Become Part of Something Brave – Join BWP Today!
At Brave Women Project® (BWP), you are not just joining a community. You are becoming part of a movement rooted in connection, courage, and growth. Whether you are seeking personal or professional development, meaningful relationships, or opportunities to make an impact, BWP is the place where your voice is heard, your journey is valued, and your bravery is celebrated.
BWP is built for professional women who are ready to show up boldly and be surrounded by others who will cheer them on. A referral is never required. If this sounds like your community, we encourage you to apply.
Our programs are designed to support women at every stage of their personal and professional journeys, creating a ripple effect of empowerment that extends far beyond our membership. Members receive exclusive benefits including members-only events, discounted in-person programming, and free access to virtual programs.
Your $125 annual membership delivers value all year long.
Why Join BWP?
This Is Where Brave Women Come Together.
Brave Women Project® is a membership-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit created for professional women at every stage of their journey, who are looking to grow, lead, and build meaningful connections along the way.
We are not a networking group. We are a community where women show up honestly, support each other unconditionally, and take brave action in every area of their lives.
"BWP isn't a group you do networking with. We are a community you do life with." - Holly McIlwain, Founder
Our work is guided by the 5 Es for Life: Educate, Empower, Encourage, Engage, and Evolve, and grounded in four core areas of growth: Relationships, Professional Development, Impact, and Wellness.
What Membership Looks Like
Members gain access to a full calendar of programming designed to meet women where they are and move them forward, surrounded by a community that shows up for them completely.
Come As You Are (CAYA)
🔒Members Only
🌐Virtual
Monthly virtual gatherings built for honest conversation and confidential peer support. No agenda, no performance. Just women showing up as they are.
Diamond Dinners
🔒Members Only
📍In Person
Quarterly in-person dinners designed for authentic connection and meaningful relationship building.
Take the Mic Tuesdays
🔓Open to All
🌐Virtual
Monthly, speaker-led programming on topics that matter to professional women navigating leadership, career transitions, entrepreneurship, and more.
Power Panel
🔓Open to All
📍In Person
Each panel brings together distinct perspectives and a shared commitment to leadership, impact, and growth, guided by two seasoned moderators.
Annual Birthday Bash FUNdraiser
🔓Open to All
📍In Person
BWP's beloved summer celebration, held each July or August. Good food, great company, and a feel-good special event that supports the women and the work we care about. Bring a friend and come ready to connect.
Annual Pillar Awards
🔓Open to All
📍In Person
BWP's signature celebration honoring women who exemplify the 5 Es for Life. Everyone is welcome to attend, be nominated, and be part of the moment.
Why Women Join BWP
Members come to BWP at every stage of their careers, from early professionals finding their footing to seasoned executives looking for community that matches their depth. What they find here is consistent: women who show up with kindness, challenge each other with honesty, and celebrate each other without reservation.
Ready to Join?
Women are invited to become members, attend an event, or explore partnership opportunities. However you choose to engage, you are welcome here.
Do one brave thing every day.
Real Women. Real Impact.
I’ve been a member of Brave Women Project of Pittsburgh for the past year, and I can say without hesitation that some of the most meaningful, soul-level conversations I’ve experienced have happened at the Diamond Dinners. There is something powerful about the way women gather in this space. We show up as we are. No masks, no posturing, just truth, authenticity, and connection.
From that place, friendships form with ease, business connections unfold organically, and bonds deepen in a way that feels both expansive and supportive. It is real, and you feel it.
In fact, thanks to several members, my group events are enthusiastically attended with that same energy and support flowing both ways.
It is more than worth the annual investment. It is a return on connection, community, and the kind of alignment you can’t manufacture.
Angela Patete | The Rose Heart, LLC
I am deeply grateful to be part of Brave Women Project in Pittsburgh because it has been one of the most authentic and life-giving experiences. From the very first gathering, I felt something rare and extraordinary in the room. These were high-level, accomplished professional women - leaders, visionaries, experts in their fields - yet they showed up not with competition or comparison, but with open hearts. That kind of courage is powerful. Being part of this community has also been a beautiful reminder that it is never too late to build new friendships. Making new friends feels both brave and exhilarating.
There is joy in discovering kindred spirits at this stage of life - women who cheer each other on, who listen without judgment, and who celebrate both the triumphs and the tender places. Brave Women Project isn’t a group - it’s a sisterhood. It’s proof that vulnerability is strength, that connection is more powerful than competition, and that meaningful friendships can bloom at any age.
I was happy to share this experience at Brave Women Project’s Pillar Awards with my daughter who was nominated. I hope that young professional women can find this support and value early in their careers. Because they will succeed even more. Believing in themselves and lifting their peers in celebration is a skill that we cannot put a value to. There is something profoundly moving about watching women who have achieved so much lay down their titles at the door and simply be human together. In a world that often encourages striving and status, Brave Women Project is a refreshing reminder that genuine connection transcends accomplishments. The conversations go deeper. The laughter is louder. The tears are real. And the support is unwavering.
Melanie Rutan, Director of Business Development | Bookminders
What has always stood out to me about Brave Women Project is that it’s not about selling, pitching, or transactional networking. It’s about showing up as yourself, building genuine relationships, and trusting that meaningful connections will lead where they’re meant to go.
Through BWP, I’ve built relationships that feel real - rooted in generosity, trust, and shared growth. Those connections have naturally opened doors professionally, but more importantly, they’ve changed how I show up as a leader. I lead with more openness, collaboration, and confidence, knowing I’m part of a community that truly supports one another.
As a sponsor, supporting BWP has felt deeply aligned with my values and my work at Assisted Living Locators. My business is built on advocacy, long-term relationships, and walking alongside people through some of life’s hardest decisions. BWP reflects those same principles. Being part of this community has reinforced that when women support women - without expectation - everyone rises.
Jennifer Thayer, RN I Assisted Living Locators Pittsburgh
Membership Dues: Membership dues are generally non-refundable.
However, if membership is terminated within the first 14 days due to incompatibility with the organization’s guidelines,
a refund may be granted at the discretion of our membership committee.
Brave Women Project® (BWP) is a nonprofit, community-driven organization focused on fostering a psychologically safe environment and radical support for women's personal and professional growth. Because our mission prioritizes engagement and development over sales-based or recruitment-driven business activities, we have found that BWP’s membership model is not the best fit for individuals whose work is based in network marketing, multi-level marketing (MLM), or downline-based compensation.
We respect and celebrate the many paths women take in business and leadership, including the hard work and success of those in MLM. This policy simply ensures that BWP remains aligned with our mission and the needs of our members. To uphold the integrity of our mission and ensure a consistent experience for all members, this policy applies to everyone without exceptions.
Thank you for respecting this reasoned choice in how we operate.
bravewomenproject@gmail.com | kelli@bwp.life
© 2026 by BWP, Inc.
Brave Women Project ® (BWP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Brave Women Project is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming community where all individuals are valued and supported. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We believe diversity strengthens our community and deepens our impact. Our programs are designed to support women of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives as they grow through relationships, professional development, impact, and wellness. To promote equitable access, Brave Women Project offers regular virtual programming and works proactively to accommodate accessibility and mobility needs for in-person events whenever possible.
Brave Women Project is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement in our practices, partnerships, and programming to ensure our work reflects fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all. We strive to create spaces where women feel seen, heard, and empowered to take brave action within their lives and communities.