WBEC NY DMV Shows Up Strong at the 2026 WBENC National Conference
From June 15 to 18, the WBENC National Conference brought the national WBENC network together in Salt Lake City for four days of business development, procurement insight, peer connection, and relationship-building.
WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV arrived with strong regional momentum. President and CEO Diana Domenech, COO Leandra Joseph, Director of WBE Engagement and Services Deena Parker, Director of Marketing Caroline Carrai, and WBE Services and Special Programs Manager Vanessa Foster, attended alongside many WBEs and corporate partners from across our RPOs.
Together, WBEC NY DMV had the largest attendance of all RPOs at this year’s conference, a clear signal of the strength, engagement, and growth focus of our regional network.
As Diana Domenech shared, “The 2026 WBENC Conference demonstrated the impact of our WBEs gathering together for visibility, access, connections, and deepening relationships that can lead to contracts and business growth.”
Starting the Week with Visibility and Connection
The conference opened on Monday, June 15, with a General Session featuring founder and CEO of The ActOne Group Janice Bryant-Howroyd, WBENC Interim President Nedra Dickson, Ampcus CEO and WBEC NY DMV WBE Sponsor Ann Ramakumaran, and WBENC COO Jill Sasso. The session framed the week around leadership, supplier opportunity, and long-term business growth. Our WBEC Greater DMV 2026 WBE Star, Stacy Fritz, CEO of FIT2order, was also honored during the session.
Later that afternoon, WBEC NY DMV hosted its RPO Meet Up, bringing together WBEs, alliance partners, corporate partners, and staff for a regional gathering before the week’s larger programming continued. Attendees painted portraits of regional state parks, with WBEC Metro NY painting the Statue of Liberty and WBEC Greater DMV painting Shenandoah National Park. Participants also customized individual bandanas designed to reflect each creator’s impact. The activities gave participants a hands-on way to connect with one another while strengthening local relationships they could build on throughout the conference.
The day closed with an evening reception inspired by America’s National Parks, giving attendees additional time to reconnect with familiar partners and meet new contacts in a more informal setting.
Industry Insights, Strategic Growth, and SAGE Connections
Tuesday centered on industry-specific access and business growth. Through Industry Labs and Industry Meet & Greets, WBEs connected with corporate partners and peers in their sectors, creating room for more targeted conversations around procurement needs, supplier readiness, and potential collaboration.
The General Session that day featured keynote speaker Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, whose leadership and record of excellence offered a compelling example of preparation, resilience, and long-term impact. Attendees also heard from Ayana Parsons of AKP Management, who spoke about the distinction between building a sustainable business that supports the owner and one that drains them. She shared that if a business owner cannot step away from her enterprise for three months without systems falling apart, she has a “job,” not a business, and must work to make her business sustainable without her constant involvement.
After an afternoon CEO Catalyst session focused on leading through change, WBEC NY DMV hosted an exclusive Tuesday evening SAGE Happy Hour at local establishment, Sunday’s Best. This invite-only reception was designed for SAGE graduates, All-Access pass holders, and Capital One corporate partners. SAGE Advice is a dynamic, hands-on initiative designed to empower women-owned small businesses to grow and thrive. Developed through a strategic partnership between Capital One and WBEC NY DMV, the program delivers customized learning experiences led by accomplished women entrepreneurs and Capital One associates. The All Access Pass is a year-long VIP pass that gives participating WBEs streamlined access to all major WBEC NY DMV signature events. The SAGE Happy Hour created a focused setting for these business owners to connect or reconnect with one another, along with representatives from the WBEC NY DMV and Capital One teams.
A special thank you to Ann Ramakumaran for sponsoring this event and helping create another valuable opportunity for peer and partner conversations. Ann also sponsored a gift for attendees: each guest received a Color-Coded Cosmetics makeup palette from CEO of Makeup by Holly, LLC, and Certified-WBE Holly Byrd Miller.
Tuesday concluded with Sneaker Jam, the fourth annual evening reception hosted by LEO Events and WBENC, where attendees gathered for music, networking, the Women’s Marketplace, and a celebration of women-owned innovation.
Expo Access and Procurement-Focused Conversations
On Wednesday, the WBENC Expo opened, giving WBEs direct access to exhibitors, procurement partners, Women Owned Demo Stations, interactive activities, and 1:1 meeting opportunities. For WBEC NY DMV attendees, the Expo was a practical opportunity to make new connections, strengthen existing relationships, and identify where their capabilities may align with corporate partner needs.
Following the Expo, attendees gathered for a lunch General Session featuring WIPP President Angela Dingle and WBENC Senior Vice President of Certification LaKesha White. The afternoon continued with WBE Hosted Meet & Greets and Corporate Choice Connections, both designed to expand access to business opportunities and deepen relationships across the network.
Wednesday evening’s offsite reception at the Salt Lake City Public Library gave attendees a less formal setting for continued conversation and relationship-building, with themed attire, music, and time to connect beyond scheduled meetings.
Closing with Future-Focused Leadership
Thursday began with another morning of Expo access and concluded with the Closing General Session and Collegiate Accelerator Pitch Competition. Speakers included Kelly Kolar of Kolar Design Inc., Brett Howroyd of ActOne, and Shatica McDonald of Accenture.
The Collegiate Accelerator Pitch Competition showcased emerging entrepreneurs who had completed a four-week educational series and advanced to the final round of the competition. Their pitches reflected the next generation of business leadership and the importance of investing early in women-owned innovation.
Before departing Salt Lake City, attendees also had the option to take part in local excursions, including a Sundance Resort Zipline Tour and a visit to the Bonneville Salt Flats. These experiences offered additional time for informal connection after a full week of programming.
Continuing the Work Beyond Salt Lake City
For WBEC NY DMV, the 2026 WBENC National Conference reinforced what our WBEs already know: access is built through preparation, visibility, and trusted relationships. Certification can open the door, but the deeper value comes from showing up, building credibility, and staying engaged with a network designed to support business growth.
We are proud of the WBEs, corporate partners, alliance partners, and team members who represented our regions in Salt Lake City. Their presence helped demonstrate the strength of the WBEC NY DMV community and the role our network plays in turning connections into contracts, peer relationships into trusted support, and national access into regional opportunity.
To continue building on the relationships started in Salt Lake City, stay engaged with WBEC NY DMV through upcoming programs and events designed for continued access, community, and connection. Next, learn more about and plan to attend the 2026 WBEC NY DMV Impact Awards Luncheon on November 20 in New York City, where WBEC NY DMV will honor the women-owned businesses, corporate partners, and ecosystem allies advancing partnerships and impact across industries. We can’t wait to celebrate our collective impact with you, there.
