WBEC Greater DMV

Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth! 🎉 We want to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of our many Hispanic members and are so glad to have you as a part of our wonderful network. 🧡 Did you know that despite ongoing barriers related to the racial equity gap, between 2019 and 2023, the 2 MILLION Hispanic and Latino women-owned businesses in the U.S., employing 845K and generating $175.2 Billion, grew by 17.1% compared to all women-owned businesses' 12.1% rise, according to Wells Fargo's research 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses?📈 (🔗https://bit.ly/4eHilM4) To harness this momentum, apply to our #Amplify Latina Program, designed for entrepreneurs who identify as Latina Business Owners, both WBENC Certified and non-certified, for support with: >Overcoming biases in business >Addressing the lack of representation >Accessing mentorship >Navigating networking challenges >Securing resources & capital Find out more here (and apply before October 15th!) 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/47Pu2hr #LatinaWomenInBusiness

Today we're celebrating our network member, Wendy Wellener! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Wendy is Vice President Shared Services and Chief Procurement Officer, responsible for supply chain management, supplier diversity, and fleet acquisition and specifications, facilities management and real estate services Dominion Energy, one of our Shining Star Sponsors. She is a member of the WBEC DMV board, and serves as the executive sponsor of Dominion Energy’s Women’s Resource Group, We3.   Having joined Dominion Energy as a co-op student all the way back in 1986, Wendy became a full-time employee in 1990. She has since spent the majority of her career at the company with Human Resources, where she focused on total rewards, benefits and compensation design and strategy, employee relations, and leadership of business engagement teams. Wendy received the Executive Sponsor of the Year award in 2020, given by the Diversity Impact Awards, in recognition of her efforts to improve diversity and inclusion. Under Wendy’s leadership, Dominion Energy's diversity spend has increased from $586M in 2017 to $1.43B in 2023! 👏🏼 Congratulations on all you have achieved so far, Wendy - and thank you for your contribution to the WBEC NY-DMV community! 💙 #Diversity #HumanResources #WomenInBusiness

Is your company 51+% women-owned or women-operated?   Imagine having access to: 🤝Supplier diversity and procurement opportunities. 👭Networking events with like-minded women entrepreneurs. 💰Leadership development programs. 📈Exclusive resources to grow and scale your business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your business and join a community dedicated to your success. Find out more at our webinar on September 12, 1-2pm! 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3yK9HgF

On next week: #Convergence2024, hosted by one of our Shining Star Sponsors Dominion Energy, is a supplier diversity expo and job fair with more than 75 exhibitors participating! Convergence will be held on September 10th from 10am – 2pm at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. This event allows small and diverse suppliers the opportunity to develop relationships with decision makers and discuss upcoming opportunities. You'll be able to join breakout sessions to learn more about how to do business with reputable companies like Dominion Energy, as well as others including Capital One, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Burns & McDonnell, and more. Convergence also offers a job fair where 16 corporations will be on hand to discuss employment opportunities, so wherever you are in your career journey right now, there should be something for you here. You don't want to miss this. Register now! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dEDVCiBw

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here! 🎉 We’re beyond excited to announce the top four winners of this year’s WBENC Pitch competition for the Greater DMV region: 🥇 1st Place: Stacy Fritz, FIT2order, LLC – Stacy and Pattie Sassano launched Fit2Order in 2008 with a mission to help employees fit "healthy" into their work-lifestyles, no matter the time constraints or demands of their work culture. 🥈 2nd Place: Queirra Fenderson, PCC, The Ambition Studio – Leaders in unapologetic, burnout-free coaching, The Ambition Studio is transforming the narrative for ambitious women, helping them thrive without the burnout. 🥉 3rd Place: Dr. Jovan Jackson, Good News Financial & Investment Advisors believes everyone deserves to live their dream retirement. They offer financial advice to help clients build a confident and secure financial future. 🏅 4th Place: Quinn Conyers, Speak to Society – A training and development company specializing in business communications, Speak to Society teaches leaders and professionals how to convert conversations into clients and contracts. Each of these outstanding businesses offer essential support to navigate the complexities of modern working life. After an intense Live Virtual Pitch on August 14, these winners are now moving on to the WBENC national semi-finals and finals for a chance to win $25,000! A huge congratulations to all of you! 🎉 Your hard work and innovation are not only advancing your own businesses but also inspiring the entire DMV community. We’re proud to have you as part of our network and look forward to seeing your continued success! Find out more 👉🏽 (https://bit.ly/4cMXXI0) #WBENCPitch #WomenEntrepreneurs #WorkLifeBalance

