CEO Roundtables New York

WED: Members Meet & Greet on the Rooftop Terrace of the SNF Library

**Meet & Greet:** Bring a topic question to discuss with friends and we'll discuss the most popular one. Let's enjoy the pleasant 80 degrees weather on the 7th floor Rooftop Terrace of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Inspired by Christopher and Cecilia Phillips, founders of Socrates Cafe. https://youtu.be/3JKrJGIe4d0 (3 minutes) Let's explore the intersection of decision-making, cognitive biases, and social influences on behavior. Whether you are new in town or a seasoned intellectual looking for stimulating discussions, this event is for those interested in learning and connecting with like-minded individuals. We will be using the Socratic method developed by Christopher Phillips & Cecilia Chapa Phillips, this format encourages curiosity and deep exploration of complex ideas. Participants will propose questions, which will be voted on to determine the topic question for discussion. **Topic Ideas or Suggest Your Own:** **Truth and Deception:** \- In an era of misinformation\, what strategies can we employ to become more adept at separating fact from fiction? \- Are there ever situations where deception is not only acceptable but also necessary for the greater good? If so\, what are the ethical boundaries? **Happiness and Fulfillment:** \- Is happiness a fleeting desire or an essential need that drives our lives? What does it truly mean to be happy? \- How do we define and pursue genuine happiness in a world filled with distractions and superficial pleasures? **Moral Frameworks:** \- If you could design the ultimate moral system\, what principles would it be based on\, and why would it be superior to existing ones? \- How do different moral systems influence our decisions and shape society\, and which one do you believe is the most effective in promoting a just and harmonious world? **Love and Connection:** \- What does the concept of a "soulmate" mean in today's world\, and how has the idea evolved over time? \- Is the idea of a soulmate a romantic ideal or a realistic expectation\, and what role does it play in modern relationships? **Family Dynamics:** \- How have the traditional notions of family changed\, and what does the modern family look like in today's society? \- What are the challenges and benefits of the evolving family structures\, and how do they impact individuals and communities? **Changing Wisdom:** \- Which pieces of conventional wisdom have become outdated or irrelevant in our rapidly changing world\, and what new insights should replace them? \- How can we discern which traditional beliefs are timeless and which are in need of revision or replacement? **Wealth and Prosperity:** \- What does wealth truly mean beyond just financial abundance\, and how can it be created in a way that benefits both individuals and society as a whole? \- How do different cultures and societies define and pursue wealth\, and what can we learn from their approaches? **Education Reform:** \- How can we redesign the traditional education system to better prepare students for the current challenges and opportunities? \- What are the most innovative and effective education reform initiatives being implemented around the world\, and what can we learn from them? **AI:** Jeffrey Hinton, "The Godfather of AI," https://youtu.be/OD8fMvRSyDU Let’s enjoy the beautiful weather together! Come ready to connect, learn, and engage in thought-provoking discussions! #SOCRATESCAFE #COFFEE #PHILOSOPHY #MEETUP

Monthly Non-Monogamy Roundtable: Autonomy and Interdependence

Meet & Greet - Blood Donation Meetup

Hosts: Yen & Bill. Give blood - "One pint of blood can save 3 lives. Bring a friend & save 6 lives." [Pay It Forward](https://youtu.be/MqUfHAOdn30) [https://youtu.be/MqUfHAOdn30](https://youtu.be/MqUfHAOdn30) * 62% of the U.S. is eligible to donate blood. The #1 reason people don't donate is they were never asked. * Did you know that platelets support blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live? * Did you know that blood loss victims of car accidents may need transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells? * More than 25% of the blood supply is used by cancer patients. "Red Cross declares first-ever national blood crisis." https://youtu.be/ZUmbgpmNixg #GIVEWITHME [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/red-cross-blood-crises-united-states-covid-19/](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/red-cross-blood-crises-united-states-covid-19/) Make your reservation here: [https://donate.nybc.org/donor/auth/signin](https://donate.nybc.org/donor/auth/signin) We'll be donating at the Grand Central Donor Center Chanin Building 115 East 41st Street NEW YORK, NY 10017 +18009332566 (this is NOT to be confused with the Metro North Donor Center) Information for first-time donors, including eligibility criteria: [https://www.nybc.org/donate-blood/](https://www.nybc.org/donate-blood/) "The need for blood is ongoing, but COVID-19 has destroyed the foundation on which the community donates blood to patients served by New York Blood Center. Every week, more than 75,000 blood donations and 1,700 donated platelet units are needed to meet patient need. To ensure we are prepared to support health agencies in our communities and across the country, NYBCe strongly urges individuals who feel healthy and well to make an appointment at a donor center or find a new community blood drive. DONORS PRESENTING: " Regardless of vaccination status, ALL donors MUST wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose Must be 14 days symptom free if recovered from COVID-19 May NOT donate if they have a positive diagnostic test or experienced symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days May not donate if they have been told to self-quarantine due to exposure risk, including travel. We follow current State and CDC travel recommendations. CDC - Travel (cdc.gov) COVID\-19 Travel Advisory \| Department of Health \(ny\.gov\) If you are unsure whether to donate, or if you have donated recently and you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or you test positive for COVID-19, please contact us at 800.688.0900." https://nybc.org/donate-blood/covid-19-and-blood-donation-copy/ #SAVEALIFE #GIVEWITHME #DONATEBLOOD #NYBLOODCENTER #REDCROSS #VOLUNTEER #BLOODSHORTAGE

