WBEC NY DMV

Lunch With the Experts: Mastering Your Pitch, Captivate and Convince
2023-08-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Lunch with the Experts: Mastering Your Pitch, Captivate and Convince

Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Expand minority entrepreneur access to capital and business expertise through direct to consumer offerings and strategic partnerships.

Presenter Info

Felicia Brown
Senior Advisor, AARP
Felicia Brown is a Senior Advisor at AARP. She has over 25 years of experience developing programs, managing projects and strategic planning. In her primary role as lead for AARP’s Entrepreneurship Initiative she provides strategic direction for national partnerships and national programming with focus on women, communities of color and veterans. Among her recent accomplishments are, the creator of AARP’s Small Business Newsletter, Meet the Founder interview series (highlighting the stories of business founders) the AARP How She Did It Podcast, talent for the AARP Work and Jobs video series and led the creation of the Small Business Development Resource Center for the 50+ (www.smallbizrc.org). Previously led AARP’s Financial Freedom initiative and many initiatives the strengthened members and community
Ms. Brown is a community service advocate. She’s a current member of the Women’s Business Development Center of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University Advisory Committee and serves as a volunteer for Suited for Change helping women transform their lives as they re-enter the workforce. And she’s a former member of the NCA&T National Alumni Board. She is a recipient of the DC Alumni Association Hall of Fame (2014), received the Small Business Advocate Award from the Planning Suite and the Small Business Pitch Competition Judge Appreciation Award from AARP Georgia.
She is an active member of the Washington, DC Alumni Association and the NCA&T Aggie Athletic Foundation (AAF) where she has served in many leadership roles, that include Secretary, First and Second Vice President and Fundraising. She also served as the former Washington, DC Alumni Association Board of Director, Chair where she led a major property renovation. Felicia, a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, is an active member of the Rho Mu Omega Chapter, located in Washington DC. There she led as the Family Strengthening Committee Chair, led major fundraisers and served as a Board Member for the DC Pearls III Foundation.
Felicia Brown resides in Cheverly, MD. She enjoys serving her community, being with family and friends, and loves to travel.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpceiqrTsiHdfzILd-Dtc5X6CTTfVFgvPK

Lunch With the Experts: No Magic Wands, How to Connect with Corporates
2023-08-21 12:00
Lunch with the Experts: No Magic Wands, How to Connect with Corporates
Monday, August 21st, 2023
12:00pm ET

Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Dawn Wells of Northwell Health. Dawn will discuss paths from certification to becoming a provider to a WBEC Corporate Sponsor. Three WBE panelists, Darcy Ann Flanders, Founder and CEO BaselineGroupNY, Dee Marshall, CEO Diverse & Engaged and Diane Winston, founder and CEO of Winston Strategic Partners, will share their unique experiences as WBEs who have successfully navigated the process of building and developing relationships with WBEC Corporate Sponsors.

Dawn Wells
Northwell Health
Dawn Wells is supply chain professional with a public health heart. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Supply Chain at Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, serving NYC, Long Island, and Westchester. In this role she leads supply chain operations for the Health Systems’ Ambulatory Care Network comprised of more than 830 physician practices and outpatient facilities. In addition to these responsibilities, Dawn takes an active role in championing and facilitating programs that impact all levels of the organization. She has been a consistent champion of diversity; representing supply chain asa member of the diversity and health equity council and corporate social responsibility committee. In 2019, she chartered the health systems supplier diversity council that is charged with creating a cross functional action plan, ensuring that there is a system wide commitment to maintaining the diversity of the Health System’s suppliers, putting in place standardized processes for measuring goals and success, and partnering with external agencies to educate and deliver information to diverse suppliers within the communities served. Dawn joined Northwell Health in 2003 as a member of the project implementation team that established framework for integrating finance, supply chain, and human resources under a shared-services umbrella. Over the years she has defined and redefined her position and responsibilities in response to the organization’s rapid growth. Dawn currently serves on the board of the NYNJ Minority Supplier Developmen

Darcy Flanders
BaselineGroupNY
As founder and chief brand strategist of BaselineGroupNY, Darcy is the visionary. Her strength lies in the ability to interpret clients’ goals and translate then into visually impactful and targeted printed and digital solutions. Her passion for design is contagious and her emphasis on teamwork leads to great collaborative solutions. Drawing on 35+ years of expertise, you can count on Darcy to lead an information oriented, responsive and time-sensitive creative process that considers the big picture and instinctively understands the importance of the smallest detail and the strictest schedule. Darcy has envisioned and managed corporate branding initiatives for clients such as: Galliard Capital Management, Citi Alternative Investments, Citi Private Bank, HSBC Private Bank and Rutgers Business School, Wrigley, and PSEG LI. Darcy is also passionate about helping her fellow MWBEs develop brands, websites and marketing materials and has worked with: JURISolutions Legal (JSL), McKissack & McKissack, Mrs. Paper, Savoca Enterprises, Winston Strategic Partners, Pina Solutions, Lob Planning and A,& S Rebar – to name a few. Her work has received numerous awards from the Financial Communications Society, Society of Technical Communication, the Association of the Graphic Arts, Graphic Design USA, Step Inside Design and most recently Best of 2020 Manhattan for Branding and Digital Design.

Dee Marshall
Diverse & Engaged
A sought-after international speaker, Author, certified Coach and TV Lifestyle Expert, Dee C. Marshall is CEO at DeeCMarshall.com brands, which includes Yummy Life Coaching, Diverse & Engaged and Girlfriends Pray. She is a Game Changer, Power Player, Fire Starter, Mover & Shaker and… a Wall Street alumni. Former corporate executive and leadership trainer for Fortune 500 companies including Merrill Lynch, Prudential Securities, Moody’s Investor Services, Johnson & Johnson, and The New York Times. A Capitol Hill go-to for women leaders. Women of Congress call on Dee to co-convene women’s initiatives, gather local women leaders, strategically plan the mobilization of women, and provide insight on women’s empowerment and development. A respected authority for high-ranking, high-profile, high-level women. Dee has coached the First Lady of Bermuda and was called upon by the Premier of Bermuda to work with the top women leaders of the Country. A diversity and inclusion subject matter expert. Working with Fortune 100 companies to engage diverse populations to improve workplace culture. a genius in mobilizing women and leveraging new media. Dee launched a community service initiative, now Girlfriends Pray, to serve women in the height of the recession by leveraging social media to grow to a network of over 100k. An award winning influencer who is a United State of Women Nominated Change Maker she’s received Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneur, 25 Influential Black Women, TWEF International Women Award, Who’s Who New York City, NAACP Community Service Award, National Association of Female Executives Women in Corporate and many more.

