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Demonstrate your commitment to the continued growth and success of women-owned businesses. Become a National Conference sponsor!With more than 4,500 attendees and 60,000 WBENC contacts, sponsorship provides tremendous visibility for your organization. Our attendees are comprised of women business owners and their staff, corporate executives and purchasing decision-makers, as well as representatives from government agencies and advocacy organizations. All sponsors are recognized on the web and social media. Sponsors may also be recognized in the News section of WBENC.org, in print, on on-site event signage and/or in media coverage.
At WBENC, our mission is to fuel economic growth by identifying, certifying, and facilitating the development of women-owned businesses. The commitment and support from our valued sponsors allows us to continue to grow our programming, enhance our event experiences, and provide relevant resources to develop women entrepreneurs and their supporters.
To be eligible to participate as a sponsor, you must fall into one of the following categories:
Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 733,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
Nedra Dickson, Managing Director, leads Accenture’s Global Supplier Diversity and Sustainability Programs across 20 countries. Nedra is also responsible for Europe Procurement Operations in 30 countries.
A seasoned and awarded executive, Nedra possesses over 20 years of Technology Consulting, Operations Management, Procurement Sourcing and Category Management experience with Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries. With strong expertise in Procurement transformation and Supplier Relationship Management, she has managed over $2B in contingent labor spend.
Within her current roles, Nedra oversees Accenture’s procurement opportunities with diverse-owned businesses globally. Nedra is credited for expanding Accenture’s award-winning and world-renown dedicated diverse supplier mentoring program – Diverse Supplier Development Program (DSDP). This program represents customized curriculum set around helping to grow and develop diverse businesses, to support their successful integration into Accenture’s global supply chain. This program is currently operating in six geographies (US, Canada, UK, South Africa, Ireland, and India), with expansions to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Mexico in 2021. Nedra also leads Procurement operations end to end in Europe leading over $2.5B in Procurement spend. This entails sourcing, category management and operations.
“We are purposeful and create valued partnerships. Our partnership with WBENC and the WBEs in our supply chain are important to enable us to continue our mission. Value is the impact we’re making in the communities we live, work and serve.””
At Bristol Myers Squibb, we believe in the power of science to address some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Our focus on these unmet needs comes during a remarkable time, when unprecedented scientific breakthroughs are advancing the treatment of disease as never before in human history.
We work every day to transform patients’ lives through science. Each day, our employees around the world work together for patients – they are at the center of everything we do. They inspire us. They are the reason we come to work each day. We combine the agility of a biotech with the reach and resources of an established pharmaceutical company to create a global leading biopharma company powered by talented individuals who drive scientific innovation.
We are proud of the advancements we have made in oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease, and we are dedicated to helping patients prevail over serious diseases through our diverse and promising pipeline and new scientific platforms.
Rondu Vincent is an Executive Director, Global Supplier Diversity & Sustainability at Bristol Myers Squibb. In this role, he leads an award-winning program that is responsible for all internal & external supplier diversity and small business operations, community outreach and strategy alignment with Bristol Myers Squibb’s inclusive Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Organization. Rondu is also responsible for supporting the company’s procurement sustainability goals, including specific standards for suppliers regarding social responsibility, environmental stewardship, ethical practices and governance.
Rondu Vincent has won many accolades for his work in the industry. Most recently he was recognized by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) as a “We Work For Health Champion” for his work in Bristol Myers Squibb’s COVID-19’s philanthropic response, including working to secure over $1 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers and supporting small and diverse suppliers impacted by the pandemic. He also won the 2020 Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year by the Disability:IN organization. His past awards include 2019 Program Manager of the Year Award by Diversity Alliance for Science, 2019 Champion of Change recognized by Accenture, 2019 Hero of Pride, recognized by The Mixx – for 2019 World Pride, 2016 Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year Award by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and 2014 Advocate of The Year Award by The New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council (The Council).
“Chevron is proud to Co-Chair the 2024 WBENC National Conference in Denver, home to our Rocky Moutain Business Unit. Our sponsorship reflects Chevron’s commitment to the WBENC network and women’s business development – both at the national and regional partner organization level. We know an outstanding event is being planned that will provide a great opportunity for engagement that advances our mutual success and growth.”
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. To advance a lower-carbon future, we are focused on cost-efficiently lowering our carbon intensity, increasing renewables and offsets in support of our business, and investing in low-carbon technologies that enable commercial solutions. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com
David Feldman, Supplier Diversity Advisor in P/SCM is a long-time Chevron employee with current responsibility for managing Chevron’s Supplier Diversity program which advocates for the utilization and development of local, small, and diverse suppliers to support the company’s international and domestic operations. Feldman assumed this role in 2014 where he promotes an inclusive work environment and a supply chain reflective of the communities where Chevron operates. Dave represents Chevron with the local, small, and diverse supplier community and national and local nonprofit advocacy organizations.
Dave previously held positions with Chevron Policy, Government and Public Affairs where he managed Chevron community engagement and social investment initiatives at the company’s headquarter locations in the San Francisco Bay area and in Houston. Dave also previously held responsible positions with Chevron’s Energy Technology Company.
David is a native Houstonian, attended public schools in Houston, and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin.
“Leading companies are embracing sustainability and ESG not just to put a brake on harmful practices but also to accelerate business and societal transformation and to protect and create value. By focusing on benefits and embedding sustainability in all business functions, companies can discover new sources of competitive advantage. As Co-Chair of the WBENC 2024 National Conference, I’m proud of EY’s efforts to elevate and educate women-owned businesses on ESG strategies to support their business growth and build innovative solutions for EY, our clients, and communities around us. We look forward to connecting at the conference and building a better working world.”