We’re thrilled to welcome Fawn Weaver, CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc. , as our keynote speaker for PART ONE of an extraordinary conversation—one so impactful, it begins in Metro New York and concludes in Greater DMV! 🎉 Fawn Weaver is one of only five African American women in U.S. history to build a $1B+ company from the ground up. She is the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc., the fastest-growing American whiskey brand ever, and the bestselling spirit brand of all time founded by an African American. Secure your seat now for the Grand GALA-xy Luncheon and be part of this unforgettable moment as we celebrate 25 years of empowering women-owned businesses to thrive. Register now! ➡ https://bit.ly/4cLBU4D We can’t wait to see you there! 🥂

Is your company 51+% women-owned or women-operated? Imagine having access to: 🤝Supplier diversity and procurement opportunities. 👭Networking events with like-minded women entrepreneurs. 💰Leadership development programs. 📈Exclusive resources to grow and scale your business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your business and join a community dedicated to your success. Find out more at our webinar on September 12, 1-2pm! 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3yK9HgF

🚨 Exciting News for WBEs 🚨 WBEC NY DMV is proud to announce the launch of our new program, Expert Connect, geared towards strengthening support and networks between WBEs and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Expert Connect is a great way for WBEs to share their organizational needs and objects with SMEs who can offer subject area expertise and resource to support the success of WBEs. This exclusively virtual coaching program will enable WBE's to create meaningful connections with SMEs through 30-minute One-on-One sessions. While mentees gain a growing network and support for their CSR goals, mentors will be able to enhance their: ● 👩🏫 Masterful mentorship ● 💼 Professional Growth ●📄 And Company Profile Ready to get started? Our Expert Connect program is currently seeking passionate SME's who are interested in being mentors. Apply to be an Expert Connect Mentor here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3yk3zLB Interested in being a mentee? Those interested can sign up for our Expert Connect Mentee Waitlist here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3yvDQQm

🥁✨Introducing the top 10 WBEs of the Greater DMV region!🥁✨ In no particular order: Speak to Society (Quinn Conyers)  The Ambition Studio (Queirra Fenderson, PCC) 2Betties (Bridget Greaney) MsPsGFree.com (Lisa Marsh) INFINITY EMPOWERMENT SERVICES (Beverly Grandison) In Full Bloom Health and Life Coaching (Marcea Burnette Whitaker MD) Homemade in DC (Mackenzie Loy) Good News Financial & Investment Advisors LLC (Dr. Jovan Jackson) FIT2order, LLC (Stacy Fritz) EriTea (Ruth B. Williams, LCPC) These amazing WBEs will now present their businesses to corporate members in a virtual live setting for a chance to compete in the WBENC semi-finals. Join us on August 14th to watch the inspiring pitches, network, and find out the winners! Find out more! 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3Y65lL3 Register here! 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/45QGxIA

When women in business get together, magical things happen. That's why we can't wait for this year's Supplier Diversity Summit, hosted by our friends at Capital One! Get ready to: 🧠 Learn about procurement and diversity trends as well as Capital One category strategies and gain a greater understanding of where opportunities exist to do business with Capital One. 🤝 Connect with other diverse business owners, Capital One leaders, corporate and community partners, and non-diverse business owners to network. 💬 Engage in discussions designed to drive forward our common purpose of increasing economic growth for diverse-owned businesses. Will we see you there? 🗓 Deadline to apply: August 30th Find out more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eV8qRngH