Diane Winston
Winston Strategic Partners
Diane Winston is a Prosci-certified change management practitioner, senior communications strategist, trainer, and keynote speaker with over 30 years of corporate and consulting experience. She established Winston Strategic Partners in 2005 to promote employee engagement, equip leaders for the future, and support diversity and inclusion initiatives. Diane recognizes that change is a constant that impacts people. This recognition informs the strategies she defines for clients’ transformation initiatives and leadership development objectives. She possesses a keen ability to connect with her audiences from their perspective without compromising the goals of her clients. Her empathetic and straightforward approach is how Diane successfully engages, influences, and implements solutions that promote change. Diane is a member of the Association of Change Management Professionals, the International Association of Business Communicators, Women Impacting Public Policy, the Connecticut Women’s Council, and the U.S. and New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She is also active in her community. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Southwestern Connecticut Women’s Business Development Council, a SCORE Workshop Speaker and Mentor, a member of the Center for Family Justice Board of Directors, and she is a Women’s Life Group Leader at her church.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcOyorjMiH9WnkRSNaZZHql5uTsD7pw24

Lunch With the Experts: AARP Small Business Series
2023-08-22 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: AARP Small Business Series

Tuesday, August 22th, 2023
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Managing your personal finances as an entrepreneur and nurturing financial success for you and your business.

Presenter Info

Martin Booker
Program Manager, Financial Resilience Programming, AARP
Martin Booker is a Program Manager at AARP where he leads various financial education initiatives about investing, social security, and budgeting for the organizations’ 32 million membership-base. After receiving a master’s degree in social work at the University of Connecticut, Martin worked in the non-profit sector in Washington, D.C. and developed a passion for helping people improve their money habits. During his time in the non-profit community, he completed the Certified Financial Planner program at Georgetown University and learned how to teach others about money in a practical and actionable way. He has provided individual and group coaching services, classes, and leads workshops about credit, investing, retirement planning and other finance-related topics. Martin uses speaking opportunities to engage and educate people to better understand how to not only make but keep their money.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpceiqrTsiHdfzILd-Dtc5X6CTTfVFgvPK

Lunch With the Experts: Is Your Website and Digital Content Accessible to Everyone including People with Disabilities? Why It Matters and What Everyone Needs to Know
2023-09-19 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Is Your Website and Digital Content Accessible to Everyone including People with Disabilities? Why It Matters and What Everyone Needs to Know
Tuesday, September 19th, 2023
1pm ET

How do you stay compliant with Accessibility Law? How can you increase the reach of your business to underserved communities? Please join WBEC Metro New York and WBE, Results One LLC, for an in-depth workshop to understand why website accessibility matters, assistive technologies, and accessibility law. Kimberley Alfonso Green, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, will be offering a free automated website audit to learn if it is accessible to people with disabilities and free thirty minute consultation for attendees.
Due to COVID-19, many people have come to rely on digital services for everyday activities, including shopping, remote work, education, healthcare, and banking. Roughly 1 out of 4 people (27%) in the U.S. (over 90 million) live with a disability, making people with a disability our nation’s largest minority population. Technology is now more relevant and important to people with disabilities for information, education, resources, products, services and employment, etc. We have seen an exponential growth in web accessibility lawsuits (300% every year for the past couple of years) which has had a widespread effect across industries, with small and medium businesses in the center of the storm.
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that every owner, lessor, or operator of place of public accommodation” provide equal access to users who meet ADA standards for disability. An increasing number of courts have been ruling that websites are “places of public accommodation” and that owners and operators of websites are liable for failing to provide equal access to them .Website accessibility should be top of mind for all businesses across the United States face lawsuits that cost, on average, more than- $20,000 to settle.
Yes, website ADA compliance is required by law, but like stopping at a stop sign or buckling your seatbelt, it’s also the right and responsible thing to do. It will also increase your reach, expand your market, increase your SEO and improve your brand reputation

Kim Greenfield Alfonso, MBA, is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Results One LLC, a certified minority and women-owned small business located in Washington, DC. Results One works with organizations to assist them in creating an environment that embodies Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. Results One provides DEI Training, Disability Inclusion consulting and training, Mediation Services, and Digital Accessibility testing and training tailored to the specific workplace and industry. Kim brings over 30 years of experience and knowledge in working with public, private, state, local and federal governments in the Washington, DC Region. After a successful career in the nonprofit and corporate arena, Kim is passionate about and committed to working with nonprofits, corporations, and state, local and federal governments to create a work environment that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Kim knows that a diverse workforce is critical to the success of all organizations, and inclusion and accessibility are the cornerstones of a productive environment. Her advice is sought out as an expert in disability and accessibility as she brings over 30 years of professional and personal experiences and knowledge to the table. She is a fierce advocate for people with disabilities, especially since her daughter is visually impaired, and has served on numerous boards and committees nationally and locally advocating for people with disabilities. Kim obtained both a bachelor’s in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. A strong proponent of women’s rights and the disability community, she was selected as one of the “Women Who Mean Business” by the Washington Business Journal in 2014 and received the Mayor’s Washington Women of Excellence Award in Leadership in 2015. She was also provided the Humanitarian Award by the Metro DC Hispanic Contractors Association for her work as Founder of the “Closing the Gap Food Insecurity Program for Undocumented Immigrants”.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMoceuhrzssHtXcYCIKT00M-rdS261vHKmf

Lunch With the Experts: Meet Micron Tech: Corporate Connections
2023-10-24 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Meet Micron Tech: Corporate Connections
Tuesday, October 24th, 2023
12pm to 1pm ET

Please join WBEC Metro NY and Corporate Member Micron Technology for a Corporate Connections session. Micron will be discussing upcoming procurement opportunities, including a multi-year project out of Clay, NY, how to engage with Micron procurement professionals, and what WBEs need to know to be procurement ready.

Matt Batten, Sr. Supplier Diversity Program Manager at Micron Technology, joins us with over twenty years of experience at Micron Technology. In his current role, Batten is responsible for Supplier Diversity Engagement and Supplier Development. Previously serving as Dry Etch Sr. Category Supplier Account Manager and Back End Category Supplier Account Manager, Batten is an experienced and dedicated Supplier Diversity professional, and has a bachelor’s in history from Boise State University.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqceiopjIoHdGgPSZe_vL0NfLHECCl0z5v

Lunch With the Experts: Build Your Marketing Strategy to Attract Your Ideal Customers
2023-11-29 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Build Your Marketing Strategy to Attract Your Ideal Customers
12pm to 1pm ET
November 29th, 2023

Joining WBEC Metro NY & Greater DMV from BBG&G Integrated Marketing is Kayla Lloyd, Marketing Manager, for a timely discussion on business marketing. How and where to find your ideal customer? This workshop will help you determine what tactics to use within the marketing funnel to nurture your leads along the buyers’ journey. Topics will include marketing strategy, social media, and tactical choices WBEs can make to get their products and services in front of the right people, at the right time.

