InFounders

Don’t take our word for it. See what people are saying about their experience with InFounders here: infounders.org/love A heartfelt thank you to all our participants who shared these kind words. We dearly appreciate you and our incredible time together. ??

I have the ?best job? in the world. My work took me to the Design Leadership Summit last week, where I had the privilege of being tasked with elevating the community experience. A huge thank you to Preet Singh for the opportunity to co-host. 270+ brilliant design leaders, a stellar lineup of speakers, and an endless flow of inspiration. Every talk left me with bold new ideas and deep admiration for these luminaries. But my focus? People. I wanted this event to go beyond small talk and create meaningful connections - conversations that would still matter weeks and months later. From my years of experience in community-building, I'm a firm believer that we are hardwired for connection. But in a large group, it’s not always natural to, well, be natural - especially with strangers. So, through intentional micro-moments and two large roundtable sessions, Preet and I worked to dissolve the usual conference awkwardness. To shift the dynamic from attendees to peers, from strangers to community. Not just another LinkedIn connection, but something real. And seeing the conversations continue days later - the reflections, the gratitude, the LinkedIn love - it feels like we checked that box. From years of running masterminds, I've had a front-row seat to witnessing how heavy and lonely leadership can be. And that’s exactly why leaders need spaces where they can be real with each other. To know they're not alone, find support, and build the kind of relationships that make them stronger, clearer, and more resilient in their work. My hope is that DLS gave them allies, inspiration, and renewed energy to tackle 2025. Thank you to everyone who made this event what it was. And a special shout-out to Peter Merholz for his ?amazing? contribution!?? These two days were nothing short of outstanding. If you're planning an event and want it to feel fresh, unique, truly wow your audience, and spark lasting connections, let's talk. I'd love to help. Cheers to all my new & renewed friends (and the many others not listed here) - loved seeing you at DLS!! Milena Tasic, Jonathan Armstrong, Maryam Cristillo, Umar, Peter Kattan, Natasha Green, Robert Brunner, Ryan Rumsey, Amber Knabl, Margaret Shear, Kiley Rundle, Jiaorui Jiang, Meghan Logan, Rebecca Gimenez, Alwar Pillai, Andy Vitale, ?? Win Shi, Jenny Wen, Alison Gretz, ACC, Samaher, Sander Viegers, EZ Sowmmo, ?? Ricardo Vazquez, Jean-Fran?ois Poliquin, Cat Doxford, Camello Atkinson, Bobby Bradford, Guy Segal, Trixie Pama, John, Zoe Zhu, Jeremy, Hector, Maggie Chen, Jesse James Garrett, Mariana Rocha #PeopleOverPixels #DesignLeadership #Community #Facilitation #Leadership #Connection DesignX Community ?? Amazing shots by Brian S.

I have completed the Upstate Founders - #Masterminds Entrepreneur Program via the Shipley Center for Innovation of Clarkson University and InFounders . This was a deep program filled with many priceless lessons, intensive training, and collaborative feedback from fellow business owners. They gave a better understanding of business plans, finance management, and more! Upstate Founders has filled that void and laid the groundwork and training for continued growth and success. What I find very incredible is what they taught and shared, I can also apply as a researcher as both want to bring new innovations. I feel that this makes me a better researcher and entrepreneur. Thank Collen Mannix and Azuka for being partners in the long run of our MasterMinds and pushing each other to be accountable in our own projects! Thanks to David Thurlow and A?ko Thurlow and especially to A?ko Thurlow for guiding me in the role of leader of my MasterMind. You taught me so much! you are incredible!

