National Women's Business Conference - 2022 | NAWBO

National Women's Business Conference - 2022

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POWER YOUR DREAM

Every entrepreneurial journey starts with a dream, and it’s time to rediscover and reconnect with the joy, passion and more you felt when you first started your business. Are you living the life you imagined? Or is it time to reimagine? Are you feeling focused and driven? Or do you need the space to breathe and refocus? Are you ready to take that next step and grow? Or do you need your community to surround and lift you up? It’s all here waiting for you this year, no matter your dream.

 

Registration Fees
  • All Inclusive Conference Registration
    (Includes Annual Membership Meeting and Bank of America Leadership Reception on Oct. 9 and conference on Oct. 10-11). An event registration cancelation fee of $50 is in effect until 9/30/22. After that time, all event registration fees are non-refundable.

    member

    $575

    non-member

    $650

     

  • Full Conference Registration
    (Includes both conference days, Oct. 10-11 only)

    member

    $500

    non-member

    $575

     

Register Now

The Galt House 

140 N. Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: +1 502 589 5200
Room Rate: $179.00/night + tax
Room block extended to September 22, 2022 or when room block is full.

Book Now


Join hundreds of women entrepreneurs as we come together to capitalize on this incredible moment in time.

Register Now

 

 

Agenda

October 09, 2022
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  • Click here for details on our Membership Meeting and all of today's sessions!

  • 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET

    Annual Membership Meeting Breakfast – Sponsored by Wells Fargo

     

    Breakfast & Celebratory Toast to Excellence

    Ballroom A
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. ET

    National Committee Updates

    • Membership, Technology, National Events, Advocacy, NAWBO Institute, NAWBO Circle, NAWBO Certification
    Ballroom A
  • 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. ET

    Creating Leaders for a World of Change

    • Governance/Compliance
    • NAWBO Leadership Culture
    • Treasurer Update
    • National Awards
    Ballroom A
  • 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. ET

    Chapter Awards Ceremony – Presented by Wells Fargo

     

    Hosted by: Val Jones, Senior Vice President & Strategy Consultant, Diverse Small Business Customer Segments, Wells Fargo

    Ballroom A
  • 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

    Break and Get Lunch

  • 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

    Curiosity to Clarity: Disrupting our Patterns into Perceptions that Heal and Empower

     

    Speaker: Cari Kenzie, Quantum Healer, Coach, Speaker and Intuitive Consultant

    This interactive keynote/workshop is for those ready to break free from old patterns to live at their optimal level. We are well aware that we don't know what we don't know. But what we don't know may be holding us back in a much deeper way than we think.Our subconscious mindsets, habits, and traumas often lead us to sabotage what we want most. Through stories, brain-based research, and in-depth case studies, Cari Kenzie teaches the tools to uncover what holds us back and reclaim our power and launch us to the life we have always wanted to live. Audiences will also learn how this individual healing power has the capacity to extend to generational, communal, and even global healing!

    Ballroom A
  • 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

    Planning for Business Growth and Success in 2023 – Sponsored by Cultivate Advisors 

     

    Speaker: Autumn Joyce, Partner & Cohort Leader, Cultivate Advisors

     

    Click here for session descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

    Experience Louisville

    • Explore the nearby museums!
    • Meet local WBOs!
  • 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET

    Design Your Own BluePrint Workshop

     

    Speaker: Debbie Peterson, Founder, Getting To Clarity, LLC.

     

    Click here for session descriptions!

     

    Included for NAWBO Circle members

     

    Interested but not a NAWBO Circle member?  If you would like to attend, you may register for an extra fee.

    Carroll Ford Room
  • 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

    VIP First time Attendee & New Member Meet and Greet - Sponsored by UPS

    New to NAWBO or WBC?  Take the time to introduce yourself and meet other NAWBO members. Plus find out how to get the most out of your NAWBO membership! 

     

    Hosted by: Debra Wilson, Director of Marketing, Diverse Customer Segment, UPS

     

    NAWBO Member Panelists:

    Patty Breeze, President, Breeze Financial, LLC.
    Barbara Daniel, Publisher & Editor, The Cleveland Women's Journal
    Angela Garmon, CEO ARG Coaching & Consulting Group

     

    Click here for session descriptions!

    French Room
  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

    Let’s Practice – Activities for Building a Culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in Your Chapter and Your Business

     

    Speaker: Dr. Jamyce Curtis Banks, CEO, Whatever It Takes Consulting, Inc.

     

    Click here for session descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET

    Leadership Reception – Hosted by Bank of America

     

    For attendees of Membership Meeting

     

    Remarks by: Jill Calabrese Bain, Managing Director for the Small Business, Specialty Banking & Lending Division, Bank of America

    Muhammad Ali Center
October 10, 2022
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  • Click here for agenda details on all of today's sessions!

  • 6:30 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. ET

    Morning Pre-Conference Walk

    Start the conference off right!  Looking to get some good exercise, we’ve got you covered!  Interested in a slower walk and some good conversation, we have a walk for you too!

     

    Leader: Crinda Francke, CEO, ExecuTrain

    Lobby, East Tower
  • 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET

    Breakfast & Networking

     

    What You Didn’t Learn in School: How to Network Like a Pro

     

    Facilitators: 

    Emily Griesing, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Bossible

    Jessica Mazzeo, Co-Founder & COO, Bossible

    Exhibit Hall
  • 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET

    Exhibit Hall Open

    Exhibit Hall
  • 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET

    Continuing Legal Education Session – Sponsored by Frost Brown Todd

     

    The Future of the Workplace After the Pandemic

     

    Speakers:

    Katie Biggs Wright, Frost Brown Todd

    Carena Lemons, The Lemons Law Firm, PLLC

    Christina Reger, Law Offices of Christina Reger, LLC

     

    Open to all attendees: KY attorneys receive CLE credit through the Louisville Bar Association. Please check with your local bar about credit if you practice in another state.   

