This summer, WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV hosted the 2025 Powerplay Pitch Competition — a journey that began in May with business pitch submissions from an array of WBEs and culminated in August at two live Finals competitions— in New York and Washington, D.C.—where eight Finalists, among them two first place winners, came out on top.
With the dynamic theme “Accelerate Your Story,” this year’s competition reminded us that success isn’t just about what you do, but how you share who you are. In today’s business world, storytelling is everything — and our participants rose to the challenge of answering the central question:
“What is your company’s message, and how can you communicate your story in a way that captivates and inspires?”
From the first applications in May, to the announcement of the Finalists in July, to preparation at our Pitch Academy, the excitement built steadily toward the live Finals in New York City on August 13 and Washington, D.C. on August 14.
The result? Eight outstanding Finalists—including Vanessa Best (Precision Healthcare Consultants), Kimberle Lau (Bake Me Healthy), Sherene Strausberg (87th Street Creative), LaKesha Veney (DeVine Wine Jelly), Jovan Jackson (Good News Financial & Investment Advisors LLC), and Julian B. Kiganda (Soul Therapy Media)—and among them, two incredible first place winners, each embodying the power of storytelling in her own way: Carrie Sporer of SWAIR in New York City and Queirra Fenderson of The Ambition Studio® in Washington, D.C.
Carrie Sporer: New York City 1st Place Pitch Winner
Carrie Sporer, co-founder of SWAIR, took the New York stage with a relatable story that instantly connected with the audience: the challenge of sweaty hair for active women. Alongside her co-founder Meredith, she transformed a personal frustration into innovation with SWAIR’s Showerless Shampoo — a clean, effective solution that’s rewriting the script for women on the move.
Carrie’s entrepreneurial journey began while training for the NYC Marathon, when she and Meredith realized how much they were planning their workouts around their hair. Existing products like dry shampoo weren’t working — and many were filled with harsh chemicals. Instead of settling, they called labs, tested formulas, and in 2020 officially launched Showerless Shampoo on their website.
SWAIR’s growth has been fueled by resilience and community, and WBENC has played a key role in that. Carrie first discovered WBENC certification through the Target Forward Founders Accelerator and quickly recognized the value it could bring. Since becoming certified in late 2023, SWAIR has benefitted from supplier inclusion programs, retailer connections, and a network of women entrepreneurs who provide encouragement, advice, and partnership. “First of all, we are incredibly proud to have the “Women Owned” logo associated with our brand,” she says. “And we have met so many incredible women through WBENC and WBEC NY DMV.”
She continues, “Being involved in WBEC NY DMV has been incredibly rewarding. I am consistently impressed with the caliber of professionals I have met through the organization. In addition, in the current fundraising environment where less than 2% of venture capital money is given to female founders, the support of WBEC NY DMV has provided unparalleled access to advice, introductions, grants and programming.”
Carrie’s decision to enter the Powerplay Pitch Competition came from her belief that every opportunity to practice matters. “I will truly take any opportunity to hone my pitch and public speaking skills, so I enter almost every pitch contest I come across,” she shared. The Finals gave her a platform not only to spread brand awareness but also to refine her messaging and gain direct feedback from experts, including Live Pitch host Jonathan Sprinkles. “The opportunity to work with Jonathan Sprinkles after the pitch contest was truly a gift. He is a magician with words and body language, and I know that my next pitch will be stronger as a result of our session with him.”
In the lead-up to the Finals, Carrie also worked with pitch coach Chala Dincoy, whose framework helped sharpen her delivery. Then it was practice, practice, practice — balancing preparation with the day-to-day responsibilities of running a growing business. After her win, she reflected on how special it was to connect with her fellow New York Finalists: instead of competing against one another, they formed a supportive group chat and began collaborating to prepare for the next stage.
Her biggest takeaway? Gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity, for the judges and organizers, and for the validation that SWAIR is solving a real problem for women. Winning the New York Finals wasn’t just a milestone for her business — it was proof that her story resonates. “As an entrepreneur it is so easy to second guess everything,” she reflected, “so this was great validation that SWAIR is on the right path.”
