The Surge

By Raise the Tide™

Lead With Greater authority, together

A year-long, high-touch leadership experience for senior, in-house women in communications who operate at the intersection of reputation, risk, and real business consequence.

The Surge

By Raise the Tide™

Lead With Greater authority, together

A year-long, high-touch leadership experience for senior, in-house women in communications who operate at the intersection of reputation, risk, and real business consequence.

You’re Already Good At What You Do

(Ironically, That’s The Problem)

People trust you. You always deliver. You’re the one that executives turn to when things are sensitive, messy, or high-stakes.

And yet…

You’re carrying far more than most people see
You’re translating conversations more than you’re shaping them
You’re making important decisions without peers to pressure-test with first
You’re often the only one in the room who fully understands the impact communications has on real business outcomes

You know you’re capable of a higher level of influence and impact…
but it’s hard to access from inside the day-to-day.

Sound like you? You’re in the right place.

WELCOME TO THE SURGE

The Original Raise the Tide™ Leadership Experience

The Surge is our year-long career-shifting leadership experience for senior, in-house women in communications—PR, Internal Comms, Executive Comms, Public Affairs, and beyond—who are ready to lead with even more clarity and confidence, influence critical decisions, and drive greater impact across the business.

It’s Not About Doing More
It’s About Deepening Your Authority
And Expanding Your Impact

This experience isn’t about piling more onto your (already overflowing) plate.

It’s about how you lead when things are complex, the stakes are high, and there’s little room for error.

Most senior communicators are already strong advisors and executors. Next-level leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about clarity, intention, and judgment. Knowing when to push, when to pause, and how to shape decisions before they’re set in motion.

You don’t need to work harder, you just need a shift in perspective. True peers to pressure-test with. Guidance from someone who’s been there. And space to think before everything feels urgent.

And that requires a different kind of support.

Different by Design

Most leadership programs are broad and theoretical. They’re designed to change you. The Surge is specific, intentional, and real. It’s designed to work with you, unlocking what’s already there. The goal isn’t to change who you are, it’s to support how you lead best.

Here’s what you’ll experience inside The Surge:

Leadership Development & Coaching

Monthly leadership calls blending strategy and real-life application
Direct access to Tara for experienced counsel rooted in decades of in-house and advisory leadership
Expert counsel for navigating complex dynamics and executive pressures
Personalized coaching aligned to your goals and challenges

Peer-Level Learning & Mentorship

A one-of-a-kind in-person retreat each year designed for deeper work, reflection, and connection
Peer learning with women at your level, not aspirational networking
Deep connections & genuine relationships with women who truly get it
Thoughtful perspective sharing and feedback from trusted peers

A Safe & Nonjudgmental Community

A safe space to speak honestly, ask the uncomfortable questions, and unpack the nuances of the field
Conversations about power, boundaries, and trade-offs that don’t happen anywhere else
A trusted environment where confidentiality is required, not negotiated

The Retreat That Anchors The Experience

Ask any member and you’ll hear a highlight of the The Surge experience is the Retreat—a transformative, in-person experience designed to bring the crew together, build trust, and generate shared momentum. It’s a chance to step out of the day-to-day, creating space for deeper personal reflection, honest conversation, and meaningful connection alongside women who understand the complexity of leadership in this field.

It’s also where the women in your cohort truly become the crew you know you can count on.

“The RTT retreat experience was uniquely powerful… I love this crew and will be forever grateful for our time together.”

J.F., V.P. of Corporate Comms. for a Global Textile Company

What Makes The Surge

Different Work Effective Unique What You Need

Intentional Pacing & Alignment

The Surge is year-long, intentionally paced experience built to support your leadership, not compete with it. It’s not about changing who you are, but empowering how you lead.

Responsive Real-Time Support

This isn’t a rigid, pre-set curriculum. The coaching and conversations within the program reflect what crew members are experiencing in real time—from executive pressure and team dynamics to big career decisions.

