Special Interest Groups, or SIGs, are a hallmark of the RWN experience, and a unique opportunity for RWN members to meet and discuss a shared career focus or personal interest. These member-driven, member-facilitated groups meet regularly to form strong connections and support one another, while gaining insight into professional development, expanding business networks, and having fun.
With a wide variety of topics and times to meet, you can pick what interests you and what works best with your schedule. Don’t see a group that interests you? Have an idea for a new Special Interest Group other members might enjoy? Work with us to start a new group by completing a New SIG Suggestion Form. Our SIG Support Committee Chair will contact you to assist with the details.
Special Interest Groups are a member-only benefit. Before attending a SIG meeting for the first time, members should contact the SIG Chair.
A Note on SIG Maximum Capacity
For some SIGs, like Wine SIG, Part Deux or Restauranteers, unfortunately there is a practical limit on how many members may participate at a given time. These SIGs typically meet at smaller venues that have capacity restrictions. If you find a SIG is at capacity, please contact the SIG leader for placement on that group’s waitlist. Or, you might want to start another SIG of the same kind. Remember, RWN members may join as many SIGs as they’d like, so we hope you consider being a part of another SIG while you wait to participate in a limited-capacity SIG.
Read more about each of our current Special Interest Groups:
Column 1 SIGs
Chairs: Alecia Peterson alecia@drummergirlmarketing.com, Lillya Nashanchik lnashanchik@lnplus2.com
Need to have someone hold you accountable and keep you on track to complete important tasks? The Accountability SIG is a group that meets biweekly to share tasks and goals they’re working towards and report on progress made. The ultimate goal is to help group members get things done and accomplish their goals, especially those who work for themselves, by themselves. To join, you must fill out this form: https://forms.gle/PH463gnKXCVrPe2y7
Date: First & third Monday
Time: 8:30 AM Zoom
Chairs: Alecia Peterson alecia@drummergirlmarketing.com
The RWN Elevate Your Marketing SIG is for anyone who would like to learn about marketing, sales, and how to grow their business. We provide you with tips on branding, marketing, prospecting, converting calls into appointments, how to close more deals, how to use social media, website management, SEOs, and more. We also share ideas and develop our own best practices. All you need are a notebook, pen, and a winning attitude. The “sky is the limit.”
Date: fourth Wednesday of every month
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: currently meeting via Zoom
Chair: Amy Varel avarel@mccmlaw.com
This SIG is for women with careers that deal with some aspect of finance. We are all about networking and sharing information pertinent to our profession. The world of finance is rapidly changing and we help keep each other current.
Date: third Wednesday of the month
Time: Noon to 1 PM
Location: The King & I Restaurant, 1455 E. Henrietta Road
Chair: Kelly Kester kelly@kellykester.com, Jordan Fritz jordan@jfbookkeepingsolutions.com
Friday Connections Referral Group is for members who want to foster relationships, build their business, and become brand advocates for their fellow members. Only one representative from each industry is allowed. Attendance is required, with an occasional sub when you can’t make it to ensure that the group stays robust and interactive with the members.
To visit, please fill out this form: https://rwn.org/forms/referral-group-visit-request-form/
Date: second and fourth Fridays of the month Time: Noon to 1:30 PM
Location: Merchants Grill, 881 Merchants Rd., Rochester NY 14609.
This location is NOT ADA accessible.
Chair: Terra Osterling terra@suddenwriteturn.com
Do you have action figures on display in your workspace? Can you easily shift between a ‘galaxy far, far away’ and ‘Platform 9 and 3/4’? Is your other car a Tardis? Then you might fit in with the RWN Geek Squad SIG. This is a social group that meets quarterly. Our members share a love for the sci-fi, fantasy, and super hero worlds of books, movies, tv shows, comics/graphic novels, plus games and crafts. Meetups have occurred at POP ROC Cereal Bar, Irondequoit Library, and Millennium Games. Sometimes we Zoom! Introverts welcome! Please contact Terra Osterling to be included.
Meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November. Wednesday evenings.
Location always TBD by consensus by the group.
Chairs: Amanda Loucks amanda@l21solutions.com, MaryCarol Evans marycarole@solvins.com
Part peer support, part professional development and part business mastermind, the Inspire and Empower SIG provides a forum and inspiration for RWN members to contribute to each other’s professional and personal success by sharing best practices and strategic connections in a supportive environment. This SIG has been referred to as a support group for entrepreneurs, though we welcome all members!
Interested members should contact Amanda Loucks or MaryCarol Evans for more information.
