ONLY CONNECT

Founded by veteran consulting pro Anna Assenmacher, the Northshore Women’s Leadership Network is a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

Moving from the city to the suburbs can be exciting. There’s the new home to set up (maybe you finally get the kitchen of your dreams), the fun of finding the coffee shop that will become a favored haunt, and neighbors, who in time may become old friends. But there can be deficits, too.

“When my family and I moved to the North Shore, I found the transition unexpectedly challenging,” shares Anna Assenmacher, founder of Aries Consulting, a nonprofit consulting firm based in Chicago. “I missed the networks I had built in the city, those strong, expansive circles of women I leaned on for collaboration, support, and inspiration. I quickly saw how hard it would be to maintain those relationships in the same way. But I also began to recognize the unique opportunity of being part of a smaller, close-knit community.”

Settling in Wilmette with her husband, Jeffrey, and young sons Jude and Landon, Assenmacher soon discovered that she was surrounded by experienced, accomplished women, individuals “who are driven and ambitious, but also deeply thoughtful about how to build lives that feel whole and meaningful.” Determined to connect more meaningfully with these women and join them in leveraging their talents and experiences, she launched the Northshore Women’s Leadership Network.

“The mission of the Northshore Women’s Leadership Network is to catalyze the personal and professional growth of women leaders through meaningful connections, dynamic programming, and curated experiences,” explains Assenmacher. “But it’s about more than just networking. It’s about building a trusted community where women can show up fully, share their stories, and support one another in ways that feel both powerful and personal.”

Raised outside Detroit, Assenmacher has spent her professional life in Chicago. After receiving her B.A. in business administration and finance from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, she went on to earn a master’s degree in women’s and gender studies from DePaul University. “I started my career in finance and real estate, with roles in banking, retail development, and consulting. Over time, though, I found myself increasingly drawn to mission-driven work,” says Assenmacher, who sits on the Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet. “What started as a gentle nudge eventually felt like a soul mandate, so with the guidance of a life-changing executive coach, I made a purposeful shift into the nonprofit and philanthropic sector about 15 years ago. I now help organizations scale, lead through change, and build sustainable models for growth.”

While the business and the nonprofit sector may seem worlds apart, after traveling in both, Assenmacher doesn’t view them as polar opposites. “In my experience, there are far more synergies between the nonprofit and private sectors than most people realize. The core principles that drive successful businesses—strategic thinking, business planning, financial sustainability, operational excellence, and innovation—are just as essential in the nonprofit world. Nonprofits are often expected to operate with fewer resources and higher expectations, all the while delivering critical services that communities rely upon. There is a lingering illusion that someone will always be there to carry the load. But the truth is, it takes real investment. It takes strategy. It takes committed people, financial support, and a clear plan to keep the scaffolding secure.”

Like Assenmacher, most of the women invited to join the Northshore Women’s Leadership Network have 15 or more years of professional experience and have held leadership roles as executives, entrepreneurs, business owners, or senior leaders within large organizations. “What connects them,” she explains, “is not just their resumes, but their values. They are women who have built successful careers and are now seeking deeper connection, continued growth, and a sense of community with others who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of leadership. They’re generous with their time and insights, and they believe in the power of strong networks to inspire and sustain meaningful impact.”

The Leadership Network offers programming that ranges from presentations by keynote speakers to expert-led workshops, and curated social gatherings. Whether it’s volunteering side by side, attending a performance or art gallery, connecting with mission-driven brands, or learning from changemakers, every event is designed to spark connection and growth. The focus areas—executive leadership and influence, finance and investing, philanthropy and social impact, and women’s wellness—are designed to reflect the passions and priorities of today’s women leaders. September 11 brings a panel discussion on health, wellness, and spirituality, and in November, the Leadership Network welcomes Erin Coupe, the founder of Authentically EC, which helps business leaders and executives incorporate mindfulness concepts into their work. “Our mission,” notes Assenmacher, “is rooted in possibility, the idea that when women connect with purpose, intention, and authenticity, remarkable things happen.”