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Women's Capital Summit - May 21-22 - New York - Sponsored by Wells Fargo
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Investing for Impact:
Connecting Leading Women Entrepreneurs and the Investors Who Fund Them

May 21-22, 2025 | Wells Fargo Connections
150 East 42nd Street, Concourse Level, New York, NY 10017
 

The Women’s Capital Summit is the premier opportunity for founders and funders to network and gain actionable insights from each other while exploring the funding paths needed to grow business. This annual event is where women are supported and create a future fueled with equal opportunity.

The 2025 Women’s Capital Summit will be held in New York, NY, on May 21-22, 2025. The two-day event will allow women entrepreneurs to meet investors who believe in their vision, hear stories from trailblazing women, and receive the tools to help advance their businesses.

This year’s Summit is bringing unparalleled opportunities for women entrepreneurs to shine! This transformative event will feature:

  • The Women’s Capital Summit Marketplace – Meet fellow entrepreneurs exhibiting their businesses
  • Capital Matchmaking Opportunities – Connect with investors who share your vision and values.
  • Breakout & Networking Sessions – Build meaningful relationships and collaborate with industry leaders.
  • Fireside Chats and Expert Panels – Gain inspiration and knowledge from trailblazing women entrepreneurs and Capital experts.

Registration

Registration Fee: $250 USD per participant  |  Final registration deadline is: May 16, 2025

Summit Agenda

All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET) Additional details will be provided as they become available.

12:30 pm: Arrival and Registration, Capital Matchmaking


12:45 pm: Capital Matchmaking (exclusively for participating entrepreneurs and investors; spots are limited)


1:45 pm: Arrival and Registration, General Admission


2:00 pm: Welcome Remarks


2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions: Navigating Capital

  • Strategic Decision-Making for Women Entrepreneurs: Navigating Ownership, Capital Terms, and Legal Complexities
      • Phala Mire, President & CEO, WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV
  • Enter the World of Angel Investing
      • Lisa Friedlander, Chief Revenue Officer, NEXT Start Up Group; Senior Advisor, M3 Advisors and Advancement Committee Chair, Citrine Angels
      • Stephanie Marshall, Board President, Citrine Angels
  • The Role of Accelerators
      • Shakenna Williams, Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (F&E CWEL), Babson College
      • Krista Covey, CEO & President, First Flight Venture Center

4:15 pm: Break


4:30 pm: In the Arena Fireside Chat – Women Investors in Sports

  • Moderator: Jocelyn Moore, Independent Board Director, Draft Kings
  • Panelists:
    • Lucy Dobrin, Managing Partner, Providence Equity Partners
    • Julie Eddleman, EVP, Global Chief Commercial Officer, DoubleVerify and Owner, Angel City FC
    • Betsy Morgan, Co-Founder, Magnet Companies, and Board Member, TOGETHXR
    • Anne Sempowski Ward, Chairwoman of the Board, Curio Brands and Minority Owner, WNBA Chicago Sky and USL Super League Fort Lauderdale United FC

5:30 pm: Opening Reception and Women’s Business Marketplace


7:00 pm: Reception Concludes

8:00 am: Arrival, Breakfast and Networking


9:00 am: Building an Ecosystem: Connections and Capital
Welcome remarks from Women Business Collaborative CEO, Gwen K. Young


9:05 am: From Kernel to Empire: Building a Successful Brand
A Fireside Chat with Angie Bastian, Founder of BoomChickaPop led by WBC CEO Gwen K. Young


9:40 am: Navigating the Landscape of Capital
Accessing capital is critical for growth, but navigating the array of available options can be challenging. This session will provide clarity on selecting the right capital provider for your business, understanding investor goals, and making decisions based on your company’s strategy. Join our panel as they explore the diverse funding paths and discuss strategies for scaling your business with the right investments.

  • Moderator: Andrea Stevenson Conner, Ecosystem Development Director, First Flight Venture Center
  • Panelists:
    • Debt Segment
      • Catherine Frazier, National Senior Loan Officer, Momentous Capital
      • Emily Reeves, Vice President, Capital Solutions, Bridge
      • Lori Avedikian, Head of Women’s Segment, Commercial Banking, Wells Fargo
    • Capital Segment
      • Kelley Arena, Founder, Golden Hour Ventures
      • Loretta McCarthy, Co-CEO and Managing Partner, Golden Seeds
      • Vijay Metha, Co-Founder, Arkview Capital

10:30 am: Coffee Break


11:00 am: Setting the Table: Understanding Early-Stage Capital
Early-stage capital is key to setting the right foundation for your business’s long-term growth. This session will delve into how to structure your business for investment from the beginning, with a focus on building traction for accelerating growth.

