A Message from the GWBC® President & CEO:
Roz Lewis
On March 28, GWBC held its first Power of Partnering Marketplace or POP Marketplace for 2023. We had a dynamic panel of four powerhouse women discussing the importance and impact of ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance, including Diana Rivenburgh, CEO & President, Strategic Imperatives Inc., who served as moderator, and Donna Brin, CEO & Founder, bFIVE40; Erin Smith, Sustainability Strategy Executive, Global Commercial Bank and Business Bank, Bank of America; Kelley Fitzpatrick-Peck, Manager, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, Ally Financial; and Sally Wilson, VP, Supplier Diversity Director, ESG, Truist Financial Corp.
What was once initiated by a few companies – large and small – that were doing good for the environment and their people, and measuring their impact – is now very much a reality for all businesses.
Key event takeaways included:
• Start small, ESG doesn’t need to be comprehensive and perfect from the beginning
• Educate yourself – there are lots of resources available online, and your bank may have resources you can tap into
• ESG needs to become part of your company’s DNA
• Be bold and ask for help
We will continue to provide topic resources to you, so be on the lookout or contact us!
WBENC Conference Recap
Nashville will not be the same as more than 4,700 women businesses and corporations attended the WBENC National Conference held at the Opryland Gaylord Hotel Resort and Convention Center. GWBC was represented by over 300 WBEs and corporate representatives who networked with one another and achieved their goals of meeting with their target audience during the 3-day event. During the kick-off luncheon, GWBC had 17 tables where Sharon Judge, Sr. Certification Manager and I welcomed 170 new and seasoned regional conference attendees.
To continue that conference spirit, our attendees showed up at the Wednesday night reception wearing Apple Green attire representing GWBC. Many thanks to Business Star, Tammy Cohen, InfoMart and WBE Host Committee representative, Marlene Kelly, Exhibits South for representing GWBC at this year’s conference.
GWBC Pitch Contest Winner!!!
Congratulations Tia Robinson-Avery, Vertical Activewear, Inc. for winning GWBC’s pitch contest held during our POP Marketplace. The winner will receive a grand prize of $1,000. We want to congratulate all the finalists, semi-finalists and great judges for participating in this event. The pitch winner of each pitch contest scheduled by September 30, 2023, will be submitted as a semi-finalist for the WBENC National Pitch Contest. Stay tuned for more information. Are you our next winner?
New GWBC Website Coming!
As part of our commitment to ESG through waste reduction, inclusivity and results measurement, the Greater Women’s Business Council is completely revamping our website to offer our members more in-depth online resources to help accelerate your businesses. More detailed information including how to access member login information will be sent the week of April 17th and we are excited for you to explore the site and tell us what you think. Be on the lookout for more information on how you can access even greater benefits.
New Corporate Member
Welcome Milliken & Company headquartered in South Carolina. We are excited to have Milliken join our corporate champions that support the growth and development of women businesses. They are kicking off this new membership with a great event May 23, 2023, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Women businesses register soon as there is limited space to attend the “Milliken Momentum Supplier Diversity Matchmaking Event”. Milliken & Company delete quotation marks here- which plz delete the word “which” or revise sentence happens to be one of the leaders in ESG.
April is full of opportunities for you to become engaged to network with our corporate members and women business enterprises. It is also Celebrate Diversity Month, a celebration to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. By celebrating differences and similarities during this month, organizers hope that people will gain a deeper understanding of each other.
Parting Thoughts: “The path to diversity begins with supporting, mentoring, and sponsoring diverse women and men to become leaders and entrepreneurs.” –Denise Morrison (Retired CEO and President of Campbell Soup Company)
Always in your service,
Roz Lewis
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions by contacting us at info@gwbc.org.