Circles Committee

CREW CIRCLES are peer-to-peer groups, comprised of 8-15 members per Circle. Modeled from the Lean In platform, Circles provide the foundation for camaraderie and community. Part leadership workshop, part support network offering:

• Connection: Circles create a space for members of CREW to share their experiences, give and receive advice, and tackle challenges together.

• Career Development: Circles empower women to achieve their personal and professional goals.

• Mentorship: Circles encourage members to discuss new ideas and practice new skills together. Members also benefit from the insights and expertise of their peers, which can be just as effective as traditional mentor-mentee relationships.

• Leadership: Circles build better leaders – with moderators gaining valuable facilitation and management experience. 73% of women in Circles feel equipped to be better leaders as a result of being part of a Circle.

• Diversity and Empowerment: Women who participate in Circles are more likely to collaborate beyond their comfort zone and be empowered to sit at any table with confidence and help other women do the same.
  

Each Circle CREW Member pledges to adhere the 3 C’s of CREW CIRCLES:

1. Confidentiality – Trust is crucial. What happens in the Circle should stay in the Circle.

2. Communication – Commit to share openly and honestly – and to listen with empathy.

3. Commitment – Everyone should be invested in your Circle’s success and fully present at meetings.

The St. Louis Chapter has multiple CIRCLES depending on one’s discipline:

1. Architecture / Interior Design (QFCRE) – closed

2. Banking / Finance – closed

3. Brokerage – closed

4. Business Development – closed

5. Engineering / Construction / Environmental – open

6. Legal – open

7. Management/Ownership – open (or possibly dissolving)

Protocols initiated in 2025 include:

1. Circles are formed with 8-15 CREW members. Once the Circle has reached 15 members, it’s considered “closed” for the year
   a. When there are more than 15 members with interest, a waitlist will be created and when there are enough participants an additional Circle will be created.

2. Joining a Circle with the intent to solely network only is not ideal. These are peer to peer groups to learn from and lean into with the goal of becoming more successful in your role and career.
   b. Circle Chairs may move registrants out of a Circle and into a more suitable Circle based on their title and focus.

Questions?
Michelle Biedermann mbiedermann@brinkmannconstructors.com
Sarah Dretsch sdretsch@poe-inc.com