2026 Impact Awards: Nominations Open June 1st
A Celebration of Impact
At WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV, we believe in the power of synergy to drive impact. The Impact Awards recognize the extraordinary women business enterprises (WBEs), corporate partners, and ecosystem allies whose work creates transformational change.
Every year, we gather at our Impact Awards Luncheons to celebrate the visionaries, innovators, collaborators, and allies who are redefining what’s possible in business. This recognition aims to spotlight the individuals and organizations whose leadership, partnership, and purpose elevate our entire network. Together, we shine brighter.
Tickets for the 2026 Fall Luncheons Open Soon.
2026 IMPACT HONORS
Selected by WBEC NY DMV based on year-round performance, engagement, and impact.
The Emerging 10 (E10)
Impact through unstoppable momentum.
We're honoring 10 remarkable WBEs from WBEC NY DMV whose financial growth reflects not only business excellence, but the unstoppable momentum of our community. These women-led enterprises are scaling revenue with purpose, redefining success, and fueling the collective power that drives our ecosystem forward. We salute their vision, tenacity, and transformative impact.
Champion Circle Honorees
Impact through purposeful partnership.
We celebrate the Corporations and WBE Sponsors that exemplify synergy, integrating resilience, agility, and collaboration into their supplier and community engagement. They continue to go beyond transactions to foster transformational relationships.
2026 Impact Awards
Accepting Nominations
WBE Supplier of the Year (Class 1 to 4)
Impact through business excellence and growth.
Eligibility: Certified WBEs whose bold leadership and community spirit elevate the entire ecosystem through outstanding provision of services and modeled business practices. These companies have a demonstrated track record of customer satisfaction and business growth. They also actively support other WBEs, meaningfully contribute to WBEC NY DMV programming, and leverage certification to create economic opportunity for others.
- Class 1: < $5 million in annual revenues
- Class 2: $5 million < $10 million in annual revenues
- Class 3: $10 million < $50 million in annual revenues
- Class 4: $50 million+ in annual revenues
WBE Innovation Award
Impact through bold thinking and forward movement.
Eligibility: Certified WBEs who transform industries through ingenuity. Whether through disruptive technology, inventive strategy, or a revolutionary business model, they prove innovation is not just an idea but a legacy. They demonstrate creativity in addressing business or community challenges.
WBE Star
Impact through leadership, service, and influence.
Eligibility: Certified WBEs whose leadership, vision, and commitment reflect the very best of the WBEC NY DMV network. They excel not only in business, but also in community engagement, collaboration, and uplifting others. They lead by example and demonstrate that true success is measured not only by growth, but by the positive ripple effect created for other women-owned businesses.
Corporation of the Year
Impact through sustained commitment and meaningful engagement.
Eligibility: Active Corporate Members who visibly embrace the spirit of supplier inclusion, driving breakthrough growth and game-changing opportunities for women entrepreneurs. They set the standard in championing women-owned businesses, going beyond compliance by developing innovative, inclusive procurement strategies. They foster access as an advocate, investor, and ecosystem builder.
Advocate of the Year
Impact through championing access and opportunity.
Eligibility: Certified WBEs, Corporate Members, and Alliance Partners whose courageous advocacy turns good intentions into powerful results for diverse suppliers. Their commitment to equity is demonstrated through meaningful action. Whether working behind the scenes or leading from the front, this ally serves as a vital bridge between advocacy and institutional transformation. They have a consistent track record of championing entrepreneurs within their organization or industry and are instrumental in driving internal cultural shifts or advancing inclusive policies that benefit entrepreneurs.
Power in Partnership
Impact through aligned action.
Eligibility: Alliance Organizations who build bridges to build power, model strategic collaboration or long-term impact on small businesses. Through partnership, they demonstrate results like new contracts and measurable community impact. With a shared vision, they work with us to solve problems, uplift communities, and expand business opportunities for all.
2026 Distinguished Impact Awards
Selected by WBEC NY DMV to acknowledge exceptional leadership, partnership, and lasting contribution to the network.
