IPN Frequently Asked Questions
The IMPACT Professional Network (IPN) is more than a network—it is a community of women committed to growing, connecting, and adding value wherever they go. IPN is a multicultural, multigenerational, and inclusive community of women who believe that success is stronger when we support one another. Our members come together to learn, grow, build meaningful relationships, explore new opportunities, and actively uplift other women personally, professionally, and in business.
While many of our members are based in Chicago and the surrounding area, IPN extends across the country, creating connections between women of different ages, backgrounds, industries, experiences, and stages of life. At the heart of IPN is a simple belief: we don’t just enter rooms looking for what we can gain—we look for how we can add value.
Frequently Asked Questions
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IPN & Conference Registration Opens October 15!
IPN & Conference Registration Opens October 15!
Do I have to own a business to join IPN?
No. IPN is for forward-thinking professionals across career stages. Members may be employees, entrepreneurs, business owners, emerging professionals, or individuals exploring new opportunities.
What does my membership get me? IPN membership provides year-round opportunities to learn, connect, and grow through the Excellence Initiative, Founder’s Messages, the COURAGE Newsletter, conference benefits, and member spotlights—all designed to keep you connected, informed, encouraged, and challenged.
Can you define the Excellence Initiative?
The Excellence Initiative is IPN’s year-round personal, professional, and business development experience. It includes live virtual sessions, pre-recorded interviews with women sharing real career and income-building journeys, and Founder’s Messages designed to keep members learning, thinking, growing, and taking action throughout the year.
What is the difference between the monthly and annual membership?The benefits are the same. Membership is $10 per month or $100 per year. The annual option saves $20 over the course of the year.
Will virtual Excellence Initiative sessions be made available if I cannot attend?
Yes. Members are encouraged to participate virtually when possible, but recordings are available for members who are unable to attend.
Are there special benefits for IMPACT events?
Yes. IPN members may receive special member pricing and selected benefits for eligible IMPACT events and programs throughout the year.
Does my IPN membership include the Excellence Is Required™ Conference?
No. IPN membership may include conference-related benefits and recognition, but conference registration is not included with a personal membership.
Does my IPN membership include the Excellence Is Required™ Conference when I sponsor a youth or emerging professional?
Yes. The Bundle Benefit is unlocked when you sponsor a youth. Your one-time payment of $200 guarantees two seats at the conference and membership benefits for you and the youth / emerging professional.
What is considered a youth or emerging professional?
For IPN sponsored memberships, youth are ages 16–21. An emerging professional is generally ages 22–30 and may be entering the workforce, building a career, growing a business, pursuing advanced education, or establishing herself professionally.
Can youth or emerging professionals participate if they do not yet have a sponsor?
Partially. They may join the IPN Sponsored Membership Pool as a Pending Member while sponsorship is being secured. Pending youth/emerging professional members may participate in selected virtual opportunities, receive IPN communications, and access eligible internship and career opportunities.
What happens once a youth or emerging professional is sponsored?
Once a $100 annual sponsorship is secured, the participant moves from Pending Member status to Full Member status and receives applicable IPN membership, event, and conference-related benefits.
Who can sponsor a youth or emerging professional?
Anyone who wants to invest in her growth may provide a sponsorship. Sponsors are often parents, relatives, mentors, employers, family friends, or community supporters who want to help a young person access professional development, networking, and the Excellence Is Required™ Conference.
Can a youth or emerging professional find her own sponsor?
Yes. Participants are encouraged to take initiative and may secure their own sponsor through an employer, mentor, family friend, church, civic organization, business owner, sorority, alumni group, local company, or other supporter.
Can I purchase a membership for myself and sponsor a youth or emerging professional?
Yes. You may purchase your own IPN membership (at $100 or $10 per month) and also sponsor a youth or emerging professional with a $100 annual sponsored membership.
Can I pay monthly for my membership and monthly to sponsor someone?
You may pay $10 per month or $100 annually for your own personal IPN membership. Sponsored memberships require the full $100 payment upfront so the selected youth or emerging professional can be moved from the Sponsored Membership Pool into Full Member status.
If I sponsor a youth or emerging professional for $100, does their membership include the Excellence Is Required™ Conference?
Yes. Each $100 youth or emerging professional sponsorship includes one ticket for the sponsored participant to attend the Excellence Is Required™ Conference.
Will I know who my sponsorship supports?
Sponsors may receive general information about the participant their sponsorship supports. When appropriate, adult sponsored members may choose to be introduced to their sponsor at an IMPACT event.
For participants under age 18, IMPACT will protect their privacy and will not arrange individual sponsor introductions or share personal information. Sponsors may still have opportunities to meet and engage with sponsored participants as part of IMPACT programs and events.
Can members share internship opportunities?
Yes. IPN members may submit internship opportunities to be shared with young and emerging professionals. The employer or organization is responsible for applications, interviews, selection, supervision, and all employment-related decisions.
Does IPN guarantee that I will receive an intern?
No. IPN provides a way for approved internship opportunities to be shared with eligible young and emerging professionals. IMPACT does not screen, interview, or place candidates on behalf of employers.
Can I cancel a monthly membership?
Yes. Monthly memberships may be canceled according to the payment platform’s subscription terms.