FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2009
 
Media Contacts
Christina Jorgensen, ext. 103
Lauren Astor, ext. 115
Drizen-Dohs Corporate Communications
(818) 772-9555
media@nawbo.org

Chicago, IL—It's said that an organization is only as effective as its leadership. That's why the installation of NAWBO's 2009-2010 Board of Directors is so significant. This year's board members represent the best of the best of women business owners from across the country. As founders of successful businesses of all sizes and industries, they bring their success and insights to help NAWBO with its mission to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide by:

• Strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community
  
  
• Creating innovative and effective change in the business culture
  
  
• Building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations
  
  
• Transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers

|During their recent installation ceremony at the NAWBO Women's Business Conference (WBC) in Chicago, National Chair Wendy Lopez shared her goals for the year: "I believe that we are entering a transformative year for NAWBO. I am very excited to lead us at this time, because I know the women on this board are active participants in our future success—and we are dedicated to making NAWBO the women's business organization of choice. It is very clear that our members are not pulling the covers over our heads and trying to wait out this economy. The National Board of Directors will do our best this year to help take our members to new heights!" Wendy Lopez was founder and CEO of LopezGarcia Group, an engineering firm that was purchased last year by URS Corporation.

In the United States, there are 10.1 million firms owned by women, employing more than 13 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in sales. NAWBO members own larger businesses than the average women-owned businesses. With 25 percent of members earning annual revenue of more than $1 million and 42 percent earning $250,000, NAWBO members represent a formidable portion of the business sector.

"I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with the extraordinary women of foresight and dedication that make up the 2009-2010 Board of Directors," says NAWBO Executive Director Helen Han. "As NAWBO continues on its journey to become the premier women's business organization, we ask our members, partners and stakeholders to continue to support the success of women entrepreneurs worldwide." 
 

 2009 – 2010 Board of Directors

Chair
Wendy Lopez
URS Corporation
Dallas, TX

Immediate Past Chair
Cynthia McClain-Hill
Strategic Counsel PLC
Los Angeles, CA

Chair Elect
Kelly Scanlon
Thinking Bigger Business Media, Inc.
Kansas City, MO

Treasurer
Laura Yamanaka
teamCFO, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

Secretary
Deborah Stallings
HR Anew, Inc.
Columbia, MD

Executive Director
Helen Han
NAWBO

DIRECTORS
Lorin Beller Blake
Big Fish Nation
Austin, TX
 

Kara Cenar
Bryan Cave, LLP
Chicago, IL

Sandy Cody
Resources for Excellence, Inc.
Albequerque, NM

Billie Dragoo
RepuCare, Inc.
Indianapolis, IN

Claire Guthrie Gastanaga
CG2 Consulting
Richmond, VA

Sarah Sladek
Limelight Communications, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN

Evelyn Strange
AES Advanced Electrical Systems, Inc.
Louisville, KY

Julie Weeks
Womenable
Empire, MI