High Performance Leadership Business Breakthrough Experience

Join John Mark Shaw for an impactful, in-person seminar, lunch, and networking event where you will learn the 4 Proven Strategies to Scale Your Business, Your Impact, and Your Income in the Current Economy and finish 2026 strong and launch into 2027 on a whole new trajectory! **[GET YOUR TICKET HERE!](https://www.johnmarkshawcoach.com/business-breakthrough-experience)** **In this live seminar, you will:** * **Learn the proven 8+ Figure CEO Playbook** that generates a repeating cycle of business breakthroughs, compounding confidence and exponential growth * **Define your bold 10X vision and strategic action plan** so you can finish 2026 strong and launch into 2027 on a whole new trajectory * **Replace fear, self-doubt, uncertainty and anxiety** with **clear vision, calm confidence and the courage to take bold action** * **Learn** **the 10X Formula the 8+ Figure Strategic Scale Up System and the Rapid Revenue Growth Formula** to collapse time and move your needle right away * **Generate breakthrough ideas by masterminding with like-minded entrepreneurs and leaders** to solve your most pressing business challenges * **Unleash your full potential** by learning to lead with an infinite mindset, strategic focus, and higher awareness **And So Much More...**

Business Meets Play: Rooftop & Karaoke at Aloft LIC

**Great conversations. New connections. Manhattan skyline views. And maybe a little karaoke. 🎤** **📍** Location: Aloft Long Island City-Manhattan View Hotel, 27-45 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 **📍** Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 **📍** Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM ET Check in at the lobby when you arrive. Staff will point you to the right floor. *** Building a business takes focus, energy, and commitment. So does building meaningful relationships. And sometimes, the best connections happen when we're simply enjoying ourselves. Join us for an evening with entrepreneurs, business owners, and interesting people who believe success should be fun, too. 🌆 7:00–8:00 PM \| Rooftop Connections & Conversations **Meet by the Benches** Kick off the evening with great conversations, new connections, and Manhattan skyline views. Meet fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and friends in a relaxed, fun setting. 🎤 8:00–9:00 PM \| Food\, Drinks & Karaoke **Indoor Lounge** Keep the conversations going over food and drinks, enjoy the river views, and join in some karaoke fun. Sing, cheer others on, or simply enjoy the company! No pressure to perform. Just show up and enjoy yourself. **Come for the connections. Stay for the fun. Leave with a few more reasons to smile.** Here are pictures of our past events at the venue: [https://photos.app.goo.gl/5WLfeWNeTfXLtXSUA](https://photos.app.goo.gl/5WLfeWNeTfXLtXSUA) Not all output. Not all play. Both, on purpose. This isn't a rigid schedule. Come for one floor or both. Arrive at 7, arrive at 8, stay past 9.

staaake Halloween event for Tech Founders. — Reverse Network Meet

Come join our Halloween event for tech founders and people in the tech industry. Meet founders, builders, and creators. Just mingle, have fun, and meet new people. No pitching. No panels. No speakers. No cheesy networking. Location will be revealed 24 hours before the event. About Reverse Network Meets Reverse Networking events can happen anywhere, from parks and co-working spaces to bars, clubs and more. Invite the people you've connected with online and meet them all in one place in real life. Skip endless coffee meetings and connect with multiple people at once. Friday, Oct 30 · 8:00 PM EDT Get on the host's list https://www.staaake.in/staaake Vote & suggest the event title, time and location: https://reversenetworkmeets.com/ndb1017

