Carla A. Harris to be Named Chair of the National Women's Business Council

Prominent Global Investment Professional And Business Expert To Lead Independent Counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2013 President Obama has announced his intent to appoint Carla Harris to be the Chair of the National Women's Business Council (NWBC).

Ms. Harris is a prominent global investment professional and business expert. She currently serves as the Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley where she is responsible for increasing revenue generation and client connectivity and penetration across the Wealth Management, Investment Banking and Sales and Trading businesses.  Harris was recently named to Fortune magazine's list of the 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America, Essence magazine's 50 Women Who Are Shaping the World, and Black Enterprise magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. 

"Carla is a distinguished, visionary leader and one of the most exciting and strategic minds in business.  I look forward to working with her to increase economic opportunity and access for women entrepreneurs across America," said Anie Borja, NWBC executive director.

Harris said, "I'm honored and delighted to lead the National Women's Business Council, especially during a time when women are creating businesses at such a fast rate.  I look forward to working with a dedicated group of knowledgeable women who share a common vision for increasing opportunity for female business owners, and strengthening the pipeline of women aspiring to achieve as producers, innovators, and leaders."

"Carla is an outstanding business leader who brings the skills to lead the National Women's Business Council and help women entrepreneurs and business owners realize their full potential," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  "Research shows that women-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of new businesses in our economy and the trend is growing.  Under Carla's leadership, the NWBC will be an effective advocate for women-owned small businesses, ensuring they have access and opportunity and make a strong impact on creating jobs and growing our economy."

Ms. Harris earned her AB in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.  She remains actively involved in her community and sits on the boards of several organizations including the Executive Leadership Council, Mount Sinai and St. Vincent's  Hospitals, Xavier University, Food Bank for NYC,  A Better Chance, Inc., and The Apollo Theater Foundation. 

About National Women's Business Council

The National Women's Business Council is a non-partisan federal government council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women entrepreneurs. Members of the Council are prominent women business owners and leaders of women's business organizations.  As the nation's advocate for the more than 7.8 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., the Council works to increase access to capital, access to markets, job creation and use of reliable data to help expand and improve opportunities for women entrepreneurs and business owners. 

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SOURCE National Women's Business Council