Ernst & Young LLP exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.
Velislava Ivanova is a highly experienced professional in environmental, health, safety, and sustainability consulting, boasting a career spanning 25 years. She is recognized as an accomplished sustainability practitioner with a global perspective. Veli is a prominent speaker at conferences, authoring numerous publications on ESG and sustainability topics. She received notable accolades, including being named among the Top 100 Women in Sustainability by Sustainability Magazine in both April 2022 and March 2023, and ranking #2 among the Top 25 Sustainability Leaders in Consulting for 2022.
Veli’s expertise lies in guiding Fortune 500 clients across various industries in developing and implementing robust sustainability strategies and programs, focusing on embedding sustainability throughout their value chains and products. As the EY Americas Chief Sustainability Officer, she plays a key role in advancing EY’s sustainability goals, benefiting both the firm and its clients. Veli leads the EY Americas Climate Change and Sustainability Services Practice, overseeing a team of over 500 professionals and driving growth across the Americas. She also serves as the EY Liaison Delegate at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Prior to joining EY, Veli held leadership positions in global environmental engineering and consulting firms, where she played pivotal roles in practice growth, solution development, talent management, and client delivery. Her career began in Bulgaria, where she managed operations for a global environmental consulting and engineering firm, gaining extensive international experience in sustainability efforts.
“Wells Fargo is honored to serve as a co-chair for WBENC’s 2024 National Conference. We believe diversity promotes innovation, opens doors, and creates partnerships that fuel the economy. This annual event is a unique opportunity to learn, network, connect and celebrate with women owned businesses, supplier diversity professionals and industry leaders.”
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 47 on Fortune’s 2023 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy.
Ron joined Wells Fargo in September 2023, and leads Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Sustainability for the company. Previously, Ron led Strategic Sourcing for Honeywell International’s Global Real Estate and Facilities. He managed a team responsible for Sourcing and Supplier Management functions supporting Honeywell operations in 70 countries.
His career includes Supply Chain leadership roles at multinational corporations including Bank of America, AIG, Delta Air Lines and Procter & Gamble. He is passionate about Supplier Development and has led the implementation of several highly effective Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Sustainability Programs in the Banking Industry.
Ron received his B.A. with honors from Morehouse College and earned his M.B.A. in Marketing from Florida A&M University. He has an impressive record of community involvement including serving on the Boards of 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte, Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council, and the Institute for Supply Management. Ron’s outside interests include travel, marketing, and youth sports.
“Serving as Co-Chair at WBENC 2023 is an easy decision because it’s the ‘only’ decision! Supporting women to grow businesses and ourselves while enabling customers to receive the best innovative, quality solutions available – Done!”
ActOne Group’s mission is to become the business community’s global partner in providing forward-thinking talent and resource-management solutions. By leveraging the expertise of the various companies of the ActOne Group, our clients can access the powerful potential of today’s diverse global workforce.
Janice Bryant Howroyd, fondly known as JBH, is the first African American woman to found and build a multi-billion dollar company. ActOne Group, a $3.4 billion (USD) workforce solutions organization, operates in over 32 countries, engaging some of the world’s best technologies and systems to support organizations of all sizes and provide jobs and careers for millions of workers across the globe. She leads from a culture of humanity, discipline, and excellence instilled by her parents and uses her presence as a connector of humanity, saying, “Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally!”
“Supply chains are under scrutiny. Do you have reliable suppliers and are they close to where products are needed? Do they have contingency plans and bring needed innovation? Do their business practices support your ESG goals? Some of us have been asking these questions and solving these challenges for years. That is why ALOM has 80% of our U.S. suppliers within 100 miles of our facilities. It is one of the reasons why we have an aggressive ESG program and a history of uninterrupted delivery.
As a WBENC Conference co-chair I look forward to welcoming you to Denver to showcase your accomplishments, write new business, and learn from each other during this important week.”
ALOM is a supply chain management services provider, serving as a strategic partner to its Fortune 500 clients in the technology, automotive, life sciences, and highly regulated industry sectors. Headquartered in Fremont, CA, its teams operate globally from 19 locations.
Committed to environmental and social responsibility, ALOM manages the physical supply chain from procurement, inventory, production/kitting, digital media and print, to omni-channel fulfillment and returns. ALOM seamlessly integrates digital and financial supply chain streams deploying e-commerce and payment solutions, visibility tools, data management, and back-end reporting.
ALOM is proud to deliver its clients’ products impeccably and uphold their brand reputations.
Prior to founding ALOM in 1997 in Fremont, California, Hannah Kain held various management and executive positions dating back to 1983, with a wide range of experience in the packaging industry since 1990.
Ms. Kain’s unwavering focus is on customer commitment and quality while challenging her team to deliver a competitive advantage for the customer. This focus led to ALOM receiving ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 14064-1 certification, and expanding the ALOM footprint to five continents. It has also fostered many long-term customer and business relationships.
Ms. Kain has extensive international management experience, membership, and involvement in numerous governmental and educational agencies and business groups. She is a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers, WBEC-Pacific, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) where she also serves as 1st Vice Chair of the WBENC Forum. She is the board chair of How Women Lead – Silicon Valley and serves on the Advisory Council of Heritage Bank of Commerce. Kain is a member of the exclusive invitation-only Committee of 200 (C200) for executive women.
