A Letter from President & CEO, Diana Domenech

Having experienced WBEC NY DMV as a corporate member, as a Certified WBE, and now as President and CEO, I come to this work with a perspective shaped from having been on several sides of the ecosystem. That full-circle view has shown me that women-owned businesses do not lack capability, ambition, or expertise. Instead, what too often limits growth is inconsistent access to the relationships, information, visibility, and decision-making spaces where business opportunities are created.

That is why my vision for WBEC NY DMV is focused on helping more women-owned businesses move from participation to progress.

We must continue evolving as a trusted, high-impact ecosystem where WBEs, corporate partners, public-sector partners, resource partners, and peer leaders are more intentionally connected. Certification will remain an important strategic enabler that is apart of the value we must deliver. The larger opportunity is to help WBEs build procurement readiness, increase visibility in the supply chain, access relevant capital and capacity-building resources, and form relationships that can support long-term business growth.

Looking ahead, I see three priorities shaping our next chapter: Access, Alignment, and Activation.

The first priority is Acceso.

Access must be intentional. It is not enough to bring people into a room and hope opportunity follows. We must create stronger pathways into corporate partner networks, strategic matchmaking, purchasing conversations, regional relationships, and the broader WBENC ecosystem. We must also help WBEs understand how to prepare for those opportunities, how to communicate their value clearly, and how to follow up in ways that support real business outcomes.

The second priority is Alignment.

Our network includes businesses across many industries, growth stages, revenue levels, and regional markets. A construction firm, a healthcare company, a staffing business, a technology provider, a professional services firm, and a product-based company may all need access, but they do not always need the same kind of support. Our future programming must reflect those differences more clearly.

That means more relevant industry conversations, stronger connection between WBE needs and corporate partner priorities, and clearer communication about where each business owner can begin. It also means continuing to listen closely to what this network is telling us: that WBEs want programming that is practical, targeted, and connected to growth. WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV research has shown that business owners value Certification for credibility and access, while also asking for more tailored programming, matchmaking, industry-specific events, and clearer communication about how to engage.

The third priority is Activation.

The value of this ecosystem increases when we move with purpose. I want WBEs to see a clearer path through WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV: which programs fit their current stage, which events can strengthen visibility, which relationships are worth building, and which opportunities require preparation now.

Participation alone is not the goal. The goal is momentum. The goal is stronger positioning. The goal is helping more WBEs turn connections into contracts, insight into action, and visibility into opportunity.

This vision is especially important in the current business environment. Many of you are navigating shifting markets, procurement changes, staffing pressure, rising costs, technology disruption, and greater competition. You need access to people and information that can help you make informed decisions. You need rooms where the conversation is relevant to your business. You need a network that respects your time and helps you engage with purpose.

That is the future we are building.

In the months ahead, you will see continued focus on programs and events that are designed as pathways, not just calendar items. The WBE FORUM, WEtalks virtual sessions, our Women MEAN Business Summits, SAGE Advice, our Powerplay Pitch Competition and Pitch Academy, corporate engagement, and regional connections across Metro NY and Greater DMV are all part of a broader effort to increase visibility, strengthen readiness, and support meaningful business relationships.

We will also continue strengthening the connections between WBEC Metro NY and WBEC Greater DMV, WBENC, sister RPOs, and our wider partner ecosystem. WBEs should not feel limited to one region, one event, or one doorway into opportunity. Part of our role is to help this network see the full range of relationships and resources available to them, and to engage those opportunities strategically.

I also want to be clear that this vision will not be developed in isolation. I want to hear about what you are experiencing in your industries. I want to know where you need stronger connection, clearer preparation, more relevant programming, or better access to decision-makers. I want to understand the regional opportunities we should be paying attention to, from local projects to sector-specific growth areas.

Listening will shape the strategy. Follow-through will build the trust.

I also ask every member of this network to participate with intention. Attend the programs that fit your business goals. Ask specific questions. Share your capabilities clearly. Follow up after events. Build relationships before you need them. Look across Metro NY, Greater DMV, WBENC, and the broader ecosystem for opportunities to increase your visibility and strengthen your business.

This is how we create a more active, useful, and growth-focused community.

As I look ahead, I am optimistic about what we can accomplish together. WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV have the relationships, reach, and credibility to help more women-owned businesses access opportunity with greater clarity and confidence. Our next chapter will be built through listening, disciplined execution, stronger alignment, and a shared commitment to measurable growth.

Thank you for welcoming me into this role and for being part of this network. I am honored to lead WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV at this important moment, and I look forward to working with you to shape what comes next.

With appreciation,

Diana Domenech
President and CEO
WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV