Women-Owned Business Day

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025

9:00am - 1:00pm
Legislative Office Building, Hartford

Check back soon for details on our

Women-Owned Business Day agenda!

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025

WBDC’s Women-Owned Business Day is a unique opportunity for Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs and our state legislators to connect and share thoughts and ideas about the issues that impact Connecticut’s small women-owned businesses each and every day.

Join WBDC, our legislative hosts, and Connecticut-based entrepreneurs to connect in our state’s capital and celebrate the real impact women-owned businesses have had on Connecticut’s economy, our communities, and our families.

Women-Owned Business Day Program

Welcome

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, Senior 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 Minority 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

CEO Remarks

Fran Pastore
CEO, WBDC

Remarks from our Champion Sponsor

The Cigna Group

Accelerate Pitch Competition: WBDC clients compete for grants of $25,000 for their businesses

Overview of Accelerate Grant Program

Brenda Thickett
Chief Operating Officer, WBDC

Remarks from Accelerate Grant Program funder

Gary Katcher
Founder and Executive Chairman, Libertas Funding, LLC

Judges

Tasha Jackson
Chief Financial & People Officer, WBDC
Gabriela Rosado
Senior Underwriter, Libertas
Rafia Zahir-Uddin
Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Funding Success: WBDC Clients Share Winning Strategies for Accessing Capital

Moderator

Samantha Cross
Business Advisor, WBDC

Panelists

Tanya Kelley
Business Advisor, WBDC
Beth Iovinelli
Owner, Milk Street Lactation Support Center
Dr. Natacha Louis-Charles, O.D.
Owner, Family Eyecare of Orange

Announcement of Accelerate Grant Recipients

Carol Cheswick
Business Advisor, WBDC

Closing Remarks

Champion Sponsor

Friend Sponsor

Speakers

THE HONORABLE PATRICIA BILLIE MILLER

State Senator, Deputy President Pro Tempore

State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, a Stamford native, was elected to the state senate for the 27th district in a special election in 2021. She had previously served in the General Assembly from 2009 to 2021 representing Stamford’s 145th Assembly District.

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

Senator Heather Somers was elected to represent Connecticut’s 18th Senate District in November 2016. The district includes the towns of Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington, and Voluntown.

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

Gilda Bonanno is a professional speaker, consultant and facilitator who serves as a trusted advisor to executives, elected officials 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, Atlas Air, Linde, JP Morgan Chase, Keep America Beautiful and International Seaways.

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

Carol joined WBDC in 2012. She works with aspiring and established business owners who seek to start, build and grow their business. She focuses on improving profitability, identifying opportunities and clarifying goals. Carol conducts both one-on-one and group business advising, and teaches classes.

Samantha Cross

Business Advisor

Samantha Cross assists current and aspiring entrepreneurs with accessing capital, understanding their personal and small business finances, pricing and profitability strategies, and provides general business strategy counseling.

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 Katcher is Founder and Executive Chairman of Libertas. He has had a 30+ year career in financial services including credit, investing, and trading. His success has come from working at large investment banks, and as a business owner of his own entrepreneurial ventures.

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

Tanya Kelley is a seasoned finance professional focused on teaching and motivating start-ups and small business owners to become fiscally fit.

Natacha Louis-Charles, OD, CLC

CEO of Family Eyecare of Orange, CT

Dr. Charles graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2000 with a Bachelor Degree in Biology. Then she went on to graduate Pennsylvania College of Optometry, with two degrees: a Bachelor in Visual Science in 2001 and a Doctor of Optometry in 2004. She trained at Liva Eye Center, Lyons VA Hospital and the Eye Institute in Philadelphia. Dr. Charles specializes in primary eye care, myopia management and contact lenses. Dr. Charles is extremely passionate about her profession, educating her patients on the importance of eye health and mentoring students interested in the medical field. Dr. Charles recently became a life coach in 2023 to help entrepreneurs start and grow their medical practice.

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

Fran Pastore is a trailblazer in the women’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, passionately advocating for economic equity, justice, and inclusion for nearly 30 years. She is a trusted thought leader frequently sought by Congress, the Connecticut General Assembly, and corporate leaders for her insights on issues affecting women.

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

Gabriela started her college journey at Universidad Espíritu Santo in Ecuador before transferring to Monroe College in 2014 to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and pursue new opportunities in the United States.

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 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.