The Business of WE 11th Annual Entrepreneur Summit

### **LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY. BECAUSE BEING IN THE ROOM MATTERS!** ### **The Business of WE Celebrates its 11th Annual Entrepreneur Summit on MONDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 2026, in FiDi NYC.** ### **Spend a productive MONDAY with us, and join 200+ entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners for a full day of insights, connections, and strategies to help you grow and scale your business in today's rapidly changing marketplace. Topics include AI, Marketing, Finance & Growth Strategies.** ***... You don't need more confusion and overwhelm... You need concise information, RAPID-FIRE implementation strategies, and a strong network to grow with! Business professionals understand the importance of 'showing up' and the value of connecting organically to build strong relationships. Be part of the action and join our 11th annual Small Business and Entrepreneur Summit!*** Our annual B2B event, **open to both men and women**, equips entrepreneurs with strategies to thrive in today's evolving business landscape and offers maximum ​networking opportunities that double as an all-day business mastermind in the heart of New York City. ***We fully expect this event to sell out quickly. SECURE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE TODAY!*** **INVESTMENT: *Full-Day Access - includes workbook, breakfast, and lunch*** **Non\-Members: $297 \| Members: Included in your Annual Membership** DISCOUNT CODE: MEETUP2026\* CONNECT AND EXPERIENCE THE FULL DAY: ARRIVE EARLY! * 8:30:00am-9:00am: Registration Doors Open & Check-in Begins * 9:00am-10:00am: Networking, Breakfast & Vendor Floor * 10:00am - 1:00pm: Morning Speaking Sessions, Panel Discussions & Mastermind * 1:00pm - 2:00pm: LUNCH BREAK & NETWORKING * 2:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Speaking Sessions, Panel Discussions & Mastermind * 5:00pm - 6:00pm: Networking Mixer *Note: No walk-in admissions available. You must be registered in advance (registration closes 24 hours prior). A photo ID is required to enter the building. For integrity and capacity, please register before the virtual door closes 24 hours before the event.* ***\*By registering for the event, you commit to attending the full day. Your participation is an integral part of the roundtable conversations and mastermind experience. Maximize your time, investment, and relationship-building efforts.*** **SPONSORSHIP, SPEAKING & VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!** **REGISTRATION: https://bizofwesummit.eventbrite.com/** \*\*EVENTBRITE DISCOUNT CODE: MEETUP2026\*\* **____________________________________________________________________________________** At The Business of WE Summit, you INVEST IN YOU for the future of your business. Get ready to receive concise content and RAPID-FIRE information from our amazing line-up of industry expert speakers. Activate your business goals and strategic action plan at our **roundtable mastermind discussions.** Curated to address the issues most relevant to today’s business minds from the BEST AND BRIGHTEST in business leadership today! Stimulating new ways of thinking and provoking inspired action among our community and attendees - our participants understand what it takes for minority-owned businesses to break through the barriers of sustainable growth. **Activate Your Strategic Action Plan, Expand Your Connections, and Elevate Yourself and Your Business! REGISTER TODAY!!** **INVESTMENT: $197** *($297 value)* \*$100 OFF FOR MEETUP MEMBERS! *Full Day Access to Speakers & Panel Sessions (includes breakfast & lunch)* ***\*Each Attendee Will Receive a BONUS WORKBOOK to Implement the Speaker's Topic Tips of Proven Concepts and Growth Strategies.*** **REGISTRATION: https://bizofwesummit.eventbrite.com/** \*\*EVENTBRITE DISCOUNT CODE: MEETUP2026\*\* ***\*By registering for the event, you commit to attending the full day. Your participation is an integral part of the roundtable conversations and mastermind experience. Maximize your time, investment, and relationship-building efforts.***

