Cecilia Stanton Adams: Lift Where You Stand

When Cecilia Stanton Adams stepped foot into her first TeamWomen event in 2018, she knew something was different. 

Originally from New York, Cecilia had just relocated from her life in Maine to take a job in the Twin Cities area. She started looking for a network and after attending several networking events around town, she still hadn’t found her people yet. 

That was, of course, until she found TeamWomen. Once she arrived, she was immediately greeted by other women who welcomed her and introduced her to others. It was different than anything else Cecilia had experienced. 

“Even as a new person, I felt right at home as soon as I walked in the door,” she told TeamWomen. 

She arrived at her first event alone. She left with a community of like-minded women who shared her values of growth, giving back, and making a difference.

“What really struck me was the mix of transplants and lifelong Minnesotans in the group, all eager to support one another and share the ‘unwritten rules’ of navigating life here.”

That’s the magic of TeamWomen. It’s a space where empathy replaces competition every time. 

Serving With TeamWomen

Over time, Cecilia’s connection to TeamWomen deepened. She developed a friendship with TeamWomen’s Executive Director Katy Burke, who shared Cecilia’s vision to grow the network’s impact. 

When a spot on the board opened, Cecilia applied and was accepted, giving her a behind-the-scenes view of the organization she had grown to love.

Her first committee role was on the Mentoring Committee, where she helped match mentors and mentees through a thoughtful, hands-on process. Together, the committee spent hours poring over spreadsheets of applications and member profiles, and then carefully and strategically paired women based on their goals, backgrounds, and experiences. 

Seeing those relationships blossom was deeply rewarding for Cecilia and the rest of the committee. She knew the impact of a successful partnership could be life-changing for both mentor and mentee.

“It’s not just one-way mentorship,” she explains. “It’s reciprocal. Both people give, both people grow.”

Lift Where You Stand

2020 changed everything for Cecilia. 

First came the pandemic, which required a massive shift in TeamWomen’s operations as they transitioned to a virtual format to give women from across the country opportunities for meaningful connections and conversations from their living rooms.

Then the tragic murder of George Floyd. 

The world changed overnight. 

The months following George Floyd’s death were especially intense. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader, Cecilia was pulled in many directions as she navigated the aftermath of this heinous crime and its long-reaching impact on the country. 

Under the weight of it all, Cecilia was overwhelmed. An unexpected call from her friend Katy Burke meant everything. 

“She called me not to ask for anything but simply to check in and offer support. It was amazing,” Cecilia said. “That’s what TeamWomen does. When you least expect it, you get a call or a text that lifts your spirits and reminds you you’ve got people in your corner.”

Out of the ashes of this painful time came more conversations with Katy on how to strengthen TeamWomen’s outreach and ensure its events, membership, and leadership reflected a diverse representation of voices and experiences. 

Cecilia brought her consulting expertise to TeamWomen to assess the organization, provide recommendations, and help shape a more inclusive future.

Paying It Forward

Cecilia’s involvement hasn’t stopped at leadership and consulting. She’s also invested in making opportunities accessible for others. 

At the most recent Leadership Conference, Cecilia’s company, Stanton Adam Consulting, sponsored attendance for nine women, many of whom were her clients. It was a chance for them to connect, learn, and prioritize themselves.

Cecilia’s story is proof of how TeamWomen’s ripple effects are impacting women and girls now and in the future. TeamWomen provides countless opportunities for women to share their experiences and expertise, inspire others, and create a legacy for generations to come.  

A Lasting Legacy

Today, as CEO of Stanton Adams Consulting, Cecilia continues her life’s work of helping organizations build inclusive, equity-minded cultures. And through TeamWomen, she’s found not just a professional network, but a true community where women lift each other up, open doors for one another, and lead with empathy.

“At the end of the day, it comes down to who your community is and who you’re processing life with,” she says. “Those are the relationships that change everything.”

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