Co-Chairs

THE HONORABLE PATRICIA BILLIE MILLER
State Senator, Deputy President Pro Tempore

THE HONORABLE HEATHER SOMERS State Senator, Senior Deputy Republican Leader

Host Committee

The Honorable Tim Ackert, State Representative, 8th District
The Honorable Saud Anwar, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 3rd District
The Honorable Hector Arzeno, State Representative, 151st District
The Honorable Jill Barry, Assistant Majority Leader, State Representative, 31st District
The Honorable Danté Bartolomeo, Commissioner, CT Department of Labor
The Honorable Kai Belton, State Representative, 100th District
The Honorable Aimee Berger-Girvalo, State Representative, 111th District
The Honorable Eric C. Berthel, Chief Deputy Republican Leader, State Senator, 32nd District
The Honorable Patrick Biggins, State Representative, 11th District
The Honorable Matt Blumenthal, State Representative, 147th District
The Honorable Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator
The Honorable Mitch Bolinsky, State Representative, 106th District
The Honorable Kevin Brown, State Representative, 56th District
The Honorable Marcus Brown, State Representative, 127th District
The Honorable Jason Buchsbaum, State Representative, 69th District
The Honorable Aundré Bumgardner, State Representative, 41st District
The Honorable Beth Bye, Commissioner, CT Office of Early Childhood
The Honorable Susan Bysiewicz, CT Lieutenant Governor
The Honorable Jorge Cabrera, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 17th District
The Honorable Bryan Cafferelli, Commissioner, CT Department of Consumer Protection
The Honorable Patrick Callahan, State Representative, 108th District
The Honorable Juan Candelaria, Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore, State Representative, 95th District
The Honorable Vincent Candelora, House Republican Leader, State Representative, 86th District
The Honorable Joe Canino, State Representative, 65th District
The Honorable Christie M. Carpino, State Representative, 32nd District
Erin Choquette, CEO, CT Paid Leave Authority
The Honorable Paul Cicarella, Senior Deputy Republican Leader, State Senator, 34th District
The Honorable Christine Cohen, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 12th District
The Honorable Eilish Collins Main, State Representative, 146th District
The Honorable Robin Comey, State Representative, 102nd District
The Honorable Julio Concepcion, Assistant Majority Whip, State Representative, 4th District
The Honorable Savet Constantine, State Representative, 42nd District
The Honorable Tina Courpas, State Representative, 149th District
The Honorable Joe Courtney, U.S. Congressman, 2nd Congressional District
The Honorable Lucy Dathan, State Representative, 142nd District
The Honorable Anne Dauphinais, State Representative, 44th District
The Honorable Mark DeCaprio, State Representative, 48th District
The Honorable Hubert Delany, State Representative, 144th District
The Honorable Tom Delnicki, State Representative, 14th District
The Honorable Mike Demicco, Deputy Majority Leader, State Representative, 21st District
The Honorable Patricia Dillon, Deputy Majority Leader, State Representative, 92nd District
The Honorable Jason Doucette, State Representative, 13th District
The Honorable Doug Dubitsky, State Representative, 47nd District
The Honorable Bob Duff, Senate Majority Leader, 25th District
The Honorable Justin Elicker, Mayor, City of New Haven
The Honorable Josh Elliott, State Representative, 88th District
The Honorable Garrett T. Eucalitto, Commissioner, CT Department of Transportation
The Honorable Kate Farrar, Deputy Majority Leader, State Representative, 20th District
The Honorable Ryan Fazio, State Senator, 36th District
The Honorable Martin Foncello, State Representative, 107th District
The Honorable Jaime Foster, Assistant Majority Leader, State Representative, 57th District
The Honorable Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 22nd District
The Honorable Jane Garibay, Assistant Majority Leader, State Representative, 60th District
The Honorable Herron Keyon Gaston, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 23rd District
The Honorable Henry Genga, Majority Whip at Large, State Representative, 10th District
The Honorable Jillian Gilchrest, State Representative, 18th District
The Honorable Michelle H. Gilman, Commissioner, Department of Administrative Services
The Honorable Bob Godfrey, Deputy Speaker Pro-Tempore, State Representative, 110th District
The Honorable Jeff Gordon, Republican Whip, State Senator, 35th District
The Honorable Joseph Gresko, Deputy House Speaker, State Representative, 121st District
The Honorable Kenneth Gucker, State Representative, 138th District
The Honorable Carol Hall, State Representative, 59th District
The Honorable Joshua M. Hall, Deputy Speaker, State Representative, 7th District
The Honorable Stephen Harding, Senate Minority Leader, 30th District
The Honorable Joan Hartley, Chief Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 15th District
The Honorable Jahana Hayes, U.S. Congresswoman, 5th Congressional District
The Honorable Bill Heffernan, Assistant Majority Leader, State Representative, 115th District
Melvette Hill, Executive Director, CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity
The Honorable Jodi Hill-Lilly, Commissioner, CT Department of Children and Families
The Honorable Jim Himes, U.S. Congressman, 4th Congressional District
The Honorable Jan Hochadel, Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 13th District
The Honorable Paul Honig, Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 8th District
The Honorable Maria Horn, State Representative, 64th District
The Honorable Anne Hughes, State Representative, 135th District
Tanya Hughes, Executive Director, CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
The Honorable Bryan P. Hurlburt, Commissioner, CT Department of Agriculture
The Honorable Tony Hwang, Chief Deputy Republican Leader, State Senator, 28th District
The Honorable Jonathan Jacobson, State Representative, 148th District
The Honorable Susan Johnson, Deputy Majority Leader, State Representative, 49th District
The Honorable Dominique Johnson, Deputy Majority Leader, State Representative, 143rd District
The Honorable Sarah Keitt, State Representative, 134th District
The Honorable Kathy Kennedy, State Representative, 119th District
The Honorable John A.. Kissel, Chief Deputy Republican Leader, State Senator, 7th District
The Honorable Nicole Klarides-Ditria, State Representative, 105th District
The Honorable Eleni Kavros DeGraw, State Representative, 17th District
The Honorable Julie Kushner, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 24th District
The Honorable Renee LaMark Muir, State Representative, 36th District
The Honorable Jennifer Leeper, State Representative, 132nd District
The Honorable Matthew Lesser, Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 9th District
The Honorable Liz Linehan, State Representative, 103rd District
The Honorable Martin M. Looney, Senate President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 11th District
The Honorable Ceci Maher, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 26th District
The Honorable Andrew Mais, Commissioner, Connecticut Insurance
The Honorable James Maroney, Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 14th District
The Honorable Tracy Marra, State Representative, 141st District
The Honorable Henri Martin, Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore, State Senator, 31st District
The Honorable Rebecca Martinez, State Representative, 22nd District
The Honorable Cristin McCarthy Vahey, State Representative, 133rd District
The Honorable Nick Menapace, State Representative, 37th District
The Honorable Amy Morrin Bello, State Representative, 28th District
The Honorable Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator
Colleen M. Murphy, Executive Director and General Counsel, CT Freedom of Information Commission
The Honorable Norm Needleman, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 33rd District
The Honorable Anthony Nolan, Deputy Speaker, State Representative, 39th District
The Honorable Tammy Nuccio, State Representative, 53rd District
The Honorable Tom O’Dea, Deputy Republican Leader, State Representative, 125th District
The Honorable Daniel O’Keefe, Commissioner, Economic & Community Development
The Honorable Cathy Osten, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 19th District
The Honorable Corey P. Paris, State Representative, 145th District
The Honorable John-Michael Parker, State Representative, 101st District
The Honorable Jorge Perez, Commissioner, CT Department of Banking
The Honorable Paul K. Pernewski, Jr., Mayor of Waterbury
The Honorable John Piscopo, Chief House Republican Whip, State Representative, 76th District
The Honorable Amy Porter, Commissioner, CT Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS)
The Honorable Chris Poulos, State Representative, 81st District
The Honorable Michael D. Quinn, State Representative, 82nd District
The Honorable Angel Quiros, Commissioner, CT Department of Correction
The Honorable Moira Rader, State Representative, 98th District
The Honorable MD Rahman, Deputy President Pro Tempore, State Senator, 4th District
The Honorable Karen Reddington-Hughes, State Representative, 66th District
The Honorable Andrea Barton Reeves, Commissioner, CT Department of Social Services
The Honorable Geraldo Reyes Jr., Deputy Speaker, State Representative, 75th District
The Honorable Matt Ritter, Speaker of the House, State Representative, 1st District
The Honorable Kara Rochelle, State Representative, 104th District
The Honorable Jason Rojas, House Majority Leader, State Representative, 9th District
The Honorable Erick Russell, CT State Treasurer
The Honorable Rob Sampson, Senior Deputy Republican Leader, State Senator, 16th District
The Honorable James Sánchez, Assistant Majority Leader, State Representative, 6th District
The Honorable Hilda E. Santiago, State Representative, 84th District
The Honorable Farley A. Santos, State Representative, 109th District
The Honorable Sean Scanlon, Connecticut State Comptroller
The Honorable Kaitlyn Shake, State Representative, 120th District
The Honorable MJ Shannon, State Representative, 117th District
The Honorable Caroline Simmons, Mayor of Stamford
The Honorable Travis Simms, State Representative, 140th District
The Honorable Derek Slap, Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 5th District
The Honorable Laurie Sweet, State Representative, 91st District
The Honorable Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State of Connecticut
The Honorable William Tong, CT Attorney General
The Honorable Jennifer Tooker, First Selectwoman, Town of Westport
The Honorable Gary Turco, State Representative, 27th District
The Honorable Donna Veach, State Representative, 30th District
The Honorable Mary Welander, State Representative, 114th District
The Honorable Gary Winfield, Chief Deputy Majority Leader, State Senator, 10th District
The Honorable Kerry Wood, State Representative, 29th District
The Honorable Dave Yaccarino, State Representative, 87th District
The Honorable Tami Zawistowski, State Representative, 61st District
The Honorable Joe Zullo, State Representative, 99th District
The Honorable Lezlye Zupkus, State Representative, 89th District

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.