What we’re about
Women's Work Playground: A community to grow and bring humanity into work!
"Never get so busy making a living you forget to make a life." ~Dolly Parton
We believe women grow and thrive in a collaborative community to bring more humanity, creativity and transformation to our work and lives. We are looking forward to co-creating this community with you!
With most of us spending more time at work than in any other activity and Gallup data showing over 64% of Americans are disengaged at work, there are opportunities for most of us to learn how to thrive and find happiness at work in 2021 and beyond.
We offer events both online and in person (when safe to do so again), which offer opportunities for growth and connection. Events will include member and guest led expert sessions, authentic networking, lunch and learns, book studies, lightning talks, and others.
This meetup is designed for women that:
• Recognize that we are all in charge of designing our own career path
• Are interested in connecting with other professional women
• Are desiring growth and transformation
• Want to do the above with a curious, compassionate and playful mindset!
Our group came together originally live in Austin, Texas to explore Life Design principles from Bill Burnett and Dave Evans' New York Times Bestseller, Designing Your Life and their book that was released in 2020 Designing Your Work Life. Our group shifted online during Covid, opening the group up to members around the world. Design Thinking principles still serve as a foundation for how we explore together.
“When we spend our lives waiting until we're perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make.” ~Brené Brown
ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZERS:
Rhonda is an Executive Recruiter & Career Strategist that has transitioned from a successful corporate career to running her own business, helping professionals connect to meaningful work. Rhonda is an outdoor enthusiast, digital nomad and recognized expert in building high-performing and engaged distributed teams. She also volunteers with refugees, racial justice and women’s empowerment groups. https://imaginework.com & https://linkedin.com/in/rallen2007/
Tiffany is a Workplace Experience Strategist that helps clients explore their problem space through design thinking to imagine a future that is people focused and valuable to their organization. She believes that work sucks sometimes, but it doesn’t have to. Outside her day to day job, Tiffany helps women navigate work culture and negotiations. https://linkedin.com/in/tifbrown/
Carrie is a Professor and Entrepreneur who works with people to reach their highest potential. As an adult educator with over 20 years teaching and leading academic programs for adults, she knows that good things happen late in the game. Carrie is a doctorally trained researcher, certified coach, writer, 200 hour RYT, avid yogini, outdoor enthusiast, animal lover, and world traveler. https://linkedin.com/in/carrie-boden-78704
Irene is an Infographic and Communication Designer with a passion to make things make sense. She creates engaging user experiences and visual resources to help her clients present their ideas in a clear, compelling way. Irene loves spending time with her 2-yo daughter and believes in the power of crafting clarity and simplicity in work and in life. https://ireneramirez.info & https://linkedin.com/in/ireneramirez-design/
Shari is an experienced Facilitator and UX/Product Designer. Throughout her 20-year career, one thing has remained constant, she's always been a staunch advocate for the user. She's created work for Fortune 50 companies like Apple, Citigroup, and Dell. Shari is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of talented and world-changing designers. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharibare/
CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY:
What do we mean by Conscious Community?
- We are building an active, harmonious community of diverse, interesting women by offering a container for meaningful conversations, self-discovery and personal growth.
- Our intention is that this investment of time and energy will make it easier for us to open ourselves to forming new connections that lead to lasting and meaningful relationships.
- Our goal is that every member feels comfortable and able to become further integrated into the Women’s Work Playground community, and we welcome participants stepping forward to share their expertise by co-leading events with the community.
To engage and nurture our Conscious Community, we request the following:
- Join events with a curious, compassionate and playful mindset refraining from judgement, welcoming all views into the conversations.
- Only sign up for events that you plan to attend, and if your plans change please cancel your RSVP as many of our events will have waiting lists.
- All members are asked to not post or push promotions or sales pitches in order to protect authentic connection and openness.
- We further remind all members to keep personal conversations and details shared at events confidential.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Co-Work with WWP Friends at Austin Public LibraryAustin Central Library, Austin Public Library, Austin, TX
“Getting unstuck requires action. You can’t think your way through a life change. You have to live your way through it.” ~Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
As part of the Designing Your Life series, Shari and Rhonda will lead co-working sessions for ALL Women's Work Playground members every 3-4 weeks at various locations around Austin for us to come together and work on our projects, whether that involves work on exercises from Designing Your Life, your regular job, or other passion projects.
It will amaze you how motivating it is simply to be in the company of other women!
THE SCHEDULE:
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Arrival, chit-chat, get settled, announcements and introductions etc.
11:15 AM - 12:45 PM: Focused Work Time (No talking, please.)
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM: Finish project, chit chat, introduce latecomers, etc.MEETING SPOT: We will meet on the roof of Austin Central Library, weather permitting but have also reserved shared learning room 621 as backup. We will add a comment to the event letting you know the morning of the event.
LATECOMERS: It's fine if you arrive late, but if you do please quietly take a seat and begin working. You will have a chance to introduce yourself at the end of the session.