Kayla Lloyd
Kayla Lloyd is the Marketing Manager at BBG&G Integrated Marketing and has been with the company since 2017.
Formed in 1997, BBG&G is a full-service integrated marketing and digital firm serving a broad range of industries including healthcare, tourism, banking, B2B, B2C, and education. They position companies as industry leaders to help them achieve business goals, scale, and accelerate growth. BBG&G is a Certified WBE (women-owned business entity), DBE (disadvantaged business entity), and WOSB (women-owned small business).
With over a decade of experience, Kayla’s superpower is finding the best way to communicate any message to any audience. She spent the early years of her career helping emerging technology startups develop strategies and create thoughtful, results-driven campaigns. She learned to translate the needs of business owners and founders to her team, and she has honed this skill at BBG&G. Kayla believes that we should never stop learning or growing, and she uses this motto to help her clients achieve their goals – and even exceed them.
Kayla holds her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from Manhattan College. Kayla is an active speaker for the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), regularly providing marketing insights to state-wide destination marketing organizations (DMOs). Her client work has received numerous industry awards, including the Summit Marketing Effectiveness Awards, the MarCom Awards, the Hermes Creative Awards, and the AVA Digital Awards.
Kayla lives in Walden, NY with her loving husband, two wonderful children, and their cherished fur babies. She is a coffee connoisseur who enjoys binge-watching shows especially on a cozy, rainy fall day.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd–grTMuHdK7yhzvfykyv4LhMfYT7kMy

Lunch With the Experts: Meet Dominion Energy: Corporate Connections
2023-12-05 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Meet Dominion Energy: Corporate Connections
12pm to 1pm ET

Please join WBEC Metro New York and Corporate Member Dominion Energy for a Corporate Connections session. Dominion Energy will be discussing upcoming procurement opportunities, how to engage with Dominion Energy procurement professionals, and what WBEs need to know to be procurement ready.
Dallas Simmons, Supplier Diversity Program Manager – SCM Procurement and Center of Excellence
Dallas Simmons is the Supplier Diversity Program Manager in the SCM Procurement and Center of Excellence Department with Dominion Energy, Inc. As Supplier Diversity Program Manager, he is responsible for promoting and implementing Dominion Energy’s Supplier Diversity strategy as well as driving value enhancement in supply chain management strategies. He is the primary contact with external Supplier Diversity Advocacy Groups, Diverse Suppliers, and peer Utility Supplier Diversity professionals.
Dallas joined Dominion Energy in 2001 as a Manager – Accounting. He became Manager – Accounting Services in 2003, Project Manager – Six Sigma in 2006 and Manager – Shareholder Services in 2009. He assumed his current post in 2016. Before joining Dominion Energy, Dallas served as Comptroller for Virginia Union University from 1990-2000. As Comptroller he oversaw the University’s Accounting, Financial Aid and Student Accounts departments. Prior to joining the administration at Virginia Union in 1990, Dallas worked in the corporate accounting department for Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC. In that role he was responsible for preparing the company’s monthly income statement and balance sheet as well as analyzing monthly earnings for upper management.
Dallas received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from North Carolina Central University and he is a Certified Public Accountant. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council, AABE – Virginia Chapter and Team Richmond AAU Boys Basketball.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUof-6gqD8vHdTsLxxnmv8laCevrQHwWfPb

Lunch With the Experts: Developing Your Capabilities Statement
2024-01-30 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Developing Your Capabilities Statement
January 30th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Start off 2024 on the right foot with a hands-on session on crafting a stellar capabilities statement that speaks for your unique business strengths. Join Darcy Flanders from Baseline Group for a workshop on how to design a capabilities statement that leaves a lasting impression on clients and collaborators. Through this Lunch With the Experts, participants will gain the skills to develop a compelling digital bio that showcases your leadership and accomplishments.

DARCY ANN FLANDERS
Founder and Chief Brand Strategist
As founder and chief brand strategist of BaselineGroupNY, Darcy is the visionary. Her strength lies in the ability to interpret clients’ goals and translate then into visually impactful and targeted printed and digital solutions. Her passion for design is contagious and her emphasis on teamwork leads to great collaborative solutions. Drawing on 35+ years of expertise, you can count on Darcy to lead an information-oriented, responsive and time-sensitive creative process that considers the big picture and instinctively understands the importance of the smallest detail and the strictest schedule. Darcy has envisioned and managed corporate branding initiatives for clients such as: Galliard Capital Management, Citi Alternative Investments, Citi Private Bank, HSBC Private Bank and Rutgers Business School, Wrigley, and PSEG LI. Darcy is also passionate about helping her fellow MWBEs develop brands, websites and marketing materials and has worked with: JURISolutions Legal (JSL), McKissack & McKissack, Mrs. Paper, Savoca Enterprises, Winston Strategic Partners, Pina Solutions, Lob Planning and A,& S Rebar – to name a few. Her work has received numerous awards from the Financial Communications Society, Society of Technical Communication, the Association of the Graphic Arts, Graphic Design USA, Step Inside Design and most recently Best of 2020 Manhattan for Branding and Digital Design.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlc-ysqDsuGtB_c_wtKQqG8frrbt9lHkHm

Lunch With the Experts: MGM Corporate Connections
2024-02-13 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: MGM Corporate Connections
February 13th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Please join WBEC Metro New York and Corporate Member MGM for a Corporate Connections session. Procurement experts from MGM will be discussing upcoming procurement opportunities at Empire City Casino, how to engage with Empire City Casino procurement, and what WBEs need to know to be procurement ready.

Mohamed Hafizur, Purchasing Manager
Mohamed Hafizur holds the position of Purchasing Manager at Empire City Casino, MGM Yonkers, Inc., located in Yonkers, New York. His responsibilities encompass a wide range of procurement activities, including vendor sourcing, purchasing, vendor contracts, and supplier diversity for the property. He is dedicated to ensuring that MGM Yonkers consistently meets or exceeds its spending goals with certified diverse suppliers. With a career spanning 43 years in the Hospitality Business, including 5 years with MGM Yonkers and 23 years of experience in purchasing and supply chain management, Mr. Hafizur brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Prior to joining MGM Yonkers, he managed 3 hotels and 5000 apartments with the Jack Parker Corporation and the Meridien Hotel. Mr. Hafizur holds degrees in Accounting and Economics and is certified by the C.P.D. Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, located in Ithaca, New York.

Tobias Thornwell, Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager
Tobias Thornwell is the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for MGM Resorts. He is responsible for developing and overseeing all procurement activities including vendor sourcing, purchasing, vendor contracts, and supplier diversity for the property. Mr. Thornwell is focused on ensuring that MGM Resorts continues to meet or exceed its spending goals with certified diverse suppliers with the State of
Maryland and Prince George’s County. Following his success with supplier diversity initiatives at MGM Resorts, Mr. Thornwell has been leading business diversity program development for MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino, as well as other MGM regional properties outside of Las Vegas.Mr. Thornwell has more than 12 years of purchasing and supply chain management experience in the food service industry. Prior to joining MGM Resorts, Mr. Thornwell served as National Product Manager/Regional Buyer at The Chef’s Warehouse in Hanover, MD, and Lead COP Buyer/Product Line Manager at US Foods in Severn, MD. Mr. Thornwell earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland, College Park (Go Terps!). He also holds a Certified Purchasing Manager certification (C.P.M.), and a Certified Professional in Supply Management certification (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Mr. Thornwell is originally from the Bronx, New York and enjoys traveling.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvf-yorDwiHdd6mNzFD7284uiCGUrHxZSl

Lunch With the Experts: Introduction to Employment Law in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
2024-03-26 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Introduction to Employment Law in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
March 26th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

How are you as an employer working to ensure you are in compliance with DMV employment laws? Employment law is a broad area ranging from discrimination and harassment to wage and hour laws. During this session, we will cover some of the many topics that fall under employment law and some of the requirements in the DMV that employers must follow.

Joseph Greener
Associate
Joseph Greener helps clients stay current and compliant with an ever-changing legal landscape by providing workplace training and drafting employee handbooks, policies, and employment agreements. He is a frequent presenter and trainer on sexual harassment, EEO, and IE&D. In his experience as an employment litigator, Joe defends clients in administrative proceedings and federal court on matters involving Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and USERRA. He also consults with clients on inclusion, equity and diversity matters. Joe also was a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia where he worked on decisions on discovery motions as well as reports and recommendations on dispositive motions. While attending law school, he worked in both the Department of Justice’s Civil Division’s Office of Vaccine Litigation and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Office of Special Masters. Joe served as the marketing editor of the Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuc-6grDsuGdL9oU0BR-SNoAle57HUQsq-

Lunch With the Experts: How to Maximize Marketing & Branding with a Minimal Budget
2024-04-16 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: How to Maximize Marketing & Branding with a Minimal Budget
April 16th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Join WBEC Metro New York and TorchLight for an engaging Lunch With the Experts during which we’ll explore strategies and techniques WBEs can use to amplify your marketing efforts without a major budget. In this session, WBEs will learn ways to establish a strong brand presence and reach target audiences even with limited resources.

Julie Rutherford, Former Senior Director of Marketing, TorchLight
Julie is passionate about helping build effective marketing programs and teams for entrepreneurial organizations large and small. Julie has extensive experience in all facets of B2C and B2B marketing. Most recently, Julie served as Senior Director of Marketing for marketing recruiting firm TorchLight Hire and was responsible for marketing strategy, branding, lead generation, content, and digital platforms.
Prior to TorchLight, she worked for the interactive divisions of several large publishers including the Paris-based International Herald Tribune and Washington Post Digital, as well as for a global educational travel company. She currently provides marketing services for a number of small start-up clients. Julie has a B.A. in English Literature and French and an M.A. in English, all from the University of Virginia. She currently lives in Charlottesville with her husband and two sons.

Stephanie Ranno, Senior Vice President, Growth, TorchLight
Stephanie Ranno, SVP, Growth TorchLight – With nearly 20 years of experience in marketing recruiting, Stephanie is dedicated to supporting marketing leaders and their work – either with team building, contract resources, or marketing services. Based on her professional and personal experiences, Stephanie regularly appears on podcasts and webinars and guest blogs on a variety of topics including marketing staffing, inclusion and neurodiversity in the workforce, and career development in marketing and communications. Stephanie cares deeply about access to meaningful work for all who seek it. With three children, two of whom are neurodivergent, she wants a work world ready for them and their beautiful gifts and unique challenges.

Register here!

Lunch with the Experts: Conflict to Innovation, Managing Conflict at Work to Increase Employee Engagement
2024-04-23 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Conflict to Innovation, Managing Conflict at Work to Increase Employee Engagement
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Conflict at work costs the U.S. over $400 billion a year. What is it costing you and what can you do about it?
This workshop will dive into the details of conflict costs as well as best practices to turn conflict into innovation. Walking participants through a case study of a performance management issue, Gina will lay out the conflict warning signs, impacts on teams, and ways to manage people while building trust, fostering an innovative culture, and increasing employee engagement.
Especially geared to team leaders and business owners employing more than 20 people, this highly interactive workshop will also offer participants an opportunity to think through their own approaches to conflict and meet fellow participants to pool ideas and strategies.

This is the workshop for you if you’ve witnessed:
• Managers afraid to address critical issues, from chronic lateness to ignoring mission-required documentation;
• Team members refusing to acknowledge each others’ contributions – or trying to take credit for others’ work;
• Blatant arguing in front of leaders and customers; or
• Physical violence erupting at work due to senior leaders ignoring mounting stress and overwhelming workloads.
In just one hour, you’ll walk away armed with:
• A better understanding of how to account for the impacts of conflict on your business’s bottom line;
• The knowledge of which types of conflict are best handled by a neutral third party;
• And, best practices to foster trust and innovation while calming down disputes.

Gina D’Andrea Weatherup believes we spend too much time working to not be happy at work. Building a happier workplace pays dividends in employee engagement, team dynamics, and innovation – that’s why this former nonprofit professional turned mediator founded Chantilly Mediation and Facilitation (CM&F) in 2018. As the CEO of CM&F, Gina leads clients through conflict, creating stronger, happier, more engaged workforces. Gina holds a Master of Arts degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from The George Washington University, and a Professional Certificate in the Science of Happiness at Work. Gina is a member of the Virginia Mediation Network and serves as the Treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic Facilitator Network (MAFN).

Click to register!

Lunch With the Experts: KPMG Corporate Connections
2024-05-14 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: KPMG Corporate Connections
May 14th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Please join WBEC Metro New York and Corporate Member KPMG for a Corporate Connections session. KPMG will be discussing upcoming procurement opportunities, how to engage with KPMG procurement professionals, and what WBEs need to know to be procurement ready.

Keith Hines, Director, Supplier Diversity
Keith Hines is the Supplier Diversity and Sustainability leader for KPMG. Keith has extensive experience at Fortune 500 companies. He has over 20 years of experience in Supplier Diversity. He has expertise managing in large and complex business operations. In addition to KPMG, he led the Supplier Diversity programs at Mars, PwC, and Altria. While at Altria, the company was selected as the Corporation of the Year for Supplier Diversity by the NMSDC. Keith has also led procurement operations for PWC and Cushman & Wakefield.
He is an active member on Supplier Diversity boards and committees and a frequent speaker on Supplier Diversity. He has served on the executive boards of the leading Supplier Diversity organizations: WBENC and the NMSDC. He is a past president of The Institute of Supply Management, New York. He currently serves as the co-chair of the Conference Board Supplier Diversity Committee, a membership corporate thought leadership group. Keith is also a member of the Professional Services Industry Group that focuses on Supplier Diversity with the Big Four Accounting firms.

Register here!

Lunch with the Experts: Managing Business Credit presented by Wells Fargo
2024-05-28 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Managing Business Credit presented by Wells Fargo
Tuesday, May 28th, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Join us for an enlightening session with Mame Mbaye, Senior Assistant Vice President and Small Business Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo, and delve into the topic of Managing Business Credit. Gain valuable insights on how credit and lending operate, explore the diverse possibilities of credit financing throughout the credit lifecycle, and discover a myriad of traditional and nontraditional credit opportunities available to business owners.
Additionally, Trung Tieu, Supplier Diversity Program Manager at Wells Fargo, will also briefly share information about the Wells Fargo Supplier Diversity program and how to connect.
This presentation is your gateway to understanding and optimizing business credit for growth and success.

