2025 Annual Report

2 0 2 5 A N N UA L R E P O RT

the power of access

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Leadership ........................................................................................... 3 About Us ........................................................................................................................... 4 Impact ................................................................................................................................ 5 Access ................................................................................................................................. 6 The Impact of Access ............................................................................................... 11 Programs and Initiatives ....................................................................................... 13 Our Global Network .................................................................................................. 19 Supplier Profiles ........................................................................................................... 22 Member Buyers ............................................................................................................ 24 Regional Impact .......................................................................................................... 26 Africa ............................................................................................................................. 27 Asia Pacific ................................................................................................................ 31 Europe & MENA ..................................................................................................... 35 Latin America & The Caribbean .................................................................. 40 North America ........................................................................................................ 44 South Asia .................................................................................................................. 48 Financials & Governance ........................................................................................ 53 Financials ................................................................................................................... 54 Board of Directors and Brand Ambassadors ..................................... 56 Global Team .............................................................................................................. 57 Join Us ................................................................................................................................ 58

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 2

letter from the leadership In 2025, WEConnect International proved that access changes everything.

This year, our work reached women entrepreneurs across 144 markets, facilitated over 17,000 business connections, and trained more than 20,800 women. We hosted 300+ events and convenings, and engaged 180 member buyers committed to building supply chains that are not only stronger, but more resilient. In a survey of women-owned businesses in our network, 70% reported increased business revenue, and 59% said they hired more people.

These are not just numbers. They are contracts won, companies scaled, and jobs created. They represent the compounding power of access—to markets, to knowledge, to connections, and to opportunity.

But these are also not just business outcomes. The ripple effects reach further —into households, neighborhoods, and communities. Women-owned businesses told us they are creating jobs, mentoring other entrepreneurs, supporting children’s education, and reducing economic vulnerability in the places they call home.

When a woman-owned business wins a contract, the benefits don’t stop at the balance sheet.

From Osaka to Johannesburg, Mumbai to Madrid, São Paulo to Toronto, our summits, bootcamps, and matchmaking events connected purpose-driven buyers with qualified, ambitious women suppliers ready to compete on the global stage.

As we reflect on 2025, we are proud of what this community has built together. But we are also clear-eyed about what remains. Half of the world’s population is still underrepresented as suppliers in global value chains. Every purchase is a chance to invest in untapped potential, drive innovation, and build markets that work for everyone.

For 16 years, WEConnect International has been unlocking what we believe is the largest untapped source of growth in the world economy. Women-owned businesses are ready, qualified, and hungry to compete—and the buyers who find them first gain a real competitive edge. Our work exists to accelerate that match, at scale, across every market.

We invite you to read our 2025 Annual Report to see what can be accomplished when we invest in access. Then we ask you to join us in going further.

Denise Naguib, Chair of the Board Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO & Co-Founder

In a year defined by economic uncertainty and shifting global trade dynamics, the resilience of women-owned businesses stood out. From a supplier in Japan landing a major contract after getting certified to a tech firm in India securing high-value engagements with 11 multinational buyers —our network delivered. In South Asia alone, a five-year initiative supported by the U.S. Department of State resulted in 207 confirmed contracts and 2,533 new jobs. In Latin America, the WE3A initiative generated 3,000+ business connections.

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about us CONNECTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES TO GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY WEConnect International is the leading global nonprofit network that connects women-owned businesses to procurement opportunities with major corporations and government buyers around the world.

At the heart of our work is WEConnect International certification, which verifies that a business is at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by women. This credential opens doors, helping buyers identify competitive women-owned suppliers and build stronger, more resilient supply chains.

We strengthen outcomes on both sides of the market: equipping women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, connections, and opportunities they need to scale, while enabling buyers to discover and engage qualified women-owned suppliers through targeted matchmaking, global events, and sourcing intelligence.

OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

To drive money into the hands of women business owners by enabling them to compete in the global marketplace.

A thriving global economy where womenowned businesses deliver sustainable solutions and fuel community prosperity on a global scale.

OUR IMPACT When women-owned businesses grow, entire economies benefit. Jobs are created. Communities are strengthened. Markets become more resilient and competitive.

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IMPACT

2025 ANNUAL REPORT

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ACCESS CHANGES EVERYTHING Behind every statistic in this report is a business owner who showed up, competed, and won. What changed for her was access — to a buyer who found her through our network, a training that sharpened her pitch, a connection made at one of our global events. When women-owned businesses gain access, markets expand, innovation accelerates, and economies grow stronger.

That is what WEConnect International is built to do: turn access into outcomes.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF ACCESS ACCESS TO MARKETS

ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE

Elevating visibility and credibility through global registration and certification.

Building business readiness through training, capacity development, and expert-led programs.

ACCESS TO CONNECTIONS

ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES

Fostering relationships through matchmaking, high-impact summits, and member engagement.

Connecting women-owned businesses to real sourcing opportunities from buyers across our network.

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ACCESS TO MARKETS

Expanding the global marketplace for women-owned businesses Access to markets is essential for business growth. By expanding our global network of women-owned businesses and corporate buyers, WEConnect International creates the scale and visibility needed for women entrepreneurs to reach new markets and compete globally.

