Honoring a Legacy and the Power of Many: WBEC Greater DMV’s Grand GALA-xy Luncheon
Last month, we gathered with many of our amazing WBEs from the Greater DMV region and representatives from our corporate partners at the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown to celebrate WBEC Greater DMV’s 25th anniversary. The event offered a chance to reflect on our journey so far and envision the future we’ll shape together.
A highlight of the celebration was an inspiring fireside chat with Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and master blender Victoria Eady Butler. As our keynote speaker at both the NY and DMV luncheons, Fawn once again captivated the audience with her extraordinary story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and legacy-building, leaving a lasting impression on women business leaders and corporate partners alike.
Over the years, the organization has experienced remarkable growth and transformation. This past year, in particular, saw us expand our membership, enhance our marketing strategies, and cultivate a more diverse network. Together with our dedicated staff and corporate partners, we delivered programmes addressing key challenges like sustainability, cybersecurity, and access to capital. Celebrating this progress in person was a powerful reminder of the community spirit that drives our success.
As we prepare to embrace a new chapter – not just with the start of a new year but also with the arrival of our incoming CEO, Phala Mire and farewell to our CEO of 14 years, Sandra Eberhard – this moment feels full of possibility. It’s an exciting time for our network, and we’re ready to seize the opportunities ahead.
Elevating Our Wins
Elevation was one of the key pillars of our discussion to celebrate the many members of our network who've made a lasting impact within our community through our awards program. The celebration continued with award winner announcements that reminded us of the many wins we have made individually and collectively as a network—with the best wins of all, those that have also contributed to the success of our fellow WBEs!
We were thrilled to announce the following award winners as a part of this celebration:
Outstanding Corporation Award
Winner: Dominion Energy, offering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy, accepted by Wendy Wellener, Vice President, Shared Services, and Dallas Simmons, Supplier Diversity Program Manager.
Finalists: Capital One, AstraZeneca
Outstanding Women’s Business Advocate Award
Winner: Christine Walsh, President of AlphaGraphics
Outstanding WBE Award
Winner: Theresa R. Proctor, Forward Movement Enterprises
Finalist: Jovan Jackson, Good News Financial & Investment Advisors
President’s Award
Winners: Rose Hatcher, Former Director of Supplier Diversity, Paramount, and Allison Roser Kube, Supplier Diversity Manager, Capital One
We were thrilled to also honor these outstanding corporate partners and WBEs for their contributions to the network's success via the following Done Deals™ Award categories:
Corporate Opportunity Award
Winner: Capital One, American bank holding company - accepted by Courtnee Smith, Vice President, Supply Chain
Finalists: Dominion Energy, Marriott International
Corporate Champion Award
Winner: AstraZeneca, global, science-led biopharmaceutical business - accepted by Anna Hakobyan, Global Lead, Supplier Diversity, Sustainability & Government Compliance
Finalists: Capital One, Dominion Energy
WBE Champion Award
Winner: TorchLight Hire, the marketing recruitment agency that matches area employers with top DC-area marketing, communications, creative, and digital talent - accepted by Heidi Parsont, Founder & CEO
Finalists: Chantilly Mediation, Project Accounting Workflow
WBE Connection Award
Winner: Chantilly Mediation, helping HR leaders and business owners resolve conflict, manage people well, and improve culture - accepted by Queirra Fenderson on behalf of Gina D'Andrea Weatherup, Founder & CEO
Finalists: TorchLight Hire, Project Accounting Workflow
Public Sector Award
Winner: AARP, the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50+ to choose how they live as they age - accepted by Kimberly Ayers, Director, Supplier Diversity
Finalist: WSSC Water
All of these champions exemplify the power of our network and the lasting impact we can make together and demonstrate not only individual successes, but successes of the network as a whole.
Looking Forward
This celebration was a fitting tribute to 25 years of success. As WBEC Greater DMV embarks on its next chapter, our mission remains steadfast: to elevate women in business and drive lasting impact. We are more dedicated than ever to nurturing an environment where WBEs can thrive, succeed, and belong to a strong, supportive community—for the next 25 years and beyond!