Experienced Mentorship

This is mentorship from someone who has led communications inside complex organizations and advised at the highest levels. You’ll have direct access to Tara for guidance and counsel through goal-setting sessions, break-the-glass calls, and ongoing support between group coaching calls.

A Peer Environment Built on Trust

The structure of the program is intentionally small and intimate to support trust, confidentiality, deep conversations, and genuine relationships. This allows for more honest dialogue and meaningful support.

Retreat-Led by Design

A program highlight is an in-person retreat designed to bring the crew together and anchor everyone in greater clarity, connection, and purpose. This immersive experience helps make the ongoing mentorship, collaboration, and coaching far more impactful.

"This program has been a game-changer, not just for me, but for my team and company... Being around other high-performing leaders pushes me to bring fresh thinking and stronger recommendations back to my team. The impact goes way beyond just my own development.”

Experience a whole new level of clarity, connection, and collaboration

It’s where highly ambitious women come to grow as whole leaders, not just as job titles.

It’s where high-level support is built on trust, belonging, and deep understanding.

It’s where personalized mentorship meets you where you are—and pushes you to what’s next.

And it’s where women who are ready to rise, rise together.

”That's what Raise the Tide [The Surge] is for me. It's a moment of confidence. It's a moment of collaboration. It's a moment of just pure growth. I have received such benefit from this group. I cannot actually express it."

“The program is unique in ways that make it almost indescribable… I appreciate this program's approach because I’m not at a conference, not in a training, or a webinar. It’s real life, in the moment, and for me that’s how I feel I learn best.”

“Dealing with the pressures of high-level communications can be isolating, and having a group of like-minded peers to lean on can be both reassuring and motivating. I’m convinced that my participation in the group has elevated my career and professional development opportunities.”

“I knew our team was capable of having a larger impact on the business, but was struggling with how to get there. The Raise the Tide [The Surge] program encouraged me to think of our work differently, advocate for the function in a new way, and gain more confidence in my leadership capabilities while learning from and connecting with other strong leaders in the field."

“I'm so thankful I found Raise the Tide when I did… There's no competitive undercurrent in this group like I've found in other places. Everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed and feel supported. I didn’t want to believe the hype, but we really are invested in raising each other up.”

Meet Your Mentor & Coach

Tara McDonagh

CEO, Chief Communications Strategist, and Founder of Raise the Tide™

After decades working as a communications leader inside complex organizations, I know what it’s like to lead when the pressure is high and there’s no obvious right answer. You’re expected to have perspective, confidence, and clarity… often without a space to pause, talk things through, test ideas out loud, or ask the questions that feel vulnerable.

I created The Surge by Raise that Tide™ to be that space. A place for honest conversation, meaningful challenge, and experienced guidance alongside women who truly understand the intricacies of this field. As your coach, mentor, and fellow communications leader, I’m here to help you sort through what matters, challenge assumptions when needed, and lead with greater clarity, confidence, intention, and impact. This work isn’t theoretical for me. It’s the leadership reality I’ve lived and advised inside for decades.

Together, we can elevate your career and raise the tide for women in communications everywhere.

Is The Surge Right for You?

This experience is for you if:

You’re a senior, in-house communications leader (Senior Manager, Director, Senior Director, VP, etc.)
You’re an ambitious overachiever who expects more from yourself and from your role
You’re navigating complex decisions with real business, reputational, and people impact
You’re open to new perspectives and are eager to learn from others in the field
You’re willing to be pushed outside your comfort zone when it matters most
You value experience-driven mentorship, peer-level collaboration, and conversations that view communications as the critical business function that it is

And you want:

Stronger authority and greater influence with executive leaders, without burning out to earn it
The ability to shape decisions, advocate more effectively, and set (and hold) healthy boundaries
A confidential space to vent, test ideas, and learn without fear of judgment
To be surrounded by women who understand the nuance, pressure, and frustration of this field (no explaining required)
Leadership growth that translates into real outcomes (promotions, expanded teams, increased budgets, and greater impact) without changing who you are

If that’s you, let’s chat.

Still not sure?

