Press Releases

Kittie Watson’s research about Veterans entering the civilian workforce is included in the July issue of the prestigious Harvard Business Review (HBR). The HBR, founded in 1994, is published 6 times yearly with a mission to improve the practice of management in a changing world.  

Kittie’s article, How Your Company Can Better Retain Employees Who Are Veterans, notes 360,000 women and men leave the military each year. Corporates have committed to employing more than one million veterans over the next several years.

Her findings include that 60% to 80% of veterans leave their first civilian job before their second work anniversary. The article explains why this statistic is so high and how this trend can be reversed. 

Kitties’ other accomplishments include President and Founder of Innolect, Inc., 2015 GWBC Business Star and has been a GWBC Board Member and 2nd Vice Chair since 2010.

Please join us in recognizing Kittie for an enlightening article and for her service to GWBC.

Click here to read Kittie’s article in full. 

 The Greater Women’s Business Council Honors Region’s TOP Corporations
Committed to Advancing Women-Owned Businesses

ATLANTA, Ga. – April 6, 2017 – The Greater Women’s Business Council, Inc. (GWBC), the largest provider of certification and development resources for women business enterprises (WBEs) in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, today announced eight corporations selected as its 2017 TOP Corporations of the Year.

These corporate partners, who have demonstrated a passion for inspiring, engaging, empowering and furthering the success of women-owned businesses, will be recognized at a celebratory luncheon on April 27 at 103 West in Atlanta.

GWBC’s 2017 TOP Corporations of the Year for Women’s Business Enterprises are:
 
     • Accenture
     • AT&T
     • BMW Manufacturing
     • The Coca-Cola Company
     • Georgia Power
     • Grady Health System
     • Randstad
     • UPS

“We’re honored to showcase these exceptional corporations who have made a substantial commitment to further the success of our area’s women-owned businesses,” said Roz Lewis, president & CEO of GWBC. “This occasion brings to life the very mission of our organization, where we experience the power of these partnerships through the success stories of both the WBEs and corporate honorees.”

The power of the partnerships also can be seen through the numbers: GWBC’s constituency is comprised of more than 900 certified WBEs that staff more than 58,000 employees and generate more than $5.6 billion in revenue.

GWBC’s TOP Corporations of the Year Awards is unique in that each corporate honoree’s award is presented through a real-world testimony of a WBE partner whose business has been directly impacted by their support.  Judged by a panel of WBEs, criteria for the GWBC TOP Corporations of the Year awards include corporations that are members of the organization; have a dedicated supplier diversity program serving Georgia and the Carolinas; meet and exceed spend goals with WBEs; and actively participate in educational and development activities with WBEs in the region.

For more information on GWBC visit www.gwbc.biz.

ABOUT THE GREATER WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL, INC.
The Greater Women’s Business Council, Inc. (GWBC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides nationally-recognized certification through its Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) network, innovative programming and value-driven events customized to the unique needs of women business owners (WBEs) in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. GWBC’s constituency is comprised of more than 900 certified WBEs, dozens of corporate member partners, government entities and business alliances united to inspire, engage and empower women-owned businesses. A Regional Partner Organization of WBENC, GWBC is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with a satellite office in the Carolinas.

Contact:
Diane Silver
diane.silver@thecraftongroup.com
404-626-4845

THE GREATER WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL REELS IN ROBIN FISHER ROFFER OF BIG FISH MARKETING AS KEYNOTE DURING ITS LARGEST BUSINESS CONFERENCE OF THE YEAR
2016 Power of Partnering Marketplace to be hosted on August 24-25 in Atlanta, Georgia

ATLANTA (August 2016)  – The strategic marketing force behind A&E, Animal Planet, Bloomberg and Atlanta’s CNN among others, Robin Fisher Roffer of Big Fish marketing, Inc., joins the Greater Women’s Business Council’s (GWBC) 2016 Power of Partnering (POP) Marketplace as keynote speaker.  A leading-edge brand storyteller for media and technology companies and content creators, Fisher will deliver her keynote during the Power Luncheon and a storytelling workshop — Three Steps to Making Your Mark Fearlessly – during afternoon sessions. 