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

20,468

144

Registered womenowned businesses

Markets with Registration

2,205

63

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

Markets with Certification

“Being part of a global network of women-owned businesses opens doors that would have taken years to reach on our own.” DIDI GAN, SINGAPORE WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 7

ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE

Preparing women-owned businesses to compete globally

Women-owned businesses succeed when they have the knowledge and tools to navigate global markets. Through training, events, and educational resources, WEConnect International helps entrepreneurs strengthen their capabilities, understand buyer expectations, and position their businesses for growth.

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

20,858 Women trained

325

Trainings & webinars

Skills Enhanced Networking Negotiating and Pitching Financial Management Procurement Readiness Digital Marketing and AI Team Leadership Sustainability Bid Writing and RFP Response

20

Course modules added to WEConnect Academy

“This kind of peer-to-peer learning and mentorship is invaluable — you simply cannot put a price on having access to that level of expertise and genuine support.”

SARAH SAYED, UK

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ACCESS TO CONNECTIONS

Building relationships that power business Growth Strong networks create stronger businesses. Through global events, partnerships, and an engaged community, WEConnect International connects women-owned businesses with buyers, peers, and partners, building relationships that lead to collaboration, business opportunities, and growth.

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

300+ Events

8,000+ Event participants

112,000+ Social media community

100+

Ecosystem partners

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ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES

Turning connections into Real business opportunity

Opportunities emerge when businesses and buyers can find each other.

Through sourcing opportunities, matchmaking events, and engagement across WECommunity, WEConnect International helps connect women-owned businesses directly with buyers seeking innovative suppliers and partners.

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

17,000+

Business connections made

25,084 Supplier & buyer profile views in WECommmunity

180

Member buyers engaged

355 Business opportunities posted in WECommunity

78 Business matchmaking events

Categories in Demand

Packaging, Facility Maintenance, Construction, IT, Marketing, Logistics

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the Impact of access Access changes what’s possible.

Across our global network, women-owned businesses who completed our annual survey are growing their companies, creating jobs, and making meaningful contributions to their communities.

70%

59%

59%

increased their business revenue

said certification had a direct and positive effect on their operations

hired more people

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the Impact of access Women-owned businesses who completed our annual survey described positive community impact through:

Inspiring others in their networks

Job creation

Mentorship of other women entrepreneurs

Increased household income

Reduced economic vulnerability

Support for children’s education

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Programs & Initiatives

H OW WE D E L IVE R E D I M PACT I N 2 0 2 5

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PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

Increasing Women’s Representation in Global Supply Chains International Day 2025

Our annual global convening brought together 230 women-owned businesses, buyers, and partners for a focused day of matchmaking and learning.

94% of participants made new connections 97% gained new insights 1,200+ valuable business connections confirmed

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PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

Increasing Women’s Representation in Global Supply Chains South Asia Trade & Procurement Program INDIA, SRI LANKA, MALDIVES This multi-country initiative, delivered in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, focused on preparing womenowned businesses for international trade and direct engagement with corporate procurement teams.

5,600+ women-owned businesses engaged 225+ corporations participated in matchmaking 4,000+ buyer–supplier connections facilitated 207 confirmed contracts secured 2,533 jobs created 56% of participants secured corporate contracts following engagement

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PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

Increasing Women’s Representation in Global Supply Chains WE3A Regional Initiative COSTA RICA, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, GUYANA, HONDURAS This three-year regional program strengthened ecosystems for women entrepreneurs and increased their participation in regional and global value chains through buyer training, certification, and matchmaking.

3,000+ business connections through matchmaking 67 women-owned businesses certified 78 buyers trained on sourcing from women-owned businesses 25 million+ awareness campaign impressions elevating women

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PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

Helping Women-Owned Businesses Scale and Compete Global Business Bootcamp Series

Revenue-Driven Sales Masterclass

This intensive training series focused on financial readiness, procurement expectations, sales strategy, and growth planning for women entrepreneurs across multiple regions.

This two-day, in-person masterclass focused on pricing, pitching, and buyer engagement strategies for growth-oriented women-owned businesses.

DELIVERED ACROSS 13 MARKETS

800+ applications 363 women entrepreneurs participated (60% above target) 1,100+ business connections made 119 new women-owned businesses joined WECommunity 13 participants got certified Participants reported strong gains in procurement readiness (8.5/10) and pitching confidence (9.0/10)

SOUTH AFRICA (JOHANNESBURG)

21 women-owned businesses trained, representing nearly 200 employees and $5M+ in revenue 80+ B2B connections made in two days 50%+ planned to pursue WBE certification 100% relevance rating and 9.6/10 satisfaction score

Impact Sourcing Roundtable

Corporate & Policy Roundtables

This convening brought together corporate leaders, ecosystem partners, and women-owned businesses to explore supplier development models and responsible sourcing practices.

Ten corporate and policy roundtables advanced dialogue between buyers, policymakers, and women entrepreneurs, embedding supplier engagement into procurement strategies.

