The last time we checked in with Rachel Markus, her networking group for women working in alternative finance was just starting to purr.
Now, Rockin’ Alts Women of Westport — RAWW — is roaring.
More than 70 women — many in positions of power in hedge funds, private markets, venture capital and more — meet regularly.
They swap ideas about trends, resources, best practices, fund structuring, invstor databases and board opportunities.
They share stories about commuting and kids. They instill confidence in each other, and make connections so that all women in their industry will thrive.
RAWW has provided panelists for professional conferences, supported each other’s fundraisers, and referred a member to an employment attorney.
Tons of talent and expertise at a RAWW meeting.
Sub-groups have heard presentations on topics like angel investing, or how to work with an executive coach.
There is no membership fee. Lunch and happy hour meetings are held at local restaurants like Harvest, Romanacci’s and Spotted Horse.
Now, RAWW has hooked up with a similar group. Runa Knapp — a co-founder of FoundHer — attended a RAWW meeting, and recognized the synergy.
FoundHer focuses on women — also primarily in alternative finance — who have taken a career break to raise young children, or are commuters looking for a local or flexible position.
FoundHer connects them with firms seeking increasing diversity, but lacking access to experienced candidates outside their core networks.
RAWW and FoundHer members met earlier this month, It was an energetic event.
RAWW and FoundHer members get together.
Members of both groups know they can spend “an entire week in alternative finance being the only women in a room filled with men,” Markus says. “At conferences, we are definitely in the minority.”
Members of RAWW and FoundHer also know the difficulties of balancing professional and family lives — choices men seldom face.
“If you work in the city or you’re on the road, you can’t leave early for your kids’ events, or go to a school function or doctor’s appointment,” Markus says.
Often, however, working mothers feel they should be doing that.
If they’re working locally and can do those things, how do they fit them in with their work lives?
RAWW and FoundHer address those issues.
Who are those women?
Rachel Markus
“They’re ballers,” Markus says enthusiastically. “They’re awesome. They’re definitely not wallflowers. They’re spunky and supportive.”
Here in Fairfield County, members skew a bit older than women in alternative finance who live in New York City, and may be single. A few — including one graduate from Staples High School in the 1970s — are near retirement, and look forward to becoming mentors.
But younger families have been moving to Westport since COVID, Markus notes. Many of the women joining RAWW — or looking to get back into the workforce, through FoundHer — have at least 10 years of professional experience.
Markus was one. She moved to Westport in August of 2020 — the midst of the pandemic.
With schools closed to parental involvement — and Markus wanting to meet other women in alternative finance — starting a networking group seemed natural.
In the year ahead, Markus says, there will be RAWW meetings on specialized topics, like health and wellness, and sessions with other organizations, like FoundHer and the commercial real estate group they met with this summer at Don Memo.
They’ll continue community service projects, like collecting business attire and accessories for the University of Connecticut Women in Business group. Members borrow clothes for job interviews.
“This is just another reminder of what’s so great about Westport,” Markus says about RAWW and FoundHer.
Or, put another way: It’s a great investment.
(To learn more about RAWW, email RachelMarkus10@gmail.com. To learn more about FoundHer, email rknapp@foundherllc.com.)
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