    Segell Room
  • 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. ET

    Morning General Session – Sponsored by Bank of America

     

    Keynote: Molly Bloom, Speaker, Entrepreneur & Author

     

    Champion Mindset

    Molly Bloom shares her playbook for winning, derived from her experiences skiing for the US Ski Team, running the largest poker games in the world, writing a best-selling memoir, and making an Oscar-nominated movie. She breaks her philosophy for growth and success down into 7 major points over the course of her presentation, which audiences will leave invigorated, informed, and primed for their own success.

    Ballroom A
  • 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ET

    BREAK

  • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

    Grab a Seat at the Table: Roundtables on Various Topics

    Before you move on to grab your lunch and head into the Exhibit Hall to spend time visiting all the booths, we want to invite you to be part of small group, casual conversations on various topics over the next hour. We have DEI&B, Certification, International, Next Generation, Technology and Advocacy. Grab a seat at the table that most interests you. These conversations can be about anything—including how the topic relates to your business, to your NAWBO chapter or to NAWBO National. You can just listen or you can share and ask questions. And if you get stuck, we have questions on each table to consider. Please join us!

     

    Ballroom A
  • 12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. ET

    Grab and Go Lunch

  • 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. ET

    Breakout Sessions

    Our conference breakout sessions have been organized into three tracks.  You may choose to attend breakout sessions on a single track, or you may be interested in attending sessions in various tracks.  Click here for a description of each track.

     

    Track 1: Your Business Culture 

    Track 2: Strategizing for Success

    Track 3: Your Digital Future 
     
     
  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET

    Track 1: Winning the Race for Talent in an Increasingly Diverse World – Sponsored by Bank of America

     

    Speakers:

    Angela Antonio, Small Business Region Executive, Bank of America (Moderator)

    Lisa Margeson, Managing Director, Retirement Research and Insights, Bank of America

    Kai Walker, Managing Director, Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions, Bank of America

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    French Room
  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET

    Track 2: Trademark Basics: What Every Growing Business Should Know Now, Not Later 

     

    Speaker: Jason Lott, Attorney Advisor for Trademarks Customer Outreach, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

     

     

    Continuing Education Session (CLE) - Open to all attendees: KY attorneys receive CLE credit through the Louisville Bar Association. Please check with your local bar about credit if you practice in another state.   

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET

    Track 3: Getting Creative:  Business Strategy and Reels School – Sponsored by Meta

     

    Speaker: Krista Neher, Author, Speaker & CEO, Boot Camp Digital

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

     

    Stopher Room
  • 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

    BREAK

    BREAK
  • 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

    Track 1: DEI&B Reimagined: Going Beyond for an Even Greater Impact - Sponsored by PNC Bank

     

    Speakers:

    Tawana Bain, Chief of Authentic Connections, TBAIN & Co.

    Thresette Briggs, Chief Performance Officer, Performance 3 (P3) (Moderator)

    Gina Coleman, SVP, Chief Diversity Officer, Corporate Responsibility Group, PNC Financial Services Group

    Roslyn Rice, Co-Founder, DPI, LLC

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    French Room
  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET

    Track 2: 5 Things Business Owners Need to Know About Transitioning Their Business - Sponsored by Pacific Life

     

    Speaker: Stacey McMahan, Director, Advanced Designs Unit, Pacific Life Insurance Company

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET

    Track 3: Digital Financial Literacy: Increasing Your Knowledge to Open Doors to your Success - Sponsored by Mastercard

     

    Speaker: Jimmy ChowDirector of Community Relations, Mastercard

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Stopher Room
  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    General Session:  Spirited Dialogue: Women Shaking Up a Centuries-Old Industry – Sponsored by Stax

    Kentucky is no doubt known for its bourbon (95 percent is made here), and several women are shaking up the bourbon and overall beverage industry in exciting ways. Meet a brand-new bourbon distiller who is putting a fresh spin on this alcohol that dates back to the 18th century. Also, hear from an innovative winemaker and distributor—the only female distributor in the state—as well as the woman behind the only woman-owned seltzer brand that’s in the Top 10 brands in this burgeoning industry. Get ready for some spirited dialogue about challenges in a male-dominated industry and innovating through these unique times!

     

    Remarks by: Krystal Little, Chief of Staff, Stax

     

    Speakers:

    Peggy Noe Stevens, Founder & President, Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates (Moderator)

    Brittany Penny, CEO, 2 Cents Inc. – The IX Bourbon Whiskey

    Amy Walberg, CEO, PRESS Premium Alcohol Seltzer

    Jesika Young, Founder, New Vibes Wine

     

     

    Ballroom A
  • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET

    Wecome to Louisville Reception - Sponsored by Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

    Celebrate the start of this year’s conference with a culinary, cultural and community experience you’ll only find in our great host city of Louisville. Gather at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the American thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs. While there, take a short tour of the racetrack and taste products from our Spirited Dialogue panelists. 

     

    Speakers:

    Tori Murden McClure, President, Spalding University
    Seema Sheth, Senior Vice President & Regional Executive, Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

    Kentucky Derby Museum
October 11, 2022
  • time
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  • Click here for agenda details on all of today's sessions!

  • 6:30 a.m. – 7:15 a.m. ET

    Morning Hybrid Pilates & Yoga

     

    Leader: Crinda Francke, CEO, ExecuTrain
     

    Azalea Room
  • 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

    Exhibit Hall Open

    Exhibit Hall
  • 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET

    Breakfast and Speaker – Sponsored by UPS

     

    Representation Matters: What it Really Means to be Inclusive
    There are very few women in the aviation industry, and even fewer women of color. Start your morning with the inspiring story of one woman—Angel Hughes—who hasn’t let the “numbers” stop her from creating an impressive career for herself and supporting other women and women of color along the way. She currently serves as UPS Airline First Officer and Founder of Sisters of the Skies and will share her journey into aviation as well as the importance of inclusivity in the industry, and every industry, and supporting others so they feel they belong and are valued.

     

    Speaker: Angel Hughes, UPS Airline First Officer, & Founder, Sisters of the Skies

    Ballroom A
  • 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET

    Networking and Raffles in the Exhibit Hall!

