Celebrating Women’s History Month

MARCH 1 – 31, 2021

 webinars & resources
inspiring speakers
exclusive networking
inspiration + education + conversation

Thank you for attending!

Thank you to all of our valued sponsors and attendees for your participation in our WBENC 2021 Focus on the Future March event series. All registered attendees will have access to the on demand recordings of the session and the resources on the Chime platform through April 15, so if you missed any of the sessions you still have time to access them via Chime.

Throughout the month we explored a vast array of topics and had rich conversations that we will continue through a variety of ways as we move forward through 2021.  This word cloud is a summary of the items that are top of mind in our network.


Presenting Sponsors

About this Event

Focus on the Future

This year, WBENC is focused on the future — specifically, ensuring a successful and sustainable future for our network.

We are on a mission to help our constituents not only survive these uncertain times, but also grow and thrive.

Join us this March for an innovative virtual event series laser-focused on supporting our network of women business owners and those who support them.

What to Expect:

  • 31 days of exclusive content & resources
  • Networking opportunities with WBENC Corporate Members and WBEs
  • Executive education sessions with subject matter experts
  • Access to virtual networking and event platform
  • Exciting and inspirational celebratory events
  • Industry-focused spotlights and panel discussions
  • Important conversations on critical topics of importance to women business owners
Brought to you by
Daily Themes

EVERY TUESDAY

Breaking Down Barriers

Educational sessions for WBEs and Corporate Members alike on breaking down barriers for success.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

WBE Growth & Resiliency

Hear from inspirational and innovative WBEs in a weekly series of conversations, panel discussions, and WBE showcases.

EVERY THURSDAY

Real Talk

Open but guided discussions on important topics facing women entrepreneurs and supplier diversity leaders.

Schedule

Session Details

Click on the session names below to learn more about what’s happening each week of the event.

Week One
Celebratory Kickoff

Monday, March 1

12 PM – 2 PM EST

Join WBENC President & CEO Pamela Prince-Eason and special guests as we kick off a month of daily content and resources, weekly educational webinars, inspirational stories, and important conversations, as well as two special celebratory events showcasing the strength and resilience of our community.

Brought to you by Accenture, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EY, The ActOne Group, Ampcus Inc., and ICON Consultants 

 

 

Opportunities Impacting Systemic Barriers

Tuesday, March 2

2 PM – 4 PM

Explore WBE opportunities with WBENC Corporate Members created to break down barriers resulting from systemic challenges.

Brought to you by ExxonMobil

 

 

 

Staffing Industry Series: Part 1

Wednesday, March 3

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Over the course of this four-part series, WBENC will be bring together Certified WBEs and Corporate Members to provide an update on the state of staffing and insights on key topics, future-facing trends, challenges, and proposed solutions.

Join us for the opening session of this series for an overview of the staffing industry and an update on staffing in 2021.

Brought to you by ManpowerGroup and Robert Half

 

Special Live Edition of the Women Who Own It Podcast featuring Ann Ramakumaran

Wednesday, March 3

4 PM – 5 PM EST

Ann Ramakumaran, WBE Presenting Sponsor and CEO of Ampcus Inc., discusses the technology landscape and recent challenges and innovations during a special live edition of the Women Who Own It Podcast, hosted by Allison Maslan.

Brought to you by Ampcus Inc.

 

 

 

CPO Summit – Invitation Only

Thursday, March 4

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Open to WBENC National Corporate Member Chief Procurement Officers only.

Please contact Laura Swenson (lswenson@wbenc.org) for more information.

2021 Economic Outlook, brought to you by Wells Fargo

Thursday, March 4

12 PM – 1 PM EST

Join us for a presentation by Wells Fargo Economist, Shannon Seery, on the economic outlook for 2021. Shannon will provide analysis on the U.S. macro economy, with a special focus on international trade, corporate profits, and consumer spending, and answer your questions during this engaging Lunch and Learn session.

Brought to you by Wells Fargo

 

 

WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence Conversation Series: Part 1

Thursday, March 4

2 PM – 4 PM EST

WBENC LIFT is a new integrated education and funding program for women entrepreneurs to provide comprehensive financial support and resources.

During this four-part series, experts from the financial services industry will lead real conversations around topics critical to business resilience and recovery, including being bankable, cash flow, and access to capital for growth.

