Catalyst Symposium 2025
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
8:30am - 1:00pm
Trinity College, Hartford
Check back soon for details on our
Catalyst Symposium agenda!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
- 8:30am - 1:00pm
Introducing the 2025 WBDC Catalyst Symposium — the inaugural event in what will become an annual celebration of innovation, empowerment, and entrepreneurial success.
Join our community of Connecticut women entrepreneurs for a morning of connection, inspiration, and action. We’ll begin with networking and exploring the WBDC Marketplace, featuring products from Connecticut women-owned businesses. Then we’ll dive into a robust lineup of workshops designed to deliver practical tools, strategies, and insights essential to launching, growing, and sustaining a thriving small business.
The event will culminate in a live pitch competition, where eight finalists will compete for four $25,000 WBDC Accelerate Grants.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your business, this symposium will equip you with the knowledge, network, and motivation to take your venture to the next level.
Catalyst Symposium Program
Networking
- Meet other entrepreneurs, make new connections, share ideas, and explore ways to support each other’s success.
WBDC Marketplace: Local Women, Local Goods
- Shop, mingle and be inspired! Our Marketplace is packed with products and ideas from Connecticut women-owned businesses.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Brenda Thickett
WBDC Chief Operating Officer
Where Are They Now?
- Previous Accelerate Grant recipients share their stories
Business Breakouts
- Pitch Yourself Like a Pro: Unlock Your Business Story
- Discover a simple four-part formula to pitch your business with clarity and impact. In this fast-paced session, you’ll learn how to grab attention, highlight your unique value, show a clear path to success, and inspire with your vision—giving you the tools to impress investors, partners, and clients.
- So, You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?
- Is entrepreneurship the right path for you? In this interactive session we’ll dig into your business idea, uncover what it really takes to succeed, and map out the steps you need to launch with confidence.
- Ready, Set, Funded: Tips for Landing a Business Loan or Grant
- This session will guide you through the essential steps to secure funding — loans, grants, or both. You’ll gain practical knowledge of what funders look for, learn to prepare complete and compelling applications, and understand how to strengthen your financial position for future opportunities.
Accelerate Pitch Competition
- WBDC clients compete for grants of $25,000 for their businesses
Business Breakouts
- Goal Setting for Growth: Reignite Purpose, Refocus Vision
- Tired of feeling stuck, scattered, or unmotivated? This session will help you reconnect with purpose, gain strategic clarity, and set bold, high-impact goals that drive intentional growth.
- Are You Paying Yourself? Why it Matters
- One of the most overlooked yet crucial parts of running a successful business is understanding how and when to pay yourself. We’ll explain the importance of setting a salary, how to separate personal and business finances, and what to consider when budgeting for your own paycheck. This session will give you the knowledge and confidence to compensate yourself in a way that supports both your personal financial goals and your business growth.
- Taking Your Business to the Next Level
- If you’ve been running a profitable business for a while and think you’re ready to grow but are unsure of what opportunities are out there, this session is for you! Learn how to explore opportunities for growth for your business and consider the timing and investment needed to take your business to the next level.
Accelerate Pitch Competition
- Winners announced
Closing Remarks
Champion Sponsor
Friend Sponsor
Speakers
THE HONORABLE PATRICIA BILLIE MILLER
State Senator, Deputy President Pro Tempore
Through her tenure in the legislature, Senator Miller has been a strong advocate for education reforms that help address and improve Connecticut’s education opportunity gap. She has learned and seen firsthand the disproportion of students’ achievements and the role that literacy plays in their success or failure. She believes giving teachers the right tools to help them address disparities is a step in the right direction.
Senator Miller has championed several laws, but she’s most proud of the 2023 law that allows cash redemption on gift cards that fall below $5 and the 2021 law that will require school districts in the state to have a reading curriculum that focuses on the “science of reading” by 2025. Her objective is to improve literacy outcomes for students in grades K-3. The legislation also creates the Center for Literacy and Reading Success which will be a hub for state and local work related to literacy. This ‘Right to Read’ act, calls for the state to provide $12.8 million in funding for the hiring of reading coaches in school districts where students are falling.