Date: second Friday of the month
Time: 8am to 9:30am (Networking 8am to 8:15am and small groups from 8:15am to 9:30am)
Location: Zoom
Chair: Janette Biehler janette@bealsdesign.com
Liz Burtch lizzieburtch@gmail.com
Get away after work for some exercise and fresh air while exploring the many beautiful parks Rochester has to offer! Hikes of varying degrees of difficulty will be offered and are usually 2-4 miles in length. This group is recommended for people who are reasonably fit and able to hike at least 3 miles on uneven, sometimes hilly terrain. Weekday hikes generally take about 2 hours +-. Hikers will connect, see beautiful sights, and get a little cardio in for better mental and physical wellness. Hikes generally take place twice per month (usually the first and third Monday of the month) after work at 5:30pm) and possibly a Saturday morning for special events. Level 1 hikes are easier and shorter, and Level 2 hikes are a bit more challenging for more exercise. See you on the trail!
A schedule of upcoming hikes will be posted.
Column 2 - SIGs
Chairs: Karen Schuhle-Williams kschuhle@brockport.edu, Denise Wellin Denise@WellinLife.com
The Leadership from Within SIG is for members interested in enhancing or expanding their leadership skills. In a supportive, energizing space, we explore leadership in real life, share experiences, and learn from one another in ways that feel meaningful and manageable for busy people.
Date: third Friday of every month
Time: 8 AM to 9:30 AM
Location: Hybrid format – Attend via Zoom or in-person at SUNY Brockport Downtown
Chair: amyvarel@gmail.com
Just lunch. No agenda. Join other amazing RWN women for a casual networking lunch. We will try a new restaurant at noon on the first Wednesday of each month. Everyone pays for their own food and drink.
Date: first Wednesday of the month
Time: 12 noon
Place: varies each month
Chair: Karen LaGraff karenlagraff@gmail.com
Kat Ferraro keferraro@meengineering.com
Conquering Rochester one restaurant at a time! Interested in great food, great company, and a chance to try new restaurants? Then join us! We enjoy a different restaurant each month while getting to know each other. Everyone pays for their own food and drink.
Date: second Wednesday of the month
Location: varies each month
Chair: Preeya Gholkar pgholkar@yahoo.com
RWN Book Club members enjoy discovering and discussing a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction books, primarily by female authors and often focused on female-centric topics. The group meets monthly in public places, and members do not have to commit to attending every meeting of the year. Each discussion is facilitated by the person who recommended the book. New members are always welcome and should contact Preeya for more information.
Date: last Wednesday of the month, with a combined Nov/Dec meeting
Time: 5:30-7 PM in-person
Location varies
Chairs: Natalie Grace gracefulbodyworks@gmail.com
Melanie Watson melanie@melaniewatsondesign.com
The Breakfast Club SIG is a benefit of being a member of Rochester Women’s Network and for members who would like to connect with other RWN members while fostering a referral relationship and building their business or brand.
To visit please fill out this form: https://rwn.org/forms/referral-group-visit-request-form/
Date: first & third Wednesdays of the month
Time: 9-10:30 AM
Location: Pure Imagination Cafe, Buffalo Road in Gates
This location is ADA accessible.
Chairs: Krista Hudson krista@hudsonlifecoaching.com
Whether you are a new-mom, a grand-mom, a step-mom, a dog-mom, or not-yet-a-mom: Please join us in discussions around the theme of motherhood. This group is for anyone looking to give or receive support, examine current parenting trends or just hangout with other people who “get it”. Through a blend of speakers, articles and meetups, we hope to provide tools and ideas to help in anyone’s motherhood journey. Most importantly, there will always be time to share your challenges and receive feedback from the group.
Date: First & fourth Friday of the month
Time: 12-1 PM
First Friday of the month we will meet at a local restaurant in person.
4th Friday of the month we will have a virtual lunch and learn with presenters from various backgrounds offering support and ideas for busy Moms.
Chairs: Juli Raner Juli.Raner@cbna.com, Rashana Green greene.rashana@gmail.com
The Vegan-ish SIG group is for anyone who is currently vegan or those interested in learning more about veganism. Whether it’s for ethical reasons, environmental concerns, health benefits, or personal values and beliefs this is the group for you!
Date: Meetings every 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:30pm
Chairs: Katie Rudow katie.rudow@morganstanley.com
Kat Ferraro keferraro@meengineering.com, Sarah Marche smarche@leadershiplogicny.com, Renee Nearpass renee@perintonfamilyacupuncture.com
We’re a drinking group with a networking problem. Due to popular demand, Rochester Women’s Network has started a second Wine SIG! We learn about wine, food, and each other as we sip around the wine bars and restaurants of Rochester.
Date: third Thursday of the month
Time: 5 PM
Location: location varies each month