“Ampcus has been Co-Chairing this national event for many years now. We see a lot of benefit as we get an opportunity to network and build a continuous relationship with the corporate decision makers. At this event we have also met other Woman and Minority business leaders with who we have formed not only a mentor-protege relationship but we have also done business with them. The schedule of WBENC is packed and is full of information. I would strongly recommend my WBENC sisters to attend and avail the opportunity to do business with each other and with corporates.”
ABOUT AMPCUS Inc.Ampcus is a global Business, Technology consulting and a staff augmentation firm headquartered in Chantilly VA 25 miles west of Washington DC ,with 16 customer support offices in the US ,global delivery centers, innovation labs and a workforce of over 2200 employees Ampcus and Ampcus owned subsidiaries continue to bring positive impact in the lives of over 80 of the fortune 100/1000 companies, agencies and non profits. We provide innovative, cost effective quality and sustainable solutions and services with focus on Intelligent Automation, Cybersecurity & Risk Management, Infrastructure Modernization, Testing and Staffing services.
Ann Ramakumaran is the Founder and CEO of Ampcus Inc. Ann is a technology-savvy entrepreneur with more than 20 years of design, development and delivery of innovative and leading-edge Technology Solutions and Human Capital Management across the globe. Under her leadership, she has cultivated Ampcus and Ampcus group of companies into a fast-growing Consulting and Professional Services organization. For eleven consecutive years she has been recognized as a top Asian American owned business by USPAACC and for over twelve consecutive years has been honored as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned and Women Led Business in the CONUS by the Women Presidents Organization. Under Ann’s leadership, Ampcus has made the Inc. 500/5000 list and has been recognized as a Top Diversity Business. Ann was also awarded Women in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year by WIT and most recently was inducted into the Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of Fame and Capital Region’s Hall of Fame. Ann has also received the Chairman’s Award for Inspirational Leadership from CRMSDC and the President’s Award from WPEO, the Global Growth Award from Astra Women’s Business Alliance, Supplier of the Year Award from GMSDC, Top Asian American Business Award from USPAACC-SE and USPAACC-SW, CRMSDC Supplier of the Year, NMSDC Supplier of the Year and NMSDC MBE of the Year, MBDA Minority Business Enterprise of the Year . In 2019, Ampcus became part of the NMSDC’S elite Corporate Plus Program.
Ann serves on the National Board of WBENC, Board of Greater Washington Partnership CRMSDC Board, WBEC DMV/NY Board, CWE Board, USPAACC Scholarship Committee. She has been a speaker at numerous National and Local Procurement and Diversity and Technology Conferences. In addition, Ann has mentored several women and minority start up’s in an effort to help them grow their business. Ann holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business and Commercial Management from India and has completed Executive Management from the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond Virginia and an Advance Management from the Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University Illinois.
“The power of the WBENC National Conference is undeniable. Year-after-year we continue to see value in the connections we make. By co-chairing it allows us the opportunity contribute to and benefit from the amazing WBENC network.”
M. Davis is a 5th generation industrial construction company that is leading the way as a new breed of industrial provider for global corporations, regional leaders and government agencies.
With a focus on safety and quality workmanship, our complete construction, fabrication and maintenance capabilities produce customized, turnkey solutions for mechanical, electrical and control systems. Our comprehensive engineering and technology solutions ensure quality, enhance output and achieve efficiencies. M. Davis is headquartered in Delaware with additional manufacturing plants in the Mid-Atlantic region, that allow for global reach in fabrication and manufacturing.
After over 20 years of leadership positions with M. Davis & Sons, Inc., Peggy Del Fabbro assumed the role of CEO in 2008. She is the 5th generation of the Davis family to lead M. Davis, which is now in its 153rd year in business. Peggy works to distinguish the construction company in the marketplace through an unwavering commitment to safety and quality, and through a forward-thinking approach to sustainability and the future of construction.
In 2009 Peggy made the decision to pursue certification as a Woman Owned Business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) to set her company apart from other contractors. Peggy promotes diversity by participating in a wide variety of roles in support of WBENC, most recently as Chair of the Women’s Enterprise Forum for WBENC. She has been recognized on the regional and national level as a leader in the women owned business community.
Peggy currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Delaware Valley Chapter, The Brandywine Valley SPCA Advisory Board, and the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
“We, at Pinnacle Global Network, are so delighted to Co-Chair the 2024 WBENC Conference in Denver. WBENC has been an intrinsic part of our own support system over the past several years so we are excited to do our part to help them create the most memorable conference ever. Amplify is the perfect theme because it signifies growth, visibility, relationships and scaling, exactly what we love to do most! If you are ready to start opening doors to bigger opportunities than you ever though possible, you will not want to miss WBENC Conference 2024!”
The Pinnacle Global Network boasts a team of highly accomplished CEO Mentors that support business owners worldwide to scale their companies. Together, they share a common dedication to assisting established business owners in refining their strategic vision, optimizing and driving up cash flow, nurturing team-managed enterprises, fostering world-class leadership, and streamlining operations with precision. Their unwavering commitment, extensive experience, and on-going strategic support for their members are exemplified by a proven track record, extremely high retention and having successfully guided thousands of companies in scaling their businesses to new heights. Pinnacle Global Network is one of Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies for the past 2 years.
Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, was recently named “One of the 10 Women Entrepreneurs to watch in 2023,” by Forbes Magazine. She is the Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank. Allison’s built 10 successful companies over the last 40 years.
For the past 15 years, she and her team of CEO Business Mentors in Pinnacle Global Network have helped over 150,000 Founders and Leadership Teams scale their companies, fast-track their success and create a more meaningful life.
Allison has been featured in Inc., Success, Fortune, Fast Company, and Forbes Magazines, is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and a featured expert on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and Fox across the US. She is also the host and producer of The SCALEit Method Podcast and the Women Who Own It Podcast on behalf of WBENC.
“The WBENC National Conference is an amazing opportunity for women-owned businesses to gain information and inspiration and to truly AMPLIFY their ability to connect with new opportunities! Attending the WBENC National Conference has been a pillar of Pinnacle Group’s annual calendar for many years and is one of the keys to our success in becoming the largest Latina-owned provider in our industry.”
Pinnacle Group is the largest Latina-owned and led global workforce solutions provider. Founded by Nina Vaca in 1996, Pinnacle Group’s core services include talent acquisition and management, managed services (MSP), and employer/agent of record services. With an unwavering commitment to client service and a specialty in analytics and emerging technologies, Pinnacle Group provides transformational outcomes to primarily Fortune 500 clients and other large buyers of contingent workforce solutions. Pinnacle Group was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the US 13 times and was named the fastest-growing women-owned/led company in the country by the Women Presidents’ Organization twice.
Nina Vaca personifies the American Dream as a trailblazing Latina entrepreneur, a world-changing philanthropist, and a dynamic global leader.
Nina founded Pinnacle Group in 1996 and has served as its Chairman and CEO for over two decades. During those two decades Pinnacle has grown rapidly. What started as a one-woman IT staffing firm has grown into a workforce solutions powerhouse providing multiple service lines to industry leaders in the telecommunications, financial services, transportation, and technology industries. In 2007, Pinnacle began providing services nationwide and in 2009 entered the Canada market. Today Pinnacle is expanding internationally to serve clients in Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Pinnacle has been included in the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies 13 times and in 2015 and 2018 it was named the fastest-growing women-owned/led company by the Women Presidents’ Organization.
Being a member of WBENC and attending the annual conferences has provided an invaluable opportunity to meet with other women business owners for peer support, to learn from corporate and wbe experts in many different areas and to meet with corporate representatives who want to work with small businesses. The friendliness and knowledge in this group is unmatched!
ABOUT RHONDA SARGENT
Rhonda Sargent has been a trailblazer in the collections industry for over three and a half decades. In 1991, driven by a vision to revolutionize customer service in collections, she co-founded Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc. with two business partners. This national collection agency, headquartered in Manchester, NH, was established with a pioneering ethos: to merge quality, proactive service with a respectful approach to debt recovery.
Since acquiring sole ownership in 2017, Rhonda has been the guiding force behind Lamont Hanley’s remarkable evolution. Her leadership has been marked by a commitment to diversifying the company’s core verticals of insurance and healthcare.
“When Results and Reputation Matter” – This motto derives from feedback consistently heard from clients. As a Certified Collector and advocate for a high level of professionalism, Rhonda insists on the best trained individuals within the industry. Recovering millions of dollars annually for clients, collectors handle accounts with a high level of service and expertise. Clearing balances in a non-confrontational, business-like manner has led to exceptional recovery rates and high client praise (The Gold Standard of Collection Agencies), evidenced by long-standing relationships with clients and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Creating a safe, welcoming and financially rewarding place of employment has been a primary driver focusing the direction of the agency. Under her stewardship, the company has cultivated an enviable workplace culture. This dedication bore fruit in 2020 when Lamont Hanley was recognized as one of the Top Ten Best Places to Work in Collections by the Best Companies Group, a distinction they received again in 2022 and 2023 (The award was on hiatus in 2021).
Prioritizing employee well-being, Rhonda champions initiatives like virtual gratitude sessions, company celebrations, and has even dedicated a quiet room for employee breaks. In October 2023, she spearheaded the move to a new, modern office in a renovated mill building, enhancing the work environment with its airy spaces, stunning views, and convenient amenities.
Beyond business, Rhonda is deeply invested in community engagement. She has ingrained a culture of philanthropy within Lamont Hanley, offering employees paid time to volunteer and actively supporting local charities. The company’s involvement spans various causes, from local food pantries and soup kitchens to CHaD (Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth), women’s shelters, and the Toys for Tots program during the holiday season.
“Amplify your potential, network, and impact at the WBENC National Conference in Colorado, March 2024 . Join us to be part of a community dedicated to empowering women in business. Together, we’ll amplify your voice, opportunities, and success. Don’t miss this chance to turn up the volume on your dreams and aspirations. Attend the WBENC conference and let your potential soar.”
Geraldine Keogh is a trailblazing entrepreneur, renowned for her innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to empowering women in business. As the Co- Founder and CEO of Biens Chocolate Centerpieces Corp and The Dessert Ladies, she has established herself as a driving force in the culinary world and beyond.
With a remarkable portfolio of five patents to her name, Geraldine has demonstrated her pioneering expertise in the field of confectionery and dessert artistry. Her creations not only tantalize the taste buds but also leave a lasting impression, redefining the concept of edible art.
Geraldine’s journey to success has been paved with dedication, perseverance, and an unshakable belief in the power of entrepreneurship. She has harnessed her passion for creativity and culinary excellence to build not one, but two thriving enterprises that have garnered acclaim far and wide.
Beyond her entrepreneurial achievements, Geraldine Keogh is a staunch advocate for female business owners. She actively mentors and supports women in their pursuit of entrepreneurial dreams, serving as an inspiration to countless aspiring leaders. Her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the business world is a testament to her vision of a brighter, more equitable future.
