Long recognized as the signature women's business gathering in Connecticut, the event will salute women's economic empowerment honoring entrepreneurs, business and community leaders Women's Business Development Council to Celebrate ''Women Rising 2019'' At Annual Gala Luncheon & Awards
The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) will host its annual Gala Luncheon celebrating "Women Rising 2019," spotlighting the positive and critical changes that women are bringing to Connecticut's economy. The event will take place on Friday, November 1, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich. Networking will begin at 11:00 am, followed by lunch and an awards ceremony at noon.
"We are proud to convene hundreds of Connecticut-based entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, legislators and other stakeholders to honor the accomplishments of entrepreneurial women and their economic impact on our state, our country and our world," said Fran Pastore, President and CEO of the Women's Business Development Council. "We will also reflect on the Women's Business Development Council's 22 years of inspiring, training, educating and advocating for women business owners in Connecticut."
Woman with Impact Award Honorees
At the Gala Luncheon, the Women's Business Development Council will present its "Woman with Impact Award" to three women who have personally exemplified the mission and goals of the organization by promoting economic equality and prosperity for women. They are:
The Patricia Billie Miller Award for Outstanding Community Service The Women's Business Development Council will present its inaugural award in the name of The Honorable Patricia Billie Miller, Assistant Majority Leader and State Representative of Connecticut, a long-time supporter of WBDC. The award will be presented annually to a dedicated WBDC volunteer - an individual whose dedication inspires others to achieve their dreams, and exhibits a passion for, and commitment to, WBDC and the women it serves throughout the state.
The inaugural Patricia Billie Miller Award will be presented to Bjorn (BJ) Bumactao, Banking Center Manager and Vice President, Webster Bank. Bumactao volunteers as a financial educator and has mentored more than 100 entrepreneurs at the Women's Business Development Council.
Women Rising Awardees
The Women's Business Development Council will pay tribute to ten successful Connecticut women business owners who have prospered from WBDC's training and services. They are:
The ceremony moderator is Alexandra Lebenthal, Senior Advisor, Empire Global Ventures. Master of Ceremonies is Gilda Bonanno, Principal, Gilda Bonanno LLC.
Dozens of corporate sponsors are supporting the gala luncheon, including Title Sponsor PWC.
For more Gala luncheon information, including a complete list of sponsors and host committee members, please visit https://ctwbdc.org/attend-an-event/luncheon/.
For information on sponsorships and tickets, please contact akalish@ctwbdc.org or click here.
About Women's Business Development Council
The Women's Business Development Council's (WBDC) mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. WBDC educates, motivates and empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Whether a client is starting or growing a business, WBDC drives business success in a tangible and accessible way by engaging clients with access to education, markets and capital.
Now in its third decade, WBDC has educated and assisted more than 14,000 clients to launch and scale over 5,900 businesses. In their pursuit of economic independence, these women have created and maintained over 6,000 jobs in Connecticut.
WBDC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has offices in Stamford, Derby and New London, CT. Please visit https://ctwbdc.org for more information.