    Exhibit Hall
  • 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

    Workshop I

     

    Proudly Woman-Owned: Certification as a Tool for Equity and Growth

     

    Speakers: 

    Jeanette Armbrust, CEO, Greenlight Leadership Consulting Group, LLC

    Molly Gimmel, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, D2DInc.

    Lena Graham-Morris, Chief Strategy Officer, Principal & Shareholder, HORUS Construction Services Inc.

    Teresa Meares, Vice President, General Manager WEM, Cass Waste Expense Management (Moderator)

    Denise Spalding, President & Founder, Highnote

     

    NAWBO HQ Team: 

    Jennifer Martin & Kimberly Snodgrass

     

    Click here for workshop descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

    Workshop II

     

    A Data-Driven Look Back and Forward: Women-Owned Businesses and the Economy - Sponsored by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

     

    Speakers: 

    Peter Eberhardt, Senior Research Associate, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) 

    Sonia Moin, Senior Director of Urban Business Initiatives, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, (ICIC)

     

    Click here for workshop descriptions!

    Stopher Room
  • 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET

    Workshop III

     

    Driving Growth: How to Build a High-Performance Team Without Spending a Fortune - Sponsored by One Page Business Plan

     

    Speakers:

    Meggan Ciaccia, P.A. & Co-Owner, Beyond Strategy Partners

    Michele Schina, Owner, TMS II, LLC, Co-Owner, Beyond Strategy Partners

     

    Click here for workshop descriptions!

    Coe Room
  • 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. ET

    Workshop IV

     

    The Future of Benefits: Emerging Opportunities & Innovations for Women-Owned Businesses - Sponsored by Public Private Strategies Institute

     

    Speaker: Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg, Principal, Public Private Strategies & President of the Business for America’s Future Fund

     

    Click here for workshop descriptions!

     

    French Room
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

    Speed Networking

  • 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

    Lunch

    Ballroom A
  • 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

    Lunch General Session – Sponsored by Bank of America

     

    Keynote: Magie Cook, Speaker & Author

     

    Greatness Is Within You! Discover or Re-Discover Your Purpose

    You are so much more powerful than you think—and the time is NOW to discover or re-discover WHY you are here in this time and space! Who are you truly meant to be? What’s your greater purpose in life? Greatness is within you…you just have to look within yourself to find and unlock it. You have the power to overcome any personal or professional adversity with the right mindset, to re-discover your passion, to become bigger than yourself and to live a happy, meaningful life. 

    Ballroom A
  • 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

     

    Breakout Sessions

    Our conference breakout sessions have been organized into three tracks.  You may choose to attend breakout sessions on a single track, or you may be interested in attending sessions in various tracks.  Click here for a description of each track.

     

    Track 1: Your Business Culture 

    Track 2: Strategizing for Success

    Track 3: Your Digital Future 
     
  • 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

    Track 1: The Impact of Advocacy: Exploring the Significance of Advocacy Engagement for Women Small Business Owners - Sponsored by Kauffman Foundation

     

    Speakers: 

    Lisa Coppola, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner, The Coppola Firm
    Rebecca Fleischaker, Executive Director, Louisville Downtown Partnership

    Corinne Hodges, CEO, Association of Women's Business Centers
    Christy Jarboe, Senior Economic Development Manager

    Ashlyn Roberts, Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Prism Group Public Affairs (Moderator)

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    French Room
  • 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

    Track 2: Fuel for Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses - Sponsored by UPS

     

    Speakers: 

    Michael Ashcraft, Senior Area Manager and Public Information Officer, SBA

    Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of Global Public Affairs, UPS (Moderator)

    LaTaunya Darden, Business Development Specialist, Minority and Women Owned Business Outreach Division, Office of Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States

    Mona Musa, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service

    Mary NeCamp, Program Manager, State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Director, State of Kentucky

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

    Track 3: Tech Trends Driving Marketplace Success – Sponsored by Dell Technologies

     

    Speaker: Kristin Roubie, Director of Business Development, Elo Touch Solutions

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Stopher Room
  • 3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. ET

    BREAK

    BREAK
  • 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. ET

    Track 1: Separate Yourself From the Competition: Craft an Buzz-Worthy Brand Story

     

    Speaker: Mellissa Tong, Founder & CCO, DuckPunk Productions, Inc.

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    French Room
  • 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. ET

    Track 2: The Digital Strategy PlaySponsored by Verizon

     

    Speakers:

    Corinne Hodges, CEO, Association of Women's Business Centers

    Jessie Yankee, VP of Programs, Association of Women's Business Centers

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Segell Room
  • 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. ET

    Track 3: The Journey Toward a Digitally Enabled Business

     

    Speaker: Judy Nichols, Founding Partner & Director of Data and Collaboration Consulting, Breakpoint Technology

     

    Click here for breakout session descriptions!

    Stopher Room
  • 4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET

    Get ready for the Gala!

  • 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET

    Awards Reception

    Ballroom A Foyer
  • 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET

    NAWBO Annual National Awards Gala – Sponsored and Presented by Bank of America

     

    • Woman Business Owner of the Year Panel with award finalists Shital Daftari, Diana Dibble and Moira Vetter
    • Advocacy Award, Member of the Year Award, Rising Star Award
    • Susan Hagar Legacy Award
    • Gillian Rudd Business Leadership Award
    Ballroom A
October 12, 2022
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    Stay Late —There Are So Many Ways to Play in Louisville!

     

    Nine, Wine & Dine, NAWBO’s 9 Hole Golf Outing – Sponsored by UPS

    Join us after the conference for a golf outing!  Put together a foursome or just sign up to play and we will put you with other attendees so you can get out on the golf course and have some fun before you head home!  Transportation to and from the golf course will be provided. A shotgun start will take place at 9:00 am. Registration includes a continental breakfast and post-event luncheon.

     

    Cost to play is $100/person. If you have already registered for WBC, you can go back into registration and add golf.  If you are interested in purchasing a hole sign or becoming a sponsor, you can do that through WBC registration as well! 

