Taylor Bergeron recently graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in Business Administration. She is beginning her career at WBDC as a Program Specialist. Taylor’s work experience consists of customer service, marketing, and sales.

Alicia De Sena serves as WBDC’s Opportunity Fund Grant Program Manager, overseeing all aspects of WBDC’s Ignite and Launch Pad Grant Programs, as well as our municipality-specific grants. Alicia brings a rare fusion of experience in marketing, small business management, and environmental science to WBDC. She graduated with a BS in Marketing and a minor in Geography from Central Connecticut State University, where she is also pursuing her Master’s in Geography with a specialization in Sustainability. She strives to help women entrepreneurs navigate the business landscape in Connecticut.

Tracy Gibbons serves as the Controller for WBDC. She is a CPA who worked in public accounting for many years, most recently with Marcum LLP. Over the years, she has worked with businesses, charitable organizations, foundations, business executives, employee benefit plans, trusts and estates. Prior to joining WBDC, her focus was on tax compliance and financial planning, working primarily with high-net-worth families and hedge fund investors.

She has an BA in Economics from Colgate University, a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Hartford, and recently completed a Graduate Certificate program in Public Policy at UConn.

Karen Ham has been with WBDC since 2009. She serves as the organization’s Finance Director.  Prior to joining WBDC, Karen ran her own accounting and bookkeeping business.

Juliette LaRock coordinates all aspects of WBDC’s Ignite Grant Program. She graduated from Clarkson University in May 2023. She received a bachelor’s degree in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and pursued a minor in Psychology, New Product Development, and Marketing. Juliette was on the Clarkson Women’s Soccer team and a member of the Sigma Nu Tau entrepreneurship honor society.

Erin Mercede serves as the Program Manager of the West Region for WBDC. Prior to joining WBDC, Erin ran the Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s leadership programs (Leadership Greater Bridgeport, Women’s Leadership Network, and Thrive: Emerging Leaders), and held various analytical and customer service roles at Santa Energy in Bridgeport and Ellington Management Group in Old Greenwich. She is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Bridgeport.
Erin received an MBA from UConn Stamford and a BS in Business Administration, with a concentration in finance, from the University of New Hampshire

Adyanna Odom was born and raised in Houston, Texas but moved to Connecticut for college. As WBDC’s Launch Pad Coordinator, Adyanna manages all aspects of  the Launch Pad Grant Program, our grant program for early stage businesses in Connecticut. Adyanna graduated from Trinity College in Hartford with a degree in International Studies and a minor in Community Action. Adyanna is a lifelong learner, outdoors enthusiast, and avid baker.

Sonique Solis is a Child Care Opportunity Fund Program Lead, delivering ongoing business support and case management to Connecticut child care providers and pairing them with WBDC Business Advisors to support their progress towards business development goals. Additionally, she conducts assessment counseling, provides technological education, and serves as a facilitator for WBDC’s child care programs.
Sonique has worked in the child care industry and offered family support since 2012, spending time as an infant and toddler home care provider and a community resource. Prior to joining WBDC, Sonique worked with First County Bank, a local community bank dedicated to serving individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations. She is very passionate about helping individuals to navigate their entrepreneurial journeys while making a positive impact on our community.

When she is not assisting child care businesses, Sonique can be found capturing mouthwatering food photography images in support of small businesses and her very own home cooking.

Diurka Tavarez was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States 30 years ago. She attended Westhill High School in Stamford and took courses at Norwalk Community College as a Business Major. Due to life changes, Diurka did not complete her classes at that time, but she has reinstated and registered for classes starting in May 2023 hoping to obtain her diploma.

Diurka worked at Norwalk Community College as an Administrative Assistant for the ESL Department and at Norwalk City Hall in the Planning and Zoning Department. Prior to those position, Diurka worked for AXA XL with a background in records management and operations.

Diurka considers herself to have strong leadership and interpersonal skills while being a great motivator for others.

Nicole Willard is the Development Associate at the Women’s Business Development Council, working to secure funding for WBDC’s programs and services. After graduating from Dean College with a bachelor’s degree in arts and entertainment management, Nicole joined the development team at Moving For Life, a nonprofit organization offering free movement programs to older adults and people affected by cancer. Now as team member of WBDC, Nicole is excited to be exploring her interest in business from a fundraising perspective and supporting local women-owned businesses.

Megan Wormser serves as the Client Services Manager at WBDC. Prior to joining WBDC, Megan was an administrative assistant at David Monn LLC, a NYC-based event planning firm, where she provided coordination for a wide variety of events from small initiate dinner parties to large scale weddings and corporate events.
Megan received a BS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Ithaca College.

As a WBDC Impact Specialist, Doris Zhang supports the collection and communication of the organization’s economic impact. She works on database management, data reporting and survey design, which allows the team to make evidence-informed client services decisions.

Doris is passionate about data analysis and policy research on topics related to women and children’s welfare. Her prior experience includes program development at Save the Children International, supporter engagement at UNICEF, as well as economic and industry research in the financial sector.
Doris holds a MS in Public Policy from New York University, and a BA in Economics from Fudan University in Shanghai, China. In her free time, she enjoys reading detective stories and exploring restaurants.