Company Overview
About Chief
Chief is a New York-based membership organization designed to connect and support senior women leaders at the VP, SVP, EVP, and C-suite level. Founded in 2019 by Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan, the network provides members access to private peer advisory groups, one-on-one executive coaching, proprietary leadership programming, and physical clubhouses in major U.S. cities.
Business Model & Competitive Advantage
The company raised approximately $140M in venture capital, including a $100M Series B in 2022 that valued it at over $1B — making it one of the few women-focused professional networks to achieve unicorn status. At its peak, Chief had a waiting list of 60,000 prospective members and $5,800+ annual membership fees.
Competitive Landscape 2025–2026
In 2023, Chief underwent a significant restructuring after rapid post-pandemic growth outpaced sustainable economics — laying off 14% of staff in April 2023, closing its UK operations in March 2023, and making further cuts in October 2023. In February 2025, co-founders Childers and Kaplan stepped down as CEO and Chief Brand Officer, with Alison Moore taking over as CEO. The company restructured its membership tiers in 2024 to offer three distinct packages open to all qualifying members, moving away from title-based pricing. As of early 2026, Chief operates five clubhouses (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington D.C.) and continues to operate as the leading exclusive network for senior women in corporate leadership.
Key Differentiators
Strong Challenger
Chief is an established challenger with significant market presence and competitive offerings in HR & People Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
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