Introducing The Collective

The Collective Story: A Professional Women's Network

Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Women are leading businesses, managing teams, building careers and helping move Lakes Area organizations forward. They’re also busy. Really busy.

A group of local women saw an opportunity to create something intentional through the Brainerd Lakes Chamber—a place for professional women to step away from the day-to-day, connect with one another and make time for their own growth.

Over the past several months, that idea became The Collective, a new Brainerd Lakes Chamber program that draws on the collective strength of professional women with the purpose to build courage, confidence and connection—advancing women’s leadership and supporting the success of Lakes Area businesses and organizations.

This fall, we’re officially kicking it off with a Launch Event: Fueled by Courage on September 30 at Brainerd International Raceway.

Reconnecting with the Past

The ATHENA Awards recognized local women leaders from 1986 to 1994. In May 2026, the Chamber brought ATHENA back after more than 30 years, welcoming past recipients and recognizing a new generation of leadership.

But relaunching ATHENA also prompted a bigger question: What comes next for professional women in the Lakes Area?

From Conversation to The Collective

Following the awards, we surveyed women and hosted an in-person vision session to learn what they wanted from professional programming—and what would actually be worth making room for on an already-full calendar. There are already great organizations creating opportunities for women to serve and give back. The Collective’s focus is intentionally different: professional women and their professional growth.

A steering committee of local professional women has helped shape the program. Their input helps us stay connected to what women in our workforce are experiencing—and what will make The Collective worth setting aside time for.

The idea behind The Collective was to create a place to make meaningful connections, learn from one another and build each other up. We have so many talented women here, and there’s real power in bringing them together.

Jessica Richau, Committee Member

Why the Collective

The name reflects the strength, wisdom and perspectives women bring when they come together. No membership is required, and there’s no expectation to attend every event. Instead, The Collective will create quarterly experiences where women can set aside a few hours to meet others, hear new perspectives, build relationships and invest in their own growth.

From the Chamber’s perspective, that investment reaches far beyond the individual. When women grow as professionals and leaders, they bring new ideas, relationships and confidence back to their teams, businesses and organizations.

At the end of the day, our job is to help local businesses succeed. This is our first women-focused program, but it’s all about developing leaders who can move our companies and communities forward.

Matt Kilian, Chamber President

THE LAUNCH EVENT

Fueled by Courage

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

1-3PM, Brainerd International Raceway

Attendees will hear from the women leading BIR and then experience the track themselves. Participants can drive their own vehicles for three parade laps, and nine attendees will win ride-alongs with professional drivers at racing speeds.

The Collective Story: A Professional Women's Network

Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce