WBDC’s annual event recognizes Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs and the business community that supports their success.
GREENWICH, Conn. — The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) will recognize and honor women entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut at its 2025 Women Rising Gala and Awards Celebration on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. Held every October, the gala celebrates women entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut and the business community that supports them with mentorship, training, and funding for WBDC grant programs.
“Each year, our gala shines a bright light on the women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses powering Connecticut’s economy,” said WBDC CEO Fran Pastore. “In 2025, as we near WBDC’s 30th year, we’re honored to continue this tradition, honoring our inspiring clients — and the community partners who champion them — driving growth, innovation, and opportunity across our state.”
Amanda Castellano, member of the WBDC Board of Directors, is the 2025 Gala Chair, and Gilda Bonnano returns as master of ceremonies.
The Women’s Rising Gala features an awards ceremony to recognize several entrepreneurs and individuals from throughout Connecticut for their contributions to women’s economic empowerment. In total, 11 women will be honored with awards: the Impact Award (4), the Women Rising Award (6), and the Patricia Billie Miller Award for Outstanding Community Service (1).
2025 Impact Award Honorees (Photos)
The Impact Award honors individuals who have exemplified WBDC’s mission and goals by promoting economic equality and prosperity for women.
- Natalie Madeira Cofield
Chief Executive Officer & President, Association for Enterprise Opportunity - Gina Criscuolo
Chief Financial Officer, Downes Construction - Donna Murphy
Global Chief Executive Officer, Havas Creative & Havas Health Networks - Kristin Kallergis Rowland
Global Head of Alternative Investments, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
2025 Patricia Billie Miller Award for Outstanding Community Service (Photo)
The Patricia Billie Miller Award for Outstanding Community Service is presented annually to an individual whose dedication inspires others to achieve their dreams and exhibits a passion for and commitment to WBDC and the women it serves throughout our state.
Moraima Gutierrez
Deputy District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
2025 Women Rising Awards (Photos)
The Women Rising Award is presented annually to WBDC clients who show a strong commitment to WBDC and demonstrate success in their business and tenacity in pursuing their goals. The 2025 Women Rising Award recipients are:
- Kathleen Cofiell
Charhause Cookie LLC, Bolton - Sasha Fay
Ovelle Coffee, Hartford - Sarah Guercia
Fox and Feather Healing Arts Services LLC, Guilford - Beth Iovinelli
Milk Street Lactation Support Center, Norwalk - Kamara Moodie
Sunshine Daycare, Bridgeport - Dr. Alison Burdick Reichard
Blue Line Traffic, New London
Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and First Lady Annie Lamont are this year’s honorary chairs, and Leander Dolphin (Shipman & Goodwin LLP), Jeffrey Flaks (Hartford HealthCare), Stacey Kennedy (PMI U.S.), and Jean Swift (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) will be the Honorary Vice Chairs.
Havas is the gala’s Title Sponsor, and Mastercard, JPMorganChase, and Philip Morris International U.S. are the event’s Impact Sponsors.
About the Women’s Business Development Council
The Women’s Business Development Council’s (WBDC) mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. WBDC educates, motivates, and empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Since 1997, WBDC has educated and trained over 21,700 clients in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns—helping women to launch, sustain, and scale over 16,250 businesses, create and maintain more than 40,350 jobs in Connecticut, and access over $86 million in capital. Since 2020, WBDC has provided more than $19 million in grants to help fuel growth in small businesses throughout Connecticut. Visit ctwbdc.org for more information.
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