The two-day conference kicks-off with the WAVE Golf Tournament on August 24 at East Lake Golf Club, and culminates on August 25 at The Georgia International Convention Center. The conference includes a lineup of experts, workshops and matchmaker sessions focused on empowering women owned businesses. As the leading provider of world-class certification for women businesses in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, GWBC’s POP Marketplace is the region’s largest and most influential annual business fair dedicated to women business enterprises.

“Having presented to corporations and organizations of all sizes across the world, I’m especially passionate about working with women business owners,” said Fisher, CEO of Big Fish Marketing, a women business enterprise. “I’m looking forward to helping participants tap into the unique strength we have as female leaders and leveraging their personal brands so they stand out and deliver maximum value to their employees, clients and business communities as a whole.”

Conference @ A Glance:
    • Wednesday, August 24: WAVE Scholarship Golf Tournament at East Lake Golf Club/8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies start at 10 a.m. and the day culminates with the popular 19th Hole Reception and Awards Ceremony at 3 p.m.  The WAVE Scholarship Golf Tournament combines GWBC-certified women business suppliers, corporate partners and business associates for a day of power-play on the exclusive PGA member-only course, while raising scholarship funds earmarked for development programs for women-owned businesses.

   • Thursday, August 25: POP Marketplace & Trade-Fair at Georgia International Convention Center/8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Day-two fosters optimum engagement, education and connections among attendees.  Leading corporations in supplier diversity, procurement and business development, as well as women business enterprises and GWBC alliances take part in power-packed breakout sessions, presentations and interactive corporate and WBE Matchmaker sessions. 

Workshop Highlights:
    o Access to Capital Panel:  Powerful exchange about financial resources available to women business enterprises from a diverse panel of lending experts. This panel will explore which types of financing are most appropriate for WBE needs, what lenders look for in potential borrowers, alternatives to traditional lending and tips and insights on improving the probability of success.
    o Coca-Cola’s STEP LIVE!: STEP LIVE! is a learning platform that addresses recognized barriers women entrepreneurs may face while trying to start, sustain and grow their businesses. This live streamlined module structured experience will provide insights and tools on 1) Navigating Corporate Procurement (Procurement); 2) LeadHerShip — The New Game of Follow the Leader (Leadership, Management & Operations); 3) Funding — How to Get Your Piece of the Pie (Financing); and 4) Serve the Sell (Advocacy).   
    o Robin Roffer Workshop: During this inspiring keynote, Robin Fisher Roffer illuminates the truths of fearless leadership, making your mark, pushing through adversity and shedding what is no longer working.

Day-Two Time Sheet (visit www.gwbc.biz for complete schedule) 
8am   Doors Open/Registration
9:30am   Opening Session – Access to Capital
10am to 12:15pm Marketplace Matchmaker Sessions
11:15am to 12:15am Coca-Cola STEP Live
12:30pm to 2pm  POP Power Luncheon featuring Keynote Robin Roffer Fisher
2:15pm to 3:15pm Three Steps to Making You Mark Fearlessly/Roffer Workshop
2:15pm to 3:30pm  Marketplace Matchmaker Sessions
4pm   Closing

The 2016 WAVE Golf Tournament & POP Marketplace is sponsored by Georgia Power Company, PS Energy Group, and WDS, Sonoco among others.  For more information and to register, visit www.gwbc.biz. For press passes and inquiries, contact Nichole D. Taylor at taylor@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com.     
ABOUT THE GREATER WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL, INC.
The Greater Women’s Business Council, Inc. (GWBC) is a not-for-profit women’s organization that provides nationally-recognized certification through its Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) network, innovative programming and value-driven events customized to the unique needs of women business owners (WBEs) in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. GWBC’s constituency is comprised of more than 900 certified WBEs, dozens of corporate member partners, government entities and business alliances united to inspire, engage and empower women-owned businesses. A Regional Partner Organization of WBENC, GWBC is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in the Carolinas.  Learn more and join us at www.gwbc.biz, https://www.facebook.com/GWBCLive and https://twitter.com/GWBCLive.

