Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Vivian Underwood
If you've ever started to consider options outside the corporate track, but let self-doubt or fear get in the way, this dinner is for you.
Join us for a conversation with Wes Wheless (W‘06), author of The Expert's Privilege: A Self-Deployment Guide to Leaving Corporate and Going Solo. After two decades spanning BCG, Expedia, and edtech startup Reforge — and navigating two consecutive tech layoffs — Wes made the leap to solo consulting and now helps others do the same. His best-selling book, published July 2026, lays out the mindset shifts and practical steps for corporate professionals ready to deploy their expertise on their own terms.
Over dinner, Wes will share his own story that inspired the book, introduce the idea of Expert's Privilege, and open the table to wherever 
the conversation wants to go. Expect to talk honestly about what's driving your curiosity off the traditional corporate path, explore the wake-up calls that signal you might be ready, and get a clearer sense of the independent consulting models that could fit your style and domain. At a table of eight, there's space to ask the questions you'd never raise in a larger setting, and to hear how others around the table are thinking about the same thing. Whether your leap is next month, next year, or still just a lingering thought, this conversation will demystify an intentional path forward as a soloist.
Each participant will receive a Kindle edition of the book to peruse beforehand — and a signed, physical copy to take home.
Limited to 8 participants. The $20 non-refundable fee will hold your seat and $10 will be credited after the dinner (remaining $10 will be used to pay for the speaker’s dinner). Each attendee will be responsible for their own dinner charges. When the event registers full, we will take a waitlist ($0 cost).
Note: check-in will be 5:30 pm with dinner starting at 6 pm.
To learn more about The Expert's Privilege, visit weswheless.com.
