Washington, D.C November 25, 2025 — Women Business Collaborative (WBC), the unprecedented alliance dedicated to accelerating equal position, pay, and power for all women in business, is proud to announce the appointment of four exceptional leaders to its Board of Directors: Nicola Bates, President and CEO, Siemens Capital Company; Denella Clark, President & CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation; Dawn Hendricks, President & CEO of FM Talent; and Tamika Tremaglio, Managing Director at Secretariat.

These dynamic executives bring deep expertise across business, talent development, public policy, education, and industry innovation. Their leadership reflects WBC’s commitment to building an inclusive, cross-sector coalition championing women’s leadership across industries.

“We are honored to welcome Nicola Bates, Denella Clark, Dawn Hendricks and Tamika Tremaglio to the WBC Board,” said Gwen K. Young, CEO of WBC. “Their strategic vision, influence, and passion for advancing women in business will strengthen our mission and expand our ability to drive systemic change.”

About the New Board Members

Nicola Bates, President & CEO at Siemens Capital Company, is a strategic corporate leader with expertise in technology, innovation, and global partnerships. She has been a champion of inclusive leadership and equity across STEM fields.

Denella Clark, President & CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive, education leader, and advocate for equity, arts, and opportunity. She has spent her career creating pathways for underserved communities and elevating women’s leadership.

Dawn Hendricks, President & CEO of FM Talent, is an award-winning entrepreneur and workforce leader who has built one of the region’s most respected talent and consulting firms. She brings deep experience in human capital, DEI, and scaling high-growth enterprises.

Tamika Tremaglio, Managing Director at Secretariat, is a nationally recognized executive and former Executive Director of the NBA Players Association. She brings decades of leadership in strategy, governance, labor negotiations, and organizational transformation.

A Strengthened Commitment to Women’s Leadership

The addition of these four leaders expands WBC’s Board at a pivotal moment as the organization continues to grow its flagship initiatives—including the Women’s Capital Summit, the Action for Impact Summit and the launch of the Athlete Business Academy and expanded pathways for women veterans and women-owned businesses.

“Through our national network of partners, donors and champions, WBC is uniquely positioned to meet the moment for women in business” said India Gary Martin. “Tamika, Nicola, Dawn, and Denella embody that spirit and will help propel WBC’s continued impact across the business ecosystem.”

About Women Business Collaborative

Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of organizations, companies, and individuals committed to accelerating equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaborative action, research, programs, and partnerships, WBC works across industries to drive systemic progress toward equity and leadership for women.

Media Contact:

Gwen Young
News@wbcollaborative.org
857.891.4529

The post Women Business Collaborative Announces Four Distinguished Leaders Joining Its Board of Directors appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is proud to announce the transition of our Entrepreneurs of Purpose program to the Enterprising Women Foundation effective 1 January 2026.

Entrepreneurs of Purpose (EoP) will continue its important work as a part of Enterprising Women Foundation under the leadership of Edie Fraser, Founder of WBC, and former WBC Board Member Sharon Reynolds.

We are proud of what we accomplished together, particularly advancing women entrepreneurs and leaders, and look forward to cheering on EoP’s future success. This transition allows WBC to deepen its strategic focus on growing initiatives in women’s capital access, women in sports leadership, and women veterans career pathways. We remain committed to collaboration and supporting the broader ecosystem driving equal position, pay, and power for all women in business.

This strategic transition reflects our shared commitment to advancing women entrepreneurs and ensuring the long-term growth and impact of the Entrepreneurs of Purpose mission. Under the stewardship of the Enterprising Women Foundation—an organization with a deep legacy of empowering women business leaders—the program will continue to thrive, expand, and support purpose-driven women entrepreneurs across the country.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped build Entrepreneurs of Purpose into a platform for visibility, mentorship, and empowerment. We’re confident that, in the capable hands of the Enterprising Women Foundation, the program will continue to drive meaningful change in the women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

WBC remains fully committed to supporting women entrepreneurs through our ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and advocacy. WBC will continue to support women entrepreneurs with our community, including our Women’s Capital Summit and our work with our Partners who support women entrepreneurs.

We look forward to continued collaboration with the Enterprising Women Foundation and the inspiring women this program was created to serve.

Together, we move forward—amplifying purpose, expanding opportunity, and building a stronger future for all women in business.