Strategic Influence for Human-Centered Leaders

**Tuesday, October 20th, 6:00-8:00 PM EDT** **Presentation & Discussion** **Strategic Influence for Human-Centered Leaders** Presented by Misha Energí **Event Description** As service designers mature into senior leadership, our mandate shifts from advising on customer experience to defending headcount, budget, and bottom-line impact. This transition can feel jarring: leadership politics often seem counter to our core values like empathy and collaboration, while our classic defense, “the work speaks for itself,” no longer holds. To keep growing, we need to evolve how we position our work and our roles, and mastering peer advocacy is a key driver in this shift. But winning support doesn't require a ruthless posture. Nor do we need to abandon our human-centric values. In fact, as service designers, we already hold the tools for strategic leadership; we simply need to redirect our empathy, systems thinking, and co-design methods toward internal dynamics. This interactive session introduces **Strategic Influence for Human-Centered Leaders**: a practical advocacy framework to align user-centric goals, complex stakeholder interests, and our own aspirations. Aimed at senior contributors and team leads who are thinking about “what’s next” in their careers, the session will unpack four leadership personas: **Visionary, Driver, Partner, and Diplomat**. Interactive exercises will show how inspiration, persuasion, collaboration, and consultation come together to reposition service design seniors as valuable business partners. **About Our Speaker** **Misha Energí** Misha Energí is an executive coach, facilitator, and founder of Speak Human Studio. They partner with professionals in tech and media to transform high potential talent into impactful leadership. With almost two decades of advisory experience in organizations like Google, Deloitte, and Cognizant, Misha’s coaching empowers under-represented talent to navigate corporate politics, claim authority, and prevent burnout. Misha’s "full-stack" coaching method combines advanced degrees in psychology with trainings in applied emotional intelligence, and evidence-based adult learning. Beyond their coaching practice, Misha runs The Queens Well (a wellness studio in Ridgewood, Queens), is a professor at Parsons School of Design, and serves as Donor Relations Lead for QARAVAN, an NGO supporting LGBTQ+ refugees. **Agenda** * 6:00-6:30PM Meet & mingle over food and drink * 6:30-7:30PM Presentation * 7:30-8:00PM Discussion & Networking * 8:00PM - ? After-Party **Address** Intuit 51 Astor Place New York, NY 10003 **After-Party**: Cuna Bar The Standard 25 Cooper Sq **Financial Transparency & Scholarships** As a non-profit, we do our best to strike a balance between making our events available to all and ensuring we keep the lights on. For this event, we are charging $10. * If this amount is prohibitive for you to attend this event, please email [Barr](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/)y at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com as we may miss messages on this platform. * If you’d like to **provide** scholarships, please message [Barry](https://www.meetup.com/sdnnyc/members/267573171/) at at sdn.newyorkchapter@gmail.com and he will follow up with you. See you there :) David, Francesco, Yasmin, Lynn, Nicholas, & Barry

Founders, Investors & Talent Networking Mixer NYC

**Startup networking event in NYC for founders, investors and tech talent**. Meet builders and connect with Ascent Valley community. Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated startup networking event in NYC Manhattan. Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP:** [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-new-york-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987708214778?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) ***Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.*** **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. 🤝 **What to Expect** **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the NYC Manhattan tech ecosystem **🎤 Want to Pitch?** A limited number of founders will have the opportunity to present their startup. Selected founders will showcase their pitch deck to the audience and attending investors, followed by a short Q&A where participants can ask questions and share feedback. [Apply by sending your pitch](https://ascentvalley.com/pitch) ***Spots are limited and founders will be selected in advance.*** **💼 For Investors** We invite local investors, angels and venture capitalists to join the event. Investor participation is complimentary. After verification, investors receive access to the Ascent Valley ecosystem, including: • curated startup introductions • access to our startup digest • access to our platform and founder community [Interested investors can request verification](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0FOsbIU0WPT79m90Xy4Q8IqDkaZAydjQ1DGpfYDKhJy7cLA/viewform)

Tech Happy Hour by Startup Grind

This is the monthly Startup Grind tech mixer. It's a low-key way to **connect with the NYC tech and startup community** to discover shared interests, explore areas for collaboration, and find your next co-founder or key hire. ​Join us for a casual happy hour to build real relationships and make friends, not just contacts. **No pitches. No presentations. No agenda.** ​**This happy hour is for:** * ​Startup Founders & Employees * ​Technologists, Developers & Tech Workers * ​Product Managers & Designers * ​Investors, VCs, Advisors & Mentors * ​Anyone curious about the NYC tech scene ​ **Agenda:** * ​5:00 PM: Happy Hour starts. Come and go as you please. ​ We're at the new **[Time Out Market at Union Square](https://www.timeout.com/time-out-market-union-square?utm_source=luma)**. It features a selection of the city's best food and drink together under one roof, offering a wide variety of options to choose from throughout the event. ​**Look for Startup Grind table signs toward the back near the outdoor terrace.**