Understanding cashflow management for small businesses

This session will discuss methods for managing cash flow with a goal of understanding a range of traditional and nontraditional business funding resources that may fit your needs. In addition, The Cash Flow Game is an interactive workshop designed to review the difference between the income statement and the cash flow statement, assess the cash flow cycle and discuss methods for managing cash flow.

Brought to you by Capital One

 

Week 2
International Women's Day: Inclusive International Trade in 2021 and Beyond with UPS

Monday, March 8

10 AM – 11:30 AM EST

Join UPS for a three-part conversation on how inclusive international trade can empower women entrepreneurs to fuel global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We will explore the new U.S. administration’s positions on trade and what they might mean for women-owned businesses, followed by a keynote by UPS Chief Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer Laura Lane. The event will end with a discussion among several women entrepreneurs on how they have adapted their businesses throughout the pandemic era, and what changes they plan to make permanent in a post-COVID world.

Brought to you by UPS

 

 

 

 

International Women's Day Celebration: General Session

Monday, March 8

12 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Join us as we celebrate International Women’s Day! This general session will bring all attendees together for an exciting presentation followed by two concurrent sessions.

Brought to you by Accenture, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EY, The ActOne Group, Ampcus Inc., and ICON Consultants

 

 

 

International Women’s Day: Here to Stay – Resiliency and the Future of Travel with Marriott International

Monday, March 8

2 PM – 3 PM EST

Explore resiliency and the road to recovery with Marriott International in this robust session featuring a fireside chat with Erika Alexander, Chief Global Officer of Global Operations at Marriott International. This session will also feature an engaging panel on what to expect for the future of global travel and the hospitality industry.

Brought to you by Marriott International 

 

 

 

International Women's Day with IBM

Monday, March 8

2 PM – 3 PM EST

Learn how IBM is transforming the future of business and celebrating women entrepreneurs through a global commitment to diversity in its supply chain and thoughtful innovation.

Brought to you by IBM

 

 

How Merck is Driving the Global Economic and Social Empowerment of Women

Tuesday, March 9

2 PM – 3:30 PM EST

Our patients are as diverse as the communities we serve. Join Merck for an interactive conversation on how we are driving inclusion practices that expand beyond our workforce to our patients, suppliers, and communities. We will explore our holistic approach to diversity, equity and inclusion and how it is at the core of who we are and how we drive sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

Brought to you by Merck & Co. 

 

 

 

Women of Color: Gain Traction with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®)

Wednesday, March 10

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Presented in partnership with EOS Worldwide.

The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®), is a set of simple, practical, and proven business-building tools used by over 80,000 companies around the world to improve their business culture and operations. During this workshop, you will get clarity on how to run your business faster and better through core business functions that help you identify and communicate your vision, instill focus, discipline, and accountability throughout your company so that everyone executes on that vision, and recognize key people within your business to drive growth. Whether you are an established entrepreneur or a new business owner, join us to learn how to gain Traction® and grow your business using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®).

The WBENC Women of Color Program is an outreach and development program designed to build and strengthen a dynamic ecosystem for women of color entrepreneurs. While this session is targeted to women of color, all are welcome to attend.

Sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Southern California Edison, and Walmart Inc.

 

 

Staffing Industry Series: Part 2

Wednesday, March 10

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Over the course of this four-part series, WBENC will be bring together Certified WBEs and Corporate Members to provide an update on the state of staffing and insights on key topics, future-facing trends, challenges, and proposed solutions.

In this session, we will explore MSPs (Managed Service Providers) and best practices in navigating the MSP model.

Brought to you by ManpowerGroup and Robert Half

 

 

Doing Business with Utilities

Wednesday, March 10

12 PM – 1:30 PM EST

In this lunch & learn, DTE leaders will discuss the changes in their organization due to the pandemic and what is on the horizon for 2021.

Brought to you by DTE Energy

 

 

 

CPO Summit - Invitation Only

Thursday, March 11

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Open to WBENC National Corporate Member Chief Procurement Officers only.

Please contact Laura Swenson (lswenson@wbenc.org) for more information.

Corporate Conversation with PepsiCo

Thursday, March 11

2 PM – 3 PM EST

Join this session to hear from two dynamic female leaders in the Food & Beverage Industry, Melani Wilson-Smith, Chief Procurement Officer, PepsiCo and Mary McEvoy, VP, Head of Procurement – PepsiCo North American Beverages (PBNA), as they share insight on how the this industry was affected by the pandemic, how they navigated the challenging landscape, and what you need to know to capture the opportunities this “new normal” presents for diverse suppliers.

