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
Round 1 (45 mins) – 2:30–3:15
- Strategic Decision-Making for Women Entrepreneurs: Navigating Ownership, Capital Terms, and Legal Complexities
- Phala Kimbrough Mire, President & CEO, WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV
- LaFonda Willis, Associate – Banking and Financial Services, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Are you Angel Curious? Angel Investing 101
This session will focus on what angels look for in investments, and what entrepreneurs need to consider when raising funding from angels. The discussion will also provide an overview of what angel investing is and why it’s so important to get more women involved. This session will be relevant for both entrepreneurs and investors who may be considering becoming angel investors. Hosted by Lisa Friedlander and Stephanie Marshall, co-founder of Citrine Angels, an angel group of women investing in women.
- Lisa Friedlander, Chief Revenue Officer, NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers
- Stephanie Marshall, Board President and Co-Founder, Citrine Angels
- The Role of Accelerators
- Krista Covey, CEO & President, First Flight Venture Center
- Dr. Shakenna Williams, Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (F&E CWEL), Babson College
- Bank Lending – Alternatives to a Cash Flow Loan
- Alexandra (Allie) Cavallaro, Director, Loan Originations, Wells Fargo
- Laurie Hartman, Vice President, SBA Lending, Wells Fargo
Round 2 (45 mins) – 3:30–4:15
- Power Moves & Smart Exits: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Ownership Transitions
- Erika Baez-Grimes, CM&AP Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional | Senior Business Broker – Transworld Business Advisors
- Allegra Stennett, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, New Majority Capital
- Beyond the Bank: Unlocking Growth
- Kim Storbeck, Director, CSC Leasing
- Terry Keating, Managing Partner, Donald J. Keating & Sons
- Le’Chae Thompson, Regional Business Manager – Northeast, Founders First
- Capital Ready: Building Financial Infrastructure
- Walter Greene, Market Innovation Executive, ProCFO Partners
- Stephen Amdur, Partner – Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Lead, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
- Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative
- Current Landscape of Public Funding for Businesses
- Angela Dingle, CEO and President, WIPP
- Laura Taylor, Sr. Vice President, Strategic Financial Services & WBE Engagement, WBENC
4:15 pm: Break
4:30 pm: In the Arena Fireside Chat – Women Investors in Sports
Framed by WBC’s In the Arena: Women in Sports Business initiative, this fireside chat will explore the rapidly growing leadership of women investors in the sports industry, highlighting the vital role they play in shaping the landscape for major organizations such as the WNBA, USL Super League, and the NWLS. With a focus on the intersection of sports and capital, the panel will provide insights into how to navigate this emerging and dynamic industry and spotlight the expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs and leaders in the business of sports.
- Moderator: Jocelyn Moore, Independent Board Director, DraftKings; Minority Owner, USL Super League Fort Lauderdale United FC
- Panelists:
- Lucy Dobrin, Managing Partner, Providence Equity Partners
- Julie Eddleman, EVP, Global Chief Commercial Officer, DoubleVerify; Owner, NWSL Angel City FC
- Betsy Morgan, Co-Founder, Magnet Companies, and Board Member, TOGETHXR
- Anne Sempowski Ward, Chairwoman of the Board, SPS Commerce, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Curio Brands, and The Lip Bar; 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
In this candid keynote conversation moderated by WBC CEO Gwen K. Young, BoomChickaPop Founder Angie Bastian will tell the story behind the creation and growth of her snack empire—from the early days of popping corn in her garage to a major acquisition by Amplify Snacks. Attendees will gain insight into the unique challenges women face in scaling consumer brands, the realities of navigating acquisition, and the mentorship that exist for women entrepreneurs in today’s competitive market.
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
- Blessy Thomas, Partner, Innovate Capital Growth Fund
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
- Mico-Panel 2:
- Kelly Ann Winget, Founder and CEO, Alternative Wealth Partners
- Joley Michaelson, President & CEO, The Sun Company
11:50 am: The Power of Women-Owned Businesses
Presenting Sponsor Remarks from Wells Fargo
- Ruth Jacks, Executive Vice President, Head of Diverse Segments, 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.
1:15 pm: Midday Fireside Chat – Building the Future Business Landscape
- 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.
- Moderator: La Keisha Landrum-Pierre, Co-Founder & General Partner, Emmeline Ventures
- Anouck Gotlib, CEO, Belgian Boys
2:25 pm: “Stretch” 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:
- Kay Koplovitz, Co-Founder & Chairman, Springboard Enterprises and Springboard Growth Capital
- Norma Kuntz, CEO, Gordon Brothers
- Allison London Brown, Co-Founder, LUMINELLE
- Sheila Mikhail, Co-Founder, AskBio
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