After the session is over, feel free to stay and keep working or get to know one another if the conference room isn't booked right after our meeting.
NOTE: There may not be any available electrical outlets, so make sure your electronic devices are fully charged.
COMMUNICATION: We have created a WhatsApp channel outside of Meetup for all members to collaborate and share content, whether attending the live events or not. If you'd like to join the WhatsApp channel, please join here.
ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZERS:
Shari is an energetic and dynamic freelance facilitator, workshop designer, and coach passionate about helping people thrive at work. She views everything through the lens of design thinking, based on 20 years of designing innovative digital products for the Fortune 500. When she’s not facilitating or practicing personal development, she’s snuggling with her four little rescue pups or traveling the world in search of another beautiful sunrise. Connect with Shari on LinkedIn.Rhonda is an Executive Recruiter/Career Strategist that has transitioned from a successful corporate career to running her own business, helping professionals connect to meaningful work. Rhonda is an outdoor enthusiast, digital nomad and recognized expert in remote work and building engaged distributed teams. She also is passionate about and volunteers with refugees, racial justice and women’s empowerment groups. Connect with Rhonda at: https://imaginework.com, LinkedIn or on Instagram.
CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY:
What do we mean by Conscious Community?- We are building an active, harmonious community of diverse, interesting women by offering a container for meaningful conversations, self-discovery and personal growth.
- Our intention is that this investment of time and energy will make it easier for us to open ourselves to forming new connections that lead to lasting and meaningful relationships.
- Our goal is that every member feels comfortable and able to become further integrated into the Women’s Work Playground community, and we welcome participants stepping forward to share their expertise by co-leading events with the community.
- To engage and nurture our Conscious Community, we request the following:
- Join events with a curious, compassionate and playful mindset refraining from judgement, welcoming all views into the conversations.
- Only sign up for events that you plan to attend, and if your plans change please cancel your RSVP as many of our events will have waiting lists.
- All members are asked to not post or push promotions or sales pitches in order to protect authentic connection and openness.
- We further remind all members to keep personal conversations and details shared at events confidential.
- Designing Your Life, Chapter 1: Start Where You AreLink visible for attendees
“Design thinking can help you build your way forward from wherever you are, regardless of the life design problem you are facing.” —Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Shari and Rhonda look forward to you joining us for our 2nd session exploring, discussing, and actively applying principles of Life Design from Bill Burnett and Dave Evans' original New York Times Bestseller, "Designing Your Life." See the first event description for more information on this series.
In this session, we'll explore Chapter 1 of the book and show up exactly where each of us is right now, at this moment in time. Please bring your Dashboard to share. We'll start to cultivate key designer mindsets of awareness, curiosity, and a beginner's mind. We'll also check in to see how your Good Time Journal is going. Can't wait to see you there!
A copy of the book will be required for participation in this Meetup. The book can be reserved at the local library or ordered from your bookstore of choice. Attendees are invited to read Chapter 1 of Designing Your Life prior to the meeting so that they will have some exposure to concepts discussed, but all are welcome.
We have created a WhatsApp channel outside of Meetup for all members to collaborate and share content, whether attending the live events or not. If you'd like to join the WhatsApp channel, please join here.
ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZERS:
Shari is an energetic and dynamic freelance Facilitator, Workshop Designer, Trainer, and Coach passionate about helping people thrive at work. She views everything through the lens of design thinking, based on 20 years of designing innovative digital products for the Fortune 500. When she’s not facilitating or practicing personal development, she’s snuggling with her four little rescue pups or traveling the world in search of another beautiful sunrise. Connect with Shari on LinkedIn.Rhonda is an Executive Recruiter/Career Strategist that has transitioned from a successful corporate career to running her own business, helping professionals connect to meaningful work. Rhonda is an outdoor enthusiast, digital nomad and recognized expert in remote work and building engaged distributed teams. She also is passionate about and volunteers with refugees, racial justice and women’s empowerment groups. Connect with Rhonda at: https://imaginework.com, LinkedIn or on Instagram.
CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY:
What do we mean by Conscious Community?- We are building an active, harmonious community of diverse, interesting women by offering a container for meaningful conversations, self-discovery and personal growth.
- Our intention is that this investment of time and energy will make it easier for us to open ourselves to forming new connections that lead to lasting and meaningful relationships.
- Our goal is that every member feels comfortable and able to become further integrated into the Women’s Work Playground community, and we welcome participants stepping forward to share their expertise by co-leading events with the community.
- To engage and nurture our Conscious Community, we request the following:
- Join events with a curious, compassionate and playful mindset refraining from judgement, welcoming all views into the conversations.
- Only sign up for events that you plan to attend, and if your plans change please cancel your RSVP as many of our events will have waiting lists.
- All members are asked to not post or push promotions or sales pitches in order to protect authentic connection and openness.
- We further remind all members to keep personal conversations and details shared at events confidential.