Bonfire.

In January 2020, Rachel Newton Bellow and I (Suzanne Muchin) launched Bonfire. as an in-person cohort model for women’s leadership—just one month before COVID lockdowns forced us to pivot. We did—and we thrived. Over 5000 women and 400 company clients later, we again find ourselves at a crossroads. And again: we’re not backing down. Effective today, February 19, 2025, we are pausing current operations at Bonfire. This was a gut-wrenching decision driven by the new Executive Order eliminating all DEI-related initiatives, including programs focused on women’s leadership. While initially targeting federal agencies, the order’s warning—“all appropriate action” to push private sector compliance—caused us to lose nearly 90% of our projected revenue in under two weeks. Faced with an imminent cash flow crisis, and an unknown financial future beyond Q1, our choices were all hard. As a result, we chose to hit pause until we could navigate a path forward. We made this decision with the clarity that always drives founders:?it’s time to build. We feel now as we did in 2019. Work isn’t working for women. That problem has not gone away.?But for the foreseeable future, the funds from companies to help support women’s talent development are seriously diminished. Today, we are allowing ourselves to feel several things. Profound sadness at letting go of our extraordinary team, whose dedication fueled Bonfire. We also gave the difficult news to our current cohort that today would be their last session of the content they have relied upon to sharpen their skills and drive their companies forward. We also feel today as we did when we opened our doors in 2020, that this reality for women MUST NOT STAND. Therefore, Rachel and I will spend the next 100-120 days doing what we’ve done for years: interrogating the landscape to find a path forward—for Bonfire’s re-emergence into a transformed market. We refuse to allow short-sighted policies to derail the vital work of helping women flourish in the workplace. Our incredible alumnae, our customers (whom we fully intend to serve again in 2026), and our steadfast investors and BOD have stood by us every step of the way. We are determined to repay that support by reigniting?Bonfire. In the meantime, the conversation must continue. Elevating women in the workplace doesn’t just benefit individuals—it lifts entire teams, powers companies, and shows the rising generation of girls that they, too, can lead. We need every voice—yours included—to champion women’s leadership wherever and however possible. We’ll be back with what we learn, and a plan—and when we do, we hope you’ll join us. Until then, thank you for fighting alongside us for a future where women’s progress is not just preserved but celebrated and expanded. P.S. There are too many people to thank for getting us to where we are and staying with us through this challenging moment. You know who you are.

Just one month after graduating from Bonfire, this powerhouse leader has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Branch Operations at Hub International. Her journey from Branch Manager to AVP is a testament to what happens when ambition meets the right support system. Bonfire is more than a leadership program—it’s a launchpad for unstoppable women ready to claim their next big role. To every Bonfire woman: Keep pushing. Keep growing. Keep breaking barriers. ?? #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #Leadership #BreakingBarriers #WomenWhoLead #CareerGrowth #Promoted #SuccessStory

Gender bias isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a workplace issue. To create truly inclusive, high-performing teams, leaders must take action to recognize and address bias at every level. From challenging outdated stereotypes to implementing fair hiring and promotion practices, The CEO Magazine Global breaks down concrete steps to solve gender bias in the workplace. At Bonfire, we’re committed to pushing for women’s equity by empowering leaders to make meaningful change. Let’s build workplaces where women can thrive. Who’s with us? ?? https://lnkd.in/gCsXJMEi #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #Leadership #GenderEquity #WomenInTheWorkplace #CEO

Did you know that men tend to apply for jobs when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, while women often wait until they meet 100%? This "confidence gap" holds women back from pursuing their career goals. Bonfire empowers women to overcome this gap by helping them: ? Identify and leverage their unique strengths: We provide tools and guidance to help women recognize their talents and skills, building a strong foundation of self-awareness. ? Build unshakeable confidence: Through our programs, women develop the self-belief and inner strength to pursue their ambitions without hesitation. ? Break through limiting beliefs: We challenge self-doubt and help women overcome the internal barriers that hold them back. Let's empower women to break down these barriers and achieve their full potential! #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #ConfidenceGap #WomenInLeadership #CareerGoals #Empowerment

At Bonfire, we empower women to unlock their full leadership potential. Our program equips participants with: ? Enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence: Leading with empathy and resilience. ? Strategic communication and influence skills: Effectively navigating workplace dynamics and driving change. ? Confidence and presence: Projecting authority and inspiring others. By investing in your women employees, you're investing in the future of your organization. Contact us today to learn how Bonfire can help your women leaders thrive. #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HR #EmployeeGrowth #Bonfire

Two new women CEOs have joined the Fortune 500, pushing the percentage of women leading these major companies to a record-high 11.6%! ?? Ulta Beauty announced that COO Kecia Steelman is taking the helm as CEO, effective immediately. Deanna Strable-Soethout officially became CEO of Principal Financial Group on Monday. This is a major milestone for women in leadership! Let's celebrate this progress and continue to strive for greater representation in the boardroom. #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #WomenInLeadership #Fortune500 #BreakingBarriers

Empowering women leaders requires a multifaceted approach. ?? Offer Flexible Learning Options: Provide a variety of learning formats, including virtual options and on-demand resources, to accommodate diverse schedules. ?? Minimize Disruption: Design programs that minimize disruption to daily responsibilities, allowing women to grow without added pressure. Ignite the women leaders on your team. Bonfire specializes in flexible, personalized leadership development programs that empower women to achieve their goals while balancing their commitments. #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Flexibility #WorkLifeBalance #HR

While groundbreaking at the time (2014), this study about the most persistent assumptions of women's career journeys remains highly relevant today. The findings are clear: ambition knows no gender, and the so-called "opt-out" narrative of women leaving the workforce for family life simply doesn’t hold up. Women and men alike seek both professional success and fulfilling personal lives. Yet, the complexities of the gender gap remain. Career breaks alone don’t explain women’s underrepresentation in leadership roles, and many women encounter unexpected roadblocks, facing disappointment when their careers don't advance as they had hoped. This research highlights what we've always believed at Bonfire: workplaces must evolve to be genuinely inclusive. That means creating flexible work arrangements for both mothers and fathers, addressing unconscious biases, and challenging the outdated notion that women are less committed to their careers. At Bonfire, we’re here to light the way, empowering women to overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential. https://lnkd.in/dgHxptW Harvard Business Review #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #WomensLeadership #CareerDevelopment #GenderEquality #WorkLifeBalance #MythBuster

A staggering statistic: Women leaders are 22% more likely to have their competence questioned by colleagues. ?? This not only hinders individual growth but also limits the potential of entire organizations. Bonfire provides a unique platform for women to: ? Build confidence and resilience ? Develop impactful leadership skills ? Connect with a supportive network of peers By investing in programs like Bonfire, you're not just empowering individual women; you're fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all. Let's flip the script together. Visit bonfirewomen.com to learn how Bonfire can help you empower women leaders in your organization. #Bonfire #BonfireWomen #AllRise #WomenInLeadership #HRLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #LeadershipDevelopment #Empowerment #WorkplaceCulture