Senator Miller believes reading is fundamental to the success of each and every student. She believes every child has a right to read and with this legislation, each student would be given the same tools to learn and granted the same opportunity for success, regardless of their zip code.
The Creation of Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success at the state Department of Education will oversee the reading curriculum for Connecticut students in grades PreK-3.
THE HONORABLE HEATHER SOMERS
State Senator, Senior Deputy Senate Republican Leader
A Senior Deputy Senate Republican Leader, Senator Somers serves as Ranking Member of the Public Health Committee, which oversees all programs and matters related to the Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Developmental Services, and the Office of Health Care Access. The committee also has jurisdiction over emergency medical services, licensing boards within the Department of Public Health, nursing homes, pure food and drugs, and controlled substances, including substance abuse treatment.
Senator Somers is also the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, responsible for crafting the spending portion of the state budget. Additionally, she serves on the Commerce Committee, which oversees the Department of Economic and Community Development. She previously served as Ranking Senator on the Transportation Committee, where she was a vocal critic of wasteful spending by the Connecticut Port Authority.
Her committee assignments also include the Education Committee and Regulations Review Committee. She co-chairs the bipartisan Tourism Caucus and is a member of numerous other caucuses. She formerly chaired the Communications Subcommittee of the state’s Vaccine Advisory Task Force and currently serves on the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, which provides coordinated responses to issues impacting women, girls, and their families across Connecticut.
As leader of the Tourism Caucus, Senator Somers advocates for policies that support and strengthen Connecticut’s tourism industry. In 2022, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association awarded her a perfect 100% score for her pro-job growth voting record. A founding partner of Hydrofera, a medical device manufacturer employing nearly 100 people in Windham County, she brings private-sector experience to her work in the legislature.
Senator Somers also served on the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee and chaired its Communications Subcommittee. In 2022, she was recognized by the Keep the Promise Coalition for her advocacy in mental health policy. In 2021, she received the Fairview Medal from Groton-based Fairview for her dedication to improving senior housing. In 2019, the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities/Connecticut Center for Assisted Living named her a “Champion of Elder Care,” recognizing her “fierce, intelligent, and outstanding leadership” on behalf of Connecticut’s skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, their employees, and especially the residents they serve.
Before joining the state legislature, Senator Somers served five terms on the Groton Town Council and was Mayor of Groton from 2011 to 2013. As Mayor, she established an Energy Efficiency Task Force to explore energy-saving initiatives and led a School Planning Task Force to address racial imbalance and aging infrastructure. During her tenure, she worked with the council to deliver two tax reductions for Groton residents.
GILDA BONANNO
Owner, Gilda Bonanno LLC
Since 2006, Gilda has run a boutique consulting business that reaches countless people globally. She has delivered thousands of virtual and in-person programs, her YouTube channel has received over 1.6 million views and her digital newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008.
Gilda is an expert in customized one-on-one coaching and consulting, specializing in executive communication, presentation skills and leadership development for corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and elected officials. She also delivers impactful keynote speeches and facilitates engaging programs designed to achieve measurable results. Executives and leaders from a variety of industries rely on her proven track record of success.
She serves on the faculty of The Campaign School at Yale University and holds a master’s degree from Fordham University and an Advanced Business Certificate in Management from the UConn School of Business.
Passionate about advancing economic equity for women, Gilda advises the Women’s Business Development Council, which serves women entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut, and serves as the Emcee for their Annual Gala Luncheon and Women Owned Business Day at the State Capitol.
Carol Cheswick
Business Advisor
Samantha Cross
Business Advisor
Beth Iovinelli
Owner, Milk Street Lactation Support Center
Beth is a Registered Nurse and Board Certified Lactation Consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the field of maternal child health. She has worked as a labor and delivery nurse, postpartum nurse and patient educator in the hospital setting and as the coordinator of newborn services and lactation in a pediatric office.
