ENGAGEMENT
HIGHLIGHTS

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OCTOBER 1–31, 2022:
NATIONAL WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

NWBC commemorated National Women’s Small Business Month by turning back the clock and looking at where the Council has been and where the Council hopes to go next. During the month, NWBC also celebrated its 34th birthday and the progress made since the Council’s establishment in 1988
National women's small business month graphic

DECEMBER 1, 2022:
FOREIGN POLICY HER POWER SUMMIT

NWBC Executive Director Tené Dolphin was a distinguished mentor at the 4th Annual Her Power Summit hosted by Foreign Policy in Washington, D.C. This event fostered essential dialogues around how women’s leadership and gender parity can help create a more prosperous and secure future for all. Major participants included top government officials, leading voices from industry, and gender experts, all of whom covered future-looking topics related to women’s empowerment globally.
NWBC Executive Director Tené Dolphin was a distinguished mentor at the 4th Annual Her Power Summit hosted by Foreign Policy in Washington, D.C. This event fostered essential dialogues around how women’s leadership and gender parity can help create a more prosperous and secure future for all.

DECEMBER 2, 2022:
ECUADORIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION MEETING

NWBC Executive Director Tené Dolphin delivered remarks and provided insight into some of the issues women face in business within the United States and how the Council seeks to make a more positive impact. From there, the group engaged in a thoughtful discussion to share experiences and exchange learnings.
NWBC Executive Director Tené Dolphin delivered remarks and provided insight into some of the issues women face in business within the United States and how the Council seeks to make a more positive impact.

DECEMBER 13–14, 2022:
2022 AWBC CONFERENCE

Council Members Roberta McCullough and Selena Rodgers Dickerson presented at the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) Conference. They used the opportunity to speak about the roles and resources NWBC provides to women business owners nationwide. Attendees asked questions, offered advice, and networked with the Council Members.
Council Members Roberta McCullough and Selena Rodgers Dickerson presented at the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) Conference.

JANUARY 2023:
BLACK AND BANKABLE PODCAST

Executive Director Tené Dolphin sat down with Black and Bankable Podcast Host Talibah Bayles and expanded NWBC’s platform to a new audience. Dolphin shared the history of H.R.5050, the composition of the Council, and how the Council works on behalf of America’s over 12 million women business owners. The conversation also highlighted the challenges many Black women face accessing capital and the need to understand and rethink business lending criteria
The black and bankable podcase image
Executive Director Tené Dolphin sat down with Black and Bankable Podcast Host Talibah Bayles and expanded NWBC’s platform to a new audience. Dolphin shared the history of H.R.5050, the composition of the Council, and how the Council works on behalf of America’s over 12 million women business owners.

JANUARY 23, 2023:
GOVEXEC DAILY PODCAST

Council Member Jaime Gloshay spoke with GovExec Daily Podcast Host Ross Gianfortune about the state of women-owned businesses. She specifically elevated the perspective of the Council on access to capital and opportunity and her point of view as a leader in the Native women’s entrepreneurial community.
GovExec Daily image

FEBRUARY 8, 2023:
FEBRUARY PUBLIC MEETING

NWBC held its first public meeting of 2023 at the Small Business Administration (SBA) Headquarters, where Council Members reflected on 2022 accomplishments and their policy goals for 2023. Associate Administrator of the Office of Entrepreneurial Development Mark Madrid and Senior Advisor to the Administrator Aditi Dussault shared critical SBA updates with Council Members and the public. The Council then joined Candace Waterman of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Maxwell Young of 1863 Ventures, and Julie Castro Abrams of How Women Lead/How Women Invest to discuss the previous year’s recommendations and new directions worth considering in 2023.
Woman in picture in black at the podium image.
A woman with glasses wearing all black with glasses.

FEBRUARY 8-9, 2023:
FEBRUARY SBA AND CONGRESSIONAL MEETINGS

While Council Members were in town for the Public Meeting, they connected with SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development and Office of Women’s Business Ownership, as well as with staffers from Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan’s office, Senator Benjamin Cardin’s office, and Senator Joni Ernst’s office. These meetings enabled Council Members to elevate the Council’s prior policy recommendations, learn more about each office’s work, share stories and information from their own experience as business leaders, and dig into areas of potential alignment.
Council Members photo

MARCH 1–31, 2023:
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

NWBC celebrated Women’s History Month by sharing a selection of the worthy wows, wins, and whys of women entrepreneurship. The Council closed out the celebrations with the 2nd Annual Women’s Business Summit held near the end of the month.
Women's History Month image

MARCH 1, 2023:
USPTO’S WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP SYMPOSIUM

Council Member Jenny Poon participated in the United States Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO’s) Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium. She discussed the challenges women business owners face and spoke to her unique background as the daughter of immigrants and as an ecosystem builder.
WE Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium image

MARCH 21–23, 2023:
USPTO’S WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP SYMPOSIUM

Council Member Jenny Poon participated in the United States Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO’s) Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium. She discussed the challenges women business owners face and spoke to her unique background as the daughter of immigrants and as an ecosystem builder.
Council Member Jenny Poon participated in the United States Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO’s) Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium image.