Brought to you by PepsiCo

 

 

 

WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence Conversation Series: Part 2

Thursday, March 11

2 PM – 4 PM EST

WBENC LIFT is a new integrated education and funding program for women entrepreneurs to provide comprehensive financial support and resources. During this four-part series, experts from the financial services industry will lead real conversations around topics critical to business resilience and recovery, including being bankable, cash flow, and access to capital for growth.

This session is focused on financial management as the CEO. Understand how to build an effective finance team and the right questions to ask and learn about tools to managing the roles of finance and accounting in your organization.

Brought to you by Pitney Bowes

 

 

Week Three
The State of Manufacturing

Tuesday, March 16

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Join this dynamic discussion to hear from leading supply chain executives about the most significant manufacturing and supply chain trends, and learn how major corporations and women entrepreneurs in manufacturing are responding.

We are pleased to feature the following leaders for this important discussion:

  • David Burton, President and CEO – Diverse Manufacturing Supply Chain Alliance
  • Raymond Kirton, Senior Director, Supply Chain Procurement MD Vision Franchises – Johnson & Johnson
  • L. D’Jeanne M. Yerrick, Procurement Director – Americas Ingredients & Indirect – McCormick & Company
  • Farida Ali, CEO – Dynamic Computer Corporation
  • Morgan Hartnell, Global Supply Chain Director – Intel Corporation
  • Patric H. Stadtfeld, Vice President and Head of Supply Chain Management, USA & Americas – Siemens Corporation
  • Hannah Kain, President and CEO – ALOM

In Partnership with the Diverse Manufacturing Supply Chain Alliance (DMSCA)

 

 

 

Breaking Down Barriers in the Automotive, Hospitality, and Logistics Industries

Tuesday, March 16

2 PM – 4 PM EST

This cross industry session will be focused on breaking down barriers through three different industry lenses, exploring pre-pandemic, 2020 and the future.

Brought to you by FedEx, MGM, and Nissan

 

 

 

Creating an Ethical Supply Chain

Wednesday, March 17

12 PM – 1 PM EST

Corporate buyers have become increasingly concerned about the products and services they purchase meeting ethical standards related to environmental stewardship, sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and better worker conditions. The information shared during this workshop will help your firm create an ethical supply chain that mirrors customer demands.

Brought to you by PG&E

Staffing Industry Series: Part 3

Wednesday, March 17

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Over the course of this four-part series, WBENC will be bring together Certified WBEs and Corporate Members to provide an update on the state of staffing and insights on key topics, future-facing trends, challenges, and proposed solutions.

In this session, we will discuss trends in staffing, including technology, direct sourcing, and more, as well as trending topics from sessions one and two.

Brought to you by ManpowerGroup and Robert Half

 

 

 

Special Live Edition of the Women Who Own It Podcast featuring Janice Bryant Howroyd

Wednesday, March 17

4 PM – 5 PM EST

Trailblazer Janice Bryant Howroyd, CEO of the ActOne Group discusses growth and resiliency during a special live edition of the Women Who Own It Podcast, hosted by Allison Maslan.

Brought to you by The ActOne Group

 

 

 

CPO Summit - Invitation Only

Thursday, March 18

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Open to WBENC National Corporate Member Chief Procurement Officers only.

Please contact Laura Swenson (lswenson@wbenc.org) for more information.

Connect. Inspire. Innovate: Women Mentoring Women

Thursday, March 18

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Imagine the possible if you can leverage the unique experiences, ideas, and skill sets of your suppliers with those within your organization. Imagine if this combination – while diverse – had one thing in common: all are women. At this session we will share what we discovered when we did just that. Join us and gain practical tips, techniques, and tools to develop your talent and suppliers for mutual benefit.

Brought to you by Johnson & Johnson

WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence Conversation Series: Part 3

Thursday, March 18

2 PM – 4 PM EST

WBENC LIFT is a new integrated education and funding program for women entrepreneurs to provide comprehensive financial support and resources. During this four part series, experts from the financial services industry will lead real real conversations around topics critical to the business resilience and recovery, including being bankable, cash flow, and access to capital for growth.

