Speakers Include:
Dr. Shakenna Williams
The Women’s Capital Summit returns to New York City on October 6–7, 2026—and it is designed to be the place where entrepreneurs and capital providers meet, align, and activate capital across every stage of the business lifecycle.
This is not just another convening. It is where capital moves.
Over two high-impact days, the Summit will bring together a curated group of 150 investors and 150 high-growth women entrepreneurs—creating a powerful, balanced ecosystem intentionally designed to drive real outcomes. From early-stage funding to growth equity, debt, and exit strategies, the Summit connects founders to the right capital, at the right time, with the right partners.
At its core, the Women’s Capital Summit is about building capital pathways—not just conversations.
Entrepreneurs will engage directly with investors, financial institutions, and strategic advisors to refine their capital strategies, explore diverse funding options, and unlock new opportunities for scale. Capital providers will gain access to a strong pipeline of vetted, high-potential companies while contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive investment landscape.
The Summit is built for those who are serious about deploying, raising, and scaling capital—including investors, banks, private equity and venture leaders, corporate partners, and founders. Together, participants will not only exchange insights—but actively shape deals, partnerships, and pathways that extend well beyond the room.
What sets this Summit apart is its intentional design for connection and action. Through curated introductions, structured engagements, and intimate conversations, the experience fosters meaningful relationships that translate into real capital flow and long-term business growth.
If you are building, investing, or shaping the future of capital—this is where you need to be.
Sponsored by:
Agenda
12:30 PM: Arrival and Registration, Capital Matchmaking Participants
12:45 – 2:00 PM: Capital Matchmaking (exclusively for participating entrepreneurs and investors; By application only)
- Jessie Lee, Renaissance Small Business Services (affiliated with AAFE Community Development Fund)
- Elizabeth McCluskey, Managing Director, Discovery Fund, TruStage Ventures
- Melissa Withers, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, RevUp Capital
1:30 PM: Arrival and Registration, General Admission
2:15 PM: Welcome Remarks
- Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative
2:30 PM: Breakout Sessions: Upgrading Your Capital Strategy
Round 1 (45 mins) – 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
From Angel Curious to Angel Confident: The New Era of Early-Stage Investing
Angel investing is evolving—with more women stepping in as both founders and funders. This session explores how early-stage investing works in 2026, what angels are prioritizing (AI-enabled companies, capital efficiency, diverse leadership), and how founders can strategically position themselves. Participants will also learn how to build angel portfolios, join syndicates, and leverage networks to access high-quality deal flow.
- Stephanie Fowler, President of Capital Access, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL)
- Lisa Friedlander, Chief Revenue Officer, Citrine Angels
Beyond Cash Flow: Smart Debt Strategies for Growth in 2026
Traditional lending is no longer the only path. This session explores modern debt strategies—including asset-based lending, SBA programs, and equipment financing—alongside how data, AI underwriting, and alternative credit models are reshaping access to capital. Learn how to align the right debt product with your growth stage while preserving equity and flexibility.
- Alexandra Cavallar, Director at Wells Fargo Capital Finance
- Joseph Vanella, Senior Vice President, East Region Manager at Wells Fargo Business
Strategic Decision-Making for Women Entrepreneurs: Navigating Ownership, Corporate Governance, and Legal Complexities
This breakout panel session is your chance to gain invaluable insights into making informed decisions that align with your business goals. We’ll dive into critical considerations for women-owned businesses, including the implications of different business structures (LLC, partnership) on scaling, capital raising, and ownership. We’ll also explore the importance of WBENC certification and how it can impact your business’s growth and control. Plus, you’ll walk away with essential legal insights on protecting your interests during negotiations and shaping the future of your business from now through to exit. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to optimize your business strategies and achieve your goals.
Accelerators, Platforms & Ecosystems: Where Growth Happens Now
Accelerators are no longer just programs—they are gateways into capital, customers, and ecosystems. This session explores how accelerators are evolving to integrate capital access, corporate partnerships, and AI-driven growth tools. Learn how to choose and leverage the right ecosystem to accelerate traction and scale.
- Dr. Shakenna Williams, Executive Director, Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College
Round 2 (45 mins) – 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Rethinking Capital: Alternative Funding Strategies for Founders
From revenue-based financing to venture debt and embedded finance, founders have more options than ever. This session demystifies non-dilutive and hybrid capital solutions, helping entrepreneurs understand when and how to use them. Walk away with a clear framework for aligning capital strategy with your growth model.