MARCH 27–29, 2023:
SBA’S WOMEN’S BUSINESS SUMMIT

The 2023 Women’s Business Summit convened thought leaders from across the public and private sectors to address persistent challenges women entrepreneurs face as they start and scale their businesses and share important information about promising private and government program models. The Summit included “Ask an Expert” sessions where entrepreneurs could engage directly with SBA officials and learn more about SBA resources and programs. The in-person and virtual events also commemorated the passage of H.R. 5050 and the establishment of NWBC and the Women’s Business Center program.
2023 Women’s Business Summit convened thought leaders from across the public and private sectors to address persistent challenges women entrepreneurs face as they start and scale their businesses and share important information about promising private and government program models.

  • WHITE HOUSE EVENT

President Biden kicked off the 2023 Women’s Business Summit as the culminating event honoring Women’s History Month. The President delivered a call to action supporting and strengthening America’s women-owned businesses. He also announced the expansion of the Women’s Business Center program. The President’s remarks preceded an inspiring and candid panel discussion moderated by SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Panelists included Spanx founder Sara Blakely, ClassPass founder Payal Kadakia, Dunamis Charge Founder Natalie King, and Lip Bar Founder Melissa Butler.
President Biden kicked off the 2023 Women’s Business Summit as the culminating event honoring Women’s History Month.

  • CONGRESSIONAL EVENT

NWBC Executive Director Tené Dolphin and Office of Women’s Business Ownership Assistant Administrator Donald Smith delivered opening remarks along with Summit partners, and special guest Senator Benjamin Cardin. During a fireside chat, SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman shared notable takeaways around barriers and the SBA tools designed to address them. Panelists included Cleo Barger of Mid-States, Jeni Britton of Jeni’s Ice Cream, and Mariela Pineda and Natalia Pretel of Tierra Encantada.
NWBC Executive Director Tené Dolphin and Office of Women’s Business Ownership Assistant Administrator Donald Smith delivered opening remarks along with Summit partners, and special guest Senator Benjamin Cardin.

  • VIRTUAL SESSIONS

The virtual component featured NWBC’s panel entitled, “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Supporting Equity, Uplifting the Small Business Sisterhood.” This panel of trailblazing women engaged entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystem leaders who prioritize and build equity into their business models. Panelists discussed strategies and identified best practices, sharing how they bring novel products and services to diverse consumers and contribute to their communities by providing jobs, community-based co-working, and innovation “safe spaces” to improve support for a growing entrepreneurial sisterhood.
The virtual component featured NWBC’s panel entitled, “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Supporting Equity, Uplifting the Small Business Sisterhood.”

  • THE GATHERING SPOT EVENT

This closing event celebrated the advancements made since the passage of H.R. 5050. Advocates, thought leaders, and business owners gathered as SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman facilitated a poignant conversation with representatives on behalf of AWBC, NAWBO, and NWBC, recognizing the tremendous progress made and the opportunity to go further in support of women business owners.
This closing event celebrated the advancements made since the passage of H.R. 5050.

APRIL 26, 2023:
WORLD IP DAY

NWBC staff celebrated World Intellectual Property (IP) Day by attending an event hosted by USPTO entitled, “The Value of Her IP” at the U.S. Capitol. The event recognized the importance of intellectual property rights, a critical facet of innovation, especially for women entrepreneurs.
USPTO World Intellectual Property Day iamge

APRIL 30–MAY 6, 2023:
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

NWBC celebrated National Small Business Week by supporting local women-owned small businesses across the country, from Washington, D.C., and Birmingham, AL, to Phoenix, AZ.
2 women for the National small business week image 1.
2 women for the National small business week image 2.

MAY 4, 2023:
CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY HEINZ COLLEGE EVENT

NWBC celebrated former policy fellow Sara Torres Inda’s graduation from Heinz College. She did great work for NWBC and supported entrepreneurship by working with SBA beyond her NWBC experience.
2 women posing for the NWBC celebrated former policy fellow Sara Torres Inda’s graduation from Heinz College.