For more information, please contact: Gwen Young, Gwen@wbcollaborative.org

“As one of the founding partners of WBC, Enterprising Women is tremendously appreciative of the profound impact the work of the WBC has had on the women’s business community, and we are so proud to build on our strong partnership fostered over the past six years,” Monica Smiley, President and Founder of the Enterprising Women Foundation, said.   “The Entrepreneurs of Purpose (EOP) program aligns so closely with the mission of the Enterprising Women Foundation, and we are proud that EOP will now become an important part.   We are excited to have Edie Fraser and Sharon Reynolds as co-chairs of EOP as part of the Enterprising Women Foundation, as we work together to help women grow and scale their businesses, with purpose and impact,” Smiley said. 

Edie has been recognized as the Founder of WBC and has served on the Enterprising Women Advisory Board for 23 years. As the National Co-Chair of the Enterprising Women Foundation for the past 12 years, she has worked tirelessly to build the Young Enterprising Women (YEW) Mentoring Forum Program.  EOP Co-Chair Sharon Reynolds has served as the Nashville Chair of the Young Enterprising Women Program and has served in key roles with the WBC, WBENC, the Enterprising Women Advisory Board, and C200.  She is also a recognized leader in her hometown of Nashville.

Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of 85+ women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, WBC mobilizes thousands of diverse professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change. WBC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit The Enterprising Women Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to educate and empower women entrepreneurs worldwide. 

Founded in 2012 and building on its early partnership with STEM Connector and the Million Women Mentors  initiative, the Enterprising Women Foundation launched its signature Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum Program to educate, inspire and empower high school young women from underserved communities to connect with leading women in business for mentorship and connections, with a STEM focus and a goal of planting the seeds of entrepreneurship by showcasing STEMpreneuers and other women business community leaders. 

The program now serves communities across the U.S. from Brooklyn, NY to San Diego, CA with 30 events hosted at high schools, community colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada in 2025-2026.  The Enterprising Women Foundation’s Peace Through Business Program educates, mentors and empowers women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Rwanda, and a number of other countries, empowering leaders and building communities across the globe.  Edie Fraser, founder of the WBC, serves as the National Co-Chair of the Enterprising Women Foundation. To learn more, visit http://www.enterprisingwomenfoundation.org.

The post Official Statement: Transition of WBC’s Entrepreneurs of Purpose Program to the Enterprising Women Foundation appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

New Analysis of Link Between Sports Participation and Women CEO Leadership

LINK: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/women-business-collaborative-releases-women-ceos-in-america-2025-report-new-analysis-of-link-between-sports-participation-and-women-ceo-leadership-302566751.html?tc=eml_cleartime

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., September 25, 2025 — Women Business Collaborative (WBC) today released the annual Women CEOs in America Report, the definitive study tracking the representation, trends, and pathways of women leading major corporations across the United States. In 2025’s iteration, WBC reports women comprise 9.2% of CEOs across the business landscape.

This year’s report shines a spotlight on the connection between women’s participation in sports and their rise to CEO. These first time findings are striking: a notable percentage of current women CEOs played competitive sports in college or professionally. The data underscores how sports instill critical leadership traits—discipline, teamwork, resilience, and strategic decision-making—that translate directly into business success.

Key Findings from Women CEOs in America 2025:

• Women represent 9.2% of CEOs across Fortune 1000, S&P 500, Russell 3000, and private companies with reported revenues of more than $1 Billion.
• 10.2% of these CEOs participated in organized sports, ranging from NCAA athletics to professional leagues.
• The most common sports among women CEOs were basketball, tennis, track and field and rugby.
• Close to two-thirds (62%) of athlete-CEOs are concentrated in healthcare, consumer goods, and technology — sectors defined by performance, adaptability, and constant innovation.

The Women CEOs in America report continues to track progress – and gaps – in women’s representation at the helm of America’s largest companies. By adding the lens of sports participation, WBC provides a new perspective on the pathways that propel women to the top and the systemic support needed to accelerate equity.

“Sports are proving to be not just a playing field but a leadership pipeline,” said Gwen K. Young, CEO of WBC. “This year’s report affirms the discipline and leadership skills developed through sports translate directly into CEO leadership. Investing in girls and women in sports is an investment in the future of business leadership.”

