WEConnect International

Today, at the 2025 International Women’s Day Forum hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, our WEConnect International COO Saritha Venumbaka, PMP, CPA, SHRM-SCP, joined a dynamic panel on Building an Inclusive Trade Strategy alongside three inspiring #WomenOwned businesses: Kathy Cheng, Ayako Mochizuki, and Rika Agusmelda. Kicked off by Katrina Fotovat from the U.S. Department of State and moderated by Alison Leo Rana of ExxonMobil, the discussion explored how to encourage more women-owned businesses to compete for contracts that deliver solutions, create jobs, build communities, enhance the brand and provide a social license to do business in target markets. 🌏 ✨ #IWDForum #WomenOwned #PowerofAccess

🚀 Registration Now Open for International Day 2025! 🚀 Join us Sunday, June 22, 2025, in New Orleans for a high-impact global event connecting women business owners, corporate buyers, and industry leaders from around the world. What to Expect: 🔹 High-impact networking opportunities 🔹 Inspiring sessions & practical learning opportunities 🔹 Access to corporate buyers and innovative suppliers shaping the future of global supply chains. 📅 Sunday, June 22 (the day before the WBENC National Conference) 📍 Sheraton New Orleans Hotel 🔗 Register now to save your spot: https://lnkd.in/eNNRr4qS #InternationalDay #WomenOwnedBusiness #GlobalNetworking #WBENC

The world’s supply chains are shifting. Corporations need resilient, innovative suppliers—and women-owned businesses need access to markets that recognize their value. WEConnect International connects the dots. We bring together the world’s leading corporations and competitive women-owned businesses to strengthen supply chains, fuel economic growth, and unlock new opportunities. 💡 Corporations: Looking for trusted suppliers in key markets? Let’s talk. 💡 Women-owned businesses: Want to break into local and global supply chains? Start here: https://lnkd.in/d2UePWg #PowerOfAccess #InclusiveSourcing #BuyWomenOwned #TheWEConnectEffect

Access to the right networks matters. Join us in 2025 at one of our signature events to leverage the strength of a global network, expand your reach, and access new opportunities to grow and compete on a global scale. 🌏 Save the dates for our global and regional events: 📍 Africa Summit | April 29-30 | Johannesburg, South Africa 📍 Asia Pacific Summit | May 28-30 | Osaka, Japan 📍 International Day | June 22 | New Orleans, LA, USA 📍 South Asia Summit | August 5 | Mumbai, India 📍 UK Collaborative Event | September 4-5 | London, England 📍 North America Summit | September 25 | Toronto, Canada 📍 Annual Awards Celebration & Impact Summit | October 20-21 | Washington, DC 📍 Latin America & Caribbean Summit | November 11-12 | São Paulo, Brazil 📍 Europe & MENA Summit | November 17 | Madrid, Spain 📩 Sign up for the latest updates: https://lnkd.in/ekZ9W3rQ #InclusiveSourcing #GlobalOpportunities #PowerOfAccess

From frustration to transformation, Frida Owinga has turned challenges into #opportunities, empowering over 12,000 businesses across Africa. As Africa Regional Director for WEConnect International, she connects women-owned businesses to global markets, fostering opportunities and scaling impact. Her mantra? "Poverty is humiliating, but restoring hope is deeply fulfilling." Frida’s journey is a testament to the power of leadership, resilience, and community-driven solutions. Let’s celebrate her mission of turning job seekers into job creators! Read more about Frida’s journey on the link below: https://lnkd.in/dB92rrwj #GrowimgWomenOwnedBusinesses #EconomicEmpowerment #WEConnectInternational 