Reimagining Your Business Journey  – As business owners, there are many key financial considerations and decisions to make from early stage to emerging growth through exit/succession planning.  In this interactive session, you will hear from an All-Star panel of Bank of America executives who will discuss the components of a women’s financial journey and how embracing changes can help evolve your business, support your team, and set yourself up for financial wellness and success.

Brought to you by Bank of America

 

 

Conversations with the Kellogg Company: Women in Leadership

Thursday, March 18

2 PM – 4 PM EST

In this dynamic session, we will explore the personal and professional journeys of women in leadership positions – and share some of the challenges, lessons learned, and insights along the way. First, hear from Charisse Ford Hughes, Senior Vice-President and Global Chief Marketing Officer for Kellogg Company, in an intimate fireside chat with Candace Waterman, President & CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Then a panel of experts from the Kellogg Company representing various fields will join the conversation to discuss their personal leadership journeys and share industry insights relevant to women entrepreneurs.

Brought to you by the Kellogg Company

 

Week Four
Toyota's Commitment to Women and Women-Owned Businesses

Tuesday, March 23

2 PM – 3:30 PM EST

Hear from some of Toyota’s executives as they share their commitment to women and WBEs. This panel discussion will include key women who have helped to move the needle in keeping WBEs an area of focus in Toyota’s Supplier Diversity journey. Also, learn about stories of perseverance from two of Toyota’s WBE partners and how they’re navigating their companies through a global pandemic. For over 30 years, Toyota has demonstrated a strong commitment to Supplier Diversity. Partnering with women-owned businesses has been an integral part in fulfilling Toyota’s mission of “Mobility for All.”

Brought to you by TOYOTA

 

 

NextGen Session: Strategies for Growth in Uncertain Times

Tuesday, March 23

2 PM – 3:30 PM EST

In this session, hear from two inspiring WBEs, Psyche Terry, founder of Urban Hydration, and Dr. Jackie Darna, CEO of NoMo Nausea, as they share bold strategies for growing their businesses throughout the pandemic, and provide helpful tips for women entrepreneurs that will help them thrive in 2021 and beyond.

Brought to you by Walmart

WBENCPitch Academy: Elevate Your Pitch with Office Depot

Wednesday, March 24

12 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Mastering your pitch is a critical foundational element for any business owner or career professional. This session will help you hone your pitch, refine the structure of your message, and improve your presentation skills.

Brought to you by Office Depot

 

 

 

 

Women of Color: The Art of the Capabilities Statements, in Partnership with the Women's Business Council Southwest (WBCS)

Wednesday, March 24

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Presented in partnership with the Women’s Business Council Southwest (WBCS)

Capabilities statements are a key requirement in the pre-qualification for government projects, private sector major projects, and sub-contractor work. Join us to learn from Fortune 500 corporate leaders how to develop a capabilities statement that stands out and effectively communicates your company’s strengths. You will also gain firsthand insights from WBEs who have successfully utilized capabilities statements to secure contracts and grow their businesses.

The WBENC Women of Color Program is an outreach and development program designed to build and strengthen a dynamic ecosystem for women of color entrepreneurs. While this session is targeted to women of color, all are welcome to attend.

Sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Southern California Edison, and Walmart Inc.

 

 

Staffing Industry Series: Part 4

Wednesday, March 24

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Over the course of this four-part series, WBENC will be bring together Certified WBEs and Corporate Members to provide an update on the state of staffing and insights on key topics, future-facing trends, challenges, and proposed solutions.

Brought to you by ManpowerGroup and Robert Half

 

 

 

CPO Summit - Invitation Only

Thursday, March 25

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Open to WBENC National Corporate Member Chief Procurement Officers only.

Please contact Laura Swenson (lswenson@wbenc.org) for more information.

WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence Conversation Series: Part 4

Thursday, March 25

 2 PM – 4 PM EST

WBENC LIFT is a new integrated education and funding program for women entrepreneurs to provide comprehensive financial support and resources. During this four part series, experts from the financial services industry will lead real real conversations around topics critical to the business resilience and recovery, including being bankable, cash flow, and access to capital for growth.

Join us for this final LIFT session for conversations with industry professionals on survival capital and growth capital. Come hear what you need to know about how to access capital and learn what funding is right for you, whether you need to sustain or accelerate the growth of your business.

Brought to you by Wells Fargo & Company

 

 

Veteran Women of WBENC: The Value of Engaging Women Vets in the Supply Chain

Thursday, March 25

 2 PM – 4 PM EST

Veteran women-owned businesses bring a lot to the table as suppliers to corporate America. Hear about the journey of these entrepreneurs as well as Corporate Members who are leveraging their unique skillsets to meet their objectives.