Most recently, Beth worked at Breastfeeding Resources in Stratford, CT with Christina Smillie, MD. She has taught thousands of parents and provided staff training and development for nurses, doctors, and nutritionists. Beth has authored hundreds of articles and consulted for websites and worked as a content developer and online expert. Through her many years of teaching breastfeeding, Beth has developed great strategies and techniques to make learning fun and easy to understand. She loves having light bulb and ah-ha moments with the families she supports.
Tasha Jackson
Chief Financial & People Officer
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.
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.
Gary Katcher
Founder and Executive Chairman of Libertas
Gary began his career on Wall Street at EF Hutton and then spent the majority of his career at Merrill Lynch, where he was a Senior Managing Director, heading up their High Yield trading desk managing a risk capital book worth more than $1 billion. In 1999, he left Merrill to start and co-head the Leverage Finance group for the Royal Bank of Canada. In 2002, he started his own boutique fixed income broker-dealer which he eventually sold to Knight Capital where he was appointed the Executive Vice-President and Global Head of Institutional Fixed Income and Global Capital Markets.
Gary Katcher holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business from the State University of New York.
Gary is active in philanthropy including with the Foundation Fighting Blindness where he is a National Trustee and committee member supporting the organization in its fight to end diseases that cause blindness. He is active with the WBDC (Women’s Business Development Council) whose mission is to empower woman entrepreneurs in Connecticut with education and grants to help start their businesses. Gary created their Accelerate Grant program to help WBDC clients grow their businesses. He supports many other charities and considers volunteering and philanthropy a very important part of the Libertas culture.
Tanya Kelley
Business Advisor
Natacha Louis-Charles, OD, CLC
CEO of Family Eyecare of Orange, CT
Dr. Charles is an active member of the American Optometric Association, Connecticut Optometric Association and IDOC (Independent Doctors of Optometry).
Dr. Charles is a New York native. She grew up in Rockland County, New York and currently resides in Milford, Connecticut. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, hiking, theater and art.
Dr. Charles founded Family Eyecare of Orange in 2014. Family Eyecare of Orange has established a reputation in the community for providing patients with exceptional eye care service. Offering patients the option to meet virtually through telehealth services
along with a wide variety of solutions such as primary care, contact lenses, myopia management, LASIK co-management, pediatric, vision therapy, and low vision, ensures
the best possible outcomes for each individual. The practice features state-of-the-art technology and is home to an externship and mentorship program, with future goals to expand the practice by adding a third exam lane. The team of skilled and empathetic
professionals is dedicated to placing the well-being of their patients above all else.
FRAN PASTORE
CEO, WBDC
In 1997, Fran founded the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) with $100,000 in seed funding. Under her leadership, the organization’s budget has grown to nearly $10 million, transforming opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Beyond WBDC Fran has advised at the highest levels of government and business. She served on the National Women’s Business Council, advising the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. She co-chaired Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s Jobs and Economy Policy Committee, served on Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons’ Economic Development Committee, and currently chairs the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority Board of Directors and serves on the Hartford HealthCare Board of Directors. She also serves on the M&T Bank Connecticut Directors’ Advisory Council and the Webster Bank Community Advisory Council.
Fran’s global influence includes working with women entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and Turkey, fostering economic independence and self-reliance. She has represented the U.S. at the Women’s Summit and Global Entrepreneurship Conference in Istanbul.
For close to three decades, Fran has shaped legislation advancing women’s rights, testifying before Congress and the Connecticut Legislature on critical issues. Her leadership in the women’s entrepreneurship has significantly advanced opportunities for equity, while also contributing to the economic vitality of Connecticut.
Gabriela Rosado
Senior Underwriter, Libertas
In 2018, Gabriela began her career with Libertas, starting in the processing department and quickly being promoted to Underwriter. Today, she is a Senior Underwriter in the Credit Department. Prior to Libertas, Gabriela worked two jobs, one as a bookkeeper for a food corporation and another in business development.