     

    Fuzzy Zoeller’s Covered Bridge Golf Club

    12510 Covered Bridge Road

    Sellersburg, IN  47172

Speakers

Featured Keynote

Molly Bloom

Speaker, Entrepreneur and Author

Molly is an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur and bestselling author of the memoir Molly’s Game, which was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name by Aaron Sorkin. Molly’s memoir chronicles her journey from college student to Los Angeles waitress to building and operating the largest and most notorious private poker game in the world. Her games featured hundreds of millions of dollars and players like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, A-Rod and Ben Affleck. Molly was also a world-class skier. While training as a pre-teen, she was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and had to undergo surgery that doctors said would end her athletic career. A year later, she was back on the slopes. She later joined the U.S. Ski Team and at 21 years old was ranked No. 3 in North America in moguls, but her Olympic dreams would go unrealized as she left the team to pursue other projects. This led her to what she thought would be a year sabbatical in Los Angeles where her story truly began. 

Magie Cook

CEO, Speaker and Author

Magie, whose birth name is Magdalena De La Cruz, is a Latino businesswoman who was born in an orphanage in Mexico. She missed her opportunity to play basketball for the Mexican National Team because she broke her collarbone. Shortly after, she immigrated to the U.S. on a basketball scholarship at the University of Charleston. After graduating, she became homeless and lived on the streets. In 2004, however, she entered a fresh salsa competition for the State of West Virginia and won. Magie started Maggie’s All-Natural Fresh Salsas and Dips with just $800 and grew it into a multi-million-dollar company within four years, distributing products across 38 states to major supermarkets such as Walmart, Sam’s Club and Whole Foods. In 2015, Campbell’s purchased the company and Magie returned to Mexico to rescue 31 orphaned children from a drug cartel. She launched a movement to solve the generational problem of human trafficking. In 2019, Magie began working on making a feature film about her story.

Vera Jones

WBC Program Emcee, Motivational Speaker, Communication Coach and Author

Vera is a motivational speaker, communication coach and author as well as a 30-year broadcast veteran and former ESPN and Big Ten Network basketball analyst. She offers leadership, communication, resilience, diversity and inclusion and conflict resolution coaching and consulting. She also recently founded Perseverance Speakers Academy to help people confidently realize their professional speaking purpose. Vera holds a master’s degree in Television and Radio from Syracuse University, where she is a Hall of Fame athlete. She is also MTI certified in conflict dynamics and workplace conflict resolution. 

Session

Angela Antonio

Small Business Region Executive, Bank of America

As Bank of America’s Small Business region executive for Los Angeles, California, Angela leads a team of Small Business banker managers responsible for executing local strategies and tactics that drive client experience, client relationships and operational excellence. Angela joined Bank of America in 1994 and has held several management positions over her 28-year tenure. She is a two-time recipient of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Dr. Theresa Ashby

COO, Stratologist and Co-Founder, Kaleidoscope Media Services

Dr. Theresa is COO and stratologist and co-founder with Laura Neubauer of Kaleidoscope Media Services. Dr. Theresa has dedicated her efforts to helping companies and individuals enter the billion- dollar eLearning and digital market. She helps her clients use digital products for business sustainability, scalability and successability. Anyone who has a powerful message can create business results that are reliable, repeatable and worth celebrating.

Michael Ashcraft

Senior Area Manager & Public Information Officer, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Kentucky District Office

Michael is senior area manager and public information officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Kentucky District Office. He has a unique background in business development and workforce development from small and large for-profit businesses as well as nonprofit organizations. Working most of his career with and for small businesses, Michael has been with SBA since 2011. He has shared his business knowledge, experience and contacts with small businesses across Kentucky and the region.

Tawana Bain

CEO, TBAIN & Co.

Tawana is CEO at TBAIN & Co, where she is known as a leading marketing strategist and visionary with a niche in Corporate Sustainability—convening skills to bridge the divide between cultures and ensure the environment serves future generations to come. She is also owner of Black Jockeys Lounge, a fine dining restaurant with live music in downtown Louisville, and founder of AFM Threads, one of Louisville’s hottest curated boutiques.  

Kathleen “Katie” Biggs Wright

Attorney, Frost Brown Todd

Katie is a member in the labor department of Frost Brown Todd. She combines the experience of in-house employment law counsel and private practice to assist employers in avoiding and defending labor and employment law claims. Katie concentrates her practice on labor and employment law issues, including employment litigation, labor and employment law arbitrations, conducting investigations, and advising employers on compliance with various federal, state and local employment laws.

Patty Breeze

Founder & President, Breeze Financial LLC.

Patty is founder and president of Breeze Financial LLC. She has been working in the financial services industry since 1981. She has built a successful insurance and investment practice as an insurance broker and consultant and an investment adviser representative and is proud to be a licensed Certified Financial Planner and Charter Life Underwriter. In 2021, Patty became affiliated with Accurate Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm. 

Jill Calabrese Bain

Managing Director for the Small Business, Specialty Banking & Lending Division, Bank of America

Over her 30 years with Bank of America, Jill has held many leadership positions across the company, including positions in Consumer & Small Business Banking, Wealth Management Banking and Corporate Banking. She currently serves as a managing director for the Small Business, Specialty Banking & Lending division, responsible for critical business initiatives dedicated to the economic mobility of the clients and communities we serve. Jill serves as the co-chair of Bank of America’s Domestic Violence Taskforce and provides leadership support to several women’s initiatives, including the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University and the Bank of America Global Ambassadors Program.

Meggan Ciaccia

Ciaccia CPA, P.A. & Co-Owner, Beyond Strategy Partners

Meggan is owner of Ciaccia, CPA, a certified women-owned business. With almost 20 years of diversified accounting experience, she enjoys the variety of work she does with so many different clients, and especially loves helping clients reach their business and personal financial goals. Megan is a licensed CPA in New Jersey and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Meggan partnered with two other women in 2021 to form Beyond Strategy Partners, a consulting firm that focuses on strategic growth.

