“For the past year, Women’s Connection has kept me as busy as I want to be. It’s so much fun!” - Eileen Chanen

Eileen joined Women’s Connection just a year ago and has already attended events, been involved in several groups, and as of November, will serve as co-chair of our chapter with Cyndy Nelson. Eileen has known about Women’s Connection before it was even formed; her aunt, Charlotte Frank, co-founded the organization with Christine Millen in New York in 2001.

Here, Eileen reflects on Women’s Connection, her family and career. She is a member of the West Metro Peer Group, Vegan SIG and Art Appreciation SIG.

Women’s Connection

My aunt Charlotte co-founded The Transition Network (former name of Women’s Connection). When she talked to me in 1999 about what she wanted to do, I couldn’t visualize it. She envisioned really smart women connecting and growing together as friends. She was keen to have me start a Minneapolis chapter and I was only 36 years old!

When I joined our chapter, it was barely a month before I was doing things with people in my peer group: going out for lunch or coffee. I’m a member of the Vegan SIG and Art Appreciation SIG. I’m enjoying all those relationships. It’s so much fun!

Being co-chair of our chapter is a chance for me to grow in a new way. I hope to absorb everything I can and come up with bright ideas later. Cyndy is really open to anything I bring to the table.

Family

I was born in Minneapolis and moved as a child to Mississippi for my dad’s job. I care a lot about family. I have seven brothers and sisters who live all over the country. We’re very close. We get together every two years for Frankfest (Frank was my dad’s name). We eat a lot of hotdogs. Kramarczuk’s was “his” place. That’s where we get 200 hot dogs. That’s my job.

I live in Plymouth and garden as much as I can. I co-parent a pet mutt named Amy.

Career

I majored in journalism, and minored in public relations at Oklahoma State University. I was a reporter for one year and realized that wasn’t for me. 

I spent my whole career in communications for the finance industry with Piper Jaffray, US Bank, Thrivent and RBC Wealth Management.

When working at Thrivent, I received a Volunteer of the Year Award, which comes with a monetary gift to a charity of your choice. I chose Jeremiah Program, where I taught financial wellness as a volunteer. Jeremiah Program focuses on education for single moms and offers housing and childcare.

For the last half of my career, I managed people. I really, really enjoyed finding ways to help other people be efficient and enjoy their jobs.

A chronic long-term illness led me to retirement sooner than I wanted to. When your work network fades away, you aren’t friends in the same way. I was trying to find things to do. You need to be very intentional, and you need to choose what you want to do. I chose Women’s Connection.