Kathy Cowan of The Co-Co

I like to say I'm from Williamsport, PA however I need to embrace that I'm a Jersey girl, having lived in Madison NJ for 23 years, longer than PA!! Graduated from Villanova University (GO CATS!) with degree in Finance. Over the years I've worked for a business consulting firm and two HR companies where I specialized in college recruiting and staffing. Volunteering and my family(3 kids, 2 very bad dogs and 1 husband) took the forefront for many years. But now I'm pivoting...inspired by our engaged and talented community. Showing up and thrilled to be a part of our members dreams, ambitions, and bright futures.

Erin Halper of The Upside

My business journey started back in 2009 on a beautiful August day. All of the partners and senior execs at my company were off with their families, enjoying the beautiful summer month, and I was stuck inside an air-conditioned office with hardly any work to do. I was about to get married that fall, and planned to start a family as soon as possible.

I was really good at my job, and super efficient, so I thought, “I just want to be paid for my time.” My fiance (now husband) encouraged me to take the leap and launch my own consultancy, giving me the flexibility and autonomy that I so desperately wanted. 

Suzanne Willian, Co-Founder, The Co-Co

I woke early for the 9am start of a three-day coaching course, the second in a series of five towards professional certification. Almost everything was as expected: typical hotel meeting room in suburban Denver, chairs in a U shape, room filled with high-energy extroverts. What was not expected was the anxiety - my heart racing and palms sweating. After a 15-year career break all l could think was: do I belong in this room? I’m sure I’m the only one with “Stay-At-Home Mom” on their resume!

Sita Kedia MD, MPH, FAHS, Chief Medical Officer | PALM Health

Incorporating stress reduction into your daily life:

Lay on the ground (office floor, in front of the couch at home, anywhere). It should be either on the floor or the ground. Feel the weight of that support. The grounding of our body. The hydrating of your spinal cord. The equilibrium of your body. Gravity is working on your body at equal pressure from your head to your toes. Let yourself just relax, letting thoughts come and go as they want. Just 5 minutes. That’s all your need.

Suzanne Willian, Co-Founder, The Co-Co

When my kids were young, there were two choices: you were either a stay-at-home mom or a working mom. Having been on both sides, I felt and understood the tension between the two. Fast forward to today, and things have changed drastically. Part of the reason is female-friendly coworking spaces. They give women the freedom—regardless of their stage in life—to broaden the definition of work.