FAQ

Membership

  • What services are included in Chief membership?

    Chief provides the community, knowledge, and support women need to explore new possibilities and lead on your own terms. Our experience is tailored to your unique journey, with the flexibility to evolve as you evolve. Membership includes:

    • Unlimited access to our Clubhouses in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
    • Coaching that’s customized to your goals, either through one-on-one sessions or a curated peer group
    • Invitations to ChiefX summits — one-of-a-kind full-day events offering inspiring keynotes, dynamic panels and workshops, and fulfilling ways to connect
    • Bespoke pop-ups at big events like CES, SXSW, and HumanX, with dedicated space just for Chief Members
    • A full calendar of in-person and virtual speakers, workshops, panels and networking events, curated around your interests and priorities
    • Quarterly courses from Wharton Executive Education to sharpen your skills in areas like AI, entrepreneurship, board readiness, and finance
    • A community and team dedicated to your growth every step of the way
  • How long is the membership term?

    Chief membership terms are annual.

  • Can my company sponsor my Chief membership?

    A majority of Chief Members are sponsored by their companies. For more information, please reach out to [email protected].

  • Does Chief have an enterprise offering?

    Yes, Chief Enterprise partners with companies that are looking to proactively invest in their leaders and unlock new growth opportunities for their business.

  • If I have specific questions about Chief membership, who can I reach out to?

    Please reach out to [email protected] with any specific questions about Chief membership.

Applications

  • What are Chief’s membership requirements?

    Chief exists to create more possibilities for women in leadership. The Chief experience is designed for members with:

    • Tenure: 15+ years of leadership experience
    • Influence: Board seats, thought leadership platforms, keynote engagements, and more
    • Impact: Roles with significant scope and responsibility

    In order to qualify for membership, applicants must meet the criteria in one or more of the following categories:

    C-Suite:

    • Have a CXO (or equivalent) title at an organization with 1,000+ employees
    • OR sit on a board of directors of a publicly held company

    Senior Leaders and Executives:

    • CEO, CXO, VP/SVP, and Founders at mid-market to enterprise-scale companies
    • To calibrate for seniority across company size, we also consider levels from the CEO and size of team managed
    • Senior Directors/Directors at companies with 10,000+ full-time employees are evaluated on a case-by-case basis

    Builders and Navigators:

    • Solopreneurs, Consultants, Founders, or Fractional Leaders whose past experience includes CXO or VP+ roles at credentialed companies
    • OR their business has $2 million+ in annual revenue or venture funding
  • Are there any nuances to how Chief considers industry- or region-specific titles?

    Yes, certain industries and titles can vary in terms of their qualification for Chief membership. Here are examples of industry specifics:


    Banking/financial services:

    • For national/global banks, qualifying titles include Managing Director, C-Level and, in some cases, Executive Director
    • For regional banks without MDs, seniority criteria includes VPs who are three levels below the CEO

    PR/advertising/marketing agencies:

    • Qualifying titles include SVP, C-Level, and Partner

    Nonprofit organizations:

    • Qualifying titles include Executive Director

    Law firms:

    • Qualifying titles include Partner, with an average team size of more than 5

    Government administration:

    • Qualifying titles include Deputy Director, with an average team size of more than 5

    Higher education:

    • Qualifying titles include Deans and Chancellors

    Titles such as "Chief of Staff" and "Head Of" can vary with company size, reporting structure, levels away from CEO, and past experience.


    Different regions may use alternative titles, such as Managing Director or Director as the seniority equivalent of CXO or Vice President. In those circumstances, we consider the size of the company, levels from the CEO, and size of the team, in addition to scope and responsibility.

  • What can I expect from the application process?

    The first step is to submit an application. If you meet our membership criteria, we reach out, on average, within two weeks to schedule a 30-minute interview. During the call, we will spend time getting to know your career and professional goals and share more details about how Chief membership can help you achieve them. We will also have plenty of time to answer questions.

  • How can I check in on or offer an update regarding my application?

    If you have questions about the status of your application or would like to share an update on your role, title, or company, please contact [email protected].

  • Is a Chief membership relevant for me if I am not currently in a corporate or C-Suite role?

    We know that there is no one path to leadership. Whether you are in a corporate role, taking on consulting opportunities, building something new, or figuring out your next move, our tailored journeys are built to meet you where you are in your career.

  • If I know someone who would be a great fit for Chief, how can I submit a nomination?

    We welcome nominations for new Chief Members. Please take a moment to review our membership criteria and then submit a nomination.

Core and Coaching

  • What is the role of a Chief Guide in the Core experience?

    Chief Guides facilitate each Core meeting, promoting an open and inclusive group environment. Their role is to “guide” the conversation toward insights; address the issues that matter most; bring in themes, resources, and learnings; and help drive connections within the group.

  • How are Core Groups curated?

    Core Groups are curated based on your professional goals and how they align with the following four journeys:

    • C-Suite: Senior leaders looking to amplify their impact across teams, industries, and boardrooms
    • Executive Leader: High-impact leaders looking to expand influence, build strong teams, and further cultivate their leadership edge
    • Builder (Solopreneur, Consultant, Founder, Fractional Leader): Solopreneurs, Consultants, Founders, and Fractional Leaders looking to create and scale value-aligned, thriving businesses
    • Navigator (In-Transition Leader): Leaders in career transition looking to shape a fulfilling future

    We also take into account your professional goals, role, company size, scope of responsibility, and life stage to ensure the best possible fit. The goal is to place you with a group of peers with whom you can learn, grow, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

  • What are common topics covered in Core meetings?

