2026 Impact Awards: Nominations Are Now Open. Submit by July 15.
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 Luncheon 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 Impact Awards Luncheon Open Soon
WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV will come together as a united network across two sister regions for one signature Impact Awards Luncheon in New York City.
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.
WBE FORUM Leader of the Year
Impact through regional connection.
Eligibility: FORUM Leader who serves as a trusted resource and ambassador for WBEC NY DMV in their local business community. Through shared knowledge, peer leadership, and regional engagement, they raise awareness of the network's value. Their work helps more women business owners see a clear path into the relationships, guidance, and support that strengthen the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
2026 Impact Awards
Accepting Nominations
*One winner will be selected per region for each award category. Region selection is included in the nomination form.
Self-nominations are welcome for all categories.
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.
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.
Marsha Firestone Award
Impact through systemic change.
Eligibility: A leader whose work reflects the vision and lasting influence of Dr. Marsha Firestone. The recipient creates systemic impact by strengthening coalitions, partnerships, and visibility for WBEs across the broader ecosystem. Their contributions serve as a catalyst for progress, strengthening women's economic leadership and uplifting the businesses they support.
Previous Award Winners
2025 WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV Award Winners
Metro NY
- Supplier of the Year Class I – Biens Chocolate Centerpieces, Geraldine Keogh
- Supplier of the Vear Class II – Eriksen Translations, Vigdis Eriksen
- Supplier of the Year Class Ill – Rangam Consultants Inc, Hetal Parikh
- Supplier of the Vear Class IV – The Millenium Group, Letty Murphy
- 2026 WBE Star – Diana Domenech, Accelerator Consulting Experts LLC
- Advocate of the Year – Sonia Walkes, Con Edison
- Corporation of the Year – Consolidated Edison of New York
- Power in Partnership Award – Stephanie De La Cruz, Inner City Capital Connections
- President's Award – Mary McEvoy, PepsiCo.
- Icon Award – Rosalie Stackman Edson, The Rose Connection
Greater DMV
- Supplier of the Year Class I – Unitec Distribution Systems, Elise Elfman
- Supplier of the Year Class II – Torchlight Hire, LLC Heidi Parsont
- Supplier of the Year Class III – API Source, Cindy Brown
- Supplier of the Year Class IV – Ampcus Inc., Ann Ramakumaran
- 2026 WBE Star – Stacy Fritz, Fit2Order
- Advocate of the Year – Kimberly Ayers, AARP
- Corporation of the Year – Washington Gas
- Power in Partnership Award – Marisela Rodela, Office of Women's Initiatives
- President's Award – Ann Ramakumaran, Ampcus Inc.
- Icon Award – Kristina Pezzello, Former President and CEO and Advisor, Reston Limousine
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