Read the full report here: https://www.wbcollaborative.org/women-ceo-report/

About Women Business Collaborative (WBC)
Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of women’s business organizations, corporate partners, and business leaders working together to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaborative action, research, and advocacy, WBC drives change to ensure women are represented at every level of leadership.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Gwen K. Young
CEO, Women Business Collaborative
ceo@wbcollaborative.org

###

The post Women Business Collaborative Releases Women CEOs in America 2025 Report appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

LILLY AT I RICCHI: DC LUNCHEON SPOTLIGHTS PAY EQUITY PUSH: Washington’s historic i Ricchi restaurant played host to a high-powered luncheon this week celebrating LILLY, the new film portraying Lilly Ledbetter’s fight for equal pay — and reigniting the national conversation around gender wage gaps.

The event, co-hosted by Christianne Ricchi and Gwen K. Young, CEO of the Women Business Collaborative (WBC), brought together the film’s director and producers with policy insiders, corporate leaders, and culture-makers.

“LILLY reminds us that the struggle for pay equity isn’t history — it’s happening,” said Young. “Women still earn just $0.82 for every dollar earned by men. For women of color, the gap is even wider. At this rate, full equity won’t come until 2048.”

LINK: meet the future

The post mtf.tv | meet the future: Pasta and pay-equity appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

Gwen Young and Christianne Ricchi co-hosted a lunch celebrating the filmmakers of “Lilly,” based on the life of Lilly Ledbetter, at i Ricchi yesterday. SPOTTED: director Rachel Feldman, producers Jyoti Sarda and Allyn Stewart, David Adler, Tom LoBianco, Bill Press, Janet Donovan, Dan Glickman, Gloria Dittus, Kathy O’Hearn, Catherine Hand, Marcia Greenberger, LaFonda Willis, Edie Fraser, Jocelyn Ulrich and Charlotte McDowell.

LINK: POLITICO

The post POLITICO Playbook: Gwen Young and Christianne Ricchi co-hosted a lunch celebrating the filmmakers of ‘Lilly’ appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

New York, NY – April 14, 2025 – The Women’s Capital Summit, the nation’s premier gathering for women entrepreneurs and investors, returns to New York City on May 21–22, 2025, bringing together some of the leading experts shaping the future of capital, including investors, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations.

Hosted by Women Business Collaborative (WBC), this two-day event will deliver unparalleled opportunities for founders and funders to connect, learn, and collaborate around shared visions of equity and innovation. The 2025 theme Investing for Impact: Connecting Leading Women Entrepreneurs and the Investors Who Fund Them centers on navigating the capital landscape, from understanding early-stage funding to engineering successful exits.

What to Expect at WCS 2025:

• Keynote Fireside Chat: Angie Bastian, Founder of BoomChickaPop, in conversation with Gwen K. Young, CEO of WBC.
  
• Future-Focused Panels:
  
  • Building the Future Business Landscape featuring Damien Dwin (Lafayette Square Capital) and Arsha Jones (Capital City Mambo Sauce).
    
  • In the Arena: Women Investors in Sports investor panel featuring Lucy Dobrin (Providence Equity Partners), Julie Eddleman (DoubleVerify and NWSL Angel City FC), Betsy Morgan (Magnet Companies and TOGETHXR), and Anne Sempowski Ward (Curio Brands, WNBA, and USL Super League).
    
• Featured Speakers & Investors: Industry leaders including Loretta McCarthy (Golden Seeds) and Norma Kuntz (Golden Brothers), plus others from Citrine Angels, Halogen Ventures, Arkview Capital, 360 Venture Collective, Henries & Co., Golden Hour Ventures, and Momentous Capital.
  
• Marketplace & Matchmaking: Explore the Women’s Capital Summit Marketplace and participate in curated capital matchmaking sessions that connect entrepreneurs with value-aligned investors.
  
• Interactive Experiences: Breakout sessions, networking lounges, and dynamic discussions designed to foster collaboration and propel women-led businesses forward.

Steered by Leaders in the Field

The 2025 Women’s Capital Summit is powered by a steering committee made up of visionary organizations, including WBENC, First Flight Venture Center, Women Founders Network, Enterprising Women, and Wells Fargo.

To learn more and register, visit: www.wbcollaborative.org/wcs25

###

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CAPITAL SUMMIT
The Women’s Capital Summit is an annual convening where business leaders and funders come together to create a capital ecosystem where women are supported, celebrated, and given equal opportunity to thrive. Through thought leadership, community, and action, the Women’s Capital Summit empowers women to build the businesses of tomorrow.

