On Thursday, May 7, CREW Boston’s Rising Leaders hosted members at CannonDesign for Networking 101: Finding Your Style, an evening centered on authentic connection, candid career conversations, and redefining what networking can look like.

Designed for women in the early-to-mid stages of their careers, the event explored how to move beyond simply “being in the room” and toward building meaningful, long-term relationships that shape careers over time. Through honest storytelling and practical advice, our panelists reminded attendees that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to networking — the most effective style is the one that feels authentic to you.

Moderated by Kinga Lewandowska, the discussion featured:

• Lillian Beck, Shine Associates
• Abigail Day, CannonDesign
• Ashley Myslinski, BioMed Realty

The conversation covered everything from early career lessons and networking missteps to strategic self-advocacy and mentorship. More importantly, it created space for honest reflections about the realities of professional growth.

Key Takeaways

Networking is a long game.
Abigail Day shared thoughtful reflections on career transitions and the importance of building relationships before you need them. She emphasized that networking is less about immediate asks and more about planting seeds that grow over time. She also highlighted the value of sponsors — people who advocate for you when you are not in the room — and reminded attendees that networking is a skill that strengthens with practice, especially for introverts.

Confidence often comes from preparation.
Lillian Beck encouraged attendees to embrace the value of building authentic relationships, sharing personal stories about the impact of mentorship, sponsorship, and surrounding yourself with driven, supportive people throughout your career journey. One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when she revealed that even seasoned professionals rely on preparation behind the scenes — reinforcing her message that confidence is often built through hard work and overpreparation.

Authentic relationships matter most.
Ashley Myslinski spoke about the importance of creating a trusted personal sounding board — people who can offer perspective, guidance, and honest feedback throughout your career. She also encouraged direct communication, sharing how openly asking someone to be her mentor helped establish clear expectations and build a stronger professional relationship.

One of the most powerful themes of the evening was the reminder that networking does not have to look the
same for everyone. Whether you are outgoing, reserved, strategic, spontaneous, or somewhere in between, meaningful professional relationships are built through authenticity, consistency, and genuine connection.

Thank you to our moderator, panelists, and CannonDesign for hosting this inspiring conversation, and thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of learning, reflection, and connection.