The purpose of the Duke Chicago Women’s Forum is to bring together a multigenerational cross section of Duke women to develop educational programming, new opportunities for leadership, networking, and mentorship, and closer personal ties to the university.  We welcome all Duke alumnae - of all ages - to get involved, and we hope to have participation from those who attended Duke's graduate and professional schools as well as alumnae who attended undergraduate programs. Learn more about Duke’s Women’s Forum program.

Upcoming Events

Monday, April 16 • 6:00-9:00 p.m. – Save the Date!

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Lessons in Leadership

Join Dr. Donna Lisker, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at Duke and leading Chicago alumnae to explore the unique gifts that women bring to leadership, how Duke equips women to be stronger leaders, and the lessons learned the hard way. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a chance to see old friends, expand your network, and celebrate our common Duke ties. The panel discussion will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude with a Q&A session. Stay afterward to continue the conversation.

Location: Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Two N. LaSalle Street
Suite 1700
Chicago, Illinois 60602-3801

Our Panelists:

• Lisa Lee G'99 is an author, activist, and director of Jane Adams Hull House Museum. She serves on the boards of numerous organizations and institutions, including the Chicago Humanities festival, Bryn Mawr College, and Young Chicago Authors. She is founder and former director of the Public Square and author of a book on Theodor Adorno. She supports numerous political and art organizations locally and nation-wide. She has become a ubiquitous presence in progressive arts circles in Chicago.
   
• Pam Tully B'91 spent 10 years in various manufacturing roles before taking time off with her kids. She now serves as the Vice President of Manufacturing for ITW's Hi-Cone Business and has been at ITW since August of 2010. Prior to that, Pam spent 6 years at the United Way of Metro Chicago in several roles, including Executive Vice President for Resource Development and Community Building, with responsibility for all fundraising and fund allocation activities.
   
• Anne Sempowski Ward E'94, B'04, is a consultant, speaker, and coach, as well as the president and CEO of The FORWARD Group. Through nearly two decades in corporate America, where she has held senior and c-suite positions at Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Johnson Publishing – parent company of iconic Ebony, Jet, and Fashion Fair brands – Anne has built strong business acumen and a wealth of expertise in the areas of corporate and brand strategy, operations, and overall business leadership.
   

Women's Weekend at Duke: February 23-26, 2012

Join us for the biennial Alumnae Weekend at Duke, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the merging of the Woman's College with Trinity College and key milestones for women in the life of the University, including Title IX, the establishment of Women’s Studies and the Women’s Center, the appointment of President Nan Keohane, and the Women’s Initiative. Connecting the past, present, and future, the program will also focus attention on the achievements and concerns of Duke women today. The weekend will begin with a welcome reception for Women’s Forum volunteers on the evening of Thursday, February 23, followed by leadership development sessions for volunteers on the morning of Friday, February 24. Programs of interest to all alumnae will follow. www.dukewomensweekend.com

Recent Events

October 12, 18, and 19, 2011

The Duke Women's Forum of Chicago hosted another series of its popular Neighborhood Coffees, Cocktails and Conversations in October. Across three locations, Duke women of all ages (spanning graduation years from the 1940s to 2010) gathered to strengthen our local relationships, and the city coffee included a private group fitness class! If you are interested in hosting a neighborhood event or being more involved or if you have any questions about the Duke Chicago Women’s Forum, please contact our leaders Rachael Halstuk-Magoubi ‘03, Mary Weber ‘03, and Stephanie Hawley Henry ’96.

June 30, 2011

We spent the winter planning, and had a great event on June 30!  Thanks to all of the fantastic alumni of Duke in Chicago who attended our Women’s Forum Kick-Off Event at the Art Institute.  It was great to see old friends, make new friends, and celebrate the Duke spirit that we all share! See photos from the evening.

The evening began with a tour of the Art Institute’s world-renowned Impressionist Galleries led by Art Institute Educators, including the extensive collection of works by Monet.  The tour was followed by a wine and cheese reception at the museum where Barbara Rinella ‘65 presented her dramatization of Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet.  Barbara is a well known performer and a true Duke treasure, regularly selling out performances and mesmerizing her audiences.

Barbara Rinella Biography & Website

www.barbararinella.com  |  Barbara Rinella, a former teacher, defines herself as an “academic entertainer.” For many years she has been celebrating literature and learning through her delightful programs on current books. New in 2011, is a dramatization of Stephanie Cowell's wonderful historical fiction, Claude and Camille, A Novel of Monet. Barbara Rinella also presents a current list of her “favorite reads” at each program.
 

Mentor / Mentee Opportunities

Please check back soon as we continue to work on building out a Chicago mentor / mentee opportunity.
 

Connecting with Other Duke Women in Chicago

Looking for other Duke women in Chicago? Check out the Duke Alumni Directory.
 

Contact Us

Contact us anytime with your thoughts, suggestions, and questions.
 
Chicago Women’s Forum Co-Founders
Stephanie Hawley Henry ’96 – s-henry@northwestern.edu
Rachel Halstuk Mangoubi ‘03 – rmangoubi@mesirowfinancial.com
Mary Weber ‘03 – marytherese.weber@gmail.com