In a world where innovation and empowerment intersect, Geraldine Keogh stands at the forefront, leading the way for aspiring entrepreneurs and championing the cause of women in business. Her journey is an extraordinary testament to the heights that can be achieved with talent, determination, and an unwavering belief in one’s dreams.
“What I love most about the annual conference is seeing old friends and meeting new business prospects in the same place.”
Julie Sue Auslander is the company’s Chief Cultural Officer or Corporate Evangelist and avoids the traditional “President” persona. These terms better reflect her commitment to a process of insight and discovery—a process that shaped her role as a leader of a successful woman-owned business.
Year after year, her leadership earns Couranto national recognition, including a spot on Inc 5000 and “Top 50 Women Owned Business” in New Jersey. She was also named a WBENC National Star in 2012. Auslander was honored with the “2008 Enterprising Woman of the Year” recognition and made the Women’s Enterprise list of 2008 top businesses in the U.S. She earned her MA and MEd from Columbia University and a BS from Pace University in New York.
“WBENC and the WBENC network provides us with the opportunity to learn, grow and connect. One of my favorite quotes is by Simon Sinek. Leaders don’t complain about what’s not working. Leaders celebrate what is working and work to amplify it. WBENC and this conference is an opportunity to learn from each other, grow as individuals and leaders, connect with this amazing community and bring back what we learn.”
Creative Resources was born 25 years ago out of Caren’s basement while raising three young children as a single parent. With steady growth, she has the led company to include a team of 28 with a global footprint. Creative Resources is an established leader in the industry ranking in the top 5% of branded merchandise companies nationwide. Creative Resources became WBENC certified in 2009 and understands that when you put your name on something you are making a statement. Caren along with her business partner Mark have built a company that delivers unparalleled promotional expertise, boundless creativity, highly personal customer service all while being a champion for diversity. Through Creative Resources technology of building ecommerce solutions, graphic design and warehouse and fulfillment, Creative Resources delivers the WOW factor from idea generation to product delivery. In 2020 Creative Resources built a platform allowing delivery of custom Engage boxes delivered to the doorsteps of employees and clients. From HR onboarding, D&I, remote meetings and events, employee appreciation and more Creative Resources created a solution to keep people connected, Engaged and Appreciated in a remote world.
And then came Pickleball. Caren an avid pickler since 2020 saw a gap in the pickleball gear market. There was a lack of creative, quality and affordability in the market. Jenna is an expert in retail and design. Together as mother and daughter they launched Posh Pickler. We are a purposeful, premium brand that is dedicated to creating fun and functional gear inspired by our love for the game.
“To me personally, the National Conference represents an empowering journey, both pre and post certification. It symbolizes the strong and impactful woman I have chosen to become. ‘Amplify’ isn’t just about turning up the volume. It’s about tuning the world into the frequency of WBE potential and redefining the game. By doing so, we challenge the status quo, spark innovation, and shape the future of tech. As a software and technology entrepreneur, when I amplify, I am not just elevating my own voice, but the voices of all women in business, echoing our shared ambition, resilience, creativity, and capability.”
Jen Schaumburg is a Digital Ecosystem Builder dedicated to strengthening the enterprise by growing the participation of women owned businesses of all sizes through a secure closed, data-driven platform.
Jen is the founder of FuseSolutions.com and a leader of multiple technology companies and initiatives including Realbusiness.ai, UnrivaledGroup.com and UnrivaledWomen.com.
Her mission is to connect enterprises to the Realbusiness platform and provide a range of Intelligent Branding and Business solutions that provide real-time insights into the trends that drive brand ROI and support an efficient supply chain. Realbusiness.ai ecosystems empower all organizations to leverage disruption as an opportunity allow all women to Run Their Own Race and make their own rules.
Before founding her own ventures, Jennifer garnered awards for service excellence during her tenure in IT Operations at a global semiconductor company. A certified Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen facilitator, she is committed to continuous process improvement.
Jennifer recognizes the transformative potential of technology to benefit society in meaningful ways. Through Unrivaledwomen.com, she sheds light on the economic challenges women worldwide continue to face and advocates for the integration of financial literacy and fair and unbiased technology in business. She serves as a powerful role model, demonstrating that women can achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions while also prioritizing personal responsibilities and wellness.
Fuse Solutions Inc, under Jennifer’s leadership, is a proud member of the Women’s Business Council Southwest (WBCS) and is a longstanding WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Jennifer also participates in the Women’s Presidents Organization (WPO), The Ellevate Network, Women in Cyber Security (WiCys) and locally throughout her community. She serves on the WBENC Women’s Enterprise Forum and is a distinguished board member of the WBCS.
“My mission is to strengthen companies by connecting them to our data-driven ecosystem platform and generate dynamic brands. These insights-rich ecosystems provide all businesses equal access to the data and tools needed to gain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly evolving digital business environment.”
“The WBENC National Conference is an extraordinary platform for women entrepreneurs to amplify our shared strength by forging business connections and partnering with fellow women-owned enterprises. We are strengthened by our unity through which we can each unlock our endless potential!”
