Women-Owned Business Day 2024

EVENT AGENDA

Welcome

Gilda Bonanno, Emcee, Principal, Gilda Bonanno LLC

Fran Pastore, Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)

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