Professional Women's Network

What Professional Women's Network does

Professional Women's Network (PWN) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 2003 and based in Homewood, Illinois, serving women business professionals in the south suburbs of Chicago (Flossmoor, Homewood, Tinley Park). Its core product is an annual or biennial membership ($147–$297) that grants access to a members-only directory, monthly educational and networking events (delivered in-person and via Zoom), special rates for workshops and luncheons, and committee/board service opportunities. Signature programming includes the Smart Chicks Annual Luncheon and the Homewood Stories monthly storytelling show, with newer structured offerings such as the 2024 Mentoring Round Tables (Everybody Matters, Money Matters, Solopreneurs Matter).

PWN's business model is straightforward subscription-plus-sponsorship. Primary recurring revenue comes from individual membership dues; secondary revenue is generated from three corporate sponsorship tiers — Annual Sponsors ($1,000/year), Monthly Sponsors ($100/month, capped at 3), and Smart Chicks Luncheon Sponsors ($250). Payments are processed through PayPal via the self-serve website pwncentral.com. The go-to-market motion is community-led: members are acquired through word-of-mouth referrals, monthly event visibility, and the annual luncheon, supported by a Membership Committee and amplified through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, email blasts, and a monthly newsletter. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (current and past presidents include Dr. Terri Winfree, president of Prairie State College) and operates with approximately 23 employees. There is no disclosed venture funding, parent company, or technology platform beyond a WordPress-based website maintained by vendor The Inertia Group.

Name

Professional Women's Network

Legal name

Professional Women's Network

Website

https://pwncentral.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Professional Women's Network is a Homewood, Illinois-based nonprofit serving women business professionals in Chicago's south suburbs through a $147–$297 annual membership that provides networking events, a member directory, mentorship, and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Women's Networking & Community

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Career Networks (BPAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Job Market Intelligence & Employer Networking Services (BPACAOAJ), Professional & Business Networking Communities (MPACAJAB)

Keywords

• Professional women's networking
• Women's business community
• Career development events
• Mentorship programs
• Membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Tinley Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual and multi-year membership fees provide the primary recurring revenue. New members pay $197/year or $297 for 2 years, while renewing members receive discounted rates of $147/year or $247 for 2 years.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers: Annual Sponsors ($1,000/year), Monthly Sponsors ($100/month), and Smart Chicks Luncheon Sponsors ($250). Sponsors receive marketing exposure through social media, email blasts, newsletters, website visibility, and event recognition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Professional Women's Network is a nonprofit membership organization that sells annual memberships to professional women for networking, education, mentorship, and community engagement. Core offerings include tiered annual memberships ($147-$297), monthly educational events, the Smart Chicks Annual Luncheon, a members-only directory, Homewood Stories storytelling events, and mentoring round tables.

Product overview

The Professional Women's Network operates as a membership-based nonprofit organization offering a unified platform for professional women to develop careers, enhance businesses, and mentor other women leaders. The core product is the PWN Membership ($147-$297 annually), which provides access to monthly educational events, the members-only directory, and sponsorship opportunities. Signature programming includes the Smart Chicks Annual Luncheon and Homewood Stories storytelling events. Additional offerings include various sponsorship tiers and mentoring round tables covering topics like career development and financial wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PWN Annual Membership An annual membership program for professional women priced at $147 for new members and $297 for renewing members, providing access to monthly educational events, the members-only directory, mentoring round tables, and other community programming. Targeted at individual professional women in Chicago's south suburbs.
• Monthly Educational Events Recurring monthly educational events designed to provide professional development and learning opportunities for PWN members. Tickets are available for individual purchase or annual subscriptions. Targeted at PWN members and professional women seeking continuous learning.
• Smart Chicks Annual Luncheon PWN's flagship annual fundraising and networking luncheon, featuring individual tickets and table sponsorships. The event serves as a major community gathering for professional women and supports the organization's programming. Targeted at members, sponsors, and the broader professional women's community.
• Members-Only Directory An exclusive member directory accessible to current PWN members, facilitating networking and professional connections among the membership. Targeted at active PWN members.
• Homewood Stories A storytelling event series featuring curated stories from community members, with individual tickets and tables available. Provides a platform for personal narratives and community connection. Targeted at members and the broader south suburbs community.
• Mentoring Round Tables Structured small-group mentoring sessions led by Dr. Janice Hooker Fortman, connecting experienced professionals with members seeking career guidance and personal development. Targeted at PWN members seeking mentorship.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Four-tier corporate sponsorship program designed for businesses seeking visibility among professional women in Chicago's south suburbs. Tiers include Bronze ($500), Silver ($1,000), Gold ($2,500), and Title Sponsor ($5,000), with benefits including brand exposure at events, in newsletters, and on the website. Targeted at local and regional businesses.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• The Inertia GroupminorOthersProvides website design and internet marketing services for PWN. The organization designed and maintains the pwncentral.com website.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Ellevate Network: Global membership-based professional women's networking community offering events, mentoring, and member directories — comparable in offering (networking + mentoring for women professionals) though digitally delivered versus PWN's local in-person model.
• BNI (Business Network International): Global referral-based networking organization with local chapters requiring membership dues and structured weekly meetings — directly comparable to PWN's community-led, chapter-based networking model for business professionals.
• American Business Women's Association (ABWA): National association for working women with local chapters providing networking, education, and leadership development — comparable structure of dues-paying local chapters hosting monthly events for women professionals.
• Local Chambers of Commerce (e.g., South Suburban Chamber): Regional business membership organizations offering networking events, luncheons, and member directories for local business professionals — directly comparable to PWN's south suburban Chicago model with membership dues and event programming.

Broad incumbents

• SCORE (women's mentoring programs): National nonprofit offering free mentoring, workshops, and networking for small business owners including women-focused programming — comparable educational and networking support mission though national in scope.
• NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners): National nonprofit membership organization for women business owners with local chapters offering networking, education, and advocacy — directly comparable to PWN's mission of supporting women business professionals, though at a national scale and broader scope.
• Women Presidents' Organization (WPO): Membership organization for women presidents and business owners with peer advisory groups — comparable audience of high-achieving women business leaders though serving a more elite segment than PWN.

Regional players

• Women's Business Development Center (WBDC): Chicago-based nonprofit providing education, training, and networking for women entrepreneurs — comparable mission of supporting women business professionals in a Chicago-area context.

Others

• The Inertia Group: Website design and internet marketing vendor that maintains pwncentral.com — adjacent ecosystem participant supporting PWN's digital presence rather than a direct peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MyPWN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/professional-women's-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/mypwn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Professional Women's Network