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About the GWBC® | Key facts and figures about women in business and supplier diversity | Staff | Governance

About the GWBC® | Started in 2000, the Greater Women's Business Council (GWBC®) is a non-profit organization for certified women's business enterprises (WBEs) in Georgia, North and South Carolina interested in promoting, developing and maintaining business relationships with major corporations, governmental agencies and other women business enterprises.

The GWBC® increases the competitive advantage of women in business through:

• Certification of bonafide WBEs
• Education and development through programs and informational resources on women in business and supplier diversity
• Creation of opportunities for networking between WBEs, major corporations and government agencies through events

GWBC® is a certifying partner organization of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and in 2007 was named WBENC's "Partner Organization of the Year" for being the premier third-party certification agency for WBEs in the states of Georgia, North and South Carolina-and a model for the nation.

Through the affiliation with WBENC, GWBC® provides certification that is nationally recognized and accepted by over 1000 major corporations. It is because of WBENC and GWBC's commitment and expertise to apply the highest possible certification standards in the industry so that our corporate members and partners have access to quality WBEs nationally and regionally. WBE certification is known and accepted throughout corporate America and is the benchmark for all other supplier diversity programs.

Our Certified WBEs | Currently, the GWBC® has 700+ certified WBEs in Georgia, North and South Carolina who are benefiting from certification, educational information and networking opportunities with major corporations, governmental agencies and fellow WBEs.

Our corporate members | The GWBC® is partnered with dozens of major companies who are committed to providing the financial foundation to make education, training and the standardization of national certification a reality-ultimately increasing opportunities for women's business enterprises in the states of Georgia, North and South Carolina. GWBC's corporate members help implement new programs and strengthen existing programs that provide opportunities for WBEs. These corporations are the driving force behind GWBC® and have partnered with women's business organizations throughout Georgia, North and South Carolina and WBEs who represent the strengths, needs and challenges of women-owned businesses. Our corporate members include the following:

GWBC® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals. These groups support its mission and programs.

Key facts and figures about women in business and supplier diversity | As women's business enterprises continue to be the fastest-growing segment of the entrepreneurial economy, large companies and governmental agencies are looking to diversify their supplier base. Organizations like GWBC® and the WBENC help these businesses gain a competitive advantage by creating opportunities for women to grow their businesses through contact with these purchasing entities and informational resources. But women are not just suppliers, they also make up a significant portion of these large companies' consumer bases. Smart companies actively seek relationships with WBEs so their supplier base reflects their consumer base-giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace. We hope you find these facts and figures inspiring as you grow your business through certification and membership in the GWBC®

Governance | The Greater Women's Business Council vision is supported by the Board of Directors, volunteer committees and staff who implement daily the mission of the organization.

Staff |

Roz Lewis, Executive Director
Key focus: Directing development and execution of strategic planning for fiscal affairs, marketing, brand management, public relations and engagement of the organization's constituents who are certified WBEs, corporate, non-profit and government entities.

Sharon Judge, Certification Manager 
Key Focus: WBENC certification process for potential and certified WBEs. Educational planning and programs Breakfast & Answers and Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Orientation.

LaKesha White, Program Manager, North and South Carolina
Key Focus: WBENC certification process for potential and certified WBEs. Educational and event outreach program management.

Krislynn Thompson, Program Manager, Georgia
Key Focus: Liaison for C.A.R.S. (Communication Access Resources, Special Programs) Committee Chairs to plan and facilitate GWBCs educational programs and events for our corporate/government members and certified WBEs.

Board | The GWBC® Board of Directors represent the best in class in their respective areas of expertise as major corporate representatives and women business enterprises. The goal of the board is to ensure that the economic landscape for WBEs become a level playing field and sustainable value to all stakeholders.
The following are the GWBC® 2009 Board of Directors:

Melissa Evans, Chair, Georgia Power, A Southern Company
Eyvon Austin, 1st Vice Chair, The Coca-Cola Company
Marlene Kelly, Exhibits South, 2nd Vice Chair
Sharon Burton, Secretary, The Robart Companies
Nancy Williams, Treasurer, ASAP Staffing LLC
Chris Seeterlin, Parliamentarian, GE Energy
LaSonya Berry, Leadership, McPherson, Berry & Associates
Barbara Goldman, BG Search Associates & BG Strategic Solutions
Lisa Johnson, UPS
Tarece Johnson-Hassell, AGL Resources
Ellen Watson, AT&T
Carol White, HAMCO
Nancy Balkcom, My Supplies
Ande Cason, Rio Transport
Mary Kepler, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Moses Brown, Reed Elsevier