Honored to be a Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact Changemaker

I am deeply humbled and thrilled to share this incredible news with all of you— Forbes just announced I am on their #Forbes50Over50 Impact Changemaker List!?

As the CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International , I have always believed in the power of our mission to help women-owned businesses access new markets. Moving as much money into the hands of women as fast as possible is what drives me—because women deserve equity and because of the way women spend their money on everyone around them.

Building a more inclusive world for women to thrive is critical for achieving the #UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals , and we must always incorporate an intersectional lens to everything we do if we want sustainable prosperity for all. While a gender lens is key for success, we also need to make sure people of all ages and all ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds can contribute to and benefit from our communities and this includes our LGBTQIA2S+ friends and people of differing physical and mental abilities. As an official “elder” (this is my word for it and I’m sticking with it), it fills my heart with joy to witness how we, at any age, can continue to change the world!?

I am very proud of my expert team's unwavering commitment to the inspiring women-business owners we serve, and I am extremely grateful for the support of our funders and the leadership of our member buyers that have committed to leveraging more of their $3 trillion in annual purchasing power with competitive women-owned suppliers delivering a wide range of products and services across 135 countries.?

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Maggie McGrath and Mika Brzezinski , and their distinguished panel of expert judges such as Bobbi Brown and Miyoko Schinner , financiers Suzanne Shank and Anne Finucane , and the exceptional Spelman College President Helene Gayle , for this special recognition.?

I am profoundly grateful to Forbes and I know it would not have been possible without my remarkable team at WEConnect International , our dedicated member buyers, our global partners, and the women-owned businesses we all serve. Together, we will continue to create new business opportunities, break barriers, and make a lasting impact on the lives of women worldwide.?

To my fellow #50Over50 honorees, present and past including Virginia Littlejohn , congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! I am inspired by each of your stories and your measurable impact, and I hope that we can inspire many others of all ages to lean in as changemakers.?