‘RELATIONSHIPS IN ACTION’ A HIGH NOTE IN THE NAMING OF
THE GREATER WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL’S 2016 TOP CORPORATIONS OF THE YEAR
Unprecedented mix of industries comprise 2016 Honoree List Underscoring Expanded Utilization of Women Business Suppliers  

ATLANTA  – When the Greater Women’s Business Council, Inc. (GWBC), the largest provider of certification and development resources for women business enterprises (WBEs) in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, sought to identify its 2016 TOP Corporation honorees, two things were glaringly clear:  1) thriving relationships are the centerpiece of successful corporate contracts; and 2) a diverse mix of industries are tapping the power of women business suppliers. At 11 a.m. on June 8, at the Georgia Terrace Hotel, nine varied corporations will be celebrated as GWBC’s TOP Corporations of the Year (TOP) for their demonstrated passion for inspiring, engaging and empowering WBEs. 

Accenture, AT&T, BMW Manufacturing Co., Georgia Power, Grady Health System, Sonoco, The Coca-Cola Company, Wells Fargo & Co. and UPS are the noted honorees that will receive a unique salute presented through the real-world testimonies of WBE partners whose business has been directly impacted by their support. Atlanta Power Anchor Karyn Greer joins as Mistress of Ceremonies, guiding a program that will bring the relationships between the corporate honorees and the women entrepreneurs to life in tribute.

“Our TOP Corporation recognition has a very special place in my heart,” said Roz Lewis, president & CEO of GWBC.  “While our team, corporate partners and certified women businesses work tirelessly year-round, this is the moment where we experience the fulfillment of GWBC’s mission and the tangible benefits of these ‘empowered relationships,’” added Lewis.

From healthcare, supply chain solutions and packaged goods and services to automobile, banking and telecommunications, GWBC is inspired by the mix of industries focusing their support on women business enterprises (WBEs).  TOP Honorees and WBE Presenters include:
     • Accenture: presented by WBE Nancy Williams of ASAP Solutions Group
     • AT&T: presented by WBE Jodi Gill of The Experts Bench
     • BMW Manufacturing Co.:  presented by WBE Marlene Kelly of Exhibits South
     • Georgia Power: presented by WBE Rachael Murphy Humphrey of Metro Records Management
     • Grady Health System: presented by WBE Melanie Rhodes of Diversity Spend Solutions
     • Sonoco Packaging Company: presented by WBE Patti Massey of MYCA Group
     • The Coca-Cola Company: presented by WBE Paige Nichols of Jansen Advertising
     • UPS: presented by WBE Kanchana Raman former owner of Avion Systems
     • Wells Fargo & Co.: presented by WBE Kittie Watson of Innolect, Inc.

Judged by a panel of WBEs, criteria for the GWBC Top Corporations of the Year awards include corporations that are members of the organization; have a dedicated supplier diversity program serving Georgia and the Carolinas; meet and exceed spend goals with WBEs; and actively participate in educational and development activities with WBEs in the region. GWBC Top Corporations of the Year Awards is sponsored by Georgia Power, PS Energy Group, Sonoco and WDS among many others. 

To register for the GWBC TOP Corporations of the Year Awards, visit  www.gwbc.biz; and join lively discussions at Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. For press inquiries, contact Nichole Taylor at taylor@taylorcommunicationsgroup.com. 

ABOUT THE GREATER WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL, INC.
The Greater Women’s Business Council, Inc. (GWBC) is a not-for-profit women’s organization that provides nationally-recognized certification through its Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) network, innovative programming and value-driven events customized to the unique needs of women business owners (WBEs) in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. GWBC’s constituency is comprised of more than 900 certified WBEs, dozens of corporate member partners, government entities and business alliances united to inspire, engage and empower women-owned businesses. A Regional Partner Organization of WBENC, GWBC is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with a satellite office in the Carolinas.