“Alissa M. Quinn’s “The Power of Impact Circles” is an inspiring exploration of creating supportive spaces during pivotal moments in her life, including battles with cancer and personal transitions. Ms. Quinn weaves her stories within a framework of empowerment, growth, and healing, giving readers real-life examples of informal and formal circles she created and participated in. The common thread in each chapter lies in the transformative power of having the courage to reach out to build meaningful relationships and communities. I had the honor of being a founding member of one of Ms. Quinn’s formal impact circles formed in the late eighties, a time when women in leadership roles were a small minority. This experience was transformative for me, as it provided a supportive network of like-minded professional women who were determined to overcome the resistance from traditional networks. Ms. Quinn’s vision was to create a network so successful that professionals would approach us seeking to do business with us. This goal was not only ambitious but also empowering, as it challenged the status quo and paved the way for women to thrive in their careers. For me, being part of this circle was a truly empowering experience that helped me build my business, celebrate milestones, and support each other in our professional journeys.
“The Power of Impact Circles” is a must-read for those who may be navigating their own life’s challenges – whether personal or professional. In addition to sharing the key benefits of joining an impact circle, Ms. Quinn includes an appendix filled with practical tips and guidelines for creating circles. I am grateful to Ms. Quinn for having the courage to share her personal stories of mourning, loss, triumph, and success.”
“Alissa takes us through her life’s journey and shows us how to cherish life and live it to the fullest despite loss and disappointment. Through her wonderful storytelling, we witness how a strong and vibrant woman embraces the goodness life has to offer and the impact of surrounding yourself with people who really see you. Alissa showcases the power of building community, informal and formal, in every sphere of her life. And the women she brings together in her impact circles don’t just cheer her on; they challenge her, uplift her, and remind her of her worth. They are mentors, mirrors, and morale-boosters.
What makes this memoir stand out is how clearly it illustrates that empowerment doesn’t always come from grand gestures—it’s often built in the quiet moments of connection, the chance encounters, the sharing of dreams and goals, and the value of honest conversations.
This book is a celebration of community, of intentional sisterhood, and of the life-changing magic that happens when women support women. Whether you’re seeking your own circle or simply looking for hope in human connection,The Power of Impact Circles is a story that will leave you inspired and uplifted.”
— Ellen Sax, Consultant
“For nearly two decades, I’ve watched and experienced Alissa Quinn bring women together with her warmth, support, and relentless positivity. Her gift for connecting people is truly remarkable. So when she asked if I’d be interested in speaking to her third Impact Circle—a group of professional women who have been touched by cancer—I immediately said, “Yes!” I realized then that I had never shared my own cancer experience. My treatment involved surgery, which seemed minor compared to the chemotherapy and radiation I had seen family members and patients endure. But once Alissa learned that I was also a cancer survivor, she warmly invited me to join her Passion & Purpose Impact Circle. I eagerly became part of this community of resilient, powerful women. The wealth of support, knowledge, friendship, and strength within these circles is a much-needed antidote to the fractured and often lonely world we live in. The Power of Impact Circles is both a guide and a call to action—for women and men alike—to build supportive networks and forge deep connections in their own communities.”
“The Power of Impact Circles” beautifully captures how intentional communities can transform lives. Having personally experienced one of Alissa Quinn’s professional women’s circles, I know firsthand the lasting friendships and strength that come from connecting with women through shared experiences. Alissa’s story is inspiring, authentic, and offers a roadmap for anyone seeking deeper support and meaningful relationships. Her story reinforces the concept that vulnerability and authenticity lead to lifelong friendships through shared experiences. A heartfelt and empowering read. ”
— Anne Saile, Lifelong women’s empowerment advocate, former Hospital CEO, philanthropist, entrepreneur, author
“The Power of Impact Circles is not only a story, it is an open calling to take the leap of faith and lead differently. A circle has a point of beginning but by design has no ending. This is the story of how we can call upon our tribe to share our deepest heartaches and greatest triumphs with love and support to move forward knowing we are not alone. The guide is the ultimate gift as we create our circles; a must read for anyone who wants to bring people together with purpose and intention.”
