WBC hosts 40+ Entrepreneurs of Purpose at Watergate Hotel on March 7-8, 2025 as DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Proclaims "Women Entrepreneurs Day"

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Women Business Collaborative (WBC) will host 40+ Entrepreneurs of Purpose (EOP) at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, on March 7th and 8th. The event, titled "Making History With Purpose, Honoring Women Shaping the Future" convenes over 50 key women entrepreneurs who are committed to building the nation's economy alongside the 14 million women entrepreneurs in the United States.

Media are invited to join us and a special session Saturday, March 8th at 8:15 AM hosted by Laura Fote of L&B Concepts. Both a Proclamation from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and a WBC Entrepreneurs of Purpose Commitment will be shared with the media and attendees.

Mayor Bowser issued a proclamation in recognition of "Women Entrepreneurs Day" in Washington, DC (LINK HERE): "Whereas, more than 14 million American women-owned businesses represent 39.1% of all US businesses, a vital force in fueling economic growth, employing more than 12 million workers; and despite their invaluable cultural and economic contributions, today's women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers to entrepreneurship and limited access to capital; we commend women entrepreneurs for their dedication to building vibrant communities and reaffirm our commitment to providing services that support their success and growth….."

The Entrepreneurs of Purpose event has three focus points:

1. Driving Business Growth – Expanding your enterprise with innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
2. Community Engagement & Giving Back – Weaving purpose into your success by contributing to social good.
3. Living with Intention toward Legacy and Philanthropy – Finding fulfillment through impact, legacy, and shared success.

The weekend brings together galvanizing women leaders in business, including the engagements below on Friday, March 7th: 

10:00 am: Diedre Windsor, CEO of Windsor Group and military veteran, will kick-off the weekend at the Military Women's Memorial with Phyllis Wilson, Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer and President, Women in Military Service and the America Memorial Foundation Inc., and Edna W. Cummings, Retired Army Colonel, Author and 6888.

4:00 PM: Jenn White, Host, 1A, NPR/WAMU and Erika Pulley-Hayes, General Manager, WAMU, will interview India Gary-Martin, Founder and CEO, Leadership For Execs and Relucent Learning; Sharon Reynolds, CEO, DevMar Manufacturing, WBC Board Director; Ilene Rosenthal, CEO, Footsteps to Brilliance; Diedre Windsor, CEO, Windsor Group LLC; and Helen Stefan Moreau, Founder & CEO, The Midtown Group.

6:30 PM: The owner of the largest woman-owned business in the DMV area, Gloria Bohan, CEO of Omega World Travel, will host the event's dinner on Friday evening.

The events on Saturday, March 8th include:

8:15 AM: WBC will acknowledge the Mayor's proclamation and have a media moment with all women entrepreneurs.

10:30 AM: we will hear from Monika Mantilla, the CEO and Co-Founder of Altura Capital, the largest Latina led private equity fund. Altura invests in scalable enterprises and economic impact, with over 25 years of experience in capital investment, entrepreneurial success.  

1:00 PM: Joyce Johnson, a trailblazing capital leader serving as Chairman and Chief Investment Officer for Pacific Gate Capital, will talk about her 38 years investing in the global debt and equity marketplaces, managing over $10 billion in global investments.

Co-Chair of the EOP initiative and WBC Chair Edie Fraser said, "Women's History Month is March and International Women's Day is Saturday and, for us, we focus on elevating others 365 days of the year."

Co-Chair of the EOP initiative and WBC Board member, Sharon Reynolds said, "We will not rest until we gain recognition as purpose-driven companies that are the architects of meaningful progress. By clearly defining the 'why'  behind our enterprises, we create a shared sense of mission that fuels engagement, loyalty and long-term success."

WBC CEO Gwen K. Young said: "These entrepreneurs are driving economic growth across communities and creating pathways for women. Let's continue to celebrate our impact and purpose. We are truly as WBC faster together." 

Media interested in attending any of the programs, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] or call 202-486-7004.

ABOUT WOMEN BUSINESS COLLABORATIVE - Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of 85+ women's business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, WBC mobilizes thousands of professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change.

SOURCE Women Business Collaborative