Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE)

Becoming certified can feel overwhelming. That’s how many business owners feel when they first look at the paperwork, the requirements, and the process. But for leaders like Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez, Founder & CEO of Walking Tree, taking that step made all the difference. With women-owned certification, her company secured a large contract because they had both the expertise and the credential to back it up. For Crystal Silva, Chief Amazement Officer at Thryv Consulting, certification opened doors to powerful networking opportunities and meaningful business connections. Wendy Pease, Owner of Rapport International, gained insights, introductions, mentorship, and lasting relationships that helped fuel her growth. And as Jill Monson, Director of Growth at Culture ReDesigned, shares that while the process can feel daunting, you don’t have to navigate it alone. The support is there. The team is there. And once you’re certified, you’ll never look back. Running a business doesn’t have to mean doing it by yourself. If you’ve been thinking about certification, this is your sign to take the chance. #CWECommunity #WomenInBusiness #WBENCCertified #EntrepreneurSupport #WomenSupportingWomen

Expand your IMPACT at the WBENC National Conference, June 15–18, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. WBENC proudly brings our National Conference to a new region each year—uniting small businesses, corporate members, and partners from coast to coast. In 2026, we’re heading to innovative Salt Lake City, a fast-growing business hub where opportunity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial energy thrive. Utah offers more than stunning scenery—it’s built for growth. From forward-thinking industries and a vibrant startup culture to breathtaking landscapes that inspire big thinking, this is a destination designed to expand perspective—both in business and beyond the boardroom. Reserve your hotel NOW and plan ahead by clicking the link in the @wbenc bio!

Are you ready to level up your business? SAVE THE DATE: Join CWE and @vbocnewengland for an unforgettable day of inspiration, education, and connection at The Business Summit! 🗓️ Thursday, October 7, 2026 📍 College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 🕗 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM 🐥 Early bird registration is open until August 7th Get ready for dynamic workshops, impactful networking, and game-changing insights to elevate your business! Registration opening soon! #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSuccess #VBOC #VeteranEntrepreneurs

Corporations and government agencies are actively looking to expand their supplier networks — and women-owned businesses are a critical part of that growth. But getting into those supply chains can feel complicated. That’s where CWE comes in as your partner. We help women entrepreneurs understand: • What supplier procurement really means • Whether certification makes sense • How to prepare your business to compete • How to position yourself for real opportunities You don’t have to decode sourcing language alone. You don’t have to guess your next step. If you’re ready to explore supplier procurement opportunities, CWE makes the path clearer, right here in your community.

✨ CWE Board Spotlight ✨We're incredibly grateful for LiXin Olsen, Senior Vice President of Tax at Apogee Therapeutics, and her leadership on the CWE Board of Directors. With nearly 30 years of experience in global tax strategy, M&A, and financial operations, LiXin brings sophisticated financial expertise and a global perspective to CWE's board. She also brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges women face in building economic independence, and a heartfelt commitment to helping them succeed. WHY CWE? LiXin is honored to collaborate with CWE's community to continue empowering women and supporting the achievement of their business goals, knowing that economic empowerment for women creates lasting stability for their families and communities. Thank you, LiXin, for your dedication and service to CWE. 🔗 Read more about our amazing board members on our website. #WomenInLeadership #WomenSupportingWomen #EconomicEmpowerment

IMPACT is not a moment—it’s a movement. At the 2026 WBENC National Conference, WBENC is turning up the momentum with a bold focus on growth, sustainability, and community-driven progress. This powerful gathering brings together leaders, innovators, and partners committed to building lasting economic impact through collaboration. Join us June 15–18 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and be part of the journey. Learn more by visiting @wbenc and clicking the link in their bio!

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to each of you for joining us and contributing to a truly unforgettable evening. Your energy and enthusiasm filled the room as we celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our talented women entrepreneurs. It was a joy to witness the passion and ambition of our Andrea C. Silbert Star Award winners, who remind us all of the power of dreams and the impact we can create together. Your support doesn’t just elevate individual businesses; it ignites a movement that transforms families and communities. We are igniting change, inspiring innovation, and uplifting one another, and it wouldn’t be possible without YOU! Thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors, we empowered over 2,000 women entrepreneurs last year; each one a shining beacon of hope and change in her community. Let’s keep this momentum alive and continue to champion the extraordinary women who are transforming our economy and shaping a brighter future for us all. Thank you once again for being a vital part of this journey. Together, we are creating meaningful change.

Last week’s Gala was more than a celebration, it was a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together to lift up women entrepreneurs. To our sponsors: thank you. Your support made this night possible. From the energy in the room to the impact that extends far beyond it, you helped create an experience that fuels opportunity, growth, and confidence for the women we serve every day. Because of you, more women will access the resources, education, and network they need to build and grow their businesses; and that ripple effect reaches families, communities, and the broader economy. We truly couldn’t do this work without you, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of the CWE community. ⭐️ Gold Sponsors @eos_foundation @itechsolutions ✭ Silver Sponsors @citizensbank @ey_us @globalizationpartner @jpmorganchase @lifeatkirkland Lamont Hanley & Associates @libertymutual ☆ Bronze Sponsors @thecastlegrp @deloitte @easternbank @eastcambridgesavingsbank @masscompetes @bymonotype @rwawealth @statestreetim_us @tjmaxx

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that the @tdbank_us Charitable Foundation awarded the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) a $50,000 grant to provide entrepreneurial support to small businesses in New England. Through this program, approximately 100 women-owned small businesses throughout New England will receive training, technical assistance, and support to stabilize and grow their businesses. Since 2002, the TD Charitable Foundation has contributed over $361 million to nonprofit organizations to support, respect, and improve the quality of life in the diverse communities they serve. #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship

⏰ Final Hours: CWE Silent Auction Closes at 5 PM ET Today This is it—the last chance to bid. From unforgettable getaways to exclusive experiences, the items you’ve been watching are about to close… and the winning bids are happening now. If something’s been on your list, don’t wait. Jump back in, place your bids, and secure it before the clock runs out. ✨ Bidding ends at 5:00 PM ET

Expand Your IMPACT at the 2026 WBENC National Conference, June 15–18 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This isn’t just another business event—it’s where meaningful connections, collaboration, and opportunity come together to fuel growth and innovation. Each year, WBENC raises the bar with fresh, dynamic experiences designed to spark relationships that lead to real results. Join us as we pursue our shared ethos: Join Forces. Succeed Together. Learn more and stay tuned for what’s NEW in 2026 by visiting @wbenc and clicking the link in their bio!

Tonight is a night to celebrate the women who lift up the world. We know that building a business, and a life filled with purpose, takes more than ambition. It takes a community. The CWE Gala is not just a celebration, it’s a living story of what happens when passionate people come together to champion women’s economic empowerment. On this powerful night, we all come together—clients, supporters, and staff—to celebrate the ripple effect we’ve been creating since 1995. Join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and purpose with live and silent auctions, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, plated dinner, inspirational program, and the client showcase. Because when we invest in a woman entrepreneur, we ignite change that touches families, communities, and the future. 🚨 REMINDER: The CWE Online Silent Auction is OPEN through 5:00 PM on May 1. Not attending the Gala in person? No problem. Register for FREE using the $0 ticket option to access the full online auction. Questions? Reach out to Debbie at [email protected] Keep that bidding going!