Jimmy Chow

Director of Community Relations, Mastercard

Jimmy is Director of Community Relations at Mastercard. In this role, he helps promote financial empowerment and equity among underserved communities, through literacy, resources and access to electronic payments technology via the Master Your Card community empowerment program. The Master Your Card program is Mastercard’s community empowerment program aimed at achieving financial inclusion for underserved communities.

Gina Coleman

Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, The PNC Financial Services Group

Gina is senior vice president and chief diversity officer for The PNC Financial Services Group. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of strategies and programs that help further build and sustain a talented, diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion. Gina has more than 25 years of experience as a business and community development professional and entrepreneur within sports, hospitality, financial services, B2B and B2C sales and management roles. She serves on several boards, including Beyond Basics, Detroit Public Schools Foundation and others.

Dr. Jamyce Curtis Banks

CEO, Whatever It Takes Consulting, Inc.

Dr. Jamyce is CEO and lead consultant of Whatever It Takes Consulting, Inc. She is an experienced organizational development consultant with a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership who has provided interactive learning and training to organizations for more than 25 years. Dr. Jamyce established Whatever It Takes, Inc., (WIT) a certified minority and women-owned business enterprise, to provide customized learning support to organizations, including support for the development of culturally responsive individuals and work environments.

Shital Daftari

Founder & CEO, Saris and Things

Shital is the founder and CEO of Saris and Things, an online multichannel e-commerce seller that rents designer Indian clothing for events. Shital also founded and serves as CEO of SNT Biotech, a leading national supplier and distributor of VTM Kits, PCR test kits and rapid antigen test kits to laboratories and hospitals across the country

Barbara Daniel

Publisher & Editor, The Cleveland Women’s Journal

  Barbara is publisher and editor of The Cleveland Women’s Journal, a digital magazine. Since 2004, their mission has been to empower women through knowledge. Barbara was in the financial services industry for 25 years. She was the third woman president of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, was president of the Women’s City Club of Cleveland and is Immediate Past President of NAWBO Cleveland.

LaTaunya Darden

Business Development Officer, Export-Import Bank of the United States

LaTaunya is a business development officer in the Minority, Women-Owned, and Underserved Business Outreach Division at the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the United States. She assists exporters who apply for the Working Capital Guarantee Program as well as Export Credit Insurance. LaTaunya has several years of international trade counseling experience and a passion for guiding exporters and lenders through the process.   

Diana Dibble

President/Co-Founder, Design To Delivery Inc

Diana is president/co-founder of Design To Delivery Inc, an award-winning government contracting firm founded in 2001. She is passionate about business operations and enjoys speaking about it to entrepreneurs at various stages of their business. She is also a brain tumor survivor, and is sharing her story to bring awareness, fundraise and help entrepreneurs create contingency operations plans.

Peter Eberhardt

Senior Research Associate, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)

A senior research associate at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), Peter utilizes academic and applied practice in both quantitative and qualitative methods to support and lead a number of research projects, including entrepreneurship evaluation projects. In addition, Peter engages in projects focused on economic growth and development in under-resourced communities as well as strategic anchor initiatives.

Rebecca Fleischaker

Executive Director, Louisville Downtown Partnership

Rebecca is executive director of LDP whose mission is to promote the redevelopment, vitality and economic growth of the Louisville downtown area. She began her career in public service in Washington, DC for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics. After returning to Louisville, Rebecca served the city of Louisville for nearly 22 years, starting in the Mayor’s Press Office and most recently was co-chief of Louisville Forward.

Crinda Francke

President & CEO, ExecuTrain

Crinda is president and CEO of ExecuTrain and has been working in the training and development industry for more than 27 years. She has worked with thousands of Kentucky organizations to design, plan and deliver employee training programs, and has been involved in all aspects of employee development. Helping people and companies reach their full potential is her passion. Crinda has won multiple awards within the ExecuTrain system during her career and was named NAWBO Lexington’s 2012 Woman Business Owner of the Year.  

Mercedes Garcia

Vice President Community Relations & Public Policy, Mastercard

Mercedes Garcia   Mercedes is vice president community relations at Mastercard. She is responsible for developing relationships with community organizations via the Master Your Card financial education program. This program provides information about how consumers and business owners can get the most from their money by educating themselves in key financial education topics, and through the use of electronic payments technology. She has been with Mastercard for 28 years.

Angela Garmon

Founder & CEO, ARG Coaching & Consulting Group LLC.

Angela is a leading voice for transformational change management. She is founder and CEO of ARG Coaching & Consulting Group LLC, a strategic change management consulting firm that heavily focuses on the human dynamics side of change. ARG supports diverse leaders nationwide as they conquer change and cultivate results. Angela also launched an Arizona-based nonprofit in late 2020 to bridge the economic wealth gap for minority-owned businesses.

Stephanie Givans

Vice President & Commercial Relationship Manager, PNC Financial Services Group

Stephanie is vice president and commercial relationship manager with PNC Financial Services Group. She has over 18 years of experience providing business clients with insights to enhance their financial well-being while managing risk and return. Stephanie is also president for KY Women Business Resource group and advocates and supports initiatives to accelerate women’s financial equality along with supplier diversity.  

Lena Graham-Morris

Chief Strategy Officer, Principal & Shareholder, HORUS Construction Services Inc.

Lena, The Entreprenista, is chief strategy officer, principal and shareholder of HORUS Construction Services Inc. and in a succession plan to take ownership of her family’s third-generation construction business that was established by her grandfather, grandmother, great uncle and father. Lena also brings over 15 years of not-for-profit experience. She served as president of NAWBO Orlando and currently serves on the National PASC.

Emily Griesing

Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Bossible

Emily is co-owner and chief strategy officer of Bossible, a branding, marketing and business development consultancy that serves startups, established businesses and in-house professionals. Emily crafts custom strategies that grow clients’ reputations in a crowded and competitive marketplace, with a particular aptitude for reaching Millennials and Gen Zs. She advises clients on how to create and amplify a unique brand voice, reach their target audience and scale their businesses. Previously, Emily worked in market research at several agencies.

