As we near the end of 2025, many companies find themselves in the familiar territory of planning their annual holiday or year-end party. There are always so many details to consider—the catering, the cocktails, the DJ, the venue—and yet, something about the “same old” feels out of sync with how modern teams want to connect. Research shows that teams are asking for more presence, authenticity, and meaning at work . We’re overdue for an overhaul on how we celebrate. At ALTAR, w

As we near the end of the year, I’m taking time to reflect on all that 2025 has held for me, ALTAR, and the women who make up this amazing community. It’s been a year of deep connection, creativity, and quiet, intentional growth.   I’m often in awe of how much can shift within us when we surround ourselves with people and in spaces that encourage us to show up exactly as we are. Before looking ahead to 2026, I’ve asked our community to share what stood out most for them this

This week we’ve invited Eliza Cussen, political writer and organizer, to share her perspective on why a feminist approach is what we need to center in today’s world.  Between my last meeting of the day and school pickup, I opened TikTok to see ICE agents marching down Michigan Avenue, showing strength to tourists, office workers, and the people in line for lunch at Raisin Cane’s. With no threat in sight, it was closer to a drag performance than law enforcement. These men in c

Turning Your Company’s Annual Event into a Must-Attend Moment (Not a Cringy “Remember When...”) Every year, there’s always one holiday party story that lives on for all the wrong reasons: an awkward toast, forced fun and games, and embarrassing moments that live on in hushed whispers and over Slack or Teams. What if your company’s annual holiday celebration could become the event your team looks forward to–with stories people want  to tell year after year? The type of gatheri