PARLAY HOUSE • EAST BAY

Find your people in the East Bay.

There’s a room full of women laughing, connecting, and having the kind of conversations you’ve been craving. You belong here.

All you have to do is show up.

See East Bay events → How membership works

THIS ISN'T NETWORKING.

It's belonging.

So many women in the East Bay have full lives — careers, families, and a never-ending list of responsibilities. And yet something still feels missing.

It can be surprisingly hard to make new friendships as an adult. Hard to find a space where you can be yourself, without titles, expectations, or small talk.

Parlay House was created for exactly this reason.

“This isn’t networking. It’s belonging.”

WHAT IT'S LIKE

Living rooms, long tables, real talk in the East Bay.

Parlay House gatherings in the East Bay are hosted in members’ homes and small venues, creating an atmosphere that feels warm, relaxed, and real.

Each gathering features a speaker, experience, or guided conversation, followed by time to connect with other women.

You don’t need to know anyone to come. Most women arrive alone. Many leave with friends they’ve been looking for for years.

WHO YOU'LL MEET

Curious, thoughtful, done with small talk.

Women come to Parlay House in the East Bay for all kinds of reasons: a new city, a life transition, a quiet wish for more depth. Some have plenty of friends but want real community. Some just want a room full of women who get it.

Most of our members in the East Bay are in their late 30s to 60s: curious, thoughtful, and done with small talk.

YOUR EAST BAY HOSTS

The women holding the room for you.

INSTIGATOR · EAST BAY

Jessica Aguirre

Why I became a Parlay House instigator:
I had the pleasure of speaking at Parlay House SF to discuss my four decades long journalism career in TV news & the scrutiny that comes with aging in the public eye. The conversation was deep, real, engaging and invigorating and the women in the room empathetic, challenging, and willing to put their amour down and be vulnerable. I was hooked on Parlay that night.
What I love outside of work:
Learning, reading, hearing people tell me what they know and what they feel. I fashion myself a “Dear Abby“ of sorts, always ready to “talk“ an issue through with whomever needs an open heart and desires a feisty comeback. I’m also a persistent “improver”… eager to challenge myself mentally & physically. Nothing beats time with my adult daughters, or a wonderful glass of chilled wine with my girlfriends.
My favorite book or movie right now:
I am obsessed with “Careless People“ by Sarah Wynn Williams, a memoir by the former director of global public policy at Facebook. The book is a fascinating look at power, money, and isolation in the so-called digital age.
Why women's community matters to me:
I can’t think of any difficult, painful, or daunting crisis that I have experienced in my life that I have not relied on the support, love and power of my female friends. I know that in community we find strength, acceptance, vision, and self-possession-that is the power of Parlay.

INSTIGATOR · EAST BAY

Mary Ann Bianco

Why I became a Parlay House instigator:
I have been actively involved in supporting women in some kind of community or resource group since the early 2000’s. I’ve been on 2 nonprofit Boards supporting women, was one of 3 co-founders of Oracle Women’s Leadership in 2006 and that organization is still operational in 30 countries. There is some kind of kinetic energy that is produced when women come together and I just love experiencing that over and over again. It fills my soul!
What I love outside of work:
I love to spend time with my family and I’m now focused on my big travel bucket list! I’m always doing something physical – walking, hiking, swimming, going to the gym. I retired a few years ago and it took me 3 years to say the “R” word because my identity was my career. I am drawn to Parlay House’s principal tenant that when we come together, we do it as individual human beings WITHOUT the career identity attachment.
My favorite book or movie right now:
I just started reading “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth Von Arnim. Set in England, Post War War I about 4 unlikely women who come together and rent a castle without their husbands!
Why women's community matters to me:
It’s all about Karma for me. If you give, it comes back to you and I feel that way about my life now.

WHAT'S NEXT

Upcoming events in the East Bay.

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FROM THE ROOM

Women in the East Bay say:

I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I found it.

Jordan R. Member East Bay

I showed up alone and left with women I actually want to see again.

Priya K. Member East Bay

It’s the first place in years where I’ve had conversations that feel real.

Amanda L. Member East Bay

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