The Rung Candidate Application Form

The Rung Candidate Application

BUILT FOR THE RELATIONSHIPS BEHIND EVERY NEXT RUNG.

The Rung is a new membership community powered by The Chicago Network, built for the next generation of C-suite women leaders. In February 2027, approximately 40 women will join as founding members of the inaugural cohort, building trusted relationships and supporting one another through the moments that shape a career.

Who Should Apply

Designed for women in middle to upper-middle management who have established meaningful leadership scope and are building toward the C-suite. They may be Directors, Vice Presidents, Partners, Principals or hold equivalent roles within their organizations.

Strong candidates:

Lead people, budgets, functions, client relationships, or major organizational priorities, with exposure to senior-level decisions
Are ambitious about reaching the C-suite or an equivalent top executive role and are taking steps toward that goal
Live or work in Greater Chicago
Are civically minded and engaged, and ready to contribute to a community grounded in shared ambition, confidentiality and mutual support

Program Timeline

Welcome Reception: January 2027
Inaugural Program Year: February 2027–January 2028
Duration: 12 Months

The program year ends. The climb doesn’t. Following the inaugural year, members have the opportunity to renew annually and continue growing alongside one another and future cohorts.

Participation

The Rung is built on women showing up for one another. Members should plan to participate in:

Monthly experiences and programs that build trusted relationships and offer perspectives on women’s leadership journeys
An engaged give/get community where members share perspective, offer support and open doors for one another

Membership Investment

$975.00 / Year

Application & Selection Process

Application: Submit your application and two required letters of recommendation.
Interview: Following application review, selected candidates will be invited to participate in a structured 30-minute interview.
Cohort Selection & Enrollment: Final selections will be made in January 2027. Selected applicants will receive enrollment details and an invitation to the January welcome reception, ahead of the program year beginning in February.

The Rung seeks to build a cohort of women across sectors, industries and functions, with the final composition informed by the applicant pool.

Eligibility & Commitment

Full Name - Legal

First NameMiddle NameLast Name

First Name - Name Tag and Materials

LinkedIn URL

Professional Title

Industry / Sector

Please list Industry / Sector

Organization

Address - Work

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Address - Home

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number - Mobile

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Is your mobile phone number work or personal?

Phone Number - Office

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Preferred contact phone number:

Email - Work

example@example.com

Email - Personal

example@example.com

Preferred Email:

Assistant Information

Name, email, phone number

Primary Function

What is your primary function?

Which best describes your current organizational level?

Other

Which best describes the scope of your current role? Select all that apply.

Approximately how many people fall within your leadership scope?

Who does your position report to?

Other

What is the approximate annual financial scope of your responsibility?

Which of the following fall within your current leadership responsibility? Select all that apply.

Professional Affiliations - Please list any professional organizations, associations, or industry groups you are involved with:

Civic/Philanthropic Activities - Please list relevant board service, civic involvement, nonprofit leadership, or philanthropic activities:

Awards and Recognitions - Please list any relevant professional, industry, or community honors:

What is prompting you to consider The Rung at this point in your career?

As you consider the next rung in your leadership journey, which areas would be most valuable to your continued growth and advancement?

Looking ahead 12 months, what would meaningful progress in your leadership journey look like, and what would you hope to gain from a community like The Rung to help you move toward it?

The Rung is designed as a give/get community in which participants contribute to one another’s growth. What experiences, perspectives, relationships or strengths from your sector or leadership journey would you contribute to the cohort?

Civic and community engagement can take many forms, from board or nonprofit service to mentorship, advocacy, volunteering, or other ways of contributing beyond one's professional role. How, if at all, does civic or community engagement show up in your life today, and how would you like it to evolve as your leadership grows?

How did you hear about The Rung?

Specify?

What Chicago Network member(s) referred you?

Letters of Recommendation - Please upload two signed and dated letters of recommendation as PDF files.

Each letter must include the recommender’s contact information. The Chicago Network may contact recommenders to verify the information provided.

Date of Birth

Date

Ethnicity

ABOUT YOU

LEADERSHIP SCOPE

WHY THE RUNG, WHY NOW?

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