ABOUT

We believe women are uniquely positioned to lead and drive positive change and progress in the workplace.

Our advantage

We not only foster success for today's workplace; we spur women leaders to build the workplace of tomorrow.

Women founded, led, and focused. Our company is rooted not only in decades of professional and academic expertise, but the lived experiences of working women and all that entails for women in the workplace.

We believe in women as drivers, not passengers – who hold each other accountable and support one another’s growth.

Ignite a Culture Where All Rise®. When women excel at work, they uplift the entire workplace. We’re here to make work better for everyone.

OUR TEAM

The Bonfire team is a diverse group of people with distinctly different backgrounds brought together with a passion of supporting women.

KATIE MENZIES

Senior Account Executive
B2B SaaS Sales, Business Development and Tech

SUZANNE MUCHIN

Co-Founder Career in strategy, communication and entrepreneurship

JENN CHIANG

Chief Commercial Officer
Career in Advertising, Design, UX, Strategic and Engagement Planning

ATEKA ALI

Head of Learning Career in education, learning experience design, and marketing

EVELYN WELLS

Experience Curator Career in entertainment media, creative directing and consulting, and business artist development

MEGHAN GULI

Business Development Representative
Career in Business Development and Customer Service

ELIZABETH AVERA

Head of Business Development Career in communications, organizational change management, and employee engagement

VARUN AGGARWAL

Chief Operating Officer Career in education, operations, marketing and project management

ERICA ROCHE

Program Manager Career in program development and management, customer relations and event facilitation.

RACHEL BELLOW

Co-Founder Career in philanthropy, venture capital and entrepreneurship

DILLON DREILING

Senior Manager, Client Success Career in sales support, project management and education

NAT BETZ

Digital Program Coordinator Career in communications, content marketing and education

DAISY UREÑO

Head Coach
Career in Life Coaching, Human Resources and Business Operations

ODESSA “OJ” JENKINS

Chief Executive Officer
Career in B2B SAAS Tech, DE&I, and Team Dynamics

CIERRA WOMACK

Program Coordinator Career in healthcare, operations and administrative support

OUR SPACE

Bonfire HQ

In the heart of Downtown Chicago, our space is designed to accommodate a wide range of interactive experiences. From workshops in our classroom to happy hour in our lounge space, we believe that people work best in warm, welcoming environments that encourage collaboration and connection.

Answers to your burning questions:

Why do Bonfire’s leadership offerings focus on mid-level women?

Bonfire focuses intentionally on the mid-level woman as she represents a critical juncture where talent pipelines for women often falter. Seasoned in technical skills but seeking leadership paths, mid-level women are underserved yet prime for leadership training.

Further, developing mid-level women has company-wide benefits including enhancing engagement, belonging, and ultimately, retention and satisfaction. Recognizing and investing in these women leaders inspires greater efforts, enriching a company culture where all rise.

Does Bonfire have leadership offerings that address the needs of other audiences?

Our workshop and keynote offerings are crafted to enhance and supplement our primary leadership programs, incorporating topics, insights, and skills pertinent to entire teams and workplaces.

See our full list of Workshop & Keynote topics and speakers for more information.

What are the key differences between Signature and Signature Express?

Our two leadership program offerings are designed to accommodate different learning styles and needs with both a synchronous and asynchronous delivery mode.

Our flagship program, Signature, is a 5-month synchronous cohort model and allows participants to benefit from valuable, real-time partnership that complements the structured content. Alongside the course curriculum and on-the-job fieldwork, participants are engaged through small groups, manager engagement, and guided coaching.

Signature Express is a virtual, 10-week asynchronous cohort model and encourages self-directed learning and on-the-job fieldwork practice, fostering a sense of autonomy and ownership over the learning process.

Who makes a good candidate for Bonfire’s Signature leadership programs?

Our leadership programs are designed for aspiring leaders on the verge of unlocking their transformative potential and poised for advancement into senior leadership roles. The majority of incoming Bonfire members hold manager to VP-level positions.

They possess a blend of ambition, strategic thinking, and a passion for making a positive impact. While they may not yet fully embody all the qualities of a seasoned leader, they demonstrate a clear potential to develop into one.
They are constantly seeking opportunities to expand their knowledge, refine their skills, and enhance their leadership capabilities.
Their ambition is not merely self-serving; it is fueled by a genuine desire to make a meaningful contribution to their organizations and the world around them.
These individuals are not intimidated by change; they embrace it as an opportunity for growth and innovation.