As the convener of the MO Summit, a pivotal event at the heart of the impact finance community, Big Path Capital is a longtime leader in sparking connections and conversations for CEOs in the impact economy. To further this component of its mission and serve its community, Big Path recently launched MO CEO Peer Circles, a new initiative dedicated to bringing small groups of CEOs together for personal and professional development designed to empower and strengthen their leadership work.
Conceived by Big Path CEO Michael Whelchel and COO Adrianne Gordon, the Peer Circles are a way to extend the critical connections leaders make at MO Summit.
Adrianne and Michael both bring decades of experience to the groups. For Michael, the Peer Circles are a way to deepen the shared impact and development that have long been the signature of the MO Summit. For Adrianne, a self-described “perpetual peer group organizer,” the Peer Circles are a continuation of 25 years of designing and facilitating gatherings, formal to informal, including the Doula Association of the Mountain Area, B Local Asheville, and the B + EOS Network.
In this Q&A, Adrianne and Michael share their inspiration for launching this initiative, how they hope the time together will benefit members, and what qualities make the peer circles transformative for personal growth and exponential impact.
Why did Big Path launch peer circles this year? What inspired the initiative? Why now?
Adrianne: Michael and I have both been fortunate to have strong professional support from individuals and groups throughout our careers. Since the first MO Summit, attendees have asked us for a way to extend their connections and conversations after the event ends. Given how busy impact CEOs are, it’s hard to do that organically to the extent they would like. After the 2024 MO Summit, we began to explore the peer group idea, learning about different models and asking people what they would want out of a group and what their experiences have been with them — both good and not. We wanted to be intentional about the framework and ensure it was valuable to our members.
Why is collaboration critical for leaders during challenging or uncertain times? How can peer circles help impact leaders further their individual and collective impact?
Adrianne: Impact CEOs need not just connection, but connection rooted in shared values. Traditional business advice doesn’t always apply to the challenges they face; in fact, sometimes it undermines their goals and values. The MO CEO Peer Circles combine confidentiality, shared values, and a willingness to support the person AND their business. This isn’t a networking or lead-generating group. It’s about transformation as a person and as a leader, in that order. The more we grow as humans, the better we can lead our companies and the more impact we can have.
How does the program work? How are the meetings structured?
Michael: We match five to seven CEOs based on company size and experience. This ensures that everyone in the circle receives support. Circles meet for about three hours once a month. We begin with some grounding, then updates from each participant. Then we dive more deeply into specific challenges faced by individual members or a theme that appears across everyone’s updates.
Adrianne facilitates the first four to six gatherings, and then the group chooses a moderator. Adrianne supports moderators to ensure a seamless and valuable experience. Meetings are virtual, and groups are encouraged to plan two in-person gatherings per year.
How have Peer Circles influenced your career or priorities in the past? How do you hope they will influence Big Path going forward?
Michael: In the past, I have participated in peer circles while facing challenges at work. Getting various perspectives and ideas on challenges and how they might present opportunities for leadership growth is unique to peer circles. I’m not sure I know of another format that creates such an effective crucible for personal and professional development.
The MO Summit has had a significant influence on Big Path. While we are constantly in touch with CEOs individually, something different happens when we come together as a group. There is support and a connection that influences all of our behavior. We hope the Peer Circles will have a similar effect in building connection and impact.
What qualities make a peer circle truly valuable or transformative — not just another networking group?
Adrianne: Confidentiality, vulnerability, and an open space that goes beyond the day-to-day of running a company to address both the challenges and the impact of those challenges on leaders as humans. How do you balance the internal and external pressures and priorities of leading an impact company and also have a life? These aren’t problem-solving groups. In fact, we don’t allow advice. The whole purpose is to help members find clarity.