Day 3 at #Davos — A Packed and Insightful Day! What an incredible problem to have: so many interesting sessions and conversations to choose from! Jerome F. had an inspiring discussion with Michael Okoroafor, Ph.D., Chief Sustainability Officer at McCormick & Company, while Elizabeth Vazquez had great meetings with The Coca-Cola Company and Mastercard yesterday. Highlights of the day included: 💡 Attending the session on how Life Sciences fuels economic growth and competitiveness, with lunch hosted by Ian Bremmer and Vas Narasimhan. It was fascinating to hear about shifts in geopolitics from a corporate perspective. Understanding geopolitics is more crucial than ever—companies and boards need to stay ahead to navigate supply chain challenges effectively. 💡 Supporting our partners at Women Political Leaders (WPL) during the launch of their 2024 report at the impactful session, “Representation Matters,” featuring the inspirational Cherie Blair CBE (Cherie Booth K.C.). 💡 Ending the day with a thought-provoking dinner hosted by APCO and McDonough Innovation. From the The New York Times debate, “Time for the US to Step Aside,” we are left wondering—does this signal an opportunity for European competitiveness? We’d love to hear your thoughts! How can women-owned businesses in Europe seize this moment and take advantage of these shifts? Share your ideas in the comments! #WEF #WEConnectInternational #Geopolitics #SupplyChain

Another incredible day at #Davos yesterday - It started on an inspiring note at the Seneca Women’s Breakfast, hosted by the wonderful Melanne Verveer and Sharon Bowen. It was a moment of optimism and hope, especially in a time when #DEI conversations often become politicised. Elizabeth Vazquez and Jerome F. met Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland, and discussed how the world is undergoing profound changes. While challenges abound, there are immense opportunities to support women-owned businesses—a mission we must prioritize now more than ever. They also stopped by the Meta House, where it’s always a pleasure to support our partners—bonus points for serving the best hot chocolate in town! A highlight of the day was attending a panel on Collaboration in the Intelligent Age, featuring insights from incredible professionals like Aparna Bawa and Smriti Irani. Hearing from global leaders about the opportunities for women in the evolving world of AI was truly fascinating. And it's always a joy to reconnect with amazing friends like Shelley Zalis, Talia Bender Small, and the team at The Female Quotient. Jerome F. had the chance to visit the Mongolia House and meet Nomin Chinbat, the Mongolian Minister of Culture. Learning about Mongolia’s impressive initiatives to support entrepreneurship was both enlightening and inspiring. Our takeaway: Equality doesn’t just happen—it is made, every day! #WomenOwned #DEI #WEF #SupplierDiversity

NEWS: WEConnect International and TiE Global are joining forces to champion women entrepreneurs worldwide. 🌍 This strategic collaboration is set to unlock unprecedented opportunities for women entrepreneurs by building capacity, fostering vital connections, and amplifying their global influence. 💬 “This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to collaboration, breaking barriers and creating transformative economic opportunities for women worldwide.” – Elizabeth Vazquez, President & CEO, WEConnect International 🔗 Read more about our new partnership here: https://lnkd.in/dj4pnXKi #TheWEConnectEffect #WomenOwned #GlobalOpportunities #InclusiveGrowth #Entrepreneurship 

Wonderful first day at Davos - CEO & Co-Founder, Elizabeth Vazquez and Regional Director for Europe & MENA Jerome F., had the opportunity to connect with many of our inspiring women-owned businesses and partners. From engaging in interactive roundtables—debating the future of opportunities and the state of the world alongside fantastic multinationals and WEConnect International member buyers—to hearing powerful stories of resilience and impact, it was a day to remember. A special highlight was celebrating the journey of one of our newly certified woman-owned business—the brilliant Helle Bank Jørgensen, GCB.D, NACD.DC, CEO of Competent Boards. What a privilege to witness her growth and leadership as part of this dynamic community! Here’s to many more moments of connection, empowerment, and innovation this week. #Davos2025 #WomenInBusiness #WEConnectInternational #FutureOfWork #Sustainability

Elevating women-owned businesses? It’s what we do best. ✨ At WEConnect International, we make sure the world knows who women-owned businesses are and what they are capable of. That's why we're focused on sharing incredible stories of success from around our global network. If you are a WEConnect International-certified women-owned business, we want to hear from you! 👉 Apply here to be featured: https://buff.ly/4jz0nia