Women Business Collaborative Newsletter - January 2025
Women Business Collaborative
Equal position, pay and power for all business women
WBC is an unprecedented alliance of 85+ partner organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business.
Dear WBC Community,
Happy New Year! I hope the year has begun with hope and promise. For those in our community affected by the ongoing California wildfires, our thoughts are with you, and we remain committed to supporting you during this challenging time. In moments of uncertainty, the power and strength of our community is mirrored in the immediate response from partner organizations and our champion network, who are mobilizing to help those displaced by this tragic event.
WBC is excited to start 2025 with a renewed sense of realism, optimism, and activism. By deepening our engagement—Partners, Sponsors, Champions—we will be an even more formidable force in advancing equity for all women. In 2025, WBC will further leverage our commitment to the proven power of "faster together."
We can remain optimistic in the progress that we are making. A record number of companies were rated (1,449) by The Human Rights Campaign Foundation in their 2025 Corporate Equality Index. It's the nation's leading benchmark survey of LGBTQ+ corporate policies and practices. The survey found a 28% increase over the previous year in companies that earned a perfect score of 100. The work we are doing together continues to keep women CEO numbers steady as outlined in the Women CEOs in America report released by Ascend, C200, and Catalyst, and according to the P4P Impact report, women continue to rise in companies that adopt the 5-point action plan.
Activism. Through connecting and collaborating with movers and shakers committed to equity and parity, our work has taken many forms including conferences, action initiatives, and independent research. This year, we will be an even greater force for positive change.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for WBC. A few highlights include:
Finally, January is National Mentorship Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on the vital role mentors play in empowering women in all industries and at all levels to achieve their full potential. We've celebrated mentorship this month on #WBCFasterTogether on topics such as Intergenerational Mentoring and Mentorship Across Careers. I encourage you to connect with a mentee or mentor and share your stories of impact within WBC.
Our mission—ensuring equal position, pay, and power for all women in business—remains steadfast and more critical than ever. Together, we can continue to drive meaningful change and build a more inclusive business landscape.
Our collective commitment to impact will help us create opportunities for all women and a truly powerful business landscape. I am confident that 2025 will be a year of even greater impact.
Warm regards,
Gwen K. Young
CEO, Women Business Collaborative
WBC News
2025 Women's Capital Summit
Focused on uplifting scalable and investable women-owned businesses,?this transformative event designed to connect women entrepreneurs with capital investors to drive funding, innovation, and growth.
December 2024 Women Joining Public Boards Report
Women comprised 21.3% of new appointments to public boards of directors, with 43 women and 159 men appointed in December 2024. In 2025, it is more important than ever to address data transparency and board diversity at the board level. This work remains critical to ensuring the advancement of women in boardrooms and professional environments overall.?
#WBCFasterTogether LinkedIn Live Series: Legacy of Learning: How Intergenerational Mentoring Transforms Careers
In honor of National Mentoring Month, join us for a discussion on how mentorship empowers women across all career stages. Featuring Gemma Toner, Founder and CEO of Tone Networks and Kimberly Lee Minor, CEO of Women of Color Retail Alliance we’ll explore strategies for fostering leadership, navigating career transitions, and building inclusive workplaces.
New Champions + Renewals
January Sponsor News
News Highlights:
This month we've had the pleasure of welcoming our newest entrepreneur sponsors: Am Ventures LLC, The Lean Coach, Mad Beauty, Okun Financial Group and Telecom Transport Services.
In recent weeks, we were also delighted to renew Corporate Sponsorship with Munich Re.
These organizations are invaluable members of our growing community of leading entrepreneurs and corporate partners who champion WBC’s mission. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment to advancing equal position, pay, and power for all women in business.
WBC Partner News
Asian American Business Development Center
Congratulations to John Wang, President and Founder of the Asian American Business Development Center, for being recognized as one of the 2024 Trailblazers in Economic Development! His leadership and vision have created opportunities, inspired communities nationwide, and empowered the Asian American business community.
Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF)
State of the CommUNITY Address January 29, 2025 @ 1:00 pm ET?
ITSMF S1-25 Symposium and Technology Leaders Awards
April 24-26, 2025, Houston TX (registration opening soon)?
