About our Chapter
Our History
In 1974, an informal group of women business owners in the Washington, DC area met to trade information about federal contracts, bank credit, and other business issues. Every few weeks, more women began attending the group and it became clear that there was a great need for a formal organization devoted to helping women business owners grow their businesses. By 1975, our founders were organized, named and charged as a national organization.
From this rich beginning, our chapter has served the ambitions and needs of the women of the Greater DC area.
For more information please call us at 703-646-0224.
Our Vision and Mission
NAWBO Greater DC is a strong and vibrant network of highly skilled women business owners, building their businesses through collaboration without the fear of covert competition.
We achieve this vision by:
- Providing opportunities to connect and collaborate
- Providing relevant programming to increase business acumen and foster business growth
- Strategically aligning with partners who share our vision and seek to engage women business owners in the DC metro area
2019 - 2020 Board of Directors
| President | President - Elect |
| Diana Dibble | Lisa Nicholls |
| Design To Delivery Inc. | Tira! Strategies |
| Treasurer | Membership Chair |
| Dawn McGruder | Queirra Fenderson |
| The McGruder Group CPAs | The Ambition Studio |
| Secretary | Governance Chair |
| Melissa Henry | Gosia Bochenek |
| Melissa Demple Photography | Cochran Allan |
| Strategic Partnerships | Strategic Partnerships |
| Dana Hutson | Rene Wells |
| Cancer Champions | Apus Media |
| Governance Chair | |
| Betsy Luxenberg | |
| Holland & Knight |
Past Presidents
2018-2019 |
| Alcia Russman |
| Undeniable Boutique |
2016-2018 |
| Dana Hutson |
| Cancer Champions |
2015-2016 |
| Debrah Farnell |
| DKM Planners |
2014-2015 |
| Mina Fies |
| Synergy Design and Construction |
2013-2014 |
| Jennifer Brand |
| Brand Solutions Group |
2012-2013 |
| Heidi Kallett |
| Dandelion Patch |
2010-2012 |
| Leslie Curran |
| Plave Koch |
Woman of Distinction
In 2011, our chapter developed a Woman of Distinction Award to honor accomplished women business owners who demonstrate strong leadership in the advancement of women in business in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as a way to thank those who strengthen our members and the women's business environment. Honoring three women and revealing the winner of the award is one of the highlights of our annual luncheon held in June.
Early each year, an announcement and application appear on our website and a call for nominations goes out by email. Applications for the award are encouraged and accepted for candiates who are:
- Located in the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area
- A female business owner or decision-making executive responsible for business performance
- A woman whose works shows her contribution to the advancement of women in business
2016 |
Woman of Distinction |
Honorees |
| Nikki Trowbridge | Tina Johnson | |
| The Statements Brand | JP Events & Consulting | |
| Krysta Jones | ||
| Virginia Leadership Institute | ||
2015 |
Woman of Distinction |
Honorees |
| El Brown | Kristina Bouweiri | |
| Kinder Jam | Reston Limousine | |
| Gwen McKinney | ||
| McKinney & Associates | ||
2014 |
Woman of Distinction |
Honorees |
| Renee Lewis | Amy Anda | |
| Pensare Group | Credence Management Solutions | |
| Ginger Miller | ||
| Women Veterans Interactive | ||
2013 |
Woman of Distinction |
Honorees |
| Frederique Irwin | Bev Gray | |
| Her Corner | Exhibit Edge | |
| Doreen Rainey | ||
| RADICAL Success Coach | ||
2012 |
Woman of Distinction |
Honorees |
| Sam Horn | Louisa Jaffe | |
| The Intrigue Expert | TAPE | |
| Watch video | Watch video | |
| Cindy Tonnesen | ||
| SwimKids Swim Schools | ||
| Watch video | ||
2011 |
Woman of Distinction |
Honorees |
| Kathy Korman Frye | Nadja Giuffrida | |
| Hot Mommas Project | Dextro, LLC | |
| Watch video | Kristina Tanasichuk | |
| GTS Coalition |
President's Award
Each year at our annual luncheon, our chapter president presents this award to a member of our chapter who exemplifies our mission and has made the greatest contribution to the success of our chapter during her term.
2016 |
| Kathy Benson |
| ORI |
2015 |
| Linda Ensign |
| Yellow Hare, Inc. |
2014 |
| Debrah Farnell |
| DKM Planners |
2013 |
| Kathy Benson |
| ORI |
2012 |
| Tina Johnson |
| JP Events & Consulting |
2011 |
| Jennifer Brand |
| Brand Solutions Group |
| Watch video |
2010 |
| Kim Lysik di Santi |
| Total Strategy |