Brenda Thickett is WBDC’s Chief Operating Officer. She is responsible for ensuring the implementation and delivery of quality entrepreneurial programs and services across the state. As a member of the Senior Management team, Brenda is responsible for developing and implementing cross-functional strategies and systems, raising the profile of the organization with key partners and stakeholders, and helping shape the future direction of the organization.

Brenda served WBDC on the Board of the organization for 8 years, as Treasurer, Vice Chair and Board Chair, before joining as an employee. Previously, she worked at the Boston Consulting Group for over 20 years, managing and leading teams, while driving strategy from approach to implementation and impact. She served BCG clients as well as supported the growth of the firm with roles in the Knowledge Team, Global Staffing and Mobility and Social Impact. She spent the majority of her time at BCG building and managing the Social Impact practice, serving nonprofit clients all over the world. Before BCG, she worked in banking and advertising, and with small businesses at the Wharton Small Business Development Center and beyond.

Brenda has a BA summa cum laude in Quantitative Economics and International Relations from Tufts University, an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in International Relations from the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University.

Tasha Jackson is a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 20+ years of driving organizational capacity, adaptability, and sustainable growth.  In her prior positions, she has developed and instituted the infrastructure and systems to ensure scalability while maximizing efficiencies and effectiveness.

Tasha is dedicated to working with organizations who missions strive to improve the lives of underserved and disenfranchised women, girls, and people of color. Over her career, Tasha has provided strategic direction and leadership for Finance, Human Resources, Risk, Information Technology and Facilities teams.

Tasha holds an MBA in Leadership from Post University and a bachelor’s degree in finance and insurance from the University of Hartford.

Dorothy Bratchell’s diversified business background both in business education, management and as an entrepreneur serves her well as WBDC’s Chief Advisory Officer and Co-Founder.

As Chief Advisory Officer, Dorothy is involved in overseeing all aspects of operations, programming, finance and administration for all WBDC locations. As part of the executive management team, she also participates in setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring that organizational goals are accomplished.

Dorothy has 35+ years of business education, workforce and economic development, management, and counseling experience. A former teacher, she was also the founder of AWS, a firm providing technical writing, consulting services, and training programs for Fortune 500 corporations.

Louise Lisboa is Vice President of Child Care Program and Impact at the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC). She is responsible for ensuring the implementation and delivery of quality child care entrepreneurial programs and services across Connecticut. As a member of WBDC’s Senior Management team, Louise is responsible for developing and implementing cross-functional strategies and systems, raising the profile of the organization with key partners and stakeholders, and helping shape the future direction of the organization.

Prior to spearheading WBDC’s child care division, Louise spent 7 years with the organization building impactful business development programs and reporting systems. Before joining WBDC, she worked within the education sector in Connecticut and overseas, enabling children’s learning, advocating for stronger investments in school systems, and designing reporting systems for national non-profits and universities. Louise has an MBA in International Relations from the University of Bridgeport.

Danielle Ruggiero is the Director of Programs at the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), where she oversees entrepreneurial classes, business advising services, and manages the team of regional Program Managers and Business Advisors. With over two decades of leadership experience in program and product development, Danielle has a proven track record of driving innovation, increasing revenue, and building strategic partnerships.

Prior to joining WBDC, she held executive roles at Excelligence Learning Corporation and Really Good Stuff, where she led multi-location teams, managed P&L responsibilities, and developed proprietary solutions for the educational sector. She is committed to fostering inclusive, entrepreneurial environments and supporting small business owners in achieving sustainable growth.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Boston College and is Dare to Lead™ trained and AGILE certified. Passionate about community building and client outreach, she thrives on empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential.

As VP of Philanthropy, Marian is responsible for creating and executing WBDC’s development strategy, including attracting new sources of sustainable funding from the private sector and individuals to support program growth and impact.

For over 30 years she has advised leaders on design and implementation of strategies that combine profit and purpose to drive business and social value. She has worked for notable brands including Mastercard, Fujifilm USA, TAMPAX, Thomson Reuters and Ronald McDonald House New York in the areas of grantmaking, fundraising and strategic alliances.

Marian served as faculty for Goldman Sachs Foundation’s 10,000 Small Businesses program in New York, trained business owners for the Women’s Enterprise Development Center in Westchester and taught graduate leadership and communications as an adjunct at LIU and Manhattanville College.

She has a doctorate in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University, MBA in Marketing from Iona University, and a Certificate in Organizational Coaching from NYU.