Women in Insurance Initiative
Women in Insurance Initiative Q4 Meet-Up
January 15, 2024 | 1 PM ET
We're kicking off the new year with an engaging dialogue on the importance of mentorship! Join us on January 15 for a live discussion and Q&A with Margaret Resce Milkint, WII Chair; Amy Cooper, Founder & CEO of RISE Professionals; and Michelle Raue, 2024 RISE Mentor of the Year.
领英推荐
WOC Retail Alliance (WOCRA)
WOC Retail Alliance @ NRF2025
The WOC Retail Alliance is thrilled be a part of NRF2025, in a multi-dimensional role, starting with the NRF Student Program on 1/10/25, where our CEO Kimberly Lee Minor will talk on a panel about Merchandising for Social Purpose; followed by the Super Saturday: Retail ROI session, where she will take the stage and share insights on purpose-driven retail and exploring organizational excellence. Then, the WOC Alliance team will connect with women executives and leaders from all over the work at the Javits Center at Booth #2122, part of the Women in Retail Oasis, during the NRF Big Show 1/12 -14.
WOCRA Membership Program
Unlock the next level of your professional journey with WOCRA's newly enhanced membership program. Thoughtfully designed tiers offer benefits tailored to every career stage, from quarterly networking gatherings to exclusive C-suite events. Corporate members gain access to dedicated training sessions, priority coaching services, and significant team-wide benefits. Plus, all members enjoy our job board, program discounts, and invaluable networking opportunities that consistently create career-changing connections. Ready to elevate your experience?
Visit www.wocretailalliance.org to explore membership options designed for your success.
WOCRA @ ETAIL
WOCRA will be at eTail? in Palm Springs, 2/24-14, with our CEO, Kimberly Lee Minor, speaking on stage!
WOCRA 2025 B.I.G. Summit
Experience the power of transformation at WOCRA’s 2025 B.I.G. Summit, where visionary leadership meets revolutionary change. On April 3rd in New York City, step into a space where breakthrough moments ignite new possibilities and authentic connections catalyze industry transformation.
Get your B.I.G. Summit tickets (Discounted with Membership) here:
Women Presidents Organization
2025 50 Fastest Women-Owned/Led Companies
The application for the 2025 50 Fastest Women-Owned/Led Companies?, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, will open in early January. There will be no fee to apply. The application will be open to members and non-members of the WPO. Learn more and apply here.
WBC Champion News
Cam Marson
Generational Insights Communications Academy
Cam Marston is offering the Generational Insights Communications Academy in April, June and August. The 2.5 day course guides leaders in mastering their abilities to relate, influence, persuade and sell - all with an emphasis on intergenerational communications. Attendees will leave transformed, ready to implement new skills and witness the impact on their teams. For more information, visit the GICA website.
Dr. Kim R. Grimes
Synergy Mentorship Program
Synergy Mentorship Program's new cohort registration is now an open enrollment!
Calling women of color entrepreneurs! Bid farewell to longing for profitability and sustainability.
SynergyWBO, a vibrant hub of minority-owned enterprises, offers unwavering support. Benefit from personalized mentoring, expert coaching, educational resources, marketing aid, and funding opportunities.
Footsteps2Brilliance
Footsteps2Brilliance Honored with 2024 Excellence in Equity Award
Footsteps2Brilliance has been recognized with the prestigious 2024 Excellence in Equity Industry Impact Award for its transformative work in closing reading gaps. This award highlights the company's innovative approach to early literacy, making education equitable and accessible for all. Learn more about this milestone achievement!
Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Conscious Collisions Virtual Summit
Join the Conscious Collisions Virtual Summit, March 25-27, 2025! This exclusive event tackles barriers faced by women entrepreneurs. Engage in dynamic discussions, allyship, and actionable solutions. Connect virtually with investors, allies, and champions who also want to drive change.
Pipeline Angels Information Session
Be the change in 2025! Join IFEL for our Pipeline Angels Information Session on January 22, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. Learn about our high-touch angel training program for inclusion-minded women and non-binary investors. Discover what sets us apart and get details on the Spring 2025 application process. (49/50)
Creative Entrepreneur | M.S. in Global Business | B.S. Industrial Engineering | Founder & CEO of Jack and Queen
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