Carrie’s pitch was crisp, heartfelt, and passionate — the very essence of storytelling that inspires. Her win in New York wasn’t just about the product, but about proving that when women share their stories authentically, they spark recognition and excitement. “If you can get the audience to care about your product or service, and understand how it would add value for them, their family or community, then it is a successful pitch,” Carrie says. Her goal now “is to go all the way to the National Finals. I was fortunate enough to attend the WBENC Finals last year and would love the opportunity to pitch there again. If SWAIR was to win, the prize money would go a long way in helping with business expenses as we scale.”
Queirra Fenderson: Washington, D.C., 1st Place Pitch Winner
Queirra Fenderson, ICF Professional Certified Coach and founder of The Ambition Studio®, lit up the Washington, D.C. stage with a pitch that was as authentic as it was inspiring. Her firm, founded in 2015, helps women leaders expand their leadership capacity by harmonizing ambition and well-being — a mission born from her own experience of burnout and cultural misalignment in the workplace.
While building her firm, Queirra was introduced to the WBEC NY DMV community and the power of WBENC certification by a strategic advisor, and she became certified shortly after. In 2024, after attending four previous WBENC conferences, she immersed herself in the community, completing programs like WeIgnite and WeThrive, and leaning into every opportunity to grow.
In 2024, Queirra threw her hat in the ring as a pitch contestant and advanced further than she ever imagined — reaching the WBENC National Top 10 Finalists. But competing against seasoned pitchers, including a repeat participant and an Emmy-winning broadcaster, she quickly realized that passion alone wasn’t enough. Experience mattered, and she didn’t yet have it.
Instead of letting that discourage her, Queirra used it as fuel. By the time she stepped onto the stage in 2025, she carried not just a pitch, but the weight of lessons learned, resilience earned, and a fresh mindset.
This time, she lowered the pressure, embraced the unconditional support of her network, and leaned into her superpower: mental resilience. “It’s so easy for ‘comparisonitis,’ impostor syndrome, and ego to take you out of the game before you even compete,” she reflected. “Mental resilience is my superpower.” That mindset shift made all the difference.
Her pitch resonated deeply with the judges and audience alike, showcasing not only her vision for The Ambition Studio® but also the heart and clarity behind it. Winning the Washington, D.C., Finals was confirmation that her message matters — that women leaders everywhere are ready for a new model of success that blends ambition with well-being.
Perhaps most meaningful of all, Queirra is building a legacy her five-year-old daughter can see in real time. Her daughter “can recite parts of my pitch better than I can, at times!” — a living reminder that resilience, authenticity, and perseverance are best taught by example.
Queirra’s win in Washington, D.C. wasn’t just a victory for her business. It was proof that when women lead with authenticity, grounded in both story and mission, they inspire others to believe in what’s possible. Now, she’s preparing for what’s next with calm clarity—the mindset of a winner and the goal to deliver a pitch that is clear, authentic, and with a reminder to all to be “just as charismatic as if you were on Shark Tank.”
What's Next
This year’s Powerplay Pitch Competition proved that stories matter — and when told well, they amplify businesses’ impact and energize communities. The competition could not have been possible without our incredible judges and sponsors, and we are so grateful for their support.
Queirra and Carrie, along with the additional six WBEC NY DMV Pitch Finalists, will now advance to the WBENC National Semi-Finals on October 27–28, where they’ll compete against WBEs across the country for a chance at the National Finals and a $25,000 grand prize.
For all our participants — from the first video pitches to the Finalists who rocked the stage in August — this competition was more than an event. It was a chance to Accelerate Your Story, make connections, and shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and drive of women-business owners in the WBEC NY DMV network.
Congratulations once again to Carrie, Queirra, and all of our Finalists! We can’t wait to see how your stories continue to inspire on the National stage in October!
