NEW LEADERSHIP. NEW OPPORTUNITIES. NEW GOALS.

Thu, November 07, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | The Five Party & Event Center

Join NAWBO Columbus for our November Monthly Meeting for an important discussion on Navigating Election Waves for Small Businesses!

This year’s election is an opportunity to advance women business owners and entrepreneurs through new federal business practices and inclusion policies. As the central hub for women business owners across Central Ohio, we are excited to assemble a cohort of Central Ohio’s most brilliant advocates and policy leaders for this monthly meeting to share strategies and next steps in navigating the economic impact for small and minority business post-election.

NAWBO is celebrating 50 years and was founded in 1975 to be the first advocacy organization for all women business owners. They built their own table and have since given women business owners of all sizes and sectors from across the U.S. a seat—and a voice—to make a difference for themselves and others.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Better understand the impacts of the election cycle on small business.
• Learn how to leverage the election cycle to advocate for policies that support small business growth and sustainability.
• Be aware of the programs, grants, funding opportunities for small businesses.

MEET OUR PANELISTS:

DEONNA BARNETT, AVENTI ENTERPRISES, LLC

Deonna Barnett is a small business strategist and consultant with expertise in business planning, financial management, operations management, project management, and marketing strategy development. She is the CEO & Director of Consulting of Aventi Enterprises, LLC, a strategic consulting firm based in Columbus, OH that helps small businesses secure government or corporate contracts. Services include strategic business planning, advisory, small business certification assistance, bid preparation and proposal writing.

For fifteen years, Deonna has supported small businesses in Central Ohio through previous appointments and community projects. She has developed and implemented entrepreneurial training programs and has engaged in fundraising efforts for small businesses and nonprofits alike including grants, loans, and crowdfunding. She has had the opportunity to provide training to over 2000 local entrepreneurs as well as build relationships with corporate stakeholders, community organizations, and government agencies that support the small business community. Click HERE to read Deonna’s full bio.

ANDREA HARLESS, G2G CONSULTING

Andrea serves as Government Affairs Director at G2G Consulting, which has raised $531 million in government funding since 2007, after spending years as an aide and Ohio Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Fellow in the Statehouse. She served as the Senior Legislative Aide, drafting legislation and communications, staffing committees, and leading interactions with constituents and other public officials on behalf of Senator Capri S. Cafaro. She also spent time at Franklin County Public Health managing the Board of Health, committees, and communications for the Health Commissioner. In addition, Andrea has volunteered on countless campaigns for more than a decade where she led and participated in canvasses and phone banks, and managed volunteers and logistics for events. Andrea currently serves as the Assistant Secretary for Ohio Women in Government, a volunteer-led, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the development of all women engaged in government and public policy in Ohio. She is also the Public Policy Advisor for NAWBO Columbus. Her experience in grassroots organizing as well as shepherding legislation through the process working with both sides of the aisle has made her a powerful advocate for clients at the Statehouse and on Capitol Hill.

ANTHONY REGALADO, HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COLUMBUS

Anthony Regalado is the Executive Director of the Hispanic Chamber of Columbus and a tech startup founder. At the Chamber, he leads initiatives to connect the Columbus business ecosystem to the local Hispanic workforce. Through his startup, Anarco, he champions a nomadic, international, cross-functional expert community that leverages technology and AI to empower American businesses in need of innovation. With a commitment to forward-thinking change, he fosters Latino entrepreneurship to enhance the relevance and growth of Hispanic businesses in Central Ohio’s business landscape.

MONICA L. WOMACK, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT

Monica L. Womack is the Chief for the Minority Business Development Division (MBDD) at the Ohio Department of Development. In her role, Monica provides vision and leadership to support the growth and sustainability of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) in the state of Ohio. In doing so, she engages with strategic partners at all levels of government, develops private-sector partnerships, and listens to the needs of business owners.

Under Chief Womack’s leadership, MBDD has approved over $23.5 million through direct lending and by leveraging the State’s Small Business Credit Initiative’s funding, more than $23.4 million to SEDI businesses. MBDD has increased the number of certified businesses in the state by over 22%. In 2024, MBDD launched the Office of Supplier Development to increase contracting opportunities to Ohio businesses. Click HERE for Monica’s full bio.

Registration closes Friday, November 1st at noon. 

To view boxed lunch choices click HERE

THANK YOU TO OUR TITLE SPONSOR 

Monthly Meeting Agenda

• 11:00-11:30am- Networking
• 11:30-12:30pm- Welcome & Panel Discussion
• 12:30-1pm- Networking