— Kathy Lanni, Chief Community Officer, Broadview Federal Credit Union
“An accomplished business professional, ballroom dancer extraordinaire and a devoted, loving mother, Ms. Quinn lives life with passion and purpose. Her inspiring story details the power of connections and the deep friendships and enduring support that flow from them. As she faced her own personal challenges and life transitions, she confronted them head on by reaching out to other women – friends and new acquaintances – to gather together and share ideas, frustrations and goals, and gain insights and valuable advice and support from one another. These “impact circles” were a sanctuary of friendship, caring and support through both the challenges and joys of life, creating deeply meaningful experiences for all. This power of connection enabled Ms. Quinn to find greater joy, fulfillment and meaning in her life and she generously shares her tips for others to enrich their lives by creating their own impact circles.”
— Pat Bucklin Former Executive Director, New York State Bar Association
“This charming book is both a deeply personal memoir and a “how to.” It is how to create a life of passion and purpose with actual guides at the end.
Written from the heart, Alissa’s book shows her many amazing accomplishments, her incredible work ethic and the power of her loving family to shape her, her values, and her intellect.
Alissa weaves tales of success, synchronicity and growing spirituality among some of life’s most difficult experiences. Her writing about her cancer journey is most moving and convincing when she talks about the power of impact circles in dealing with the medical community. She learns about networking for lifesaving purposes and shares that urgency with the reader. Her descriptions of the process of forming her health team make one wonder how anyone deals with the medical system without one’s own impact circle of connected medicos and others.
As one who has known Alissa since she was that blossoming 14 year old, it truly is an honor to see and experience her growth and impact as a powerful woman in a predominantly male world. She rightfully has earned that long list of accomplishments, as the reader will come to know.”
— Elizabeth Dunn, retired LCSW
“Having been a member of one of Alissa’s Impact Circles, I expected her book to focus on the extraordinary value of these circles—the trust, shared wisdom, and deep support that form when women come together with intention. But what I found was something even more personal: an inspiring journey of a woman who truly defines resilience, determination, and the ability to forgive. Alissa’s story unfolds with honesty and vulnerability, weaving in powerful lessons about leadership, community, and healing. It’s a tribute not just to the strength of women, but to the magic that happens when we show up for each other. Her journey is as heartfelt as it is empowering.”
— Kara Conway Love, Social Tails, LLC
“Impact. Whether through positive support circles, having a vision and setting goals, giving back to the community, or making a difference in a stranger’s life with a warm smile, having a positive impact is one of life’s greatest joys. Alissa did a masterful job detailing how the power of deep connection and shared trust can change lives; be it your own or others’. She has given us a proven recipe for how to support one another during and after some of life’s greatest challenges. Throughout the book, we discover how Alissa has learned, grown and inspired - equally through triumph and turmoil. Regardless of where you start your own journey, the takeaways from “The Power of Impact Circles” will motivate you to reach your goals and overcome your most significant obstacles through meaningful connections and mutual support.”
— Amy Aldrich, Owner State Farm Agency
“This book is a moving and powerful reflection on the circles of women executives the author has cultivated over the years — spaces created with care, intention and purpose for every phase of life and leadership. Through these circles, she highlights the transformative power of authentic connection, shared experience and collective wisdom.
More than a narrative about community, this work is a testament to the author herself — her unshakable commitment to her family, her resiliency, tenacity and vision. She reminds us that women don’t rise alone. They rise with and for each other. With honesty, vulnerability, and strength, she invites us to consider what it means to lead with purpose and to show up fully for others while evolving ourselves.
This book is both a call to action and a celebration of what becomes possible when women gather in truth, hold space for growth, and lift one another toward their highest potential. Life lessons are abundant.”