President’s Award
Impact through collaborative leadership.
Eligibility: A Certified WBE, Corporate Member, Alliance Partner, or Ecosystem Champion whose influence extends beyond their job title. They continually make a profound impact on our network through their leadership, support, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
Icon Award
Impact through systemic change.
Eligibility: A Certified WBE, Corporate Member, Alliance Partner, or Ecosystem Champion who fosters strong partnerships and coalitions both within their organization and across the broader ecosystem. They embody and advance the evolving themes and strategic direction of WBEC NY DMV, serving as a catalyst for progress. They make exceptional contributions to building a thriving, interconnected community that supports and uplifts other WBEs.
Previous Award Winners
2024 WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV Award Winners
Metro NY
- Outstanding Corporation – Bristol Myers Squibb
- Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate – Dawn Wells, Northwell Health
- WBE Star – Darcy Flanders, Baseline Group NY
- President’s Award – Diana Domenech, Accelerator Consulting Experts LLC
- Corporate Opportunity Award – Capital One
- Corporation Champion Award – Pfizer Inc.
- WBE Champion Award – Stackable Sensations, Shari Verrone
- WBE Connection Award – Stackable Sensations, Shari Verrone
- Access New York Award – Coranet Corp, Margaret Marcucci
Greater DMV
- Outstanding Corporation – Dominion Energy
- Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate – Christine Walsh, Alpha Graphics, Inc.
- WBE Star – Theresa Proctor, Forward Moment Enterprises
- President’s Award – Rose Hatcher
- President's Award – Allison Kube
- Corporate Opportunity Award – Capital One
- Corporate Champion Award – AstraZeneca
- WBE Champion Award – Torchlight Hire, LLC, Heidi Parsont
- WBE Connection Award – Chantilly Mediation and Facilitation, LLC, Gina Weatherup
- Public Sector Award – AARP
2023 WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV Award Winners
Metro NY
- Outstanding Corporation – New York Life Insurance
- Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate – Sundari Pai Luts, Bristol Myers Squibb
- WBE Star – Linda Hamilton, Linda A. Hamilton CPA, LLC
- President’s Award – Sheri Shafir, AMC Networks
- Corporate Opportunity Award – Pfizer Inc.
- Corporate Champion Award – Pfizer Inc.
Greater DMV
- Outstanding Corporation – AstraZeneca
- Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate – Thobias Thornwell, MGM National Harbor
- WBE Star – Mary Fehlig, The Fehlig Group
- President’s Award – Angela Franco, DC Chamber of Commerce
- President’s Award – Jon Suber, MassMutual
- Corporate Opportunity Award – Dominion Energy
- Corporate Champion Award – AstraZeneca
- Public Sector - AARP
2022 WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV Award Winners
Metro NY
- Outstanding Corporation – Capital One
- Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate – Sandi Webster, Sandi Webster LLC
- Star Award – Dee Marshall, Diverse & Engaged
- President’s Award – Charlene Vickers, Johnson & Johnson
Greater DMV
- Outstanding Corporation – Dominion Energy
- Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate – Erica Small-Sisco & Deborah Gittens,
- Old Dominion University Women’s Business Center
- Star Award – Liz Whitehead, 12PointFive LLC
- President’s Award – Anna Hakobyan, AstraZeneca
2022 Done Deals Award Winners
Metro NY
- Corporate Opportunity Award – Pfizer Inc.
- Corporate Champion Award – New York Life Insurance
- WBE Champion Award – Stackable Sensations
- Done Deals Champion Award – Stackable Sensations
- Access New York City – Coranet Corp, Mrs. Paper, Eriksen Translations
- Access New York State – Coranet Corp, Mrs. Paper, Eriksen Translations
Greater DMV
- Corporate Opportunity Award – Dominion Energy
- Corporate Champion Award – AstraZeneca
- WBE Champion Award – Ampcus Inc., TorcheLight Hire LLC
- Public Sector Award – AARP