Delaware’s Great Dames networking group announces Philly chapter

The Delaware-born nonprofit Great Dames is one of those groups that makes you think: How much of a divide is there really between the tech communities of Philly and Delaware?

Though Sharon Hake, the group’s president, is often spotted at tech events in Philly, the group had yet to make an official Philly play in the form of a local chapter. But now, a pair of free peer-to-peer advisory groups will be ushering in the official launch of the group’s Philadelphia division.

The free sessions are happening at the Center City offices of M&T Bank at One Liberty Place on July 10 and July 17.

“The groups serve both as a safe haven and personal think-tank,” said Hake, now based in Philly, who will also be spearheading the Philly chapter. “Groups like this are incredibly effective because they rely on confidentiality, peer support and focused dialogue to help women realize their own power and purpose.”

The group’s first expansion, Technical.ly Delaware reported, was to Rochester, N.Y., last year. That outpost launched with a contingent of 11 women professionals from the area.