Investing for Impact:
Connecting Leading Women Entrepreneurs and the Investors Who Fund Them

12:30 pm: Arrival and Registration, Capital Matchmaking Participants

12:45 pm-2:00pm: Capital Matchmaking (exclusively for participating entrepreneurs and investors; spots are limited)

1:30 pm: Arrival and Registration, General Admission

2:15 pm: Welcome Remarks

2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions: Navigating Capital

Round 1 (45 mins) – 2:30–3:15

• 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
      
      
• Bank Lending – Alternatives to a Cash Flow Loan
  When traditional cash flow lending is not the right fit or not sufficient, there are other bank financing options available to support business growth and working capital needs. This session will highlight three alternatives – Asset Based Lending (ABL), SBA Lending, and Equipment Finance – each offering unique benefits depending on a company’s financial profile and capital requirements. Attendees will gain insights into: how asset-based lending leverages receivables, inventory, and other collateral; the advantages and eligibility requirements of SBA-backed loan programs; and how equipment financing can help preserve cash / provide liquidity.
  
  • • Alexandra (Allie) Cavallaro, Director, Loan Originations, Wells Fargo
    • Laurie Hartman, Vice President, SBA Lending, Wells Fargo
    • James E. Frantz, Executive Director, Lead Credit Product Sales Specialist, Wells Fargo & Company
      
      
• Strategic Decision-Making for Women Entrepreneurs: Navigating Ownership, Corporate Governance, and Legal Complexities
  

  This breakout panel session is your chance to gain invaluable insights into making informed decisions that align with your business goals. We’ll dive into critical considerations for women-owned businesses, including the implications of different business structures (LLC, partnership) on scaling, capital raising, and ownership. We’ll also explore the importance of WBENC certification and how it can impact your business’s growth and control. Plus, you’ll walk away with essential legal insights on protecting your interests during negotiations and shaping the future of your business from now through to exit. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to optimize your business strategies and achieve your goals.

  • • Phala Kimbrough Mire, President & CEO, WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV
    • LaFonda Willis, Associate – Banking and Financial Services, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
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• The Role of Accelerators: Catalyzing Business Growth
  In this breakout session, leaders from top accelerator programs will share how they support and grow high-potential entrepreneurs. Participants will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how accelerators provide founders with critical resources — including mentorship, funding access, and strategic guidance — to accelerate growth and scale with confidence. Through real-world insights and examples, attendees will learn what makes a successful accelerator experience, how to identify the right program, and how to fully leverage the opportunities these platforms offer. Whether you’re exploring accelerators for the first time or looking to deepen your engagement, this session offers practical guidance from the experts who run them.
  
  • • 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

Round 2 (45 mins) – 3:30–4:15

• Beyond the Bank: Unlocking Growth
  Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for your next stage of growth, securing the right kind of capital can make all the difference. In this interactive session, our panel of seasoned funding experts will introduce you to practical financing pathways beyond traditional bank loans, including asset-based lending, equipment leasing, and revenue-based financing. You’ll learn when each option is most appropriate, how to assess the risks and benefits, and what it takes to position your business to qualify. Together, we’ll break down key financial considerations in plain language, giving you the clarity and confidence to pursue capital that aligns with your growth goals. Join us to discover how you can unlock new opportunities and fund your future—beyond the bank.
  
  • • Kim Storbeck, Director, CSC Leasing
    • Terry Keating, Managing Partner, Donald J. Keating & Sons
    • Le’Jean Thompson, Regional Business Manager – Northeast, Founders First
      
      
• Capital Ready: Building Financial Infrastructure
  At this session, attendees will learn what’s important in building the kind of financial infrastructure that makes their business attractive to investors and buyers. We’ll cover the financial systems, forecasting tools, and internal controls that signal readiness and scalability. Attendees will gain insight into how to shape a compelling financial narrative that highlights the company’s strengths, growth potential, and value drivers—key elements that influence valuation. The session will also highlight the legal and governance framework that underpins investor confidence—ensuring that ownership, financials, and decision-making authority are all properly aligned. Ultimately, this session will equip women business owners with the tools to be capital ready and investment-worthy.
  
  • • Stephen Amdur, Partner – Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Lead, Pillsbury
    • Karen A. Artasanchez, Shareholder, WilkinGuttenplan
    • Kathleen Reynolds, CFO and Principal, ProCFO Partners
      
      
• The Current Landscape of Public Funding for Businesses
  Gain insights into the current landscape of public funding for businesses from a panel of national leaders in grassroots advocacy, program development, and community support for women-owned enterprises. Hear from leadership at Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) in discussion with Women Business Collaborative (WBC). This session will offer practical perspectives on current discussions within nonprofit organizations that support women entrepreneurs, key developments in the social, economic, and political climate, and strategies for navigating public funding opportunities in 2025. It is essential for entrepreneurs seeking to access and effectively leverage public resources to grow and sustain their businesses.
  
  • • Angela Dingle, President and CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
    • Corinne Goble, CEO, Association of Women’s Business Centers
    • Gwen K. Young, CEO, WBC
      
      
• Power Moves & Smart Exits: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Ownership Transitions
  This breakout session is designed for founders, owners and aspiring entrepreneurs thinking about what’s next. This dynamic session will unpack real-world strategies for positioning you to enter Entrepreneurship through Acquisition or prepare your enterprise for a strong exit—whether through a sale, merger, or internal succession. Erika & Allegra will share insights from the front lines of the M&A world, including how to avoid common pitfalls and create value buyers can’t ignore. If you’re planning or ready to move now, this session will equip you with actionable steps to navigate your transition with clarity and confidence.
  • • 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

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