Corinne Hodges

CEO, Association of Women's Business Centers

Corinne joined the Association of Women’s Business Centers as CEO in January 2019 and is charged with bringing about enhanced sustainability and increased capacity to the association and its members. Her immediate priority is the modernization and re-authorization of the Women’s Business Center program while building capacity throughout the growing network of 140 Women's Business Centers.

Beth Hoving

Senior Vice President & East Division Business Support Executive for Small Business, Bank of America

Beth is a Senior Vice President and the East Division Business Support Executive for Small Business at Bank of America. She provides chief-of-staff support across the East Division leadership team and leads a team of regional business management and operations executives aligned to each of the six regions in the East. Beth joined Bank of America in 1997 as a Commercial Banking credit analyst and has since held various roles in the Global Learning and Small Business organizations. Beth serves as a Bank of America national liaison for NAWBO and ambassador for NAWBO Charlotte. She is also a member of LEAD for Women and an ally with LGBTQ+ Pride employee networks. 

Angel Hughes

UPS Airline First Officer & Founder, Sisters of the Skies

Angel is a major cargo airline pilot with nearly 20 years of aviation experience. As an African American female, she represents less than 1 percent of commercial airline pilots in the U.S. Angel’s unique position in an industry where African American women are underrepresented has captured the interests of many across the nation. She was highlighted in the Proudly She Served campaign honoring military women and her self-portrait was on display in The Pentagon. 

Christy Jarboe

Senior Economic Development Manager, Louisville Forward

Christy joined the Department of Economic Development with Louisville Metro Government in 2014 after a career focused on small business management and diversity and inclusion initiatives, connecting small, women- and minority-owned businesses with information and resources about contracting opportunities. As the senior manager for Small Business Development, Christy directs a team of specialist who work with business owners in every stage.

Val Jones

Senior Vice President & Strategy Consultant, Diverse Small Business Customer Segments, Wells Fargo

Val is a senior vice president and strategy consultant with the Diverse Small Business Customer Segments team for Wells Fargo. A 20-year banking veteran, she has held various roles throughout her career, including running small business for Texas branch banking, leading small business lending growth strategy for Texas and the Northeast and more. Val has owned her own business and understands firsthand the excitement and challenges that come with being an entrepreneur. She serves on the National Advisory Council for NAWBO.

Autumn Joyce

Partner & Cohort Leader, Cultivate Advisors

Autumn is a partner and cohort leader at Cultivate Advisors, where she has served as a coach and mentor for other advisors since 2020. To her clients, she is the trusted confidant and advisor she wished for when she was an entrepreneur. For nine years, she owned and operated a highly successful outdoor apparel and ski shop, then went on to head operations and open multiple retail stores for global lifestyle brands throughout the U.S. and North America. With over 20 years of retail business experience, Autumn’s expertise spans e-commerce to stores and more. 

Cari Kenzie

Quantum Healer & Life Mastery Coach

Cari is a Quantum Healer and Life Mastery Coach who helps individuals navigate beyond drama, trauma and self-sabotage by curating a curiosity that invokes clarity to uncover endless opportunities. As a survivor of the terrorist attack in 2013 at the Boston Marathon finish line, Cari knows the devastation that comes in the aftermath of tragedy when truth is denied or hidden. This is the moment when her life journey and divine purpose collided. As an entrepreneur and owner of a multi-million-dollar company, she had to become the master of her healing and owner of her life.

Carena Lemons, Esq.

Attorney, The Lemons Law Firm PLLC

Carena focuses her practice, The Lemons Law Firm, PLLC, on employment and entertainment law. She is also an actress and host of Legally Speaking, which is slated for the Fall 2022 line up on Exposure Plus TV. Carena has practiced law for over 20 years and served on various boards, including NAWBO Greater Raleigh, her local Women’s Bar (DOWA) and her local District Bar Grievance Committee. She has also taught for Duke University’s paralegal program and at NCCU School of Law.  

Krystal Little

Chief of Staff, Stax

Krystal is chief of staff at Stax, an industry-leading, women-founded payment technology company empowering businesses of all sizes to accept payments easily. Krystal joined Stax in 2018, starting as director of sales operations. She quickly moved up to become a pivotal member of the executive team and help guide Stax to achieving the coveted $1BN valuation in 2022. Krystal was recognized in 2021 as “Most Influential Women in Payments” by PaymentsSource. 

Jason Lott, Esq.

Attorney Advisor for Trademarks Customer Outreach, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Jason is the attorney advisor for Trademarks Customer Outreach at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where he specializes in helping small business owners understand trademarks and the federal trademark registration process through live presentations, creative videos and other multimedia platforms. He has been with the USPTO since 2000, previously serving as an examining attorney, and is a recipient of multiple career service awards.

Mary Mack

CEO, Consumer and Small Business Banking (CSBB), Wells Fargo

Mary is CEO of Consumer and Small Business Banking (CSBB) for Wells Fargo. CSBB helps provide financial services to approximately 64 million consumer customers and over 3 million small business customers. Mary has held a variety of leadership positions in brokerage/advisory, banking and finance in her 38-plus year tenure. She has been named by Fortune magazine as one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business.” She also ranked No. 10 on American Banker magazine’s 2021 list of “Most Powerful Women in Banking.”

Lisa Margeson

Managing Director, Retirement Research and Insights, Bank of America

Lisa is managing director, Retirement Research External Affairs, for Bank of America’s Retirement & Personal Wealth Solutions. She is responsible for the multi-channel engagement strategy for the firm’s retirement research, which provides valuable insight to Financial Life Benefits®, an integrated solution that supports employees’ complete financial needs and helps them take control of their financial lives. She was previously head of Retirement Client Experience and Communications.

Jessica Mazzeo, Esq.

