EA Night Out

Tonight's EA social hosted by World50 in downtown Chicago turned out to be more meaningful than I expected. These gatherings are more than social niceties; they are intentional bridges between those make executive lives work.

The event took place in an intimate cocktail lounge - a private space with soft lighting, open mingling, and steady hum of spontaneous conversations. No formal dinner, just drinks and appetizers - a perfect set-up that encouraged organic interaction instead of being confined to a table.

I made the effort to be there, no agenda in mind, simply to be present. I realized I was consciously present in a way I haven't been for years. I used to drift through social events half there, half somewhere else. But this evening, I was grounded and at ease.

Connected with four other EAs naturally. One drove 2.5 hours to attend. Another took a 90-minute train ride from Milwaukee. Really respect these women who sought out this experience for connection and growth.

The energy among us was immediately in sync. We talked about everything in our EA world - the endless scheduling dance, the unspoken emotional labor, the quiet competence that holds organizations together, and the often invisible exhaustion that comes with being both indispensable and underestimated.

The conversations were raw, honest, and resonant. We laughed, empathized, and realized how much of our professional journey mirrors one another's.

As the evening wrapped up, a young women leaned close and whispered, "Thank you for being here. You really uplifted everyone tonight, sharing your light." That touched me deeply. Because I wasn't trying to impress or perform. I was just being me. And that is what the world needs.