    Each Core journey — C-Suite, Executive Leader, Builder, and Navigator — follows a distinct framework. Meetings and discussion topics are rooted in one of six leadership pillars and tied specifically to a journey, but groups have the flexibility to explore each in the way that is most relevant to their needs. Examples of the leadership pillars include:

    • C-Suite: Transforming Uncertainty into Your Advantage; Sustaining Your Executive Capacity; Building a Legacy That Endures
    • Executive Leader: Influencing at Every Level with Presence and Authority; Harnessing Your Growth Edge for Impact; Navigating Complexity with Confidence
    • Builder (Solopreneur, Consultant, Founder, Fractional Leader): Attracting, Securing, and Keeping Customers; Scaling Systems to 10x Your Impact; Fortifying Your Financial Armor
    • Navigator (In-Transition Leader): Defining Your Leadership Narrative; Building Relationship Capital; Owning Your Transition with Resilience and Resolve
  • As my career goals evolve, can I switch between Core and Coaching?

    Yes, your Chief experience is designed to evolve alongside your career goals. Every year, upon membership renewal, you will have the opportunity to switch between Core and Coaching.

Events and Programming

  • Does Chief offer both in-person and virtual programming?

    Yes, Chief offers both in-person and virtual programming. Most of our events are available in both formats to ensure our members’ experience is the same, regardless of their location.

  • On average, how many events does Chief host every month?

    Although the number varies by month and market, Chief hosts dozens of in-person and virtual events per month across the country. This ensures we can provide a robust programming lineup that also accommodates our members’ busy schedules.

  • What can I expect from a ChiefX event?

    ChiefX events are special opportunities to connect with Chief Members across the country. These full-day summits feature bold keynotes with speakers like Jenna Lyons, Valerie Jarrett, and Sallie Krawcheck; interactive leadership workshops; and fulfilling ways to strengthen relationships with peers in the Chief community.

  • Which industry events and conferences will Chief be hosting pop-ups at in 2026?

    This list will continue to be updated, but in 2026, you can expect to see Chief at CES (Las Vegas), HumanX (San Francisco), SXSW (Austin), and HLTH (location to be determined).

  • Do I receive a certification after completing a Chief course?

    Members who attend all three live sessions of a Chief course will receive an official certification, issued in partnership with Wharton Executive Education. Certifications can be uploaded to your LinkedIn profile and shared with your employer.

  • Who can I contact regarding partnership or speaking opportunities for events?

    We love receiving partnership and speaker recommendations and invite you to share them with [email protected] and [email protected], respectively. Due to the volume of requests we receive, we are only able to respond to those that are a fit.

Community

  • How does community shape the Chief experience?

    Community is the power of Chief. More than a network, Chief makes it effortless to connect with peers who share your passions, industry focus, or identity — whether through curated events, member groups, or personalized recommendations.

    At Chief, community isn’t left to chance — you always have people and a team behind you: from your Core Guide or Executive Coach who drives your leadership growth, to your local Community Manager who makes just the right intro, to Clubhouse Managers who create your space away from home. You also have the support of dedicated Concierge advisors who know you personally and are ready to help you make the most of your membership.

  • Is Chief a primarily virtual or in-person community?

    Chief is a community with both virtual and in-person offerings. Our Clubhouses in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. are spaces for members to connect in-person, and we have a robust lineup of events across the country. But, with a strong roster of virtual programming and a digital platform featuring community groups, a member chat feature, and more, we ensure that — regardless of where someone is based — they can fully tap into the Chief community.

  • How can I meet or connect with other Chief Members?

    Community is the heart of the Chief experience, and we offer countless ways to connect with fellow members:

    • Dozens of virtual and in-person events every month designed to make curated one-on-one and group introductions
    • Five Clubhouse spaces where you can make spontaneous connections or meet members over coffee, cocktails, and in-person events
    • Summits like ChiefX or pop-ups at industry conferences, which bring together members from across the country
    • 100+ community groups on our digital platform, tailored for industries, functions, interests, and more
  • As a member, what kind of support will I have from the Chief team?

    Chief team members are your partners in possibility, dedicated to helping you make the most of your experience. All members have access to:

    • Concierge: A team of dedicated advisors who know you personally and are ready to guide you through every stage of your Chief journey
    • Community Managers: Individual team members who host events and help strengthen relationship-building across the network, both virtually and in local markets
    • Clubhouse Managers: Our team providing on-site support at our spaces in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Clubhouses

  • Do Chief Members have access to all Clubhouses?

    Chief Members have access to all Clubhouses, located in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Whether you are based in one of these cities or travel for work, these are spaces to build connections, sip a cocktail, host clients and offsites, or enjoy a change of pace during your work day. Chief Clubhouses are not your traditional coworking space or social club — our weekly programming is curated to support who you are as a leader and a person.

  • What amenities do Chief Clubhouses offer?

    All Clubhouses have free WiFi, bookable meeting rooms, private call rooms, lounge spaces, a wellness room, and also offer complimentary coffee and tea. Each Clubhouse also has a seasonal all-day food and beverage menu, with light bites and drinks available for purchase.

  • Can I work and take meetings at Clubhouses?

    Yes, Chief Members work on their laptops and take meetings in any of our communal spaces or private call rooms.

  • What kinds of events are hosted at Clubhouses?

    Clubhouses host a variety of events, from curated networking gatherings and casual cocktail hours to fireside chats with industry leaders. Our programming is designed to spark connection, inspire growth, and support both your work and your life.

  • Can I bring guests to a Clubhouse?

    Yes, you can bring up to three guests at a time. We just ask that all guests be 18 years or older.