The Forum of Executive Women

What The Forum of Executive Women does

The Forum of Executive Women is a 501(c)(3)-style membership nonprofit founded in 1977 and headquartered in North Wales, Pennsylvania, operating exclusively in the Greater Philadelphia region. It serves as the region's premier membership organization for women in senior-most corporate, nonprofit, and public sector roles, with 646 members as of 2024 — described as the largest membership in its history. The organization's core product is a tiered membership (Full Members at $575/year, Spark emerging-leader tier at $300, Sustaining tier at $375 for retired members, and Geographically Remote tier at $350), gated by a two-sponsor, pre-vetting committee process that reinforces peer quality. Members access 100+ annual events, peer circles, committees, the Mentoring Program (which has served 400+ emerging women leaders since 2006), and a board-service network connected through partners including Athena Alliance, The LeaderBoard, Equilar, and Bolster.

The Forum generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit model spanning membership dues, tiered corporate sponsorships ranging from Friend ($1,000) to 50 Years Forward ($50,000), paid ticket sales to four annual signature events (Leadership Breakfast, Leadership Symposium, Annual Meeting, Holiday Party), and tax-deductible donations to its affiliated Forum Foundation (established 2004). It publishes two proprietary annual research reports — the Women in Leadership Report (tracking women's representation on boards and in executive roles among Philadelphia's top 100 public companies, in publication for over 20 years) and the Pay Equity Report (introduced 2022) — which serve as content assets driving earned media, speaking engagements, and membership pipeline. The affiliated Forum Foundation operates the Catalyst Award, a year-long leadership accelerator delivered in partnership with Villanova University.

The organization runs on a Neon CRM platform (Neon One) for member management and event logistics, with content distributed through LinkedIn Live, a private member LinkedIn group, and a member video library. Corporate sponsors including JPMorgan (Champion Sponsor), Vanguard, Brandywine Realty Trust, Fitler Club, Cozen O'Connor, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and PNC fund programmatic operations, while executive transitions are managed by a four-person professional staff led by inaugural President & CEO Meghan Pierce. The organization's Champions of Board Diversity recognition program named a record 54 Philadelphia-region public companies in 2025, institutionalizing its role as regional standard-setter on board diversity.

Name

The Forum of Executive Women

Legal name

The Forum of Executive Women

Website

https://foew.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Forum of Executive Women is a 48-year-old Philadelphia-region membership nonprofit serving 646 senior-most women executives across corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector organizations with networking, mentoring, advocacy programming, and proprietary annual research reports on women in leadership and pay equity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Women's Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility (BPAFADAG), Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Women's leadership organization
• Professional women's association
• Executive networking membership
• Women in leadership research
• Pay equity reporting

Headquarters

HQ city

North Wales

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Full, Spark, Sustaining, and Geographically Remote members. Membership term runs July 1 through June 30. Dues are prorated for first-year members based on join date. Auto-renewal discount of $25 available.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Annual corporate sponsorships at multiple levels (50 Years Forward $50,000; Champion $25,000; Trailblazer $15,000; Accelerator $10,000; Advocate $5,000; Friend $1,000). Event sponsorships also available. Sponsors gain branded presence, signature event access, and association with thought leadership.
3. Signature Event Ticket Sales: Four Signature Events (Leadership Breakfast, Holiday Party, Leadership Symposium, Annual Meeting) are paid events. Members receive discounts; sponsors receive complimentary tickets.
4. Forum Foundation Donations: Tax-deductible contributions to the Forum Foundation supporting the Catalyst Award and women's leadership development initiatives in Greater Philadelphia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Forum of Executive Women is a membership organization providing executive women in the Greater Philadelphia region with tiered membership (Full, Spark, Sustaining, Geographically Remote), 100+ annual networking and professional development events, a Mentoring Program, advocacy reports on women's leadership and pay equity, signature events, and access to a private network of 600+ senior women leaders across regional corporations, nonprofits, and the public sector.

Product overview

The Forum of Executive Women is a membership organization offering a portfolio of programs and services centered on advancing women's leadership in the Greater Philadelphia region. The core offering is membership (Full, Spark, Geographically Remote, and Sustaining tiers) providing access to networking, programming, and advocacy. The organization publishes two annual research reports (Women in Leadership Report and Pay Equity Report) and runs the Forum Mentoring Program for emerging women leaders. Signature Events include the Leadership Breakfast, Leadership Symposium, Annual Meeting, and Holiday Party. Supporting programs include Spark Membership for emerging leaders, the What's Next Initiative for senior leaders in transition, and the Forum Ally nonprofit partnership program. The affiliated Forum Foundation operates the Catalyst Award, a year-long leadership accelerator.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forum Membership Tiered annual membership program for women leaders in the Greater Philadelphia region, with four tiers: Full Members ($575/year, C-suite/executive women), Spark Members ($300/year, emerging women leaders), Sustaining Members ($375/year, retired Full Members with 5+ years tenure), and Geographically Remote Members ($350/year, Full-criteria members outside the region). Members gain access to 100+ events annually, peer circles, committees, advocacy reports, board service resources, and a private LinkedIn group.
• Pay Equity Report Annual Philadelphia-focused research report examining gender pay equity issues, providing actionable strategies for organizational leaders and recommendations for closing the gender pay gap. Sponsorship available through dedicated report sponsors.
• Women in Leadership Report Annual proprietary report tracking women's representation in leadership roles among Philadelphia's top 100 public companies, including the Champions of Board Diversity recognition program for companies with 30%+ women on boards. Tracks board seats, executive roles, and top-earning positions.
• Forum Mentoring Program 12-month structured professional development program pairing emerging women leaders in the Philadelphia region with senior executive mentors through monthly mentoring circles. Advocate-level sponsors and above can nominate qualified mentees from their companies to participate.
• Signature Events

