Your Network is YOUR Superpower

In partnership with

Where Accomplished Wealth Builders Connect, Learn & Grow

Long Angle is a private, vetted community for high-net-worth entrepreneurs and executives. No fees, no pitches—just real peers navigating wealth at your level. Inside, you’ll find:

• Self-made professionals, 30–55, $5M–$100M net worth

• Confidential conversations, peer advisory groups, live meetups

• Institutional-grade investments, $100M+ deployed annually

Apply to Join

Too often, women believe that if they keep their heads down and consistently deliver at work that someone will notice and they will eventually be recognized. But the truth is that it’s not just about how hard you work, what you know, or what you achieve, it’s about WHO knows you, WHO believes in you, and WHO is willing to speak your name in the room.

Your network and the people you surround yourself with is not a “nice-to-have”, it’s a superpower. And it’s one you need to start building NOW.

Many women approach networking later in their careers or when they’re actively job searching. I’ve also seen women shy away from active networking because it can feel transactional and not genuine, and often because they say they have no time. But when we think of networking in this way, we miss its true purpose. Your network is not about collecting LinkedIn connections, it’s about creating and nurturing a community of people who inspire you, who you can talk to in detail about the work you do, and who can open doors for you. And of course you need to do the same in return. Here are a couple of examples…

Early on when I was working as a Medical Writer at a healthcare agency, I reported into a Managing Director who saw something in me that I didn’t fully seen in myself. She recognized the strength of my science background and how I was able to translate complex medical information seamlessly in client settings. One day when an Account Director suddenly left the agency, she came into my office and said, “Do you want the role?” I was stunned. I hadn’t come up through Account Management and I didn’t feel ready to lead a team or run client business. But she believed I could do it, and her belief became a turning point. She gave me more than a promotion, she gave me a path. The leap from Medical Writer to Account Director eventually led me into senior leadership roles in client service, business development, and agency operations.

 Many years later, another pivotal relationship gave me the opportunity to launch my own agency. I reconnected with the ex-COO of Publicis Groupe who I had known during my early days as a Medical Writer. I had been following his journey and was inspired by the consumer agency he had started: No Fixed Address Inc. I reached out and asked to meet, and floated an idea by him: What if I could apply his ‘no fixed’ agency model into the healthcare space? He said YES and No Fixed Address Health (NFA Health) was born.

These moments weren’t just lucky breaks. They were outcomes of connections that were built over time, grounded in mutual respect, and sparked by bold outreach. That’s what a powerful network can make possible.

 Now it’s your turn. Here are five practical steps you can use to start building a network with more intention:

 1. Start Before You Need It

Don’t wait until you’re job hunting or in a career rut. Relationships take time to develop and nobody likes to be contacted only when you’re looking for a job. Be proactive, not reactive.

 2. Diversify

Go beyond your immediate circle. Seek out people across industries, roles, and lived experiences. That’s where new ideas and unexpected opportunities come from.

 3. Look for Sponsors, Not Just Mentors

Ask not only who can help me grow? But also who is willing to advocate for me? And just as importantly, whose name can I lift up in return? Strong networks are reciprocal.

 4. Give Before You Get

Approach networking with generosity. Share insights, offer introductions, show up for others. That’s how trust and influence are built.

 5. Leverage Your Communities

Your network doesn’t grow in isolation, it grows through participation and being active in your industry and your community on an ongoing basis. For example, be intentional about joining and contributing to professional organizations that align with the work you do.

 When you get involved you don’t just meet people, you build visibility, credibility, and influence. And when you combine that with a spirit of generosity and curiosity, your network becomes a rich constellation of people who you can learn from, who can help you grow, advocate for you, challenge you, and walk alongside you. It’s a living, evolving resource and a core part of how women rise.

So start reaching out. Start showing up. Start asking to connect. And most importantly, make it a priority. Your network is your superpower, and it might just change everything.

By: Dorothy Czylyski | President & Partner | No Fixed Address Health (NFA Health)

Accelerate Your Career Growth with Executiv

To learn more about our private network for women in leadership (Directors to C-Suite), as well as our coaching programs, community, and events, email us at [email protected] or visit www.executiv.ca.

Our invite-only network brings together 100+ top women in leadership from global Fortune 500 companies like Google, Amazon, and Colgate, as well as leading Canadian organizations including RBC, TD, Scotiabank, Loblaws, Canadian Tire, Lactalis, and many more.

We are a community that is highly vetted, deeply connected, and committed to each other’s success.

Our services are made available on-demand through our platform and app!

Follow Executiv on LinkedIn and IG!

“Greatness comes not from a position, but from helping build the future. We have an obligation to pull others up.”

Indra Nooyi