Startup Pitch Events NYC: 5 Founders on Stage

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in New York.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-pitch-events-nyc-5-founders-on-stage-tickets-1999712099721?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** **You've been running the idea past AI. AI has never once told you it wouldn't work. Tonight you get a room that will.** Five founders, five minutes each, on a Fifth Avenue rooftop in Manhattan. Wednesday. **Three reasons people come back** * You get a table, not a lap of the room. You pick a topic the room voted on and stay there for the hour, instead of wandering with a drink looking for a gap in somebody else's conversation. * You get a stage short enough to be honest. Five minutes each, no slides read out loud, then the room asks questions. The questions are the good part. * You get the hour after. The stage ends, nobody's performing any more, and the floor stays open. That's the hour people actually remember. **Your ticket is also a login** Most events end when you walk out. This one hands you a link: your profile, who else is coming before you get there, a group chat for this specific Wednesday, and a recap afterwards of who you actually met. Then you land in the New York space and stay there. That's where the second conversation happens, the one you meant to have before the room got loud. Free with your ticket, on the web or in Telegram: [ascentvalley.com/community](https://ascentvalley.com/community) **Is this your room?** Yes, if you're building something, anywhere from the first line of code to Series A. Or you run a function at a company that's scaling, write the code, do the hiring, or you're still deciding whether to start. Probably not, if what you're picturing is a room full of investors. How that actually works is further down, and it's better than the picture. **Want the stage?** Apply at ascentvalley.com/pitch. Five founders an evening, and we answer everybody, including the people we don't pick. Applying is free, but you do need a ticket, because we check the order number. Never pitched before? Five minutes is short enough that it's over before the nerves have finished arriving. **What we don't promise, and what we do instead** We don't promise an investor will be in the room on any given Wednesday. Angels and people who work at funds come, some Wednesdays several of them, and we won't tell you in advance who's coming, because we don't know. We don't run a judging panel, hand out a prize, or keep a leaderboard. Here's what doesn't depend on who walks in that night. Your application to the stage becomes your profile in our startup directory, and a person reads it, not a scoring script. Once you're verified, that profile sits in front of the funds and angels in our network, and they ask for the introduction themselves when your company matches what they're actually looking for. You choose whether you're in the weekly digest and you can leave it any time. We never sell your details, we don't take equity, we don't take a cut of your round, and we don't give investment advice. Which means the room on Wednesday isn't the whole opportunity. It's the part you can see: [ascentvalley.com/pitch](https://ascentvalley.com/pitch) **Why it's worth a Wednesday** Watching somebody explain their company in five minutes teaches you more about explaining yours than another evening alone with the deck. You'll hear the question you've been quietly avoiding get asked out loud to somebody else, and you get to watch how they handle it. That skill travels. It works on a first date, in a performance review, and at the dinner where somebody asks what you do and you've got twenty seconds before their eyes move on. So bring the friend who keeps saying they have an idea. Five minutes on that stage is the shortest distance between having an idea and finding out what a room full of strangers thinks of it.

Making Better Bets: A Field Guide to Product Strategy with Andrew Skotzko

“Be more strategic” is advice every product leader has heard. But knowing what to actually DO? That's the hard part. Join us for an early look at *[The Strategy Cycle](https://thestrategycycle.com/)*, the new book from product leadership coach [Andrew Skotzko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewskotzko), which is a practical guide to turning a messy set of research, goals, stakeholder opinions, and competitive pressure into a real product strategy. Andrew frames strategy as a theory of winning, expressed through a cycle of bets. Plans, roadmaps, and goal lists all have their place, but a real strategy gives them direction and makes planning season suck a lot less. Mind the Product founder Martin Eriksson says the book shows you what to do on Monday morning—and “what to do in week 7 when the strategy is quietly falling apart.” Andrew will walk through the two halves of the cycle: **Craft the strategy.** Start with a two-page strategy sketch, distill what’s really going on in your market, name the challenge that matters most, and define why customers will choose you and keep choosing you. Then turn that into a portfolio of bets with a clear line between what’s in and what’s out. **Live the strategy.** Crafting the strategy is only about 40% of the work. The rest is deploying it, keeping it alive when shiny new things start arriving in week two, and evolving it as you learn. You’ll walk away with: * A practical way to frame strategic choices as bets * A starting template for your own strategy sketch * Tactics for keeping strategy alive after planning season ends This session is built for anyone responsible for setting direction in a fast-moving environment. Bring your hardest strategy questions. **Sponsored by:** * **[Askable:](https://www.askable.com/)** the UX research platform that grounds fast product decisions in real human evidence * **[Pendo:](https://www.pendo.io/)** Product Context for your Apps and AI Agents