Co-Founder & COO, Bossible

Jessica is co-owner and COO of Bossible, a branding, marketing and business development consultancy where she oversees and implements business operations. She is also an expert on diverse business certification, helping women, minority, LGBTQ+ and veteran-owned businesses get certified to generate business. Jessica provides thought leadership on business management and strategy, multigenerational dynamics and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). She is a frequent presenter and published in various business publications. 

Stacey McMahan

Director, Advanced Designs Unit (ADU), Pacific Life

Stacey is a director in Pacific Life’s Advanced Designs Unit (ADU), a highly recognized team of advanced market experts in the life insurance industry. She coordinates ADU’s Strategic Alliance Series webinars as well as advanced planning strategies for Pacific Life’s long-term care products and chronic illness rider. Stacey focuses on business planning, executive compensation, retirement planning and estate planning with an emphasis on life insurance taxation and qualified plans. She often speaks to groups and organizations across the country.

Sonia Moin

Senior Director of Urban Business Initiatives, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)

As senior director of urban business initiatives, Sonia manages ICIC’s partnership with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Santander Bank’s Cultivate Small Business programs. Prior to joining ICIC, Sonia worked at the International Finance Corporation. She has a passion for growing entrepreneurial ecosystem for small businesses, and has brought business advisory services to social entrepreneurs through local economic development organizations.

Tori Murden McClure

President, Spalding University

Tori is an explorer, author and since 2010, the President of Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. During her career, she has worked as a hospital chaplain, women’s shelter director, Mayor’s Office policy assistant and first full-time employee of the Muhammad Ali Center. Tori is perhaps best-known as the first woman and American to row a boat solo across the Atlantic Ocean. A decade earlier, she became the first woman and first American to ski to the geographic South Pole.

Mona Musa

Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service

Mona is a senior international trade specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS), the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce that uses its global presence and international marketing expertise to help exporters sell products and services worldwide. Since joining the USCS 19 years ago, Mona has served as a trade counselor for a wide variety of clients and partners, assisting them with export opportunities, market intelligence and more.

Mary NeCamp

Program Manager/Director, State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

Mary is program manager/director of Kentucky’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, which has helped many Kentucky companies overcome obstacles to exporting by providing grants to cover costs associated with entering and expanding into international markets. The Kentucky STEP program also assists businesses with learning to export via training workshops, B2B matchmaking, market research, trade missions, compliance and more.  

Krista Neher

Author, Speaker & CEO, Boot Camp Digital

Krista is a six-time bestselling author, international speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, global thought-leader and CEO of Boot Camp Digital. With close to 20 years of experience, Krista was a digital marketing pioneer—executing digital strategies before “digital marketing” was even a recognized term. Krista helps businesses and organizations maximize their digital resources through a hands-on approach to training that turns learning into doing. 

Laura Neubauer

CEO, Passionate Disruptor & Co-Founder, Kaleidoscope Media Services

Laura is CEO and passionate disruptor and co-founder with Dr. Theresa Ashby of Kaleidoscope Media Services. She is a serial entrepreneur. Her life’s work is to help others create business opportunities that are passion driven and disrupt the status quo. In today’s world, the best way to sustain and scale a business is to be a part of the billion-dollar eLearning and digital product market.

Judy Nichols

Director Data Analytics & Collaboration Consulting, Dean Dorton

Judy has spent the past 15 years leading consulting practices focused on helping customers drive higher success through more efficient business processes and effective data management. Her early background included all aspects within the physician practice, from hands-on testing to practice management. Currently, she is director of data analytics and collaboration consulting for Dean Dorton. Previously, she was founding partner and CEO of Breakpoint Technology.  

Peggy Noe Stevens

Author, Speaker, Master Bourbon Taster & Experience Maker

Peggy has devoted herself to 30 years of hospitality, entertaining and developing spirit brand destinations. A master bourbon taster (the first female in the industry) who is also a certified etiquette, image and professional speaker, she produces one-of-a-kind experiences for people and places. Peggy created the Bourbon Women Association, the first female consumer group in the industry to celebrate and support Kentucky’s signature product with a multi-city platform for women. She has been inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame and Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. 

Brittany Penny

CEO, 2 Cents Inc.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country, Brittany would actively listen as her father talked about different notes and flavor profiles in his extensive bourbon collection. During the pandemic lockdown, while Brittany was expecting her first child, she put her pregnancy nose to the test and smelled different types of bourbon in her husband’s collection. She tossed around the idea to have a bourbon brand, and after her daughter was born, she launched 2 Cents Inc. Brittany uses her love of bourbon, creativity and marketing knowledge to create an experience that will unite humanity one glass at a time.

Debbie Peterson

Founder, Getting To Clarity, LLC

Debbie is founder of Getting To Clarity, LLC and creator of “The Clarity Community” where she helps women leaders create more success with less sacrifice. She is a keynote speaker, coach, podcast host, mastermind facilitator and retreat host helping to create success by design, not by default. Debbie supports women leaders in advancing to the next level of their leadership and life. Her Design Your Own Blueprint Workshop invites participants to explore who they are meant to authentically BE as a source of happiness, joy and fulfillment. 

Melissa Phan

Senior Vice President - National Product Performance and Integration Manager, Bank of America

Melissa is Senior Vice President - National Product Performance and Integration Manager for Bank of America, where her focus is to build an integrated process to elevate banker-client engagement in close collaboration with key marketing, product and communication partners. Her passion in small business stems from her personal experience of growing up in a small business family. Melissa has served in various roles since joining Bank of America in 2011, including Senior Small Business Banker and Regional Performance Manager. She is a board member of Sacramento’s LEAD for Women and ambassador for NAWBO Sacramento. 

Christina “Tina” Reger

Co-Founder, Loutel, LLC

Tina is co-founder of Loutel LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loutel Law, a certified WBE. Loutel helps organizations become more competitively agile through an expert blend of proactive compliance counsel and DEI-focused consulting and training. Tina is president of NAWBO Greater Philadelphia and sits on the Advisory Board of Victims Voice, a technology-based company that provides victims of abuse a tool to preserve evidence and prosecute their abuser. This year, she was recognized as a SuperLawyer by her peers.  