DeDe Van Quill purchased a controlling interest in IPW in 2021. The company was struggling to recover from the huge blow delivered by the global pandemic. When the country began to work from home, the toner cartridge industry was hit especially hard. Yet, even in a shrinking industry there is always room for growth. With a combined 30 years of experience in the paper, packaging and toner industries, DeDe identified avenues for untapped potential within the industry. In addition to running a small, International non-profit organization, she has been working on the development and implementation of a 10-year business plan, hatched collaboratively with her husband, to regrow and reinvigorate the U.S. toner remanufacturing industry via acquisitions and inter-industry collaborations. IPW was a fantastic fit as part of this plan. Since purchasing the remaining shares of IPW in early 2022, from the last remaining founder, DeDe has been able to gain traction within the industry. As a result, IPW has been able to retain all of our employees as well as our beautiful, Denver, manufacturing facility and are now poised for dramatic growth!
Ever since she can remember, Sara Webb has been a juggler. Juggling activities, career, family, friends, and volunteering. Sara has learned through all of this juggling
that she can do it herself. But it’s far easier (not to mention more fun) to juggle with a partner.
And it was on this premise that InTandem Promotions was born! With over 25-years of experience in the promotional products industry and working with a wide-range of companies and organizations building their brand stories, Sara is excited to build-upon
that experience and meet our clients’ needs. In 2013, InTandem Promotions open its doors. And from there, Sara has built the organization nationally and globally with multiple locations. InTandem Promotions creates and manages numerous online stores, fulfillment and warehousing, safety and
recognition programs, and custom designed products.
Sara received her undergraduate and graduate degree from Kennesaw State University in both Marketing and Finance. Sara believes that only through continued education can she continue to develop not only herself but InTandem Promotions. In 2017, Sara was awarded the CVS Supplier Diversity training (a 6-month mini master’s program) and in 2018, she was selected to participate in Launchpad2X for Women Owned Businesses.
In 2018, Sara was thrilled to receive the Trailblazer Award given by the Greater Women’s Business Council.
She lives in Dallas, Georgia with her husband, Matt Webb and 2 daughters – Riley and London. Her family is highly entrenched in the success of InTandem through their support, weekend help, and late-night work and brainstorming sessions. Sara’s passion is to be a role-model for young women entrepreneurs (including her daughter’s) and loves building up the next generation.
“For 15 years, the WBENC National Conference has remained the highlight of JURISolutions’ long list of networking initiatives every year. The Amplify theme is particularly appropriate to our journey as a WBE because no industry needed a louder wake-up call than legal. In the beginning, legal opportunities were non-existent at the Conference. But, thanks to the determined voices of the amazing supplier diversity professionals who listened to our challenge and knocked loudly on legal’s door, the needle has moved. Today, conference attendees can learn about upcoming sourcing initiatives in legal and even meet legal professionals. Way to AMPLIFY WBENC – Thank you!”
Cindy Towers is Co-Founder and CEO of JURISolutions Legal (JSL), an award-winning legal services innovator and one of the largest WBENC-certified legal service providers in the country. Since 1997, JSL has specialized in the development and strategic utilization of legal talent, and JSL’s newest service line, jurisADVANCE: DEI, offers customized diversity, equity & inclusion consulting for law firms and corporate legal departments.
Cindy is committed to advancing diversity in business and law. She participates in formal mentorship programs, serves on legal DEI committees, and is a frequent speaker on DEI. Cindy serves as Vice Chair of the WBEC East Board of Directors, is a multi-term Board member of Women Owned Law and the SBA Regulatory Fairness Board, and is an active member of WIPP and WBENC. Additionally, JSL is a Corporate Partner of the NGLCC and Cindy serves as the Co-Chair of the NGLCC’s National Legal Industry Council.
“My favorite aspect of WBENC’s National Conference is the platform it provides all women to connect with one another, educational resources, and the opportunity to find potential collaboration/networking that ultimately contributes to the growth and success of women-owned businesses. The theme AMPLIFY is about the opportunity for all Women to have their voices heard. Share their ideas, experiences, and expertise with one another. Contribute to open discussions, decision-making, and being an advocate for all women in business.”
Stephanie Leader founded Leaderpromos Marketing Agency over 25 years ago with a vision of creating memorable and impactful marketing experiences through branded merchandise. Through thoughtful leadership, strategy, and an emphasis on DEI and sustainability, Stephanie has led the company as CEO/visionary to the Top 40 of the promotional product industry, making Leader the largest wholly woman-owned promotional marketing agency.
Stephanie’s entry into branded merchandise began as a student at The Ohio State University. As an incoming freshman, she needed a way to make money to help pay for her education. Stephanie was given an opportunity to sell branded apparel and merchandise and fell in love with the job.
Business began to take off almost immediately, and Stephanie began to see the power of branded merchandise. She found success in helping companies and organizations find precisely the right branded products to best represent their corporate initiatives and marketing.
Her passion for branded promotional marketing soon led her to change her career course completely. Stephanie decided to follow her growing passion, decline her admission to law school, and immerse herself in the branding industry. In 1995, she became an owner and continued building her corporate client base. This was done through phone calls, referrals, and drop-ins.
In early 1998, Stephanie had a vision to disrupt the traditional promotional products industry by capitalizing on the growing e-commerce marketplace. In 2000, Leaderpromos.com was born as one of the industry’s first e-commerce-based promotional branding companies. Today, both Leaderpromos.com and Leaderpromosagency.com allow clients to learn more about the differentiation Leader has developed.
For two and a half decades, Stephanie’s passion and vision for bringing clients’ brand messaging and experiences to life have driven the company’s success. Leaderpromos has grown into a full-service strategic branding agency, earning a spot as a Top 40 company in the top 1% of all promotional distributors nationwide. Leaderpromos is now the largest wholly woman-owned WBENC-certified company in the promotional industry and will soon receive B-Corp certification. Leader demonstrates a commitment to customers, employees, community, sustainability, and leaving a positive social and environmental impact in our world.
