Strong Supplier Partnerships Are Essential to How We Do Business
By expanding our supplier base, we can positively impact society.
Elevance Health is proud to sponsor the 2026 NAWBO Trailblazers Event and partner with NAWBO-Indianapolis.
“Trailblazing women don’t wait for doors to open—they build them, walk through them, and hold them open for those who follow.”
Celebrating those who make Indianapolis brilliant.
It takes dedication, hard work, and a smart and steady approach to help a community thrive. That’s why PNC is proud to celebrate NAWBO Indy for all it does to help make our community brilliant.
Welcome
Christy Gormal, President, NAWBO-Indianapolis Board of Directors
Presenting Sponsor Remarks
Heather Sherwood, Elevance Health
The Lee Ann Richardson Impact Award
Lunch
NAWBO National Welcome
Thresette Briggs, National NAWBO Chair
Trailblazers Panel:
Jetta V., Jetta V Entertainment
Jill Geer, USA Gymnastics
Dr. Stacia Murphy, Iron Ranch Equipment
Pam Poore, The Poore Organization
Inauguration of Officers
Jessica Nickloy, Etica Group
Closing Remarks
Special thanks to our co-chairs: Evgenia Baikova and Irem Rashidfarokhi
NAWBO-INDIANAPOLIS
NAWBO-INDIANAPOLIS impacts, influences and propels Indiana
to be a leading state for women-owned businesses. We accomplish this through our advocacy efforts, economic impact, diversity, influence, and membership size.
Welcome Letter from the President NAWBO Indianapolis
2026 Elevate Your Vision: The State of NAWBO Trailblazers Luncheon
Dear Trailblazers, Members, Partners, and Friends,
Welcome to the 2026 Elevate Your Vision: The State of NAWBO Trailblazers Luncheon.
On behalf of the NAWBO Indianapolis Board of Directors, it is my honor to welcome you to one of our chapter’s most inspiring and impactful events. Today, we gather not only to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women business owners and leaders, but also to reflect on the collective progress we have made and envision the future we are building together.
The Trailblazers Luncheon has long served as a powerful platform for elevating the voices, experiences, and accomplishments of women who are shaping industries, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for others. Their stories remind us that leadership is not simply about reaching new heights—it is about lifting others as we climb.
As we look at the current state of NAWBO, I am incredibly proud of the momentum we have created together. Through meaningful connections, strategic partnerships, advocacy efforts, educational programming, and a shared commitment to supporting women-owned businesses, our chapter continues to thrive. We have expanded opportunities for our members, strengthened our impact throughout Central Indiana, and remained focused on our mission of propelling women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide.
This year’s theme, Elevate Your Vision, challenges each of us to think bigger, lead boldly, and embrace new possibilities. Whether you are a long-time member, a first-time attendee, a corporate partner, or a supporter of women’s entrepreneurship, you play an important role in advancing this mission.
Thank you for investing your time, talent, and resources in the NAWBO community. Your support helps create pathways for future generations of women leaders and business owners to succeed.
I hope today’s panel conversations inspire new ideas, meaningful relationships, and create a renewed energy for the journey ahead.
Thank you for being part of our story and for helping shape the future of NAWBO Indianapolis.
With gratitude,
Christy Gormal President, NAWBO Indianapolis
“The Power of Connection”
Citizens Energy Group is a proud sponsor of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Indianapolis.
We believe our success depends on valuing diversity in our workforce, business partners, and communities.
Thank you for mentoring our current and future business leaders.
Table
Sponsors
FULL TABLES
Elevance Health
Etica Group
Health and Hospital
Indpls Airport Authority
PNC Bank
Keys 2 Work Recycle Force
HALF TABLES
Brandfuel Communications
Bank of America
Citizens Energy Group
Engaging Solutions
Eli Lilly
Lucidia IT
Nubian Construction
Phoenix Data Corporation
Purdue University
2026 TRAILBLAZERS COMMITTEE
Evgenia Baikova, CPCC, PCC
Leadership and Personal Growth Coach
Fulfillment Coaching and Consulting LLC
Irem C. Rashidfarokhi Chief Executive Officer
DIMA Investments, LLC
Jessica Nickloy President/CEO
Etica Group
Sheena Lee COO
Etica Group
Arionne Allen Chief Executive Officer
Diverse Excellence Technology
Michelle Boyd Principal and Owner
m2 Performance Strategies
Michelle Travis Principal and Owner
m2 Performance Strategies
Christy Gormal CEO
Brandfuel Communications
PRESENTING SPONSOR
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Special Acknowledgments From NAWBO Days in DC
Thresette Briggs, Founder and Chief Performance Officer Performance 3 (P3)
Thresette Briggs Assumes NAWBO National Leadership Role
A defining moment of Advocacy Days came with the induction of Indianapolis entrepreneur and leadership development expert Thresette Briggs as Chair of the NAWBO National Board of Directors. The ceremony carried special significance as Briggs was pinned into the role by her daughter, reflecting the personal and professional legacy that has shaped her leadership journey.