?? Exciting News! ?? Due to demand, we've increased the spaces available for our last free cohort of the year, the Fall Flip the Script (FTS) Cohort, and extended the application deadline to August 23! This extension allows women-identified and non-binary entrepreneurs who haven't heard of the program the time to enroll. Remember, the fall cohort is the last free cohort this year, so seize this opportunity now! What is Flip the Script? Flip the Script is a self-paced online program dedicated to helping you secure funding. Why Flip the Script? ?? Learn the communication strategy that’s proven to make investors give you more money. ?? Make all the time and effort that goes into fundraising actually worth it. ?? Stop struggling to communicate your worth to investors. If you think Flip the Script might be for you, take 3 minutes to apply here: https://bit.ly/3VkNiis #FlipTheScript

Asking powerful questions is an art. When someone approaches you with a problem, it's natural to want to jump in with solutions: ??? "Have you tried this option?" ??? "You should check out this podcast." ??? "Don't worry, it'll sort itself out." Offering answers can feel satisfying and be truly well-intentioned, but real impact often comes from asking thought-provoking questions. These questions encourage introspection and help others see the bigger picture, (re)consider all options, and find their own solutions. Instead of being a problem solver, try being a thoughtful questioner. It can lead to more meaningful and lasting outcomes. Sometimes, the best support we can offer is to be a reflective sounding board. Maybe not be as glamorous but I promise that you'll get shivers when you witness a peer brilliantly unveil their own "aha" moments. #peership #peersupport #community #authenticity #asking #entrepreneurship #growth --- Courageously sharing my first sketch out there. I'm nowhere near Andrea Ong or Dave Gray but thank you both for the inspiration. Thought I'd try it :)

An incredible offer for Canadian women entrepreneurs!! Have the opportunity to join an InFounders group of peers that is professionally facilitated AND access exclusive online learning to help you raise funds. All for free! Thanks to the fab Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC) for putting forth such powerful support and programming. ?? #Together #womenentrepreneurs #peersupport #entrepeneurship #canada #peership #fundraising

We love seeing our CEO, A?ko Thurlow, discuss masterminds on this amazing podcast!

?? InFounders peership groups for 200 participants in the Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC) 'Flip the Script' program just launched this week! ?? The start has been thrilling and high in heart-to-heart connections, as per this snippet from one of their Zoom chats. It's always amazing to see peers come together authentically and support each other! ?? It's not about networking; it's about real, supportive conversations with people who deeply understand your reality - because they're also living it! A huge thank you to the CanWCC team and our ?FANTASTIC? facilitators for making this happen. Here's to new beginnings and the power of true community! ?????? #Peership #Empowerment #Masterminds #Forums #CanWCC #FlipTheScript #Community #WomenSupportingWomen #NewBeginnings #Entrepreneurship #Startup #Authenticity Nadia Abuseif Nancy Wilson Lise Déesse M. Marie-Louise KALONJI Connie Krahenbil Rosanna Riverso Amber Chinn Ramsay Alexander, RSSW

Curious about masterminds? Cindy Wagman and Jess Campbell asked me all their questions - including for a confession!!! Hear me spill the beans here: Confessions podcast:?https://lnkd.in/gw_bu-MM Blog post:?https://lnkd.in/ghNc4csi? Ps. Don't know Cindy and Jess yet? They are rockstars in the non-profit world and hyper-savvy businesswomen. Definitely check out their profiles and businesses! Highly worth knowing about & connecting with. #masterminds #leadership #podcast #nonprofit #community #peership

Technology is amazing at increasing the number of connections in our lives. But there’s a difference between BEING connected and FEELING connected. Being connected is counted by the number of LinkedIn followers and our inbox overflow. Feeling connected is what nourishes our soul. Feeling seen.? Being understood. Contributing. Inviting others in. Caring. Yet, I see very few people truly feeling connected. Disconnection is the new norm. You might recognize its outcomes: Siloed company culture. Weak engagement. Increased loneliness - personally and at work. Silent quitting. People are starved for real relationships, for feeling connected. Meaningful connections can - and should be! - intentionally created.? They transform workplaces and communities. They unleash our humanity and greatness. #leadership #authenticity #community #growth #impact #vulnerability