Mame Mbaye, Sr. AVP – Small Business Relationship Manager (LO), Regional Business Relationship Management, Wells Fargo
As the Senior Assistant Vice President and Small Business Relationship Manager in the DMV area for 12 years, Mame Mbaye focuses on building relationships with local business owners and providing tailored financial strategies. Alongside her team, she assists small businesses in maintaining growth and controlling expenses by offering guidance on cash management, finance, credit, and risk management.
Mame also pursued studies at Temple University in Japan, expanding her global outlook. With a strong background in business lending, she specializes in SBA loans, business acquisition financing, commercial real estate lending, practice finance for medical professionals, and business lines of credit.

Trung Tieu, Supplier Diversity Program Manager, Wells Fargo
Trung Tieu is the 2023 Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year, awarded by NYNJ Minority Supplier Development Council. Joining Wells Fargo in 2022 as a Supplier Diversity Manager, Trung has been instrumental in aligning diverse suppliers with sourcing categories and advancing supplier development programs. His previous role at PepsiCo involved promoting the utilization of diverse-owned businesses. Trung’s career began in Quaker Foods & Snacks, focusing on innovation and product development.
An active board member of NYNJ MSDC and contributor to diversity and inclusion initiatives, Trung holds a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with research on identity construction, and is a UCLA Anderson School of Business LGBT Leadership Institute graduate.

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Lunch With the Experts: Self Care & The Entrepreneur with the Katz Institute for Women's Health
2024-06-11 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Self Care & The Entrepreneur with the Katz Institute for Women’s Health
June 11th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Please join WBEC Metro NY and the Center for Wellness & Integrative Medicine, Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health for a Lunch With the Experts discussing mental health and self-care for women business owners. This session will address how WBEs can build strategies to balance the demands of entrepreneurship with self-care, ensuring both personal and professional well-being, learn effective stress management techniques, and develop a support system that reflects your unique journey.

Deborah McElligott, DNP, ANP-BC, AHN-BC NP
Deborah McElligott, is an Adult and Holistic Nurse Practitioner, and Integrative Nurse Coach, working with Katz Institute for Women’s Health in the Center for Wellness & Integrative Medicine. With certifications in many Integrative Modalities, her background at Northwell includes cardiac surgery, integrative medicine, administration, education and consultation. Her focus now is on expanding Integrative Health approaches to wellbeing & healing for providers, teams and communities.
A graduate from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, NYU, Stonybrook and Case Western, Dr McElligott is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell. She has presented internationally, published and researched topics in the area of health promotion and healing.
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Lunch with the Experts: GSA Multiple Award Schedule – Is it Right for Your Company?
2024-06-25 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: GSA Multiple Award Schedule – Is it Right for Your Company?
Tuesday, June 25th, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Ever since you registered in the Schedule for Award Management (SAM) database to be able to do work with the federal government, you’ve been receiving telemarketing by people who insist that you need a GSA Schedule – the so-called magic bullet to selling to the federal government. Is it really that valuable? Am I even eligible to bid?
A GSA Schedule can be an important tool for selling to government buyers, but not every business can benefit from it. Understanding what is involved in getting a GSA Schedule and what’s required to keep it long term is essential before making a proper Bid/No Bid decision.
This webinar is designed to achieve the following results:
• Give you insight into the workings of the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program;
• Assess if you qualify for a GSA schedule given the proposal requirements;
• Help you understand the basis of award for pricing and the future implications of the Price Reduction Clause;
• Teach you from a compliance perspective what will be necessary to keep the contract and generate revenue if you decide to pursue;
• Help you decide, ultimately, if the program is a good fit for your company and when the timing is right for pursuit.

Courtney Fairchild is the co-founder and President/CEO of Global Services. Ms. Fairchild has been with the company since it was founded in 1997 and headed up the Global Services GSA Schedule Programs division from its inception. Over the past twenty-five years she and her team have successfully prepared, negotiated, and managed 3000+ Schedule contracts for Global Services’ clients. Ms. Fairchild is an authority on all GSA Schedules within the Multiple Award Schedule program and has spoken on related topics across the country. Ms. Fairchild has worked with companies ranging from multinational/multibillion-dollar publicly traded corporations to micro businesses consisting of only a few employees.

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Lunch with the Experts: AARP Supplier Diversity
2024-07-23 12:00 - 13:00
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.

Kimberly N. Ayers
Director, Supplier Diversity, Procurement and Contract Management, AARP
As AARP’s Director, Supplier Diversity within Procurement and Contract Management, Kimberly Ayers is responsible for managing and fostering partnership opportunities between AARP internal stakeholders, the procurement team, and small and diverse suppliers to drive increased awareness and usage of small and diverse businesses enterprise wide. Ms. Ayers ensures that AARP stays connected to the community by: championing continuing educational opportunities for entrepreneurs, the promotion of minority and small business certification opportunities, and sponsoring diverse initiative opportunities provided by AARP diversity partner organizations to bring greater visibility and awareness to the issues facing small and diverse businesses.

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Lunch With the Experts: NYPA Corporate Connections
2024-08-13 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: NYPA Corporate Connections
August 13th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Join the New York Power Authority and the NYS Canal Corporation on August 13 as it Builds Powerful Connections for a Brighter Tomorrow. Hosted by WBEC Metro NY for its members, this event will provide insight into how women-owned businesses can compete and win contracts with America’s largest public power organization.
This webinar will:

Provide insights into upcoming projects and opportunities;
Describe the criteria for becoming a vendor;
Navigating the procurement process; and,
Business solutions offered through NYPA’s Supplier Diversity Program

Register now for this informational webinar designed to provide you with the information and access your business needs to unlock opportunities.
ABOUT:
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is America’s largest state power organization, with a mission to lead the transition to a carbon-free, economically vibrant New York State through customer partnerships with other state and local entities, innovative energy solutions, and responsible supply of affordable, clean, and reliable electricity.
As part of our organization, NYPA operates, maintains, and promotes the NYS Canal system through its subsidiary, NYS Canal Corporation. New York’s Canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the canal waterways link the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain. Following much of the original towpaths, the Canal system also includes the 365-mile Canalway Trail, which runs from Albany to Buffalo and from Albany to Whitehall and is all part of the 750-mile Empire State Trail—the nation’s longest multi-use recreational trail network.

Aziza Gamble, Supplier Diversity Associate
Aziza works to increase the usage of MWBEs and SDVOBs. She creates new business development opportunities for NYPA and Canals by fostering relationships between buyers, program managers, end users and the vendor community.
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Lunch with the Experts: Understanding Insurance, Protecting your Assets While Competing with Big Business with AARP
2024-08-27 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Understanding Insurance, Protecting your Assets While Competing with Big Business with AARP
Tuesday, August 27th, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

As an entrepreneur, you already possess the drive and passion needed to be a risk-taker and innovator. However, navigating the essential aspects of running a business requires a strategic approach. Join us in this session as Lisa Hilton, CCSA, MLIS, CHP, REAS and Director Insurance Management, AARP explore the crucial elements of identifying risks and integrating insurance solutions to bolster your entrepreneurial pursuits. Discover how proactive risk management can safeguard your ventures and propel your business towards sustainable growth and success.