Briggs founded Performance 3 after more than two decades in corporate leadership and now helps organizations nationwide develop high-performing leaders and cultures.
As NAWBO National Board Chair, Briggs will help guide NAWBO’s strategic vision and advocacy priorities while representing millions of women business owners nationwide.
Judy Roth, Retired business owner and 40-year NAWBO member
Judi Roth Recognized for a Lifetime of Service
Judi Roth received the Susan Hager Legacy Award, named for NAWBO’s founding president and presented to individuals whose leadership and service have advanced opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Roth created and scaled her business for 35 years while continuously dedicating her time and talents to support women entrepreneurs.
A NAWBO member and leader for more than 40 years, Roth has served in chapter and national leadership roles, mentored countless women business owners, and helped strengthen entrepreneurial communities throughout her career.
Rebecca Bormann, RB Consulting
Rebecca Bormann Represents Indiana Entrepreneurs
Indiana entrepreneur Rebecca Bormann, Founder and CEO of RB Consulting Agency and a NAWBO Indianapolis Trailblazer, participated in a national discussion alongside Meta, bringing an Indiana perspective to conversations about entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth.
Her participation highlighted the expertise and influence of Indiana’s women-owned businesses and reinforced the state’s role in shaping conversations impacting entrepreneurs across the country.
The Lee Ann Richardson Impact Award
For more than a decade, Lee Ann Richardson has been more than a leader at NAWBO Indianapolis—she has been a constant, a champion, and a connector in every sense of the word. She helped shape this chapter into what it is today: a trusted resource for education, a catalyst for growth, and— most importantly—a community where women business owners truly belong.
Lee Ann didn’t just build programs. She built relationships. She created space—for ideas, for collaboration, for partnership. She ensured that every member felt seen, supported, and connected. And she strengthened the bridge between our members and our corporate partners in a way that elevated the entire organization.
Her legacy isn’t just what she accomplished—it’s what continues because of her. It’s the conversations that turn into opportunities. The introductions that change the trajectory of a business. The culture of connection that defines who we are.
And that’s why it’s so important that we honor that legacy in a meaningful, lasting way. Today, we are proud to introduce a new award—one that will carry her name forward and recognize those who continue to create that same kind of impact.
The Lee Ann Richardson Impact Award honors an individual who embodies the spirit of connection, leadership, and advocacy that defined Lee Ann’s extraordinary tenure with NAWBOIndianapolis. A true champion of women-owned businesses, Lee Ann helped shape the chapter into a premier resource for education, collaboration, and growth across Indiana.
This award recognizes those who carry that legacy forward—leaders who cultivate a culture of belonging, strengthen meaningful connections between members and partners, and create lasting impact within the NAWBO community and beyond.
DEBBIE OATTS, President & CEO Nubian Transport Management/ Nubian Construction Group
NAWBO-Indianapolis 20th Annual Trailblazers Luncheon
Trailblazers began in 2005 as NAWBO Indianapolis sought to have successful women business leaders in the community share their stories with other woman entrepreneurs. From that first panel of five women to the ones here today, Trailblazers has annually sparked conversations about how to grasp opportunities, overcome challenges, build successful careers and businesses, balance work and family and give back to community. Each panelist’s willingness to open her heart and share her journey has had a lasting impact on other women. Their vision and determination are inspiring, and the trails they have blazed continue to move women forward everywhere. NAWBO-Indianapolis is pleased to present the Trailblazers 2026 luncheon, in a continuing effort to empower, inspire and educate women of all ages.
