclass with Emmy Award-winning TV producer and bestselling productivity author, Paula Rizzo. Guests welcome! 

During this virtual session you’ll learn: 

• Ways to get your ideas across succinctly and powerfully during video meetings 
• How to look better on camera 
• Best tools and technology to amplify your message during video meetings

with Q & A 

Paula Rizzo is an Emmy-award winning TV producer, bestselling author, media trainer and strategist. She trains authors and experts to perform better on camera and produce their own videos. She is the author of Listful Thinking: Using Lists to be More Productive, Highly Successful and Less Stressed and her most recent book, Listful Living: A List-Making Journey to a Less Stressed You. Paula is a frequent speaker and media contributor. Go to PaulaRizzo.com for more info. 

Registration is closed.

May 14, 12:00-12:45 p.m. EST

Registration is closed.

Wednesday, April 15, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Free for WMG members and friends & family of members

— Interactive, conducted via Zoom with breakout discussion groups and 2-3 worksheets

Intro: Awareness of what's changed — connecting participants to what's different (for now)

Part 1: Your brain on insecurity and uncertainty — Brief lesson on the ripple effect of stress

Part 2: Audit and strategy building: What can you control at home and at work?

Part 3: Your new normal: designing new habits for routine, communication, connection and trust

Wrap Up: Your action plan in the New Normal

Stacey Staaterman is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC, PCC, ELI-MP) that provides one-on-one coaching, group coaching and leadership development programs focused on career management, transition, emotional intelligence, executive presence, and interpersonal dynamics in the workplace.   

Stacey helps individuals and organizations with challenges related to executive presence, engagement, communications, public speaking, team cohesion, professional development, sales, marketing, and collaboration. Stacey has been a featured leadership and career strategy expert in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Bustle.com, Access Intelligence, MINOnline.com and Men’s Health.

Registration is closed.

Wednesday, April 8th at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Free for WMG members

— Interactive, conducted via Zoom with breakout discussion groups and 2-3 worksheets

Intro: Where are you now? Over-reacting? Under reacting? Or Adapting?

Part 1: Thoughts, Feelings, Actions => Results | All begins with a trigger

Part 2: View of two types of energy: Building Energy and Contracting Energy — when to leverage each for desired results

Part 3: Cultivating your choices and options: adapting during disruption

Wrap Up: When stress strikes again, self-leadership and resiliency action steps

Stacey Staaterman is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC, PCC, ELI-MP) that provides one-on-one coaching, group coaching and leadership development programs focused on career management, transition, emotional intelligence, executive presence, and interpersonal dynamics in the workplace.

Stacey helps individuals and organizations with challenges related to executive presence, engagement, communications, public speaking, team cohesion, professional development, sales, marketing, and collaboration. Stacey has been a featured leadership and career strategy expert in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Bustle.com, Access Intelligence, MINOnline.com and Men’s Health.

Crisis Leadership Adaptive Strategies Workshop Handout

Registration is closed.

Tuesday, April 7, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Free for WMG members

Leading change is an essential leadership capability, especially during these

unprecedented times. Leaders play a critical role in dealing with this crisis across your organization, within their teams, and with their families.

Leading through change is not easy under regular business circumstances, let alone during a crisis. As change experts we know that living in a VUCA world, characterized by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity is the backdrop for what motivates strategic change and the need for leadership agility. COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is testing leaders’ agility on multiple levels.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2:00-3:00 p.m., WLH Consulting is offering, “Rx for

Leading During Difficult Times,” a virtual learning webinar, hosted by Dr. Wendy L. Heckelman, noted author and change expert. This webinar provides practical frameworks and tips to help leaders, at all levels, “change and thrive.” Specifically, this webinar develops and strengthens leaders’ change capabilities by focusing on:

AGILITY: Introduces the basic principles of change agility and demonstrates how an agile leader is better equipped to handle challenging, unpredictable situations

CHANGE LEADERSHIP: Reinforces the critical behaviors leaders need during a crisis and how to effectively manage

EXECUTION: Provides practical steps and a framework to build leaders’ confidence and competence in guiding the business, supporting their team(s), and coaching individuals when executing change.

Wendy L. Heckelman, Ph.D. president and founder of WLH Consulting, Inc., is the author of the newly released book, Change and Thrive. She has advised and consulted on hundreds of major change initiatives in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. In nearly 30 years of working with Fortune 100 clients, Wendy has helped leaders and individuals prepare for and thrive during turbulent and transformative change.

Registration is closed.

Important update:

Given the state of the city, and erring on the side of caution, we are postponing WMG March and April events, including our Annual Business Meeting that had been scheduled for 3/24, until we can safely gather again as a community. All members who've already registered for our luncheon at Barbetta will have refunds issued shortly. 

As one key agenda item for the Annual Business Meeting is to vote in the board of directors for 2020–21, we’ll instead move to a proxy vote to be conducted online. You can expect to see an email from WMG on 3/24 to cast your vote on the slate recommended by the nominating committee.

We're evaluating options for taking some of our programming online, so stay tuned for further announcements and opportunities to connect....

If you have specific concerns, please email us at info@womensmediagroup.com. 

Important update:

Given the state of the city, and erring on the side of caution, we are postponing this event until we can safely gather again as a community. All members who've already registered for our comedy night have been issued refunds.

We're evaluating options for taking some of our programming online, so stay tuned for further announcements and opportunities to connect....

If you have specific concerns, please email us at info@womensmediagroup.com.  

Thursday, October 24th

6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

There’s No Crying in Newsrooms is “a commanding critique of the current state of women in media boosted by constructive advice applicable to workplaces other than newsrooms. A crucial resource for women leaders in any field. ” —Booklist

Kristin Grady Gilger and Julia Wallace, who were calling in news stories while in labor and parking babies under their desks, never imagined that 40 years later young women entering the business would face many of the same battles they did – only with far less willingness to put up and shut up. 

WMG is pleased to have Kristin and Julia share the findings from their book and talk about what it takes to succeed in media or any other male-dominated organization.

Penguin Random House

1745 Broadway

 Maya Angelou Auditorium

Light refreshments will be served.

WMG members and their guests are welcome.

All profits from this event will benefit the WMG Education Fund.

Registration is closed.

Professor Yvette Christiansë, Professor of Africana Studies & English Lit at Barnard College, and author of Toni Morrison: An Ethical Poetics will introduce the film.