Wow! I just returned from the first meeting of Women's Leadership Exchange's new LEXCI program. LEXCI stands for Leadership Executive Circle and it's designed to help women business leaders heighten their success and to build business relationships. I'm actually a Founding Member of the organization and one of ten women selected for the inaugural group in New York City. Additional groups will be starting across the country throughout the year including Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago.

    Each LEXCI group will be small – not more than 20 members. Members cannot be in competition with one another because confidential information will be shared during quarterly meetings. Yes, I said quarterly and I think that's great. I've belonged to other peer advisory groups that meet on a monthly basis and it's tough to make that kind of time commitment -- so meeting for a longer period of time, four times per year is brilliant. The founders of WLE and the LEXCI program, Leslie Grossman and Andrea March, spent time researching and talking with women about how frequently meetings should be held and they learned quarterly meetings were preferred.

    In addition to our group meetings, there will be two regional events each year featuring a business expert and giving LEXCI members from other groups the opportunity to meet and network.

    Mentoring and coaching are an integral part of the LEXCI program. Today, one member was assigned to be my mentor. We'll connect once per month discuss business issues. Likewise, I'll be mentoring another member. I love this aspect of the program because women typically don't have the opportunity to work with a peer mentor. LEXCI membership also includes two hours of executive coaching and consulting for goal-setting and resolving business issues from your trained group facilitator/coach.

    Okay – I'm still not finished with all the benefits LEXCI membership brings. WLE presents national leadership conferences throughout the year for women in business. LEXCI members get complimentary admission to all WLE conferences and VIP meetings with the keynote speakers and Compass Award winners that include exceptional women such as Billie Jean King, Carly Fiorina and Mavis Leno. Business spa retreats and international cultural immersion trips will be offered exclusively to LEXCI members too. Finally, LEXCI members have access to a connections concierge to provide personal introductions and connections for you.

    So now you can see why I'm so excited to be part of this new organization. And I'm happy to say SBTV.com is WLE's new media partner too.