In 2019, She began her pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Finance at the University of Miami, eager to expand her knowledge. Gabriela feels that her career journey has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing her to grow, connect with inspiring people, and develop a true passion for finance.
Brenda Thickett
Chief Operating Officer
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.
Women-Owned Business Day Program
Welcome
Fran Pastore
CEO, WBDC
Gilda Bonanno
Emcee, Principal, Gilda Bonanno LLC
Invited State Leaders
- The Honorable Ned Lamont,
Governor - The Honorable Susan Bysiewicz,
Lieutenant Governor - Co-Chair: The Honorable Patricia Billie Miller,
State Senator, Deputy President Pro Tempore - Co-Chair: The Honorable Heather Somers,
State Senator, Deputy Republican Leader - The Honorable Martin Looney,
State Senator, Senate President Pro Tempore - The Honorable Bob Duff,
State Senator, Senate Majority Leader - The Honorable Stephen Harding,
State Senator, Senate Republican Leader - The Honorable Matt Ritter,
State Representative, Speaker of the House - The Honorable Jason Rojas,
State Representative, House Majority Leader - The Honorable Vincent Candelora,
State Representative, House Republican Leader
Remarks from our Sponsor
- Kristin Jordal, Regional Vice President and Connecticut Market President Middle Market & Select Segments, The Cigna Group, Cigna Healthcare
Meet Some WBDC Clients
- 2023 Women Rising Honoree Videos
A Little Money Makes a Big Difference: A WBDC Study on the Impact of Small Capital Infusions on Connecticut Women-Owned Businesses
- Brenda Thickett,
Chief Operating Officer, WBDC
WBDC Client Testimonials
- Shivonne Mathison,
Owner, Cura Home Care Services - Alina Gutierrez,
Owner, Three Little Bears Child Care, LLC
2024 Legislative Session: What’s at Stake for Your Business and How to Voice Your Opinion
Panelists:
- The Honorable Holly Cheeseman, State Representative
- The Honorable Kate Farrar, Deputy Majority Leader, State Representative
- The Honorable Nicole Klarides-Ditria, State Representative
- The Honorable Robyn Porter, Chief Majority Whip, State Representative
Moderator
- Fran Pastore,
Chief Executive Officer, WBDC
Closing Remarks
- Fran Pastore,
Chief Executive Officer, WBDC
Speakers
GILDA BONANNO
Owner, Gilda Bonanno LLC
Gilda Bonanno is a professional speaker, consultant, facilitator and coach who serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with leading organizations on four continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome, including Henkel, Travelers, Praxair, JP Morgan Chase and Yale University.
FRAN PASTORE
CEO, WBDC
Fran Pastore founded the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) in 1997 and continues to serve as the organization’s CEO. WBDC is Connecticut’s leading organization championing female entrepreneurship. Ms. Pastore is a devoted catalyst of women’s economic equality across the country and around the globe.
SUSAN BYSIEWICZ
Lt. Governor of Connecticut
Sworn in on January 9, 2019, Susan Bysiewicz is serving her first term as Connecticut’s 109th Lieutenant Governor.
Lt. Governor Bysiewicz formerly served as Connecticut’s Secretary of the State from 1999 to 2011.
As a state representative in the Connecticut General Assembly, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz represented the towns of Middletown, Middlefield, and Durham from 1993 to 1999.
Co-Chairs
Host Committee
100,000+
- City of New London
- City of Torrington
- City of Waterbury
- CT Comptroller’s Office
- CT Department of Economic and Community Development
- CT Office of Early Childhood
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- M&T Bank Charitable Foundation
- Philip Morris International
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Webster Bank Charitable Foundation
- Wells Fargo Foundation
50,000+
- Andre Prost, Inc.
- The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Inc.
- TD Charitable Foundation
- Travelers
- Tudor Investment Corporation
25,000+
- Anne S. Richardson Fund
- Avangrid Foundation
- Chelsea Groton Foundation
- The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation, Inc.
- Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
- Hartford HealthCare
- Pam Kushmerick & Jim Smith
- Mastercard
- PwC
10,000+
- Alex Brown Raymond James
- Sandra Arkell
- Nisha and Harry Arora
- Bank of America
- CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP)
- Connecticut Community Bank
- Connecticut Community Foundation
- DR Bank
- Essex Savings Bank
- Gen Re
- Galia Gichon
- Henkel Corporation
- Elizabeth and Steven Hirsch
- Ion Bank Foundation
- Linde
- Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Wondr Nation
- M&T Bank
- Betsy O’Reilly
- Patriot Bank
- Point72, L.P.
- RobyDodd Family Charitable Foundation, Inc.
- Shipman & Goodwin LLP
- Charlotte & John Suhler
- Sue & Glyn Thickett
- Union Savings Bank
- Wiggin and Dana LLP
5,000+
- Allstate Foundation
- Alvarez & Marsal
- Berkshire Bank Foundation, Inc.
- Blue Triton Brands, Inc.
- Bourgeon Capital Management, LLC
- Moira Collins Family Fund
- The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Inc.
- Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Hexcel Corporation
- Libertas Funding, LLC
- Newtown Savings Bank Foundation, Inc.
- The Stamford Hospital
- Brenda Thickett & Andreas Papadatos
- David Wezdenko, Blue Leaf Ventures
1,000+
- Amazon
- Bankwell
- Bernstein Private Wealth Managment
- Michael and Eryn Bingle
- BNY Mellon
- Boyd & Associates LLC
- Grace & Kenneth Café
- Amanda Castellano
- Charter Communications
- Cigna
- CT Best Care LLC
- CT Business & Industry Association (CBIA)
- Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
- Connecticut Hospital Association
- Isabelle Côté & Jacques Briand
- The Dann Charitable Fund
- The Dean and Laura Davis Family Foundation
- Janet DeFrino, Five Mile Advisors
- Deloitte Services LP
- Stella & Robert DeLucia
- Downes Construction Company
- DPF Regeneration.com LLC
- The Ethel Walker School
- Fairfield County Bank
- Fairfield County Medical Association
- Garry & Sue Feldman
- Fieldpoint Private Bank & Trust
- Finn Dixon & Herling LLP
- First County Bank Foundation, Inc.
- Robin Frederick
- Ganim Benefits
- Girl Scouts of Connecticut
- Greater New York Hospital Association
- Guilford Savings Bank
- Sonia Hounsell, FunkkOFF!
- Anika Howard
- The Human Resource Consulting Group, LLC
- Hurwitz, Sagarin, Slossberg & Knuff, LLC
- iCapital
- International Seaways, Inc.
- The Jaideep and Rachael Khanna Foundation
- Judith Heft & Associates
- Sharon Kane
- Virginia Keeshan
- Pat Posada Klapper
- Leslie and Jon Koch
- Anahaita Kotval
- Gina LaVersa
- Lori Lindfors and Bart A. Sayet
- Live Oak Bank
- Dannel and Cathy Malloy
- Carol Mathis
- McCarter & English, LPP
- Elana Milianta
- Miranda Creative, Inc.
- Michael Moore and Mary Craig
- Monica Moore
- Steven Mueller Architects, LLC
- Flavia Naslausky & Egdardo Soares
- Mairead O’Sullivan
- Fran Pastore
- Pitney Bowes
- Pullman & Comley, LLC
- Quinnipiac University
- R.C. Bigelow, Inc.
- Sacred Heart University
- Salisbury Bank
- Savings Bank of Danbury
- The Siegfried Group, LLP
- Stamford Downtown
- TD Bank
- Trinity College
- University of Connecticut School of Business
- The Van der Weijden Family Fund
- Stephen Weissman
- Willis Towers Watson
- Elisa G. Wilson
- Rebecca Wilson, 20/20 Foresight Executive Search
- The WorkPlace, Inc.
- Yale University
Contact Us
Do you have questions? Want more information?
Contact Kristina Kendall at:
- kkendall@ctwbdc.org
- (203) 353-1750 x159