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

(AND THAT’S OKAY)

When you’re considering a leadership experience at this level, it’s important to ask the right questions—and get honest answers. Here are some of the most common ones we hear so you can make an informed decision that feels right for you.

What’s the time commitment?

The Surge was designed with the reality of senior leadership in mind. We know women at this level are already balancing demanding roles, full lives, and a lot of responsibility. This isn’t about adding more to your plate, but rather providing support and creating space for you to think more clearly and lead more effectively through:

A monthly 90-minute live group call
Ongoing, optional support and conversation inside our private online community
One in-person retreat each year for deeper work and connection

Throughout the year, you also have access to:

One-on-one goal setting and progress check-ins
One break-the-glass call for “I need you now” mentorship moments
Optional participation in the Shoreline community

Will things I share here ever make their way back to my company?

No. Vegas rules apply—what’s shared in the Surge stays within the Surge.

This is a space where you’re encouraged to speak openly and honestly about real situations and challenges without worrying about risking your job or reputation. Trust and confidentiality aren’t optional; They’re essential to what makes this experience work the way it does.

Women are invited to show up as they are, no editing required, knowing this is a protected space.

Can my company sponsor this?

Yes, and many Surge members are fully or partially sponsored by their organizations.

While this is a deeply personal leadership experience, the impact goes far beyond the professional development of any one woman. The clarity, confidence, and influence women gain also strengthen teams, improve decision-making, and elevate how communications functions show up across the business—and that’s something companies are willing to invest in.

During your initial Vibe Check Call, Tara can share tips for navigating that sponsorship conversation, including how to position The Surge internally for an easier “yes”.

What if I experience a major life change during the program?

If something significant comes up that impacts your ability to participate in the program, we’ll work with you to find a path that makes sense for your situation. Here are a few real-life scenarios we’ve worked through:

Pregnancy or expanding your family? We offer maternity leave and flexibility.
Job changes or layoffs? We’ll adjust your goals. Sometimes that means pausing your contract, other times it means using the support to help you land your next role.
Medical or family emergencies? We’ll create a plan that allows you to hit pause, step back, and focus where it matters most.

The bottom line? Life happens, and we’re here to support you when it does.

How is this different from other coaching programs?

The Surge isn’t “just coaching” (nor is it pretending to be). It’s so, so much more. It combines experienced mentorship, peer-level collaboration, leadership development, and deep, genuine connection. You’re not only learning from Tara, but also pressure-testing decisions and perspectives with women who truly understand the nuances of this misunderstood and oversimplified field.

So, no, it’s not “just coaching”… it’s all of the things, because that’s what it takes to experience lasting impact in your career and life.

What happens after the year is complete?

The Surge is designed as a year-long experience because real change, deep trust, and meaningful connection take time.

That said, you’re not limited to a single year. Many women choose to renew for another year (or two.. or more – yes, really). As long as you have new goals and new challenges (which, we both know are plenty in this field), The Surge can help your rise to the occasion.

Alternatively, you can also continue your connection through The Breakwater and Shoreline communities, staying connected to the Raise the Tide™ ecosystem in a way that fits your next stage of your life or career.

Let’s Talk About The Investment

This isn’t a low-tier investment, but the results are anything but surface-level. I’m talking about promotions, budget increases, additional team members, dream roles, dream companies … and more.

The Surge is intentionally designed to be small, personal, and high-touch. The investment is somewhere in the low five figures for the year, and reflects a full year of leadership support, peer collaboration, and an in-person retreat. Many crew members secure full or partial funding through professional development budgets or employer sponsorship.

We’ll talk through the specifics and ensure it’s the right—for you, for the group, and for the experience as a whole—before we make any commitments.

You Don’t Need Another Networking Event
You Need To Find The right Crew

If this resonates, the next step is simple…

It’s not a sales call—it’s an opportunity to talk through where you are, what you want, and whether The Surge is the right support for you and your career.

Not Quite It?

If The Surge doesn’t sound like what you need, let’s find you what does.

Because if you’re a woman in communications, there’s a place for you in Raise the Tide™.