- Mary Donohue, Executive Director, Revenue Based Finance Coalition (RBFC)
- Vik Thapar, Managing Director, Cypress Growth Capital
- Le’Jean Thompson, Senior Regional Development Manager, Founder First Capital Partners
Capital Readiness in the AI Era: Building a Fundable Company
Investors expect more than a great idea—they expect data, systems, and scalability. This session explores how founders can use AI, financial infrastructure, and storytelling to present a compelling, investment-ready business. Learn how to build dashboards, forecasts, and narratives that drive valuation and investor confidence.
- Kathy Durfee, Founder & CEO, TechHouse
- Liz O’Melia, CFO & Principal, ProCFO Partners
Founder Wealth: Building Personal and Business Capital Together
Entrepreneurs are increasingly thinking beyond business success to personal wealth strategy. This session explores how founders should approach liquidity, equity, and long-term wealth creation—while building their companies. Learn how top advisors guide entrepreneurs in integrating business growth with personal financial strategy.
- Laura Bokser, Private Wealth Manager, AVP, The Puleio Bokser Group, Merrill Private Wealth Management
- Tania Carnegie, Head of UHNW Banking, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
The Network Effect: How Relationships Drive Capital & Growth
In 2026, capital extends beyond funding—it’s relational. This session explores how peer networks, CEO communities, and membership ecosystems unlock access to relationships, partnerships, and influence. Learn how to strategically build relationships that accelerate growth.
- Nancy J. Geenen, MA Ed., J.D., Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Flexibility
- Doris Li Yeh, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Mirapath Inc.
4:15 PM: Break
4:30 PM: Opening Keynote
From Kitchen Table to Unicorn: Building BuzzBallz Without Private Equity
- Merrilee Kick, Founder & CEO, BuzzBallz
- Fireside chat with Gwen Young, CEO, WBC
What does it take to build a billion-dollar brand without private equity backing, inherited networks, or traditional gatekeepers? In this inspiring keynote, Merrilee Kick, founder of BuzzBallz, shares the unfiltered story of how she transformed an idea into one of the most successful women-founded beverage companies in the country.
From navigating capital barriers to scaling manufacturing, branding, distribution, and growth on her own terms, Merrilee’s journey challenges conventional startup narratives and offers a powerful roadmap for women entrepreneurs building bold businesses.
This conversation will explore resilience, ownership, strategic growth, and what it means to build lasting enterprise value while maintaining control of your vision. For founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders alike, this keynote is a masterclass in entrepreneurial grit, innovation, and redefining how women build wealth and power.
5:30 PM: Opening Reception and Women’s Marketplace
7:00 PM: Reception Concludes
8:00 AM: Arrival, Breakfast and Networking
9:00 AM: Building an Ecosystem: Connections and Capital – Welcome Remarks
- Gwen K Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative
9:05 AM: Keynote Fireside Chat
9:40 AM: Capital Strategy 2026: Navigating a Complex Funding Landscape
Today’s funding landscape spans equity, debt, CDFIs, family offices, and strategic capital. This session provides a clear framework for selecting the right capital partners based on your business model, growth stage, and long-term vision.
Debt Panel
- William Lawler, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
- Jessie Lee, Renaissance Small Business Services (affiliated with AAFE Community Development Fund)
- Nicole Pereira, Managing Director, Lafayette Square Capital
- Kristina Sicard, Financial Capital Strategy Advisor, WEW
Equity Panel
- Loretta McCarthy, Co-CEO and Managing Partner, Golden Seeds LLC
VC Panel
- Blessy Thomas, Partner, Innovate Capital Growth Fund
10:45 AM: Coffee Break
11:00 AM: The New Capital Playbook: Platforms, AI & the Future of Fundraising
Fundraising is being transformed by technology. This session explores emerging tools and models—including AI-driven investor matching, crowdfunding, rolling funds, tokenization, and blockchain-enabled capital. Learn how founders are raising smarter, faster, and more efficiently in 2026.
- Fernanda Carapinha, Founder & CEO, WE Global Studios
11:50 PM: Networking Lunch
Facilitated networking with thematic conversations around the Summit’s key topics. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and forge meaningful relationships.
12:50 PM: Ask the Experts: Live Capital Strategy Clinic
An interactive session connecting founders directly with capital providers. Get real-time feedback on funding strategy, business model, and growth plans from investors, lenders, and advisors—designed for practical, actionable insights.