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 mentees served through the Forum Mentoring Program since 2006
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Women's Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Women's Resource Center is The Forum's Nonprofit Ally for 2026-2028. This two-year strategic partnership supports an organization that empowers women in transition through counseling, legal assistance, and educational services to build emotional and financial independence.
• Villanova UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Villanova University partners with The Forum Foundation to provide the Catalyst Award winners with a leadership advancement program — a two-day in-person workshop and six monthly faculty-facilitated peer coaching group sessions.
• Why Not ProspercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2024Why Not Prosper served as The Forum's 2024-2026 Nonprofit Ally, supporting women re-entering the community from prison since 2001. The organization provides education, residential and community services, and programming through their Resource Center.
• Athena AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Forum members access to board opportunities through Athena Alliance's network and resources.
• The LeaderBoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Forum members access to board opportunities through The LeaderBoard.
• EquilarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Forum members access to board opportunities and corporate governance data through Equilar.
• BolsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Forum members access to board opportunities and executive placement through Bolster.
• Philadelphia Business JournalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Forum sponsors and leads the Philadelphia Business Journal's annual Mentoring Monday event, bringing together accomplished women leaders to mentor the next generation. The Forum also sponsored the Philadelphia Business Journal's Women of Influence Awards.
• Committee of SeventycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Forum partnered with the Committee of Seventy to host the second annual 'Representation Matters' celebration honoring women elected officials across Greater Philadelphia, bringing together public policy leaders and executive women.
• HerClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Forum partnered with HerClub to host an Executive Women's Boot Camp combining golf instruction with professional development, building networking opportunities for members.
• JP MorgancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJP Morgan serves as Champion Sponsor of The Forum's signature events and initiatives, providing high-visibility promotional support and exclusive access to thought leadership events.
• DSG (Delaware Street Guardian)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMentor Sponsor of The Forum; Forum founder Judith M. von Seldeneck is associated with DSGCO.
• VanguardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMentor Sponsor of The Forum's programming and events.
• Brandywine Realty TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Insights Sponsor and sponsor of The Forum's Mentoring Program.
• CliftonLarsonAllen (Bentley)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMentor Sponsor of The Forum and co-sponsor of The Forum Mentoring Program.
• Fitler ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Connector Sponsor of The Forum.
• Maternity Care CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForum CEO Meghan Pierce engaged in a Leadership Lesson conversation with Marianne Fray, CEO of Maternity Care Coalition, on women's health as a workplace issue.
• Economy League of Greater PhiladelphiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forum's 2026 Pay Equity Report features Philadelphia-focused research from the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.
• Entrust FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Forum's 2026 Pay Equity Report.
• Jefferson HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of The Forum's 2025 Pay Equity Report and Pay Equity Roundtable.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Women's Forum: Global membership organization of accomplished women leaders across industries and geographies. Closest direct analog to The Forum's C-suite executive membership model, though operating globally rather than in a single metro.
• Women's Forum of New York: NYC-based executive women's membership organization with similar programming, events, and advocacy focus. Sister-style organization in another major U.S. metro, offering near-identical product/membership model.
• 85 Broads (now Ellevate Network): Global professional women's network offering membership, events, and career resources. Comparable membership community model with broader geographic reach and a stronger digital/community focus.
• National Association of Female Executives (NAFE): One of the largest U.S. professional women's membership organizations, providing networking, education, and advocacy. Broadly comparable business model and membership dues structure.
• Executive Women's Forum (EWF): National membership organization for women leaders in information security, risk, and privacy. Comparable membership-tier model and leadership development programming, though specialized in tech/security verticals.
• The Chicago Network: Chicago's premier executive women's organization with comparable membership model, signature events, and research on women's leadership in the regional economy. Most direct U.S. regional analog.
• The Boston Club: Boston-area executive women's organization with similar membership, programming, and board-diversity advocacy mission. Comparable regional density and C-suite targeting.

Others

• Athena Alliance: Partner organization providing board placement and executive development resources to Forum members. Ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor; addresses adjacent executive/board pipeline need.

Broad incumbents

• Catalyst: Global nonprofit focused on workplace inclusion and women's leadership research. More research-oriented than membership-driven, with a broader (global) scope; serves as a thought-leadership reference point rather than direct competition.

Regional players

• Women's Executive Network (WXN): Canada's most prominent executive women's membership organization, similar in mission and signature event programming but operating in a different geography. Useful proxy for organizational scale and programming benchmarks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-forum-of-executive-women
• Xx.com/foewphl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Forum of Executive Women