MAY 9, 2023:
NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP MOTHER’S DAY TEA

NWBC attended the National Partnership for Women and Families’ Annual Mother’s Day Tea. Staff connected directly to this discourse that delved into what success and best practices look like for women in business and the workplace, particularly mothers, guardians, and caregivers. The discussion also touched on intersectional approaches and partnerships for impact.
2 women posing for the National Partnership Mother's Day Tea

JUNE 6, 2023:
NAWBO ADVOCACY DAY

NWBC convened a panel discussion on how the National Association of Women Business Owners’ (NAWBO’s) advocacy helped establish H.R. 5050. Executive Director Tené Dolphin facilitated this meaningful conversation where Council Member Leslie Lynn Smith, Council Member Brandy Butler, and NAWBO Board Member Dr. Jan Shinkawa shared their diverse perspectives on NWBC’s policy recommendations, their role in advancing women entrepreneurship, and the two organizations’ historic partnership.
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JUNE 6, 2023:
DIANA INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE’S IMPACT DAY

Council Members Roberta McCullough and Selena Rodgers Dickerson were invited by Council Member Shakenna Williams—who serves as Executive Director of Babson College’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership—to learn more about research on women’s business ownership and how this research can influence policy recommendations during Diana International Research Institute’s Impact Day. Council Member Samantha Abrams joined them at the event, serving as a speaker on behalf of Walker’s Legacy.
Council Members Roberta McCullough and Selena Rodgers Dickerson were invited by Council Member Shakenna Williams—who serves as Executive Director of Babson College’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership—to learn more about research on women’s business ownership and how this research can influence policy recommendations during Diana International Research Institute’s Impact Day.

JUNE 8, 2023:
SCN POLICY SUMMIT

NWBC led a workshop on how changemakers can influence the entrepreneurial ecosystem through policy at the Startup Champions Network (SCN) Policy Summit. The workshop considered how ecosystem builders can raise their voices in support of sustainable models and walked participants through the policy development process via a small group exercise.
Woman speaking at the SCN Policy Summit

JUNE 14, 2023:
JUNE PUBLIC MEETING

NWBC hosted the second public meeting of the year, allowing Council Members to share updates on policy deliberations and the Council’s research efforts. A panel discussion was held with several leaders from Offices of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization (OSDBUs) and Alisa Sheard, SBA Deputy Director of the Office of Government Contracting, to better understand the state of federal contracting, highlight best practices supporting underserved communities and connect to program funding and other topics relevant to women business owners.
Virtual Public Meeting image

JUNE 27, 2023:
AFRICAN BUSINESS WOMEN’S DELEGATION MEETING

NWBC Senior Policy Advisor Sandra Mayoral Pedroarias and fellow NWBC staff members participated in the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program’s informational session. Women entrepreneurs from several African countries shared their experiences; Sandra Mayoral Pedroarias shared information about past policy recommendations and the Council’s current work, while Sarah Bonner from SBA’s Office of International Trade shared information about existing resource programs.
Arican Business Women's Delegration Meeting

JULY 24-26, 2023:
2023 AWBC CONFERENCE

NWBC attended the Association of Women’s Business Center’s (AWBC) annual conference, where staff and Council Members connected with women entrepreneurs and learned from their expertise. NWBC Staff and Council Members were able to share information about the Council’s policy focus areas for 2023 and uplift policy recommendations and resources of significance from the previous year.
2023 AWBC Conference

JULY 24, 2023:
INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS ROUNDTABLE

Council Members Kathy Cochran and Samantha Abrams moderated a policy roundtable on “Overcoming the Digital Divide to Empower Underserved Women Entrepreneurs” at the AWBC Leadership Conference. Valuable knowledge was exchanged, particularly on bridging skills and access gaps around digital resources and broadband for women business owners.
Inclusive Enterprenurian Ecosystems Rountable

JULY 2023:
BLACK AND BANKABLE PODCAST

Council Members Samantha Abrams, Brandy R. Butler, Roberta McCullough, and Kathy Cochran met with Talibah Bayles, founder of TMB Tax and Financial Services and host of Black and Bankable Podcast, to discuss their successes and struggles as business leaders and why their Council service is so important to them.
Black and Bankable Podcast of 5 women.

AUGUST 17, 2023:
WOMEN IN STEM ROUNDTABLE

Council Members Jenny Poon and Selena Rodgers Dickerson moderated a roundtable entitled “How She Saved the World – Responsible Advancement to Support Women Entrepreneurs.” Council Members explored strengthening entrepreneurial growth for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. A panel of thought leaders gave key insights on fortifying the STEM entrepreneurial pipeline and translating STEM innovation into a sustainable business model at Howard University.
Women of Stem Roundtable of 10 women.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023:
SEPTEMBER PUBLIC MEETING

NWBC was honored to host remarks from SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and introduce Sima Ladjevardian as its new chair. This meeting also allowed Council Members to deliberate policy recommendations and respond to comments from the public.
September Public Meeting image 1
Woman speaking at the September Public Meeting.