“Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” – Michelle Obama

Born in the 1960s to strong, resourceful working mothers, Kathleen Flynn and Mary Jo Kramer learned young that women could have it all—marriage, children and careers—fulfilling the traditional role while contributing financially to the family. Inspired by these role models, the girls filled with drive and dreams met and quickly became friends more than 40 years ago at an all-girls’ Catholic high school on the South side of Chicago.

Their friendship continued in college—studying, living and working together at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. In those days, they dreamt about their perfect jobs, Prince Charmings and everything in between. They stood up in each other’s weddings, watched their families grow and have been fortunate enough to work together at three different businesses.

In their 50’s, their fairytales fractured as both went through challenging divorces and most recently left (not by choice!) executive leadership teams with corporate severance packages. (Seriously, after years of corporate service, they were terminated from different companies within days of each other—you can’t make this up!)

Through it all, they have leaned on each other and shared both laughter and tears. They have shattered glass ceilings and still believe in happily ever afters. In this podcast, they will introduce you to other successful women who will share their own journeys and what they’ve learned along the way.