Get Engaged. Be Seen. Stay in the Conversation.
The WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV FORUM is your local access to our national community of women-business enterprises. Launched in 2025, the FORUM creates space for certified WBEs to step up and stay connected, informed, and visible within the network. From casual Meet & Greet gatherings to meetings and conversations with FORUM leaders and peers, we want to ensure you feel you have a way to make your voice heard and to connect more deeply with our network.
Meet the Forum Leaders
Each region, Metro NY and Greater DMV, has FORUM Leaders are mentors who serve as your local touchpoints, who understand what it takes to succeed in business and take full advantage of what the WBEC NY DMV community has to offer. These woman CEOs are fully leveraging their certification, strengthening corporate connections, and learning from one another as they grow. They also provide us with valuable feedback from FORUM members to improve our programming and build stronger engagement opportunities.
| WBEC Metro NY FORUM Leaders | WBEC Greater DMV FORUM Leaders |
|---|---|
|
Darcy Flanders — Region 2 Diana Clemente — Region 4 Elin Barton — Region 5 Geraldine Keogh — Region 5 Jessica Dapelo — Region 5 Laura Londin — Region 4 Lenore Horton — Region 1 Marta Sylvester — Region 6 Molly Bakewell Chamberlin — Region 6 Rochelle Cooper — Region 5 Samantha Williams — Region 6 Shari Spiro — Region 4 Sherene Strausberg — Region 4 Siobhan Ainsworth — Region 7 Stefanie Beach — Region 5 |
Ana-Maria McKessy — Region 3 Ashmara Lawrence — Region 4 Dr. Drena Valentine — Region 4 Jennifer Dumas — Region 4 Madia Brown — Region 1 Theresa Proctor — Region 4 Tiffany Hollin Wright — Region 8 |
Who Should Join the FORUM
Forum Member
A forum member can be any WBENC Certified WBE within the WBEC NY DMV Territory.
- Must be an owner OR someone in a senior leadership position within the company.
- Members attend local forum meetings held by Forum Leaders.
- Members share pain-points with Forum Leaders to be shared with WBEC NY DMV Leadership.
- Members of the forum can be new or established business.
Forum Leader
A forum leader goes through an application process to become Forum Leader and WBEC NY DMV Ambassador.
- Must be the owner of the company.
- Must be in business at minimum for 3 years.
- Must participate in in training to learn all the components and offerings of WBEC NY DMV
- Must be able to dedicate 1 hour monthly to forum meetings with WBEC NY DMV Leadership
- Is looking to provide influence and impact and facilitate local engagement
How To Engage
The FORUM offers multiple ways to get connected, engaged, and make your voice heard:
Join our Meet & Greets
Local Meet & Greets bring our community together for informal gatherings designed for connection. Open to certified and non-certified WBEs, as well as others interested in learning more about our network, these events are a great opportunity to meet fellow business owners and WBEC NY DMV staff in a low-pressure setting. In addition, Meet & Greets give WBEs a way to meet
hyper-local community agencies in attendance.
Become a FORUM Leader
FORUM Leaders serve two-year terms and play a pivotal role in strengthening our presence in the broader community. Beyond connecting and elevating the voices of fellow WBEs, FORUM Leaders gain exposure for themselves as influential business owners in our community. Applications for the 2027 to 2029 term open in November 2026.
The WBEC NY DMV FORUM is your avenue to engage with local certified WBEs, elevate your voice as a business owner, contribute feedback that shapes our programs and offerings, and stay in the know about what’s going in regionally and
nationally. Join the FORUM and get connected today!