Business Empowerment for Women

Montgomery County Department of Economic Development actively supports or promotes seven major programs for local women business owners:

1. Business Coaches Roundtable Seminar Series:

Montgomery County based business coaches have volunteered their time and expertise to provide a free monthly seminar series, covering various topics of interest to local small businesses. For more information about topics, to learn about the presenters or to register, see the online schedule.

2. First Friday Networking Group:

Montgomery County based women business owners can interact, learn and network with other women in business, in a supportive environment organized by the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development. If you would like to participate or have questions, email Fizie Haleem for more information.

3. Woman Owned Business Certification:

State/Local Contracting - To register as a woman-owned business to contract with the State of Maryland or Montgomery County, you can register with the Maryland Department of Transportation's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program.

Private Sector Contracting - In addition to federal, state and local governments, many private sector corporations have goals for doing business with women and minorities. In order to be considered as a vendor, most require or prefer third party certification. The Women's Business Enterprise National Council provides a national standard of certification that is accepted by over 800 corporations. For more information and to access the online application, please go to www.wbenclink.org.  For updates on regional events and programs to learn more about certification, please go to www.wpeo.us or contact the Women Presidents' Educational Organization-DC (see below).

4. Local Small Business Reserve Programs

Montgomery County - Montgomery County Department of General Services manages a vendor registration list specifically for County based companies.  This vendor's list (LSBRP) provides County agencies the opportunity to contract with local firms on various contracts.  LSBRP is a self-registration site, not a certification program.  For additional information or to register as a Local Small Business Reserve Program company go to website.

State of Maryland - Maryland based firms may also register as a Local Small Business through the Department of General Services.  For information and opportunities with the State go to website.

5. Technology Women's Network (TWN):

Women in technology based businesses have unique issues as well as opportunities because of their highly specialized fields. TWN provides women in technology business the opportunity to share ideas, concerns and learn about new programs available to their specific needs. Meetings are held every 10 weeks in various locations throughout Montgomery County. If you would like to participate or have questions, email Fizie Haleem for more information.

6. Women Executives Leadership Network (WELN)

WELN is a leadership network of organizations strategically teaming to drive women's business interests forward in Montgomery County.

Mission Statement:  To leverage opportunities for women in business by sharing and promoting relationships, information, resources, and best practices.

Representatives listed below are organizational leaders who share a mission to provide business and professional development assistance to women. The contact information provided is for individuals who attend meetings held by the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, Division of Business Empowerment, to bring the network together on a bi-monthly basis.  The organizations listed provide services to Montgomery County female entrepreneurs and women in business.

African Women's Council, Inc.

Marie Rose Sirikari, President/Founder
Tel: 240-361-1327
Fax: 240-912-6785
info@africanwomen-usa.org

America-China Business Women Alliance

Jade Zhou, President
15100 Vicars Way
Darnestown, MD 20878
Tel:1-800-928-0572
Fax:1-888-958-0483
administrator@acbwa.org

Business and Professional Women of Maryland

Susan Horst, Immediate Past State President
Tel: 202-690-1431
susanhorst@yahoo.com

Commercial Real Estate Women - MD Suburban

Julie Fishbein, President
Tel: 785-832-1808
infomd@crewnetwork.org

Moms, Inc.

Nancy Daniel, CEO
6999 Cedar Avenue
Sykesville, MD 21784
Tel: 410-795-8390
nancykdaniel@comcast.net

Montgomery County Business and Professional Women

Dr. Lois H. Neuman, President
Tel: 202-690-1431
susanhorst@yahoo.com

Multinational Development of Women in Technology

Dr. Claudia Morrell, CEO
4 Cody Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21234
cmorell@mdwit.org

National Association of Professional Asian American Women

Vivian Kim, M.A., Chair
Tel: 301-424-0254
napaw@comcast.net

National Association of Women Business Owners, Greater DC

Mary Grate-Pyos, President
Leslie Curran (WELN representative)
23008 Mount Vernon Avenue, #748
Alexandria, VA 22301
Tel: 703-683-5655
info@nawbogreaterdc.org

StartRight! Business Plan Competition

Sally Sternbach, Director
Lynne Benzion, Associate Director (WELN representative)
Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
95 Monroe Street
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Tel: 301-315-8096
Fax: 301-315-8097
benzion@rockvilleredi.org

Technology Council of Maryland - Women's IT Committee

Sherry Fisher, Committee Chair (WELN representative)
9713 Key West Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: 240-453-4045
mglazer@techcouncilmd.org

Women in Bio

Gianna Arnold, President
Marissa Pawlewicz, Program Committee Chair and Board Member (WELN representative)
P.O. Box 34043
Bethesda, MD 20827
Tel: 703-819-7647
info@womeninbio.org

Women in Technology

Nancy Schimizzi, President-elect (WELN representative)
10378 Democracy Lane, Suite A
Fairfax,VA 22030
Tel: 703-683-4003
Fax: 703-691-0866
staff@womenintechnology.org

Women Business Owners of Montgomery County, MD

Carolyn Bruna, President
P.O. Box 1281
Rockville, MD 20849-1281
Tel: 301-365-1755
wbo@wbo-mc.com

Women Presidents' Educational Organization-DC

Liz Cullen, Executive Director
1120 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
202-595-2632
liz@womenpresidentsorg.com

Women Presidents' Organization-DC Chapter

Julie Lenzer-Kirk, Chapter Chair
Renee Lewis, Chapter Co-Chair

7. Award Nomination Opportunities

Awards and recognition are tremendous marketing vehicles, providing years of acknowledgement to the winners. Below are opportunities for qualified companies to submit applications:

Women Who Mean Business - Washington Business Journal
Nominations close September 18, 2009.