It's the ultimate old boys' club: an exclusive group open only to corporate executives controlling $50 million in annual revenue or entrepeneurs whose businesses take in $10 million a year.

But this is an old boys club without the boys: the Chicago-based Committee of 200 is open only to women.

Once just a networking organization, the group, which now boasts 380 members, has become a powerful lobby for women in business and recently made headlines after engineering a new $1 million initiative at Harvard Business School (HBS).

C200's initiative will sponsor the creation of case studies featuring women.

Marjorie Alfus, a former K-Mart executive and the C200 member spearheading the project, hopes to have the first case study ready next fall, and over 100 in circulation within five years.

Case studies are in-depth looks at real-life business problems. Using the information provided, HBS students discuss the solutions they would pursue in such situations.

Because they form the basis of HBS classroom instruction, changes in case studies can significantly affect the way graduates approach business relationships.

Harvard's case studies are also used elsewhere in industry and academia, and C200 believes the new cases will influence students both in Boston and worldwide.

"Harvard cases are used quite extensively...around the world," said Michelle Hooper, a former chair of the organization. "The [new cases] will have a tremendous impact."

The Evolution of an Organization

For most of its 15-year existence, the Committee of 200 (C200) has worked quietly behind the scenes, sponsoring conferences and dinners for female executives. The organization served as a support organization for women in business. According to C200's current president, Anna Lloyd, members could "talk to each other and share ideas and business tips."

In recent years the group has expanded its mission.

As Michelle Hooper explained, more focus is now directed to "giving back in a more permanent way."

"There was a very strong view on the part of C200 that it was time for us to move outward in our ability to share the success of the women who are members," said Susan W. Bird, a member of the C200 executive board and a former president of the organization.

The group began by initiating a series of conferences on women in business for students of all ages. Schools such as Columbia University and the Wharton School have hosted the C200 conferences. The fifth annual Columbia conference will be held this month.