Roslyn Rice

Co-Founder of DPI, LLC

Roslyn is co-founder of DPI, LLC, a high-impact business consulting firm. She a diversity practitioner, speaker and bestselling author as well as a collaborative, client-centric business professional experienced in creating spaces of belonging that allow organizations to fuel sustainable growth and navigate market volatility. Roslyn embraces truthful connections, storytelling, relevant facts and humor to pull in her audience and bravely inspire them. She currently serves as co-president of NAWBO South Florida.

Ashlyn Roberts

Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Prism Group Public Affairs

Ashlyn is a public affairs and communications professional with diverse experience in the legal, financial, marketing, communications and nonprofit industries. Prior to Prism Group, Ashlyn worked at a campaign-style, full-service media, strategic communications and public affairs firm in Washington, DC. In South Carolina, she served as a legal aide and research associate for three years in various law firms. She also has a wide breadth of international experience.

Kristin Roubie

Director of Business Development, Elo Touch Solutions

Kristin, a Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE), is an experienced solutions sales and marketing professional with a history of helping clients use the latest interactive technologies to inspirebetter brand xperiences and productive work environments. With 19 years of experience in digital signage and the ProAV industry, Kristin works as Elo’s director of business development. Spending 11 years on the front lines for a systems integrator has uniquely positioned Kristin to understand the needs, objectives and obstacles of Elo’s internal and external customers.

Michele Schina

Owner, TMS II, LLC & Co-Owner, Beyond Strategy Partners

Michele is a licensed CPA and founder of the only 100 percent woman-owned Certified Public Accounting firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, providing consulting, tax and accounting services. Prior to that, she served as senior manager of audit at a global accounting firm. Michele expanded her entrepreneurial footprint in recent years, becoming co-owner of BBDS, Inc., a business development firm for technology services. She is also co-owner of the strategic consulting and leadership development firm, Beyond Strategy Partners.

Seema Sheth

Senior Vice President & Regional Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Seema is senior vice president and regional executive of the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which serves Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky. She has held previous positions in financial management where she specialized in financial planning and stewardship of high net-worth clients. She has a master’s in Business Administration. 

Denise Spalding

President & Founder, HighNote

Denise is president and founder of HighNote, a certified women-owned business based in Louisville, Kentucky. HighNote is a direct mail printing and marketing communications company that helps businesses attract and engage customers and strengthen their brand position. Denise currently serves on the UofL Family Business Center board and served on the GLI (Greater Louisville Inc.) board for many years. She has received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, among other honors.

Mellissa Tong

Founder & CCO, DuckPunk Productions, Inc.

Mellissa is a three-time #1 best-selling author on Amazon, an award-winning storyteller and the founder/CCO of a creative marketing and content production company, DuckPunk Productions, Inc. At DuckPunk, she works with SMBs and large organizations to build their brand, drive sales and win more customers. Her work includes brand storytelling, re-branding, marketing, sales and communication trainings as well as TV commercials and branded content.

Moira Vetter

CEO, Modo Modo Agency

Moira is the founder and CEO of Modo Modo Agency, a strategic brand engagement firm that helps billion-dollar companies acquire and grow their market. At Modo Modo, Moira helps connect C-suite leaders with marketing solutions to solve their business challenges in the form of brand strategies and performance.

Amy Walberg

Founder, PRESS Premium Alcohol Seltzer

Amy recognized opportunity in a chance wish for “seltzer with a little something.” Inspired, she channeled her advertising acumen, international savvy and mission to serve women into founding PRESS Premium Alcohol Seltzer. Her innovative seltzer cocktail has taken the male-dominated beverage industry by storm. Amy developed the first flavor profiles in her kitchen with women in mind. She brought PRESS to market in 2015, and today it’s the only woman-owned seltzer among the top 10 brands.

Kai Walker

Managing Director, Head of Inclusion Transformation, Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions, Bank of America

As head of Inclusion Transformation for Bank of America, Kai ensures that the delivery of Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions’ products and services are effective in meeting the needs of diverse clients and communities. In this role, he collaborates with colleagues and partners to enhance employee well-being, foster financial inclusion and address the unique challenges confronting diverse populations. Kai began his career as an executive in Global Wealth & Investment Management and most recently served as enterprise relationships director.

Debra Wilson

Director of Marketing, Diverse Customer Segment, UPS

Debra’s 20-plus years of experience with small businesses spans industries from professional services and manufacturing, to B2C and B2B e-commerce. Debra has been with UPS for 16 years and is currently director of marketing for the Diverse Customer Segment where she leads programs for women and minority-owned businesses. Prior to her current position, Debra held several roles in U.S. Marketing and Marketing Research. Before joining UPS, she worked for several family-owned businesses, and also founded her own business and was a UPS vendor.

Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg

Principal, Public Private Strategies & President of the Business for America’s Future Fund

Katie is a small business advocate and political strategist with a track record of finding solutions to national policy and market challenges. She is a principal at Public Private Strategies and President of the Business for America’s Future Fund, where she works with governments and businesses across the country—from the White House to Fortune 50 corporations to Main Street businesses—to solve pressing policy challenges.

Jessie Yankee

VP of Programs, Association of Women's Business Centers

Jessie is the vice president of programs for the Association of Women’s Business Centers, focused on program development, advocacy and capacity building for Women’s Business Centers nationwide. Previously, she served as the director of the Missouri Women’s Business Center, with a heavy emphasis on economic inclusion and access to capital for the historically underserved. 

Jesika Young

President, CEO & Co-Owner, Cimtech, Co-Founder, New Vibes Wine Co. and New Vines Distribution Co.

Named Enterprising Woman to Watch by Business First, Jesika made a “move to watch” in 2018 when she acquired a 43-year-old manufacturing company and retired from commercial banking. Jesika currently serves as President, CEO and co-owner of Cimtech Inc., and subsidiaries Axis Machine and Tool, and Action Material Handling. She, along with four female business partners, recently launched New Vibes Wine Co. and New Vines Distribution company, the first and only female-owned distribution company in the state of Kentucky.