Lisa Hilton, CCSA, MLIS, CHP, REAS
Director Insurance Management, AARP
Lisa Hilton is the Director of Risk & Insurance Management for AARP. Her career spans over 25 years in the areas of enterprise risk management, captive creation and management and fraud investigation. She is responsible for AARP’s insurance portfolio, captive program, ergonomics and maintains risk management responsibilities for 50 state offices; plus, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an Associate’s degree in Administration of Justice. She is a certified Certified Cyber Security Architect (CCSA), Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS), Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP) and Remote Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (REAS).

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Lunch With the Experts: Developing Your Capabilities Statement
2024-09-10 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Developing Your Capabilities Statement
September 10th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

As we enter Quarter 4, now is the time to participate in a hands-on session on crafting a stellar capabilities statement that speaks for your unique business strengths. Join Darcy Flanders from Baseline Group and Dawn Wells from Northwell Health for a workshop on how to design a capabilities statement that leaves a lasting impression on clients and collaborators. Through this Lunch With the Experts, participants will gain the skills to develop a compelling digital bio that showcases your leadership and accomplishments.

Gain knowledge about corporate supplier diversity programs
Understand how to navigate sourcing/procurement processes.
Learn from experts about specific business issues relevant to WBEs
WBEs are equipped with knowledge to connect with procurement professionals
WBEs network with other WBEs

Dawn Wells
Assistant Vice President, Supply Chain, Northwell Health
Dawn Wells is supply chain professional with a public health heart. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Supply Chain at Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, serving NYC, Long Island, and Westchester. In this role she leads supply chain operations for the Health Systems’ Ambulatory Care Network comprised of more than 830 physician practices and outpatient facilities. In addition to these responsibilities, Dawn takes an active role in championing and facilitating programs that impact all levels of the organization. She has been a consistent champion of diversity; representing supply chain as a member of the diversity and health equity council and corporate social responsibility committee. In 2019, she chartered the health systems supplier diversity council that is charged with creating a cross functional action plan, ensuring that there is a system wide commitment to maintaining the diversity of the Health System’s suppliers, putting in place standardized processes for measuring goals and success, and partnering with external agencies to educate and deliver information to diverse suppliers within the communities served.
Dawn joined Northwell Health in 2003 as a member of the project implementation team that established framework for integrating finance, supply chain, and human resources under a shared-services umbrella. Over the years she has defined and redefined her position and responsibilities in response to the organization’s rapid growth. Dawn currently serves on the board of the NYNJ Minority Supplier Development Council. She holds a B.S. in Business and a Masters of Public Health from Adelphi University.

Darcy Flanders
Founder / Chief Brand Strategist Baseline
As founder and chief brand strategist of BaselineGroupNY, Darcy is the visionary. Her strength lies in the ability to interpret clients’ goals and translate then into visually impactful and targeted printed and digital solutions. Her passion for design is contagious and her emphasis on teamwork leads to great collaborative solutions. Drawing on 35+ years of expertise, you can count on Darcy to lead an information-oriented, responsive and time-sensitive creative process that considers the big picture and instinctively understands the importance of the smallest detail and the strictest schedule. Darcy has envisioned and managed corporate branding initiatives for clients such as: Galliard Capital Management, Citi Alternative Investments, Citi Private Bank, HSBC Private Bank and Rutgers Business School, Wrigley, and PSEG LI.
Darcy is also passionate about helping her fellow MWBEs develop brands, websites and marketing materials and has worked with: JURISolutions Legal (JSL), McKissack & McKissack, Mrs. Paper, Savoca Enterprises, Winston Strategic Partners, Pina Solutions, Lob Planning and A,& S Rebar – to name a few. Her work has received numerous awards from the Financial Communications Society, Society of Technical Communication, the Association of the Graphic Arts, Graphic Design USA, Step Inside Design and most recently Best of 2020 Manhattan for Branding and Digital Design.
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Lunch With the Experts: Port Authority of NY/NJ Corporate Connections
2024-10-08 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Port Authority of NY/NJ Corporate Connections
October 8th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Join WBEC Metro NY and the Port Authority of NY and NJ on October 8th, 2024 for a Corporate Connections session.
This Lunch With the Experts will provide insight to upcoming procurement opportunities, how to engage with PA NY/NJ procurement professionals, and what WBEs need to know to be procurement-ready.
You will:
Gain knowledge about corporate supplier diversity programs.
Understand how to navigate sourcing/procurement processes.
Learn from experts about specific business issues relevant to WBEs
WBEs are equipped with knowledge to connect with procurement professionals
WBEs network with other WBEs
ABOUT:
World-class transportation infrastructure is essential to economic growth and vitality. At the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, we keep the region moving by air, land, rail and sea, so that the people and businesses of our region continue to thrive. With engineering in our DNA, we are shaping the future of the region with groundbreaking yet practical facilities and systems built for the 21st century. At The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, we believe that Minority, Women-owned, Small, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWSDBE) and Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Businesses (SDVOB) offer unique perspectives and philosophies that greatly enhance our operations. Our supplier diversity program helps these enterprises participate in Port Authority business activities and provides diverse and inclusive contract opportunities.

Anthony B. Miller
Anthony has over twenty years of experience as a Supplier Diversity Professional, Certification Officer, Compliance Manager, and Program Manager with several public and private entities, agencies, and authorities in the Tri-state area.
Transportation, General Construction, and Construction Management are the primary industries where Anthony has honed his skills as the leader and subject matter expert on Compliance, Supply Chain Management, and Supplier Diversity. He started his career as an intern on the first public sector Design Build Operate and Maintain (DBOM) project in the United States for NJ Transit named the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit System with a small woman-owned firm that provided Project Management services in his hometown of Jersey City, NJ.
As an emerging leader the transportation industry in the scope of construction management, Anthony coupled professional training, certificates, and certifications to advance his understanding of the project environment to complete milestone projects. Anthony educated himself about the industry and adapted to various roles as Quality Assurance /Quality Control Monitor, Document Control Assistant, Supplier Diversity Manager, Training Program Development Coordinator, and Technical Assistance Coordinator for small businesses.
To date, Anthony has managed over five billion dollars of public and private commercial assets in transportation infrastructure and commercial buildings for such entities as NJ Transit, Lend Lease (formerly Bovis Lend Lease), and now The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A few of the assets include Citi Field the home field for the NY Mets, Barclays Center the home court for the Brooklyn Nets, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System, The World Trade Center Memorial, and the Newark Liberty Airport Terminal A Redevelopment Program to name a few. Anthony identifies himself as a small business advocate and ally within the communities he serves. As a Sentinel for small business opportunities, Anthony acknowledges that his performance on behalf of the small business community creates opportunities for entrepreneurs that may not have existed before.
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Lunch with the Experts: AARP Presents Protecting yourself, your devices, and your business
2024-10-15 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: AARP Presents Protecting yourself, your devices, and your business
Tuesday, October 15th, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Join Matt Klaus, Vice President of Information Security at AARP, to learn how to protect your identity, your devices, and your business from common cybersecurity threats. Matt will share tips on how to travel safely and avoid device theft, identify social engineering attempts (such as phishing) to prevent account takeover, manage social media privacy settings, and more. Matt will also explain common security controls and why they are important, from multifactor authentication to system updates.

