Dear NAWBO leaders, members, and friends,
What a month! First off I want to celebrate all that we accomplished at this year’s Propel conference. It was a pleasure to be back in person in Sacramento, advocating for women business owners, championing one another, and celebrating our theme “Creating Our Future Together: Innovation, Resilience & Transformation.”
Thank you to our members, sponsors, and supporters for helping to further propel women into spheres of influence, and a special thank you to Bank of America for your unwavering support of NAWBO. Please check out the photo gallery online, and plan to join us next year! Thank you to Katherine Elyse Photography for capturing these images!
We have accomplished so much, and we have so much to do. SB 826, the women on corporate boards legislation sponsored by NAWBO-CA, was declared unconstitutional while we were gathered at Propel. We were ready to act on the spot and heard quickly from our elected officials that they will appeal that decision. NAWBO-CA will continue to support and advocate for women on corporate boards. Looking at the attacks on women’s rights, from local to state to federal, it is more important now than ever to get involved and make our voices heard.
It’s been a strange month for me. I am happy to celebrate Pride with my fellow members in the LGBTQ+ community, and yet concerned, like so many communities, about safety. I am grateful to honor Juneteenth and to see the recognition that this holiday is finally receiving at the federal level, and yet sad to see some corporations missing the mark in an attempt to commercialize it. There is so much to celebrate, and so much work to do.
June also brings us the start of summer and the change of NAWBO-CA leadership. It’s hard to believe that this is the last letter I will be writing to you as president. It has been my honor to work with our talented NAWBO leaders. NAWBO California is something truly special. I was just reading an article on how California was recently ranked the best state for women-owned businesses and couldn’t help but think of how our NAWBO chapters help make that a reality.
I am excited to welcome Schenae Rourk into the NAWBO-CA President’s role as I move into Immediate Past President. I would like to thank all of our NAWBO-CA board members for their service this year, particularly Hilary Lentini, who will be rolling out of the Immediate Past President role, and Lynnette Coverly, who is moving out of the Secretary position. These leaders have helped guide our organization through turbulent times, and I can’t thank you enough for your insights and dedication. Please keep an eye out for board announcements and let us know if you’re interested in getting involved.
I leave with many emotions. Thankful for all that we’ve done in our amazing women business owner community. Excited to see our new leadership and what the coming years will bring. Motivated to tackle the challenges we see rising before us. And ready to raise a glass to toast each and every one of you for being here with us on this journey.
Cheers!
Amber Wallace
NAWBO-CA President
President & CEO, Dowitcher Designs
Past President, NAWBO Santa Barbara
