Why Executive Women Need Community Now More Than Ever
- The WW Team
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
In a world where leadership often feels isolating, Wednesday Women hosted a powerful conversation on something that’s becoming more essential than ever: community.
The session, hosted by Brandi Starr (Chief Experience Officer at Tegrita and Strategic Advisor to Wednesday Women), brought together the two cofounders of Wednesday Women’s —Leslie Greenwood and Melissa Moody—to explore how meaningful connections and community are transforming the careers and lives of executive women.
“Too many women have been conditioned to figure it out alone, to learn on their own, to create their own solutions.” —Brandi Starr
Not Just A “Nice to Have” to Strategy
Melissa kicked off the conversation with a powerful observation: community has shifted from a personal support system to a business imperative.
“We’ve seen this massive change. Community is no longer just about connection—it’s a strategy. But somewhere along the way, we’ve started to forget the psychological impact of true belonging.”
Leslie, who’s been deep in the community-building trenches for years, added a killer analogy that had the whole room nodding: “Community is like Kleenex—everyone uses the term, but not all communities are created equal. Some are soft and comforting, others… well, scratchy and not so great.”
What’s clear is that for executive women, community isn’t about checking a box or signing up for another Slack group. It’s about building spaces where we can drop the mask, be seen, and be supported—not just as professionals, but as full humans.
Overqualified and Undersupported
One of the most electric moments came when Brandi spoke from personal experience:
“I spent years believing that strength meant figuring it out on my own. But what I didn’t realize was that my male counterparts were leveraging their networks the whole time—and that’s part of why we see so many overqualified women in roles that under-qualified men are getting.”
Cue knowing nods across the board.
This theme echoed throughout the webinar: executive women are often socialized to be agreeable, quiet, and self-sufficient (see research from 'Balancing the Boardroom' report, 2024) but it’s those very traits that can stall careers. Communities like Wednesday Women are actively working to rewrite that narrative.
The Power of the "Get"
A standout feature of Wednesday Women is the concept of the “get”—a space where members are encouraged to ask for what they need, without shame or hesitation.
“Most women I know are over-givers and under-getters,” Leslie shared. “Give me the opportunity to help you. Seriously—please.”
And it works. From venting about toxic board meetings to sharing the emotional weight of decision-making, these simple asks often lead to the deepest connections.
Same Mindset, Different Everything Else
What makes Wednesday Women stand out isn’t just who’s in the room—it’s the mindset they all share.
As Leslie put it: “We’re not the same. We come from different industries, experiences, and backgrounds. But we’re united by a growth mindset and the belief that lifting each other up isn’t optional—it’s essential.”
This is why one Wednesday Women member has termed the group her “professional safety net”—a group of executive women who’ve been in the fire, know the pressure, and are ready to support each other with radical honesty and zero judgment.
Community ≠ Networking
A final insight worth highlighting: community and networking are not the same.
“Networking has gotten icky,” Melissa said. “It’s surface-level, transactional. But building your network through community? That’s a long game. That’s trust. That’s people who speak your name in rooms you’re not in.”
And that kind of support can change everything.
Ready to Stop Going It Alone?
If you’re an executive woman looking for a circle where you can be bold, be vulnerable, and be understood—this is your invitation.
The Wednesday Women Executive Membership isn’t just another group. It’s a curated space for VP+ leaders who want to grow alongside women who get it. It’s cross-industry, cross-functional, and designed for the real, messy, powerful lives we’re all navigating.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
