#NAWBO CALIFORNIA NEWS
President's Message
Dear NAWBO leaders, members, and friends,

I can’t believe NAWBO California’s Propel conference is only slightly over 2 weeks away! Propel showcases what it means to be part of NAWBO, propelling women into spheres of economic, social and political spheres of power. 
 
This year’s Propel theme, Creating Our Future Together: Innovation, Resilience, & Transformation speaks to our moment in time and the amazing accomplishments of women business owners through California through an incredibly challenging period. We look forward to celebrating you, networking, learning, and advocating. 
 
If you haven’t checked out the agenda, please do. Don’t put off registering! I’ve heard from many of our NAWBO sisters that you’re coming and now is definitely the time to be sure you’re signed up and have your room booked before our room block closes Monday. You can find all of the links and information on the registration page here.

We are excited to welcome Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate, as our keynote. We’ll hear about Success through Diversity with Lily Otieno’s amazing story plus her insights on how to secure large contracts as a diverse supplier. We’ll learn how to serve on a corporate board with NAWBO’s own Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, past NAWBO-CA president and current CEO of 50/50 Women on Corporate Boards. We’ll learn how to access capital from our title sponsor Bank of America and how to scale your business and plan your exit. 
 
Join us to announce the NAWBO-CA women business owner of the year and celebrate all of the nominees at our annual awards reception and dinner. And I haven’t even gotten into Tuesday’s agenda, where we learn all about advocacy and how we can leverage our experience and knowledge to put advocacy into action for women business owners across California.
 
I can’t wait to see you there! Please be sure to register and we look forward to celebrating with you all!

Amber Wallace
NAWBO-CA President
President & CEO, Dowitcher Designs
Past President, NAWBO Santa Barbara

MAY 16-17 | SACRAMENTO
Have you registered for Propel yet?

It's right around the corner, but we always have room for you!
Speaking of room...we've secured a room block for a discounted rate at the swanky Kimpton Sawyer hotel.
Have you had a chance to see what we've got in store for you at Propel?

If not, here's a glimpse:
Expand your business
Perfect your pitch
Advocate for WBOs
Access capital
Plan your exit
Celebrate the Women Business
Owner of the Year
And of course, workshops focused on success through diversity, growing your business, raising capital, mental health, and more!
And there's always room for sponsors! We have various tier levels available - but only a few spots left at each level.
When you have 10 minutes, NAWBO National has released a survey to update 2021 data about the state of women business owners. Your responses will help National understand the current needs of NAWBO membership and the issues impacting your businesses and employees.

May 26, 2022 | 3:00 | Virtual
Last session! Join NAWBO and the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY, Inc. to explore:

  • Ways we communicate with one another
  • How to become better listeners (a skill we need now more than ever!)
  • Social issues that impact our ability to empathize
  • How to understand our differences

Become an active participant in overcoming the many divides that separate us! We'll work to bring our community closer together in a DEIB Circle format for respectful dialogue with the goal of learning. The session begins with a large group discussion followed by facilitated small group conversations.
Advocacy and Public Policy
A list of the state bills we're tracking this month is below.

During Propel, we'll speak more about advocacy - and meet some of our elected officials!


Silicon Valley :: Business Social | May 18 | In person

Santa Barbara :: NAWBO Santa Barbara & Parker Clay Cafe of Women’s Voices | May 18 | In person