Matt Klaus, Vice President of Information Security at AARP
Matt is the Vice President of Information Security at AARP, responsible for managing the information security program. He leads teams dedicated to Governance, Risk, and Compliance as well as Cyber Operations & Incident Response. Together they establish policies and standards for the secure implementation of technology, educate the AARP workforce about cybersecurity, evaluate the security of third-party suppliers, assess compliance with industry frameworks and regulatory requirements (e.g., CIS CSC, PCI DSS), oversee vulnerability management and penetration testing, and maintain a suite of technical controls to protect AARP’s network, applications, computers, and data.

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Lunch With the Experts: Intellectual Property Fundamentals
2024-10-29 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Intellectual Property Fundamentals
October 29th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Join us for an insightful session with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a pivotal force in safeguarding America’s innovative spirit. This program will guide you through filing patent and trademark applications, accessing free intellectual property (IP) assistance, and engaging with the USPTO’s complimentary events.
Your presenter, Dr. Sahar Javanmard, brings extensive expertise, holding a B.S. in Chemistry, a specialization in Biochemistry, and a PhD from Georgia Tech, with significant research in developing treatments for cocaine abuse. As a primary patent examiner and Program Manager of Access USPTO, she is dedicated to enhancing IP knowledge among diverse communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert committed to empowering your innovative journey.

Dr. Sahar Javanmard
Sahar Javanmard holds a B.S. in Chemistry, specialization in Biochemistry, and PhD degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her doctoral work focused on developing treatment agents for cocaine abuse. She was a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), designing and synthesizing chemotherapy adjuvants. Sahar joined the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2007. She is a primary patent examiner in Tech Center 1600, specializing in the examination of novel methods of treatment, pharmaceutical formulations, and compounds. In July 2023, Sahar began a detail as the Program Manager of AccessUSPTO, where the program focuses to increase the understanding of intellectual property (IP) rights in America by collaborating with national organizations that represent underserved orhard-to-reach stakeholders. In her spare time, Sahar enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 girls, cooking, traveling, and yoga.
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Lunch With the Experts: Intro to Cybersecurity
2024-11-05 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Intro to Cybersecurity
November 5th, 2024 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Please join WBEC Metro NY for a Lunch With the Experts led by Cybersecurity Expert Angela Dingle Founder and CEO of Ex Nihilo. This presentation will cover the current landscape of cybersecurity threats, highlighting the most pressing challenges that enterprises face today.
Attendees will:
– Gain insight into the foundations of Cybersecurity, cyber hygiene, and introductory best practices for protecting their organizations.
– Have the opportunity to pose questions to foster a deeper understanding of the cybersecurity essentials.
– Connect with fellow business owners committed to creating a secure environment for their enterprises
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to protect your business’s future and cultivate a resilient cybersecurity foundation.

Angela Dingle
As President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Angela Dingle leads a national nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs, strengthening their impact on our nation’s public policy, creating economic opportunities, and forging alliances with other business organizations. Serving as the voice for the over 14 million women owned companies in the U.S., WIPP works with lawmakers to impact and influence policy that provides economic equity, procurement inclusion and access to the global marketplace.
Prior to serving in this role, Angela founded Ex Nihilo Management, an award-winning technology and management consultancy that provides governance, risk management and cybersecurity (GRC) to the public, private and non-profit sector. Her commitment to client success earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and strategic partner. Angela is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, sharing her insights and expertise at conferences and events focused on women in business and government contracting. She is the author of Discovering Your Girl Powers: 10 Strategies to Build Confidence, Charisma and Credibility and Unexpected Leader: 11 Tools for Transformational Leadership. She has written articles and publications that provide valuable leadership guidance. Angela holds a MS in Management Information Systems from Bowie State University, a BS in Computer Science from DeVry University, a Certified Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner, and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC). Angela is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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Lunch with the Experts: Introduction to Style Wellness
2024-12-04 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Introduction to Style Wellness. How to Feel Joyful and Empowered.
Tuesday, December 4th, 2024
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Often, we think of wellness through the lens of what we eat, how much we exercise, and maybe a spa treatment or two. But did you know that what we choose to wear each day can be a form of wellness too? In this one-hour seminar, you will learn the science behind how what we wear can impact our mindset and opportunities, as well as practical tips and tricks to incorporate style wellness™ into your everyday life (including your outfits this holiday season!), both in virtual and in-person settings. Let’s take the fear out of fashion and feel fabulous, joyful and empowered through the power of our style!
Attendees will leave with:
An understanding of the science behind why what we wear matters
How to choose outfits that will take the fear out of fashion and make getting dressed a joyful experience this holiday season and beyond; Practical tips and tricks to put into action TODAY, including how to leverage color psychology and harness the power of your personal brand through style

Elizabeth Lewis, Founder & CEO of Brand, Style & Bloom
Elizabeth Lewis is a branding expert and certified personal stylist who helps professionals, creatives and business owners to achieve their vision of success. After spending nearly a decade in corporate brand management and marketing roles at companies including Colgate-Palmolive and Penguin-Random House, she founded Brand, Style & Bloom! by Elizabeth Danielle, a nationally certified Women’s Business Enterprise and a NYC certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE). In 2023, she expanded her company by founding her stylist-approved sustainable luxury knitwear line, THE COLLECTION by Brand, Style & Bloom.
Companies such as MassMutual, the Everyday Health Group and J&J have invited her to speak to their employees, clients and members. She is also a featured instructor on branding for Verizon’s new Small Business Digital Ready program and has served as a career coach at the NYU Stern School of Business. Elizabeth has a Masters in Business Administration from the NYU Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She also earned a personal styling certification from the School of Style in Los Angeles and is a graduate of the inaugural cohort of Goldman Sachs’ Black in Business program. She lives and works in New York City.

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Lunch with the Experts: Founder Finance Business Models, Pricing and Paying Yourself
2025-01-21 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Founder Finance Business Models, Pricing and Paying Yourself
Tuesday, January 21st 2025
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

This program offers attendees a CFO-level evaluation of their business, providing essential tools to refine financial and operational strategies. Participants will analyze their business models to ensure alignment with their services, exploring the effectiveness of approaches like subscription models, ad-based revenue, or flat-rate pricing. A key focus is on pricing strategies, addressing how to avoid underpricing—an issue often faced by female founders—and setting prices that reflect the true value of their offerings to drive profitability.
The program also emphasizes founder compensation, guiding participants on how to establish a sustainable salary or draw that balances personal and business finances. This ensures personal financial stability without impacting cash flow critical for business growth, especially during the early stages.
By the end of the program, attendees will have an improved understanding of their business’s financial health and actionable strategies to align personal goals with company growth, fostering long-term success.Lori Atwood, CFP®, founder of Atwood Financial Planning and Fearless Finance, is committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve financial well-being. Her firm specializes in providing CFO-level financial insights for small businesses, including business model analysis, pricing strategies, and salary planning for founders.