Along with being an entrepreneur, Stephanie has a family of two kids, Andrew and Alexis, and an English bulldog named Molly. Grateful for her healthy family both at home and at work, Stephanie committed her philanthropic efforts to organizations that focus on women, children, and the environment. Stephanie, her family, and employees regularly participate in fundraising and volunteer activities aimed at making the world a better place. This is the foundation of the company’s culture today.
After 25 years of success, Stephanie’s entrepreneurial spirit and team mentality lives in every Leaderpromos associate. From humble beginnings in Columbus, Ohio, to becoming the go-to branded merchandise agency partnering with the best brands in the world, Stephanie remains a driven leader and visionary of Leaderpromos Agency, focused on the development, continued education, and career advancement of the people making up various teams.
“Hands down WBENC has been the best business development decision for my company in years. Through its supplier diversity initiatives, WBENC has amplified our opportunities to seek and obtain RFPs and land qualified business. My favorite part of the National Conference is the Meet & Greets, as its an excellent opportunity to showcase your services to corporations in a professional and effective way. Also, the LEO Events sponsored Sneaker Jam during the Opening Night Welcome Reception is a can’t miss. See you in Denver!”
Cindy Brewer is Co-Founder and Principal of LEO Events, a women-owned global brand experience agency that produces over 150 events a year for clients including Walmart, Hilton Hotels, Google, AutoZone, and Sherwin-Williams. Formed in 2012, LEO is an award winning, full-service agency with four focus areas: Live Production & Digital Broadcast, Meeting and Event Management, Creative Content & Brand Development, and Festivals/Public Events. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, LEO Events employees 90+ full-time employees with additional offices in Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee as well as Asheville, North Carolina.
With more than 25 years’ experience in hospitality, public relations, destination marketing and management, and event planning, Cindy oversees the development, marketing and administrative teams and concepts all internal meetings and philanthropic initiatives. In 2010, she cofounded the Jay Uiberall Foundation and currently serves as Board Chair overseeing $350,000 in grants made annually in Memphis to underfunded youth development programs. In 2022, she acquired Serving Memphis, a 501c3 that will fund initiatives in the Memphis area for those in hospitality. And in 2023, she launched the 12th Seacrest Studio, a Ryan Seacrest Foundation initiative, at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
A recent highlight, Cindy was awarded Meeting Professionals International MPI Top50 Most Influential and has been named to the Hall of Fame for “Smart Women in Meetings” by Smart Meetings Magazine; “Top 25 Super Women in Business” by Memphis Business Journal; an Inside Memphis Business Magazine Power Player; and “Top 500 People in Events” by BizBash. A WBENC certified WBE since 2014, Cindy is a Women’s Business Center (WBC) South Advisory Board Member, a WBEC South Chairman’s Circle member, a 2024 National Conference Host Committee member, and was named Supplier of The Year 2023 by the Women Business Enterprise Council South (WBEC South). An alum of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Cindy is on the Board of Visitors for the College of Communication & Information and a Rocky Top Business Award winner. She is married to her long-term love and business partner, Kevin Brewer, has two teen sons and an adorable dog named Trevor Clem.
“The conference is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of the mission of WBENC. Women supporting women to support each other and share success is what amplify means to me.”
Helen Stefan-Moreau is the CEO, President, and Owner of The Midtown Group, a WBENC-certified woman-owned business based in Washington, D.C. that has provided flexible staffing solutions across the nation for over 34 years. As the “Best Place to Work” for high-performance entrepreneurial staffing professionals, Midtown provides the most qualified resources specializing in IT, Legal, and Professional Services, to solve client problems and achieve their goals with the right solution, delivered with speed unmatched by competitors.
Founder. Helen impressively opened her company in 1989— just months after beginning her career in the staffing industry. Following her graduation from the University of Florida (UF) in 1988, she used her brand-new degree in Public Relations and Business to apply for a PR position at a staffing firm. Sensing her potential, the firm hired Helen, not for PR, but for recruitment. Quickly realizing her talents, Helen knew it was time to pursue another agency or start her own staffing business. Choosing the latter, Helen grew her small business into a multimillion-dollar success. During the first decade, Midtown earned a strong reputation in the legal community, providing permanent placement services to some of the best law firms in the country.
Innovator. In 1998, Helen incorporated contingent workforce solutions while expanding into various industries seeking professional services. In 2001, she added a successful government division to offer her consultants to Federal, state, and local governments. Then in 2007, Helen expanded Midtown again to form an IT division. After placing IT professionals across the legal, professional services, and public sector divisions for some time, it was clear the company needed a dedicated team solely focused on these skillsets to meet clients’ growing needs for IT support. More recently, Midtown has responded to clients with even more capabilities, including providing Tier 1, 2, and 3 call center support.
Leader. Over three decades, Midtown has evolved from a staffing company to an organization capable of providing full-service solutions, thanks to Helen’s tireless effort to exceed client expectations in an ever-changing market. With her leadership, Midtown is recognized as DC’s premier staffing and consulting firm, consistently winning awards such as “Best Workplaces” from Inc. Magazine, “Best Places to Work” from the Washington Business Journal, and “Great Places to Work” from the Washingtonian. In 2023, for the first time, Helen made it on Inc. Magazine’s Inc. Female Founders 200 list, Staffing Industry Analysts’ List of Fastest Growing Staffing Firms, Staffing Industry Analysts’ List of Diversity-Owned Staffing Firms, Washington Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy List (ranked No. 7 of small-size companies), Washington Business Journal’s List of Fastest Growing Companies in Greater Washington, and was recognized by Ernst & Young as an Entrepreneur Of The Year Mid-Atlantic Finalist.
A proud alumni and dedicated board member of the UF Foundation, Helen is also a member of the State University System (SUS) Undergraduate Dean’s Council for the College of Journalism and Communications. In 2015, she was inducted into the Gator100, honoring the fastest-growing, Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses in the world. In 2023, Helen ranked #43 on UF’s Gator100 list. Helping her community thrive as much as her business, Helen is active in several organizations throughout DC.
In 2008, she was accepted as a member of the prestigious Young Presidents’ Organization where she currently serves on the Executive Team as the Assistant Education Chair, making her the chapter’s first female chairperson.
Helen was also chosen as a member of The Committee of 200 (C200), an invitation-only membership organization of the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate innovators. In 2018, she joined The Bullis School’s Board of Trustees, where she served as the finance chair. In 2020, she joined the advisory council of Women Business Collaborative, The Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of women’s business organizations, corporate partners and C-suite leaders in the world, with a mission of accelerating the advancement of all women in business.
Advocate. Helen is a fierce champion for women around the world. In 2007 and 2008, she was awarded “Board Member of the Year” for her involvement with Rachael’s Women’s Center, helping local women in DC step up and out of homelessness. She was also a member of the Zonta Club, empowering women across the nation through service and advocacy. In addition, she serves as Vice Chair of the Studio Samuel Foundation, ensuring vulnerable girls in Ethiopia overcome endless obstacles to complete their education. Helen’s involvement guarantees each girl will receive healthcare in addition to the life skills taught while attending the training center.
Denice Olson makes certain S3 has the right people to support S3 Customers. She finds and identifies the right talent to serve as account managers, recruiters, and market leaders. She then mentors and coaches them in the S3 way, keeps everyone motivated and ensures success in individuals, teams and common goals.
Using her vast experience in all aspects of staffing, Denice understands what’s expected of every position at S3. Consequently, she is known as a tough mentor and coach who recognizes individual strengths and has a robust plan to ensure his or her success at the company. The result: excellent teams who have all realized their full potential.
Never satisfied to wear just one hat, Denice also supports national sales development and has a proven track record in fostering strong relationships with customers and expanding national accounts across multiple markets. She plays an integral role in designing and developing solutions to support customer demands. She believes we must earn the right to do business with our customers every single day.
She has also grown organizations from scratch. She joined S3 in 2003 as branch manager of the Chicago office and grew that office from 10 billable IT consultants to 140 in four years. As a result S3 was ranked the #1 vendor with two national customers in Chicago for twelve consecutive quarters.
Before joining S3, Denice was senior vice president of sales at Spherion Technology.
Charity work is also part of her commitment. Denice spends a few hours each week calling on local businesses and parishioners looking for fundraising donations to the Notre Dame Parish and School, which her son attends. Dedicated to helping change people’s station in life, Denice helps to prepare them for interviews and connects them thru her vast network.
She has developed S3’s Supplier Diversity program and is active in the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and TechServe Alliance.
Denice attended the College of DuPage as well as the Program for Senior Executives On Negotiation at Harvard University.
Arlene Inch is Chairwoman of TransPak, which she acquired in 1969 when it was just a small shop and a dozen employees serving the nascent technology industry in Silicon Valley. Today, TransPak is a global leader in packaging, crating, material control, supply chain and transportation logistics. Over the company’s history, Arlene has fulfilled all roles necessary to further TransPak’s mission of delivering peace of mind by protecting its customers’ key assets on their global journey. Arlene’s innate ability for relationship building and identifying strategic growth options have been critical factors to TransPak’s success. The company currently operates all over the world in 65+ facilities with more than 3,000 team members and a host of international partners.
Arlene’s everlasting optimism is infectious beyond the TransPak family and pours into our communities. She is a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and on the board of WBEC Pacific, and is member of C200 National Organization, headquartered in Chicago. Arlene also holds board positions on the Bay Area Tumor Institute (BATI), the American Film Institute National Council (AFI), the San Francisco Guild, Bay Scholars, the San Francisco Host Committee, and the San Diego Symphony Board.
“Woman is where it ALL began. We brought defeat & disappointment, never realizing we were the ones that held the Victory all along.”
Debbie Trevino is CEO and Owner of Treco Services, Inc. Debbie started Treco Services in 1983 as a small mom and pop cleaning service and forty years later has built the company to the full-service corporation it is today providing Janitorial, Ground Maintenance/Vegetation, and Facility Maintenance services.
Debbie has led the diversification of the business, which is headquartered in San Antonio, TX, to include experience with clients throughout Texas and other states with corporate, commercial, and government accounts. As well, it is certified as Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency Hispanic American Business Enterprise (HABE), MBE, Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and WBE, Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Disadvantaged Business (SBD), a graduate of the SBA 8(a) program, SBA HUBZone, and Texas HUB.
Currently, Debbie is serving on the board of the Southwest Minority Business Council and has previously served as a board member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Awards she has received include Small Business of the Year, Service Firm of the Year, San Antonio Business Journal 40 under 40, WBEA Rising Star, Community Minority Business Advancement Program Participant, Graduate of Leadership San Antonio, MBE Idol of the Year with the Southwest Minority Business Council, and Graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.
Debbie is a native of San Antonio, TX and is the proud mother of three daughters, a son and grandmother of 13 grandchildren.
