20 Businesses to Watch at the
2026 Powerplay Pitch Competition Finals
What can you learn by watching 20 women business owners pitch their companies to corporate partner judges?
This September, the 2026 Powerplay Pitch Competition Finals will give the WBEC Metro NY and WBEC Greater DMV network the opportunity to find out.
Twenty Certified women-owned businesses will compete across two live, virtual regional finals. Ten WBEC Metro NY semifinalists will pitch on September 15, followed by 10 WBEC Greater DMV semifinalists on September 23. Each business owner will present to a panel of corporate partner judges, giving attendees the opportunity to hear the pitches, and the questions and feedback that follow.
For WBEs working to strengthen how they communicate with prospective corporate customers and collaborators, there is real value in listening closely. Bring a notebook. The feedback another business owner receives may help you think differently about your own pitch.
Meet the WBEC Metro NY Semifinalists
The 10 Metro NY semifinalists represent businesses across healthcare, manufacturing, consumer products, communications, wellness, and other sectors.
Girmen Aksandar, AXA Med(opens in new tab)
AXA Med uses an AI-powered staffing and workforce management platform to connect healthcare facilities with qualified professionals and help organizations address staffing gaps.
Lalitha Priya Chandrashekhar, MEYA Health(opens in new tab)
MEYA Health is a strategic market access agency helping pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, and digital therapeutics companies bring healthcare innovations to patients.
Alison Evans, SAYSO(opens in new tab)
SAYSO creates all-natural, low-sugar mixer sticks that turn water into cocktails or mocktails with a simple pour and stir.
Michelle Feinberg, NYES Protect(opens in new tab)
NYES Protect is an ISO 13485-certified American manufacturer of personal protective equipment, producing isolation gowns, masks, and face shields for healthcare systems, agencies, and frontline workers.
Coni Lefferts, Creative Packaging Solutions(opens in new tab)
Creative Packaging Solutions supplies empty packaging for retail consumer goods, helping product-based companies support production, presentation, and distribution.
Erika MacDonald, Engaging New Media(opens in new tab)
Engaging New Media is a video production and strategic storytelling agency that helps organizations turn complex information into clear, compelling video content.
Dr. Melissa Robinson-Brown, Renewed Focus Psychology Services(opens in new tab)
Renewed Focus Psychology Services provides culturally responsive therapy, corporate wellness programs, speaking, community experiences, and wellness products.
Neda Shilian, Panty Fresh(opens in new tab)
Panty Fresh offers patented, portable personal care refresh kits designed for use across travel, hospitality, healthcare, convenience, and retail settings.
Carrie Sporer, SWAIR(opens in new tab)
SWAIR creates time-saving haircare products designed to help people refresh and care for their hair efficiently after working out.
Sherene Strausberg, 87th Street Creative(opens in new tab)
87th Street Creative is an animation studio specializing in healthcare videos that make complex concepts and processes easier for audiences to understand.
Meet the WBEC Greater DMV Semifinalists
The Greater DMV field brings another range of business models to the competition, from technology and digital marketing to food, beauty, workplace wellness, and healthcare.
Iyin Akinlabi-Oladimeji, Luji’s Chocolate(opens in new tab)
Luji’s Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate company creating products with distinctive West African flavors and direct ties to cocoa farming in Ile-Oluji.
Nicole Brown, Pop’s Praiseworthy Popcorn(opens in new tab)
Pop’s Praiseworthy Popcorn is a certified woman-owned and military-spouse-owned gourmet snack manufacturer producing culinary-inspired popcorn with all-natural ingredients.
Caroline Caylor, ARAZ Systems, LLC(opens in new tab)
ARAZ Systems provides IT infrastructure and fuel logistics services supporting government, defense, commercial, construction, transportation, and mission-critical operations.
Shanel Evans, Socially Savvy Consulting(opens in new tab)
Socially Savvy Consulting combines leadership development, strategic messaging, and AI infrastructure to help organizations strengthen alignment and performance.
Stacy Fritz, FIT2order(opens in new tab)
FIT2order helps organizations address workplace stress and sedentary work through training, employee challenges, wellness experiences, and workplace health products.
Kamilah Mantle, EPICC Technologies(opens in new tab)
EPICC Technologies provides digital speech and cognitive therapy solutions for people recovering from stroke and brain injury, along with training focused on communication and brain health.
Holly Byrd Miller, Color Coded Cosmetics, LLC(opens in new tab)
Color Coded Cosmetics offers curated, color-guided beauty products designed to make makeup selection and application easier for women seeking a polished, professional look.
Alexandra “Lexx” Mills, Stursi Mocktails & Mixers(opens in new tab)
Stursi creates sophisticated drink options designed to provide an inclusive and satisfying experience with or without alcohol.
Claudia Mirza, AK DIGITAL LLC, dba RunMyProcess(opens in new tab)
RunMyProcess helps global enterprises automate workflows and integrate systems through a low-code platform, with newer capabilities incorporating AI agents into enterprise processes.
Heather Pressler, BlueHuki Agency(opens in new tab)
BlueHuki is a digital marketing agency combining brand strategy, websites, search, AI optimization, and advertising to help businesses improve online visibility and build audience trust.
Watch the Pitches. Listen to the Corporate Perspective.
The Powerplay Pitch Finals give each semi-finalist an opportunity to refine how she communicates her business value, market opportunity, and growth potential while gaining exposure to corporate partners and peers. Four finalists from each regional competition will advance to represent WBEC Metro NY and WBEC Greater DMV at the WBENCPitch National Competition.
For those watching, the competition offers another kind of value.
As each WBE pitches, pay attention to how she explains the problem her business solves and how she establishes what differentiates her company. Then listen to the corporate partner judges. What do they want to understand better? What questions do they ask? What information appears especially relevant to the conversation?
Those observations can help you evaluate how effectively you are communicating your own business to potential corporate customers, partners, and decision-makers.
And you may discover a company within the WBEC NY DMV network that you want to know better or potentially do business with.
Register to Watch Both Finals Live
WBEC Metro NY Powerplay Pitch Competition Finals
September 15 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. ET | Live on Zoom
WBEC Greater DMV Powerplay Pitch Competition Finals
September 23 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. ET | Live on Zoom
Both competitions are virtual, free, and open to the entire network.
Register to watch the 2026 Powerplay Pitch Competition Finals live.(opens in new tab)
Once you open the registration page, click “Register.” A pop-up will appear where you can select one or both live competitions. We encourage you to register for both, and if you so choose, gather your circle and host a watch party of your own.
Come ready to support 20 fellow women business owners, discover businesses within your network, and take away ideas you can apply the next time you have to communicate the value of your own company.