Chicago

Hi! I’m Courtney Carlstrom, a longtime Chicagoan — over 20 years in this city and still obsessed with the energy, grit, and endless brunch spots. I live here with my husband, Shawon, our three kids (Henry, Theo, and Isla), and our dog Doogie, who’s basically the fourth child.

I’m a former teacher turned nonprofit founder, now serving as President of Hair & Hope. We support individuals going through chemotherapy by providing cold caps to help preserve their hair, along with mentorship during treatment.

When I’m not working or running kids around, you can usually find me running by choice, brunching with friends, reading, or playing bunco — preferably while laughing way too loudly.

I love Earlybirds because nothing beats dancing with a room full of badass women and being able to tell my family, “I’m working!” It’s joy, community, and confidence — all wrapped into one party.

Can’t wait to dance, connect, and celebrate women who know fun doesn’t require staying out late….because I really do have shit to do in the morning!

I was at the first Earlybirds Club party in Chicago and I knew it was something special! I loved the collective vibe the crowd was sharing and, of course, shaking it to my favorite songs.

Like all of you, I am a busy woman and at times it is hard to remember what’s important – and this community allows me to keep myself in check and have some fun with my ladies! As Susie said, it helps me to remember who the f*ck I am and I want to share her legacy with everyone I can!

Chicago has been home for the past couple of years, and in that time I’ve built a strong community through work and volunteering for the spaces and issues I care about. I’m usually the one texting friends “let’s check this out,” so being an Earlybirds ambassador feels like a natural extension of how I already move.

I’m a former club kid—80s and new wave are still my go-to—but what matters most to me now is how those spaces feel: safe, joyful, and genuinely welcoming. That’s why Earlybirds’ mission resonates with me.

By day, I bring close to 20 years of nonprofit experience in public health, specializing in project and change management, along with event planning. I’m just as comfortable behind the scenes making things run smoothly as I am making sure people are having a great time.

Earlybirds sits at the intersection of community, culture, and music that I love—and I’m here to help create spaces where women, trans, non-binary, and female-identifying people can show up fully and make memories.