ABOUT WOMEN BUSINESS COLLABORATIVE
Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of 85+ women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, WBC mobilizes thousands of diverse professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change.

The post Transforming Capital: The 2025 Women’s Capital Summit Comes to New York appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., March 24, 2025 – Women Business Collaborative (WBC), the leading alliance dedicated to advancing equal position, pay, and power for women in business, proudly announces the Board’s appointment of India Gary-Martin as the new Board Chair, effective March 24, 2025.

Edie Fraser the Founder and current Board Chair states “Purpose is power for business and Life. I am thrilled to pass the gavel to India at this time. She brings a big and bold leadership approach to WBC and a major commitment to grow WBC to new heights with its CEO, board, partners, and stakeholders.”

Gary-Martin’s appointment marks a pivotal step in WBC’s ongoing mission to accelerate the advance of all women business leaders. A recognized leader in global business, Gary-Martin is a portfolio public and private company board director, and 25-year veteran of financial services. Having held global C-suite roles in the U.S., London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Hong Kong at banks like JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, and Royal Bank of Scotland, she is now the Founder and CEO of Leadership for Execs, a c-suite advisory and multidisciplinary leadership practice in addition to being the visionary behind its subsidiary Relucent Learning, an AI and VR enabled Learning management solution.

“India Gary-Martin’s deep expertise and commitment to fostering inclusive leadership make her the ideal person to guide WBC into its next chapter,” said Gwen K. Young, CEO of WBC. “Her leadership will be instrumental to galvanizing leaders to increase the rate of change via collaboration, action, and accountability.”

Throughout her career, Gary-Martin has been a steadfast voice for advancing women and underrepresented groups in corporate leadership. She is a sought-after speaker, author, and advisor, and her influence extends across industries and global markets.

“I am honored to step into the role of Board Chair for WBC at such a crucial time,” said India Gary-Martin. “Women Business Collaborative is at the forefront of driving real change for women in business, and I look forward to working with the board, our partners, and the broader WBC community to continue this important work.”

Gary-Martin succeeds Edie Fraser, who founded and led WBC’s bold vision. Under this new leadership, WBC will carry on Fraser’s legacy of relentlessly advocating for gender parity, workplace equity, and leadership advancement for women. Fraser will transition to a new role as Honorary Board Chair.

###

ABOUT WOMEN BUSINESS COLLABORATIVE – Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of 85+ women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, WBC mobilizes thousands of diverse professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change.

The post India Gary-Martin Appointed Board Chair of Women Business Collaborative appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

Washington, D.C., February 6, 2025 – Women Business Collaborative (WBC), led by CEO Gwen Young, represents a coalition of the world’s most influential companies and 87 organizations dedicated to advancing women in business. WBC advocates for data-driven results that prove the impact of women on business success.

Even though for decades there has been consensus among business leaders on the importance of increased representation by women, recent debates have questioned the role of women in the workforce. WBC is setting the record straight: Women in business are good for business.

WBC has identified key facts informed by data that reinforce the power of women in business:

• 14 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. represent 39.1% of all U.S. firms, employ 12.2 million people, and generate $2.7 trillion in revenue (Wells Fargo)
• Organizations with 30% or more women on executive teams are 27% more likely to outperform on profitability (McKinsey & Company)
• Companies with above-average diversity generate 19% more innovation revenue than their less diverse counterparts (Boston Consulting Group)
• The share of majority women-owned businesses rose from 15.6% to 20.3%—doubling participation in the market since 2020—and their revenues have helped drive economic growth (Small Business Administration)
• Minority Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) generated $67 billion in revenue, created 221,000 U.S. jobs, and contributed $19.5 billion in wages (National Minority Supplier Development Council)

Women drive business forward. They make up 57% of the workforce yet hold only 8.72% of CEO positions and 28% of board seats. Women founders receive only 2% of venture capital funding. Women still only make 84 cents to the dollar, with women of color earning less than that.

“These aren’t just gaps—they’re failures to recognize an undeniable business advantage. The time to close these gaps isn’t tomorrow. It’s now,” said Ms. Young. “WBC calls on leaders to recognize that supporting women in business isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smartest business decision.”

# # #

ABOUT WOMEN BUSINESS COLLABORATIVE – Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of 85+ women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, WBC mobilizes thousands of diverse professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change.

The post Women In Business Are Good For Business appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

The Wall Street Journal highlights progress in women leadership, citing the Women Business Collaborative: the number of women leading private companies valued at over $1 billion has more than doubled this year, with female entrepreneurship rising 41%.