  • Mico-Panel 1:
    • Kelly O’Connell, Managing Partner, 360 Venture Collective

11:45 pm: Presenting Sponsor Remarks – Wells Fargo

  • Ruth Jacks, Head of Diverse Segments for Commercial Banking, Wells Fargo

12:00 pm: Networking Lunch
Join us for a facilitated Networking Lunch where you will have the chance to engage in thematic conversations around the Summit’s key topics. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange insights, and forge meaningful relationships.


1:00 pm: Midday Fireside Chat – Building the Future Business Landscape
Introduced by India Gary-Martin, Founder and CEO, Leaders For Execs and Relucent Learning and WBC Board Chair

  • Damien Dwin, Founder and CEO, Lafayette Square Capital
  • Arsha Jones, Co-Founder and CEO, Capital City Mambo Sauce

2:00 pm: Growth Capital Unlocked: Funding Your Next Stage
Scaling a business requires strategic use of capital, smart decision-making, and the right financial partnerships. In this session, our panel of experts will explore how to leverage growth capital effectively, maximize investment impact, and navigate the challenges of scaling. Learn how entrepreneurs and investors can align strategies to drive sustainable expansion and long-term success.

  • La Keisha Landrum-Pierre, Co-Founder & General Partner, Emmeline Ventures
  • Anouck Gotlib, CEO, Belgian Boys

2:25 pm: Coffee Break


2:35 pm: Mergers & Acquisitions as a Growth Strategy

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be powerful tools for scaling women-owned businesses. This session will explore how M&A strategies can unlock transformational growth and create new opportunities for expansion and market penetration.

  • Moderator: Christina Bresani, Managing Director and Head of Mid-Cap Mergers & Acquisitions, Wells Fargo
  • Panelists:
    • Alex Jung, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Amateras Capital
    • Norah Drummey, Partner, EY
    • Cate Luzio, Founder and CEO Luminary

3:15 pm: Engineering Your Exit: Envisioning the Future of Your Company While Building It
As your business grows, it’s essential to think about its future. This session will discuss the importance of planning your exit strategy early and how to integrate it into your company’s broader growth plan.

  • Moderator: Eda Henries, Founder and Managing Principal, Henries & Co.
  • Panelists:
    • Sheila Mikhail, Founder, AskBio
    • Norma Kuntz, CEO, Gordon Brothers

3:55 pm: Closing Fireside Chat: Building the Future Business Landscape

  • Jesse Draper, Founder and CEO, Halogen Ventures
  • Joyce Johnson, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Pacific Gate Capital

4:20 pm: Closing Remarks

  • Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative

5:15 pm: Closing Reception Concludes

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply/register for the Women’s Capital Summit?
For Entrepreneurs: WBC welcomes women entrepreneurs in all industries who are prepared to scale their businesses and learn about capital investment opportunities. The WBC team will screen applicants based on criteria outlined in the registration form to assess if a business’ participation is a good fit for the Summit.
For Investors: WBC welcomes all investors to join WCS. Particularly firms that are interested in investing at all stages of a business growth (early stage to exit).

What are the benefits of attending the Summit?
The Summit offers a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders, gain actionable insights, and explore funding paths essential for business growth. You’ll connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and investors, enabling you to grow capital for your business.

Will there be opportunities to network with investors?
Yes! The Summit offers various networking opportunities including Capital Matchmaking sessions and informal gatherings like the opening reception and women’s business marketplace. The Summit will include a variety of investors from debt to equity, venture, angel and more.

Are there breakout sessions?
Yes, we have designed several breakout sessions participants, covering topics such as strategic decision-making, angel investing, and unlocking grant funding.

Can I attend if I am not a woman entrepreneur?
The Summit is focused on empowering and connecting women entrepreneurs with investors. We welcome investors and attendees who share our mission of advancing women-led businesses and fostering diverse business ecosystems.

Who do I contact to exhibit my business at the women’s marketplace at the 2025 WCS?
Please indicate your interest via the registration form. For additional inquiries or questions, please contact Alyssa Derrick, WBC Programs and Marketing Manager. (wbc@wbcollaborative.org).

How do I get updates on the event?
To stay up-to-date with the latest information on the 2025 Women’s Capital Summit, please subscribe to WBC’s newsletter or follow us on social media. We will share event details, speaker announcements, and registration information there.

For further questions, feel free to reach out to us at events@wbcollaborative.org!

Hotel Information

While we do not have a specific room block for participants coming from out of town, we are pleased to recommend the following hotels which are located within close distance to the event venue.