Lori Atwood, CEO and Founder Atwood Financial Planning, LLC
Lori Atwood, CFP®, founder of Atwood Financial Planning and Fearless Finance, is committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve financial well-being. Her firm specializes in providing CFO-level financial insights for small businesses, including business model analysis, pricing strategies, and salary planning for founders. With nearly 25 years of experience, Lori’s career spans telecom investment banking in Europe, serving as CFO for a start-up acquired by a public company, and managing institutional and personal investment portfolios. She has also consulted for funding institutions to evaluate small businesses for potential investments. Lori holds a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s from Georgetown University.

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Lunch With the Experts: Building a Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses
2025-02-11 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Building a Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses
Tuesday February 11th, 2025 | 12pm to 1pm ET | Virtual Session

Join WBEC Metro NY and SMB Media Consulting for a Lunch With the Experts session that will empower small businesses to navigate the digital landscape and achieve their marketing goals. Participants willearn how to define your target audience, set clear objectives, and leverage various digital channels like social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.
Master website optimization, content creation, and analytics to drive growth and success in the digital age.

Stefanie Beach, Founder & CEO
Stefanie Beach, a digital marketing expert, founded SMB Media Consulting in 2018 with the mission to provide simple media solutions and services that alleviate the stressors of a marketer’s job. After a 12-year digital media career managing programmatic account teams, Stefanie desired to work outside the confined structure of a standard 9-5 job to be a more present parent to her daughter. Unable to source this opportunity led to the creation of SMB Media Consulting, which provides flexible employment to experienced digital marketers and digital media talent solutions that seamlessly integrate within brands, agencies, and publishers. As an award-winning founder and CEO of SMB Media Consulting, Stefanie focuses on building strong client partnerships and managing all business operations. In 2022, Stevie® Awards for Women in Business named Stefanie Beach winner of the Bronze Female Executive of the Year in the Business Services category, the Village of Pelham named SMB Media Consulting “Best of” in the category of Media Consultant, and SMB Media was WBENC certified as a woman-owned business. In 2023, SMB Media ranked 377 on the Inc. 5000 award list for the fastest-growing private companies in America. In 2024, Stefanie won an Enterprising Women of the Year Award for her company’s growth, involvement in the community and volunteering time as an industry mentor.
Before SMB Media Consulting, Stefanie held leadership positions at PubMatic, MediaMath, Conversant, House of Kaizen, and Initiative. Stefanie regularly speaks at events and continues to train and mentor others about the evolving ad tech industry. Outside of SMB Media Consulting, the best part of her day is when she is making memories with her daughter and husband, whether that be traveling, being active, or exploring new recipes to cook.
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Lunch with the Experts: Established to Known®
2025-02-18 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Established to Known®
Tuesday, February 18th 2025
12:00pm–1:00pm ET

Do you feel like your business is the world’s best-kept secret? This session is designed to help you go from established to well-known by leveraging the power of media. Join renowned PR Strategist Christina Daves as she shares her proven techniques to increase your visibility, build authority, and gain the credibility you deserve within your industry.
During this session, Christina will guide you through her signature Get PR Famous® formula—a framework that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs secure over 1 billion media views and generate more than $100 million in sales through free publicity. You’ll learn how to craft the perfect pitch for what the media is looking for, when they need it, and how to ensure your pitch reaches the right person for maximum impact.

Christina Daves, Owner of PR for Anyone®
Christina will also uncover the common mistakes people make when pitching to media and show you exactly why you might not be getting that “yes.” Whether you’re just starting out or are seasoned business owner, Christina will dispel the myths about media readiness and prove that media exposure is accessible at any stage of your business. Christina’s expertise comes from firsthand experience, as she initially taught herself how to generate media exposure for her product, Heal in Style. Her efforts have led to appearances in over 1,000 media outlets including The Steve Harvey Show, The TODAY Show, Dr. Oz, and major networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, as well as in Forbes, Success, Entrepreneur Magazine, and many more. She regularly contributes to Good Day DC, has served as a host on Good Morning Washington, and even appears as a guest host on QVC while running her podcast, Living Ageless and Bold. Her passion for empowering small business owners inspired her to create PR for Anyone®, a platform dedicated to helping others achieve the same success.

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Lunch With the Experts: Drive Growth with the Power of SEO & SEM
2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Drive Growth with the Power of SEO & SEM

Tuesday, March 11th 2025
12pm to 1pm EST | Virtual Session
Want to drive more traffic, leads, and sales for your business? Understanding the power of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is key to staying ahead in today’s digital landscape.
Join us for this insightful webinar, where we’ll break down how these two powerful strategies work together to increase your online visibility, attract high-intent customers, and boost your bottom line. You’ll learn:
The differences between SEO & SEM—and why you need both
How to optimize your website for long-term organic success
Effective paid search tactics to maximize your ROI
Actionable steps to enhance your digital marketing strategy today
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your business’s online presence to the next level.

Kayla Lloyd is the Marketing Manager at BBG&G Integrated Marketing and has been with the company since 2017.
Formed in 1997, BBG&G is a full-service integrated marketing and digital firm serving a broad range of industries including healthcare, tourism, banking, B2B, B2C, and education. They position companies as industry leaders to help them achieve business goals, scale, and accelerate growth. BBG&G is a Certified WBE (women-owned business entity), DBE (disadvantaged business entity), and WOSB (women-owned small business).
With over a decade of experience, Kayla’s superpower is finding the best way to communicate any message to any audience. She spent the early years of her career helping emerging technology startups develop strategies and create thoughtful, results-driven campaigns. She learned to translate the needs of business owners and founders to her team, and she has honed this skill at BBG&G. Kayla believes that we should never stop learning or growing, and she uses this motto to help her clients achieve their goals – and even exceed them.
Kayla holds her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from Manhattan College. Kayla is an active speaker for the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), regularly providing marketing insights to state-wide destination marketing organizations (DMOs). Her client work has received numerous industry awards, including the Summit Marketing Effectiveness Awards, the MarCom Awards, the Hermes Creative Awards, and the AVA Digital Awards.
Kayla lives in Walden, NY with her loving husband, two wonderful children, and their cherished fur babies. She is a coffee connoisseur who enjoys binge-watching shows especially on a cozy, rainy fall day.
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Lunch with the Experts: Access to Funding for Health and Biotech Founders
2025-03-18 12:00 - 13:00
Lunch with the Experts: Access to Funding for Health and Biotech Founders
Tuesday, March 18th 2025
12:00pm–1:00pm ET
Join us to discover key funding sources in the health and biotech sectors. This session will provide insights into assessing grant and investor readiness, identifying the right funding opportunities, and applying strategies to boost competitiveness. It will also highlight resources to improve access to funding.

Idong Essiet-Gibson, PhD, Principal Owner of The Idyeas Group
Dr. Idong Essiet-Gibson, Founding Principal of The Idyeas Group, brings over 26 years of experience in healthcare and military service. She has led multimillion-dollar programs for BARDA (predecessor), CDC, and NIH, using her expertise in procurement, project management, and partnerships to scale health innovations. A certified PMP® and advocate for digital health solutions, Dr. Essiet-Gibson holds a PhD in Public Health, an MPH in International Health Policy, and an MS in Technology Management. Dr. Idong Essiet-Gibson, serves on the Greater Colesville Citizens Association Board and is a member of the Maryland Ready Reserve Corps.

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