EMPOWERING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

FOR

GLOBAL EXPANSION

Last Friday, we were excited to co-host a special event called “Empowering Women-Owned Businesses for Global Expansion”. Partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI), LA Mayor’s Office and other local organizations, this invitational event took place at the Tom Bradley Tower on the 27th Floor of LA City Hall.

We received overwhelming engagement as the event not only offered resources and capital access referrals for LA’s underserved women entrepreneurs, but also provided a platform for extensive international networking with women leaders from government and prominent local organizations. Moderated by GDEI’s Director Terri Batch, guest speakers and panelists included Kendee Yamaguchi (U.S. Department of Commerce’s Deputy Assistant Secretary), Camille Richardson (U.S. Department of Commerce’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East & Africa), Christine Peterson (Director of International Affairs, LA Mayor’s Office), Dr. Pamela Williamson (Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West), Lilia Navarette (Women In Trade-LA), Simona Racek (SBA’s Small Business Development Center), Kim Stotzer (CEO of NEW Community Investments), Paula Bahamon (Mission Valley Bank), Janet Perez Shensky (Lendistry), Libby Williams (EVP, Vermont Slauson EDC), Lily Otieno (Director of Supplier Diversity SoCal Gas), and many other distinguished women leaders. 

We were excited to be part of an event that truly empowered under-resourced women small business owners to boost their capacity for success. 

Ruth García-Corrales

NEW-WBC, Program Director