Delivered in partnership with the National Veteran Business Association (NaVOBA).

Brought to you by Vistra Energy

 

 

 

 

Week Five
CAPAX & WBENC Smart Tank Accelerator

Tuesday, March 30

12 PM – 4 PM EST

Do you have a product or product prototype you are looking to scale?

Would $10,000 cash and experts in packaging, supply chain management, digital marketing, retail sales, customer experience, and D2C help?

Get ready for the CAPAX Accelerator Program event, Smart Tank, hosted by WBENC and sponsored by CAPAX Ventures, a subsidiary of Accel Inc., Smart Tank is your opportunity to pitch your product or idea and win cash, free consulting, and the infrastructure of a suite of support around your brand — so you can focus your energy and capital on growth activities.

How do I participate?

All WBENC-Certified WBEs and female founder friends of WBENC entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply!

  • Complete the application before March 15 
  • On March 22, we will notify ten (10) finalists to participate in a live virtual pitch competition on March 30 during the WBENC 2021 Focus on the Future event series.
  • On April 9, a panel of judges from WBENC and CAPAX will announce the winners via video message!

Learn More & Apply

 

WBENC March 2021 Grand Finale

Wednesday, March 31

2 PM – 4 PM EST

Grand Finale Roundtable Discussions

2:00 – 2:55 PM EST

After a full month of expert insights and many meaningful discussions about the state of women-owned businesses, we will wrap up this event with a series of conversations focused on how we can carry the momentum forward. Join one of ten topic-focused round table discussions with fellow attendees to make your voice heard, share your story and perspective, and hear from other business leaders across the country. Each dynamic roundtable discussion will be moderated by a leader within the WBENC network. Stay tuned for more details about the ten roundtable topics!

Grand Finale Report Out and Wrap Up

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

Following the Roundtable Discussions, we will come together one last time for a final wrap-up of the March 2021: Focus on the Future event series. During this capstone session, WBENC President & CEO Pamela Prince-Eason will help bring together insights and ideas from each of the roundtable discussions, while we chart a successful and sustainable path forward for women entrepreneurs. Continue to make your voice heard in the chat and via live polls. This session will be the true culmination of this entire event series – you won’t want to miss it!

Brought to you by Accenture, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EY, The ActOne Group, Ampcus Inc., and ICON Consultants

Speakers

For this event series, we are bringing together experts from across the WBENC network to lead sessions, participate in panel discussions, and engage with attendees. Hear from corporate leaders, successful women entrepreneurs, buyers, procurement professionals, and more.

Cost
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FAQs
Is there a per session rate available if I cannot attend all sessions?

The rates are inclusive of the entire month of programming and all sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on demand after session completion until April 15, 2021. 

How would I obtain a coupon code for the event?

WBENC has already discounted the registration at 50% of our standard March event fees. The coupon code entry is for sponsors who have generously contributed to make this month-long event possible. 

Will the sessions be recorded?

Yes, all sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on demand after session completion until April 15, 2021. 

Do I need a special app to access the event?

The event is hosted on the Chime Live platform and you do not need a special app. Registered attendees will be provided a link and login credentials on February 22, 2021, or shortly following registration if registering after February 22. This email will come from mobilesolutions@psav.live.

Some sessions will be hosted on Zoom. To participate, you will access the Zoom link in the session description in the schedule on Chime. 

What is Chime Live?

Chime Live is the virtual event platform where registered attendees will access all WBENC 2021 event sessions and network with fellow attendees.

Registered event attendees will receive an email from mobilesolutions@psav.live with information on how to login to Chime.

  • All attendees who registered before February 22, 2021, will receive their Chime login instructions on February 22.
  • All attendees who register after February 22, 2021, will receive their Chime login instructions within 24 hours of registering.

If you registered for the event and did not receive the email with Chime login instructions, please contact mobilesolutions@encoreglobal.com.

Learn more how to use Chime here.

 

Will I receive updates to the schedule if it changes?

This website and the Chime Live platform will have the most up to date schedule information, so be sure to check frequently. There will also be an email sent to all attendees each week with the upcoming week’s schedule.  

Contact Us

Questions about this event? Contact us at wbenccustsvc@wbenc.org.