2026 Trailblazer and Moderator: Jetta Vaughn, SHRM-SCP
Owner, Jetta V Ent. LLC
Growing up, Jetta V dreamed of performing stand-up comedy. She had always been a jokester, making her family and friends laugh ever since she was a child. She once stuck a penny in a socket on a dare, just to see what would happen, earning the nickname “BBQ” in the process (obviously, she survived).
She might have tried comedy earlier, but she had other dreams to pursue first. She went to college, earning a BS in Political Science with a minor in English literature, before going to London to achieve her Master’s Degree. She got married and moved away from North Carolina to Indianapolis, IN. She works in Human Resources and teaches group fitness.
Deep down, she wanted more. There were a few things she had left to accomplish. Her father had always told her that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to, and there was no time like the present. So, she signed up for a six week comedy course, learned stagecraft and how to craft a joke. She learned to mine her memories and stories of the past, for material that was uniquely hers because it was about her experiences. She was immediately hooked!
Jetta is instantly likeable when she takes the stage. You can’t teach that. She has a friendly and genuine smile. She is intelligent and thoughtful. She is naughty, but not nasty. She finds humor in everyday life.
She came from humble beginnings, growing up in a town of 20,000 people known for producing 7 NBA players but no famous stand-up comedians. She aims to be the first. Jetta’s comedic muses are a motely crew. She has quick wit like Kelsey Grammer, creatively woven stories like Sommore and the tenacity of Dave Chappelle.
To date, Jetta V has opened for Ali Siddiq, Shuler King, Clint Coley, Mike Bonner, Zainab Johnson, Bill Bellamy, Bubba Dub, and KeKe Wyatt. Jetta plans to continue this journey for as far as it takes her.
She knows she is brand new to the business and still has a lot to learn. She has the encouragement of her friends and family, and her father watching on with pride from above, to keep her going. She is willing to put in the work. She has what it takes to make it. She knows it. Her father knew it all along.
Soon, the world will know it too.
2026 Trailblazer:
Jill Geer
Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, USA Gymnastics
Geer joined USA Gymnastics in 2021 with a deep background in Olympic family communications and marketing and played a key role in the cultural turn-around of the organization, including overseeing reputational management with the media and public as well as an organizational rebrand. She was an executive at USA Track & Field through five Olympic cycles, from 2000-2018, serving primarily as Chief Communications & Marketing Officer. A recognized organizational spokesperson and communications strategist, she also played a key role in USATF stakeholder engagement, working with committees, volunteers, staff, athletes, coaches, agents, sponsors, the board of directors and the media. She most recently served as CMO of American College of Education, leading a company rebrand and the college’s digital marketing, original content and social media efforts.
Prior to USATF, Geer worked as a sports writer and journalist and was a production assistant for NBC at the 1996 Olympic Games. She has been featured in PR Week and ESPNw, and she and her teams at USA Gymnastics and USATF have won Shorty Awards for event coverage and multicultural community engagement.
Geer volunteers at her neighborhood food bank and in 2019 co-chaired the inaugural American Cancer Society ResearcHERS campaign in Indianapolis. She was a cross country state champion in her home state of Wisconsin and an NCAA championships participant at the University of Arkansas, where she was a magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in U.S. history.
2026 Trailblazer and Moderator:
Pamela D. Poore
McDonald’s Owner/Operator
Pamela D. Poore is an Indianapolis native and McDonald’s Owner/ Operator who has built a legacy of entrepreneurship and community impact across Central Indiana.
After beginning her career in the corporate world, she transitioned into business ownership alongside her husband, becoming an approved McDonald’s Owner/Operator in 2014. Today, she and her husband James own and operate six McDonald’s locations throughout Central Indiana.
Through both business leadership and philanthropy, Pam and her husband have made a lasting impact on the Indianapolis community, with a strong focus on education and opportunity. Together, they established the Pamela and James 1st Gen Scholarship, supporting Indianapolis Public Schools students attending Indiana State University, while also championing numerous community initiatives.
Beyond her role as a business leader, Pam is deeply committed to service and mentorship. She actively supports community events, has received multiple honors for her contributions, and has served on several boards, most recently the Indiana State University Foundation Board.
Pam and her husband, James, are proud parents of three children—Trey, Bailee, and Kyndal. A longtime member of Eastern Star Church, she is passionate about giving back, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for the next generation. In her spare time, she enjoys pickleball and traveling.