— Angela S. Dixon, President/Founder Dixon Consulting II, LLC
“I initially met Alissa Quinn in 2007 when my husband and I relocated to a house adjacent to her and her family. For the following 13 years, we had occasional interactions marked by waves or smiles as we went about our daily activities. In 2020, while discussing the impacts of the Covid pandemic, I confided that I was experiencing one of the most challenging times of my life. It was during this period that I truly “met” Alissa. She promptly extended her support by providing resources she believed would be beneficial, a gesture she continues to offer. When she mentioned that she was authoring a book, I recognized her genuine intent to assist others.
The term “Impact circle” may not be familiar, but its value becomes clear throughout the book. I realized that, had I read this earlier in my career, I might have created my own support network during times of isolation instead of relying solely on myself, a burden that proved to be exhausting. The book moved me to tears and made me reflect on how different my life could have been if I had truly “met” Alissa in 2007 rather than in 2020. She would have empowered me to seek support from others or I might have been invited to join a circle she created. In return, how I wish I would have been there for her when she was navigating cancer. I was after all, right next door.
Today, I can attest firsthand to the value of impact circles. Knowing I was struggling with several major life transitions, Alissa invited me to be part of her newly created Next Chapter Circle. New to the concept, I started out a little tentative as to how this would work, but with Alissa’s encouragement, I was determined to give this a try – what was there to lose? After the first meeting, I felt so fortunate to be part of this circle. Immediately, I found myself receiving such support from women I had just met, and it has become so fulfilling to be able to offer support back. I now look forward to our monthly circle and make every effort to prioritize being there for myself and for the members.
The gift of this book is that it offers both inspiration and guidance for enriching your life by simply connecting with others. You will see how Alissa illustrates it is never too late to start your own impact circle, formal or informal. I’ve recently been inspired to start to gather friends, who live locally but get together rarely, on an informal (for now) impromptu basis, not only to socialize but to serve as a safe space to share life’s challenges with old friends knowing there will be others there to offer support. I have Alissa to thank for that inspiration!”
— Julie Shaw, retired CEO
“Alissa Quinn’s, The Power of Impact Circles, is a MUST read. Insightful, inspirational, informative, and moving, it is a modern-day, self-improvement go-to-guide for realizing your best self.”
— Ann Marie Lizzi, Owner Majestic Media Group LLC
“The Power of Impact Circles is honest, brave, thoughtful, and deeply human. Alissa doesn’t just tell you about the power of connection; she shows you, through her own life, how intentionally creating community can change everything. What I love most is that this book isn’t just a memoir — it’s a playbook. Alissa offers real-life lessons on resilience, authenticity, and leadership, along with practical tools for creating your own Impact Circles. At its heart, the message is simple but powerful: we are stronger together. When we come together intentionally, we unlock wisdom, support, and growth we could never reach on our own. Alissa has a rare gift for bringing people together — whether they’re facing career challenges, illness, or life’s big “what’s next” moments. This book is a generous, heartfelt invitation to build the kind of connections that lift you up, challenge you, and remind you who you really are.”
— Robbin Jorgensen, CPCC, ACC Founder and CEO Women Igniting Change
“What I was expecting was a book about “Impact Circles” was actually only a fraction of what this book offers. Instead, it offers a window into a life that had incredible challenges but was lived with hope, optimism, kindness, gratitude, and the ability to remain focused on what is actually meaningful; family and impactful and sometimes magical relationships. It gave me chills and brought some tears. This moving story was delivered in an inspiring memoir which ended in the way Alissa lived her life. Thinking of others before herself.”
— Dawn Abbuhl, President Repeat Business Systems, Inc.
“A great book for those who are looking to navigate life in a different and more fulfilling way. As Alissa transparently shares her life experiences, she illustrates how a trusted, caring, goal-aligned and committed community of friends can buoy you in life through the highs and lows. Besides her interesting personal reflections, she also shares many tips and guidelines for establishing powerful impact circles and ensuring that each group enriches all who engage. Her life lessons are invaluable, no matter what phase of life you are in. The concepts support personal growth but translate beautifully to business success, as Alissa’s story clearly demonstrates. Having been blessed to be a member of several of Alissa’s impact circles, I will heartily confirm that my life has been richer because of them! ”
— Kathy Rowe, retired Technology and Healthcare Sales Executive