- Bailey DeVries, Founder & CEO of Geldo
- Moderator: Judith Goldkrand, Co Chair Nom-Gov Committee, Women Business Collaborative; Vistage Coach, Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
1:35 PM: Founder-Funder Alignment: Building High-Impact Partnerships
This curated conversation brings founders and funders together to explore what drives investment decisions today. Learn how alignment on vision, growth strategy, and outcomes shapes successful partnerships.
- Kelly Ann Winget, Founder & Managing Partner, Alternative Wealth Partners
2:20 PM Break
2:35 PM: M&A for Growth: Strategic Scaling
M&A is no longer just an exit strategy—it’s a growth tool. This session explores how founders can use acquisitions to expand capabilities, enter new markets, and accelerate scale, while preparing to be both a buyer and a target.
- Erika Baez-Grimes, Managing Partner, The BPH Group
- Tawanda Thomas, VP Commercial Lending, The Harbor Bank
3:05 PM: Exit by Design
Exits are no longer one-size-fits-all. From acquisitions to secondary sales and long-term ownership models, founders have more options than ever. Learn how to plan early, align stakeholders, and maximize value while maintaining flexibility.
- Asma Ishaq, CEO, Liquid Collagen Acquisition Corp, a subsidiary of Shaklee Corporation
- Marcella Kanfer Rolnick, Executive Chair, GOJO Industries, Inc.
- Coco Sellman, Founder and CEO, A Force for Good Business
- Moderator: Eda Henries, Henries & Co.
3:35 PM Investing in Women’s Health: Funding the Future of Innovation and Impact
Women’s health is one of the most underfunded yet high-growth sectors in innovation and entrepreneurship. This dynamic conversation brings together leaders from Systol, Incora Health, and WH Fund to explore how investors, founders, and ecosystem builders are accelerating solutions that improve outcomes for women while unlocking significant market opportunity. Panelists will discuss the evolving women’s health investment landscape, barriers to scaling women-led health ventures, and what it will take to build a stronger pipeline of capital, innovation, and leadership in the women’s health economy.
- Lauren McConnell, Co-Founder, Systole
- Keara Sauber, CEO, Incora Health
- Moderator: Jessica Federer, Managing Director, The Women’s Health Fund
4:00 PM Making the Myth a Reality: From Founder to Unicorn
A candid conversation with a founder who has scaled to a significant valuation. Learn what it takes to move from early traction to high-growth scale, including capital strategy, leadership decisions, and navigating key inflection points.
4:20 PM: Closing Remarks
Event FAQs
The Summit will take place in New York on October 6-7, 2026 at Wells Fargo Connections – 150 East 42nd Street, Concourse Level, New York, NY 10017.
Registration for the 2026 summit is $749 USD per participant.
For Entrepreneurs: WBC welcomes women entrepreneurs in all industries who are prepared to scale their businesses and learn about capital investment opportunities. WBC will screen applicants based on criteria outlined in the registration form to assess if a business’ participation is a good fit for the Summit.
For Investors: WBC welcomes all investors to join WCS. Particularly firms that are interested in investing at all stages of a business growth (early stage to exit).
The Summit offers a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders, gain actionable connections and insights, and explore funding paths essential for business growth. You’ll connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and investors, enabling you to grow capital for your business.
You can review our tentative agenda on the 2026 Women’s Capital Summit webpage. A detailed final agenda will be available closer to the event date. Stay tuned for updates.
Yes! The Summit offers various networking opportunities including Capital Matchmaking sessions and informal gatherings like the opening reception and marketplace.
The Summit will include a variety of investors from debt to equity, venture, angel and more.
Yes, we have designed several breakout sessions for participants. Please see the agenda on this page.
The Summit is focused on empowering and connecting women entrepreneurs with investors. We welcome investors and attendees who share our mission of advancing women-led businesses and fostering diverse business ecosystems.
Please indicate your interest via the registration form. For additional inquiries or questions, please contact Carolyn Howell, [email protected].
To stay up to date with the latest information on the 2026 Women’s Capital Summit, please subscribe to WBC’s newsletter or follow us on social media. We will share event details, speaker announcements, and registration information there.
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Steering Committee
- Judith Goldkrand Vistage Coach, Vistage Worldwide, Inc.; WBC Board of Directors Co Chair, Nom-Gov Committee
- Gwen Young CEO, WBC
- Damien Dwin Founder and CEO, Lafayette Square
- Eda Henries Founder and Managing Principal, Henries & Co.
- Amy Rice Founder, Alumni Emporium
- Laura Taylor Senior Vice President, Strategic Financial Services & WBE Engagement
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