2026 Trailblazer:
Stacia Murphy, P.h.D., MBA Iron Ranch Equipment
Dr. Stacia Murphy is Co-Founder and Vice President of Growth & Partnerships for Iron Ranch Equipment, a heavy equipment rental company focused on earthmoving equipment, responsive service, and relationship-driven growth. In this role, she helps guide business development, strategic partnerships, customer growth, talent strategy, and community impact for a company operating in a highly traditional and competitive industry.
Stacia brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial drive, strategic vision, and communitycentered leadership to her work. Prior to launching Iron Ranch, she served as Senior Program Officer at the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, where she led portfolio strategy and cross-sector partnerships to support community-focused philanthropic investments.
She previously served as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Development at the Indy Chamber, leading initiatives focused on business growth, supplier connections, access to capital, and strategic partnerships across Indianapolis’ business community.
Her leadership and impact have been recognized through several honors, including 2023 TechPoint MIRA Awards Nominee, 2023 United Way of Central Indiana Advocate of the Year Finalist and People’s Choice Awardee, 2022 InnoPower Black Rising Star, 2022 Indy Maven Women to Watch, and 2021 IU Indianapolis’ Elite 50 Graduate Students.
Stacia holds a B.A. in Psychology from Purdue University, an M.A. in Sociology from Indiana University Indianapolis, a Ph.D. in American Studies with a focus on economic and community development, and an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
She currently serves on the board of JustCommunity, Advisory Board of LISC Indianapolis, and has contributed to civic, arts, and community development efforts through service with Musical Family Tree, The Build: Music and Arts Community, national advocacy organization PolicyLink, and the Indianapolis Community Development Assembly through the Kheprw Institute. Outside of work, Stacia is a proud mother, creative thinker, and advocate for local entrepreneurs and artists.
AT IND, WE BELIEVE PROGRESS, LIKE TRAVEL, IS ENHANCED BY BRINGING OTHERS WITH YOU.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IND’S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
IND’s Business Alliance Program Manager, Chelci Hunter, furthers our commitment through service on the NAWBO board, helping shape and support the future of women in business.
Through partnerships like NAWBO, we invest in people, elevate women-led businesses, and welcome more than 10.6 million travelers to a place that represents the spirit of our community.
EMERALD PARTNER
DIAMOND PARTNER GOLD PARTNERS
GOLD IN-KIND PARTNERS
PARTNER
PLATINUM
SILVER PARTNERS
BRONZE PARTNERS
SILVER IN-KIND PARTNERS
NAWBO-INDIANAPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lesley Crane Vice-President
ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Boyd Principal, m2 Performance Strategies LLC
Performance Strategies LLC
BOARD ADVISORS
Evgenia Baikova Director
Michelle
Christina Gormal President
Billie Dragoo RepuCare Inc.
Elaine Jai Eli Lilly and Company
Sheena Lee Director Victoria Odekomaya Director
Irem Rashidfarokhi Director
Shawnda Sparks President - Elect
Pamela Anderson PNC Bank
Deborah Oatts Nubian Construction Group
Michelle Travis Principal, m2
Tammy Butler Engaging Solutions
Chelci Hunter Indianapolis Airport Authority
Thresetta Briggs Performance 3 LLC
Dr. Jamyce Banks President
NAWBO-INDIANAPOLIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
As Immediate Past-President of NAWBO Indianapolis, Dr. Jamyce Curtis Banks has left an enduring mark on our chapter through her visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and commitment to advancing women business owners. Throughout her board term, she strengthened our organization, elevated opportunities for members, and championed meaningful connections that continue to shape our chapter today. As her term is complete, Dr. Banks remains deeply engaged in the NAWBO mission, serving on the NAWBO National Leadership Council, leading the Indy chapter’s Next Gen initiative through the CollabX Cohort Group, and contributing her expertise as a member of the NAWBO Indianapolis Foundation Board. Her passion for empowering women entrepreneurs extends far beyond her term in office, and we are grateful for her continued leadership, service, and impact. Thank you, Jamyce!
“Each
— Maya Angelou
LILLY FOR BETTER LIVES
Our work extends beyond the medicines we create. Together, we’re working to improve health and access to life-saving medicines in our local communities and around the globe. Through partnerships and our signature volunteer programs, we aim to identify and promote successful solutions to health issues that can be scaled and replicated to make life better for people here at home and around the world.
Learn more about our commitment to local communities and people everywhere at lilly.com.
Congratulations to all of the 2025 NAWBO Visionary Award recipients.
