Inside the surf-inspired Kahuna Room, a highlight of the Los Angeles Athletic Club’s (LAAC) multimillion-dollar renovation in 2018, an intimate group of female members gathers as part of WAVE, another impressive concept joining the influx of women’s-only coworking spaces. Amid this palm-frond wallpapered space with a glamorous tropical vibe, they work, bond, and collaborate—exactly the kind of personal and professional community that founder Simone McAlonen, the club’s marketing and events manager, envisioned when launching the coworking community last year. “I felt like there was a real need for women here to find a way to connect with one another,” says McAlonen, who views WAVE as “a wellspring from which its members can find whatever support or education they need to get to the next level. They can go out into the world and make their own thing happen, and hopefully spread empowerment and inclusivity through whatever they are doing as well.”
Established in 1880, the LAAC is the oldest private club in the city. Mirroring the evolution of the surrounding Downtown Los Angeles neighborhood, the LAAC is transforming its image through initiatives like WAVE. Through monthly expert-led talks and skillshare sessions that showcase vocational expertise, McAlonen hopes to foster a holistic approach to growth that keeps everyone “comfortable with being assertive on behalf of themselves and their work.”