Read the article

The post Wall Street Journal Cites WBC Women Leading Private Companies Data appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.

While New Data Shows Promising Gains for Women CEOs in Smaller Public Companies and Private Enterprises, Stagnation in Fortune 500 Companies Continues

WASHINGTON, DC — (September 24, 2024) Women Business Collaborative (WBC) today released the findings of the 2024 Women CEOs in America Report, showcasing a mix of progress and challenges for women in corporate leadership. The report, which was completed in partnership with Ascend, C200, and Catalyst highlights growth in sectors like the Russell 3000 and private enterprises, alongside stagnation in the Fortune 500.

The data reveals a continued rise in the number of women CEOs in companies like the Russell 3000 and private enterprises, reflecting a societal shift happening in boardrooms across America. As more companies embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as core business practices, opportunities for women in leadership positions are expanding.

“This is a time of transformation,” said Gwen Young, CEO of Women Business Collaborative. “We’re seeing a societal shift in how leadership is viewed, and women are increasingly being recognized for their contributions at the highest levels of business. While there is more work to be done, the momentum is building, and I remain optimistic about the future.”

Fortune 500: Women CEOs Hold Steady at 10.4%
Women’s representation in the Fortune 500 remains at 10.4%, with 52 women CEOs as of 2024. This marks a significant rise from 41 women CEOs in 2021. While the number did not increase from 2023, new appointments in 2024, including Joanna Geraghty at JetBlue (the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline), signal continued progress.

Russell 3000: Growth in Women’s Leadership
The Russell 3000 saw a significant increase in women CEOs, with 9% of leadership positions held by women in 2024, up from 6.2% in 2021. By mid-2024, there were 270 women CEOs in the Russell 3000, marking a 66% increase since 2021. This demonstrates a growing recognition of the value women bring to leadership roles in smaller public companies.

Women Entrepreneurs: A Surge in Business Ownership
Women entrepreneurs are continuing to grow their influence, with a 41% year-over-year growth rate in 2024, surpassing their male counterparts by 25%. As of 2024, there are approximately 13.5 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., a dramatic increase from 402,000 in 1972. Women now own 34% of all small businesses and franchises, driving substantial economic impact.

Private Companies: A Notable Jump in Women Leaders
In private companies valued at over $1 billion, women’s representation saw a 118% increase from 2023. Prominent women CEOs include Deb Liu at Ancestry.com and Beth Ford at Land O’ Lakes, demonstrating that leadership opportunities for women are expanding, especially in privately held organizations.

A Shift in Boardroom Culture
The report also underscores that there has been a shift in how boardrooms approach leadership. As businesses continue to embrace diverse perspectives, we’re seeing a broader acceptance of women in top executive roles. The societal shift toward greater inclusion in the C-Suite is creating new opportunities for women across industries.

“The progress may not always be linear, but the shift is happening,” added Young. “We’re seeing more women in leadership than ever before, and companies are increasingly aware of the value that diverse leadership brings. This is a moment to continue pushing forward.”

WBC remains committed to tracking and advocating for gender equity in leadership, pushing for systemic changes that ensure sustained growth in the number of women CEOs.

A panel discussion on the CEO Report will be featured on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during the WBC’s Action for Impact Annual Summit. The panel, moderated by Kevin Cirilli, Founder of mtf.tv’s Meet the Future, will include Jennifer McCollum, President and CEO of Catalyst; Anna Mok, President of Ascend, and Gwen K. Young, CEO of Women Business Collaborative (WBC). That panel begins at 11:55am EDT.

For more information on the Summit, please visit https://www.wbcollaborative.org/wbc-events/wbc-action-for-impact-summit/

The full 2024 Women CEOs in America Report can be downloaded at:
https://www.wbcollaborative.org/women-ceo-report/

# # #

About Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

The Women Business Collaborative (WBC) is an unprecedented alliance of more than 85 women’s business organizations and hundreds of business leaders building a movement to achieve equal position, pay, and power for all women in business. Through collaboration, advocacy, action, and accountability, we galvanize thousands of diverse professional women and men, business organizations, public and private companies to accelerate change. For more information on the Women Business Collaborative visit wbcollaborative.org.

The post Women Business Collaborative Releases 2024 Women CEOs in America Report –  Mixed Progress for Women in Corporate Leadership appeared first on Women Business Collaborative.