The first quarterly meeting of T.G.I.F. – “A Platform for Women to Inform with Passion” will be held on the morning of Friday, Feb. 8. Teach, Give, Inspire Fridays (T.G.I.F.) will provide a forum for women to listen to the insights, wisdom and professional stories of successful women. It will feature a parlor-style meeting with 20-minute talks by three speakers. The quarterly meeting schedule will be dependent on speaker availability.

Potomac entrepreneur, consultant and community builder Barbara Guterman is spearheading this speakers’ series featuring women speakers who are movers and shakers in their areas of expertise.

“My goal is to provide an opportunity for women to engage with one another and to build meaningful connections. Too often we say ‘hello’ and we don’t really have a connection,” she said. “With our compelling speakers encouraging meaningful conversations, I believe everyone who attends will have a chance to make a connection.”

Guterman continued, “Our first speaker will be Michelle Cooper who is the T (Teach) Speaker, a principal at XMLW, and the author of a new book just launched called “I Am Still Me.” The book chronicles the sharp turn her life took after the tragic suicide of her husband 15 years ago. As a JD/MBA and a practicing estate lawyer, Michelle’s book teaches us what women need to know about their financial health and lives in order to be empowered to carry on when life does not go as planned. Our second speaker will be our G (Give) speaker, award-winning news anchor, Shawn Yancy. Shawn works year-round through her charitable foundation called GNO, Girls Night Out to support local women’s and children’s charities throughout D.C. Eva Scheer will be our I (Inspire) speaker. She will discuss her personal journey with her youngest son, now 18, who has autism. She will delight us with her inspirational story of building a powerful local community through a website called ‘Side Hustle.’”

Guterman has launched companies and managed businesses in a multitude of industry segments including telecommunications, retail, franchising, manufacturing, fine jewelry and internet-based start-ups. She is a wife and the mother of three grown sons. Her philanthropic work includes serving on the board of K.E.E.N. and staying actively involved with Autism Speaks and Special Olympics. She is currently a business consultant and involved in entrepreneurial mentoring and public speaking.

The first T.G.I.F. will be held at 12615 Tribunal Lane in Potomac and will be limited to the first 100 women who enroll. The cost to attend is $35 and a portion of the proceeds will go to a featured charity as well as cover the event-related expenses. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and will wrap up around noon. Valet parking will be provided. Tickets are available on the Eventbrite page.

For more information and to sign up, see the following social media websites:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TeachGiveInspireFridays/

Facebook Page Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/352863115297828/

Eventbrite Page: https://teachgiveinspirefridays.eventbrite.com.