2025 Awards Celebration & Impact Summit

2025 Impact Sourcing Top Global Champions Recognition

Held virtually to enable global participation, this event convened 130 sourcing leaders to explore regional market trends, the ROI of impact sourcing, and procurement strategies for resilient supply chains.

Organizations were recognized for leadership in sourcing strategies that empower small businesses across global markets.

SOUTH AFRICA (JOHANNESBURG)

VIRTUAL

SOUTH ASIA

VIRTUAL

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 18

2025 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR GLOBAL NETWORK WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 19

Certification Registration

CERTIFIED WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN 63 MARKETS Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Austria Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Belize Bermuda Brazil British Virgin Islands Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador France

Grenada Germany Guatemala Guyana Honduras Hong Kong India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Kenya Macao Malaysia Mexico Montserrat Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua

Nigeria Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Poland Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Singapore South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Switzerland Taiwan Trinidad and Tobago Turkey Turks and Caicos Islands United Kingdom United States - Foreign Owned Vietnam

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REGISTERED WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN 140+ MARKETS Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Belize Bolivia Botswana Brazil British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Fasso Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Georgia Germany Ghana

Greece Grenada Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Liberia Lithuania Luxembourg Macau SAR China Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar [Burma] Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Niger Nigeria

Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Rwanda Saint Lucia San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Vanuatu Vietnam Zambia

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supplier PROFILEs CERTIFIED WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

WEConnect International offers both registration and certification to help identify and engage women-owned businesses at different stages of readiness.

Registration is free and provides an entry point into the global network. Certification involves a rigorous, independent review of a business’s ownership, management, control, and independence, confirming that the business is at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more women. Businesses that meet these criteria are recognized as Certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

The profile below highlights the scale, diversity, and global reach of certified womenowned businesses across the WEConnect International network.

2,205

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

48

Countries

244,782 Total employees

111

Average number of employees

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supplier PROFILEs TOP 5 INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED

Professional Services

Manufacturing

Utilities

Food & Beverage

Technology

REGISTERED WOBS BY REGION

CERTIFIED WBES BY REGION

6,195

682

South Asia

Europe / MENA

4,648

468

Latin America

Latin America

3,629

440

Africa

North America

3,098

414

Europe / MENA

Asia SE / Oceania

1,958

128

Asia SE / Oceania

South Asia

940

73

North America

Africa

Total global: 20,468

Total global: 2,205

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MEMBER BUYERS

WEConnect International member buyers are the driving force behind the network’s ability to deliver impact at global scale. Through their commitment to impact sourcing and supplier engagement, member buyers help expand opportunity for women-owned businesses while strengthening supply chain resilience across industries and markets.

In 2025, WEConnect International deepened its engagement and support of 180 member buyers, strengthened cross-industry collaboration, and continued raising the bar for impact sourcing worldwide.

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MEMBER BUYERS GLOBAL INDUSTRY GROUPS To foster alignment and practical collaboration, WEConnect International convened Global Industry Groups across key sectors, including Technology, Healthcare, Automotive, Food & Beverage, and Chemical/Oil & Gas. In 2025, these groups brought together procurement leaders and women-owned suppliers to: Share industry-specific insights and best practices Identify sourcing opportunities and emerging needs Strengthen relationships across buyers and suppliers, and across regions Through these forums, member buyers play an active role in shaping sourcing strategies that are both competitive and inclusive of underrepresented businesses.

IMPACT SUMMIT The WEConnect International 2025 Virtual Awards Celebration & Impact Summit, held on October 21, convened sourcing leaders and partners committed to responsible and impact-driven procurement. Hosted virtually to enable global participation, the full-day event brought together 130 attendees from across regions and industries.

IMPACT SOURCING TOP GLOBAL CHAMPIONS During the Impact Summit, we announced the 2025 Impact Sourcing Top Global Champions, a recognition honoring organizations demonstrating leadership in global sourcing strategies that empower small and medium enterprises and expand access to opportunity across supply chains.

These organizations set a high standard for what global sourcing can achieve—driving innovation, resilience, and economic impact across markets through intentional, results-driven procurement practices.

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2025 ANNUAL REPORT

REGIONAL IMPACT

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2025

AFRICA

Across many African markets, women-owned businesses operate in rapidly developing economies where access to corporate and government supply chains is often limited by procurement complexity, delayed payment cycles, capital constraints, and limited visibility with large buyers. At the same time, corporations and financial institutions across the region are increasingly leading on ways to deliver practical support to entrepreneurs, strengten local supplier participation, and advance more inclusive sourcing practices.

Offering certification in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 27

AFRICA

In 2025, activity across Africa focused on strengthening procurement readiness, connecting women-owned businesses directly to buyers and financial institutions, and building ecosystem support that enables women entrepreneurs to compete more confidently in local, regional, and global markets.

3,629

73

Registered women-owned businesses

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

200+

7,904

Business connections facilitated

Women business owners received education and training

Dark blue indicates countries where Certification is available. Light blue indicates additional countries with businesses registered in the network.

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AFRICA

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AFRICA REGIONAL SUMMIT | APRIL 29-30, JOHANNESBURG The summit convened women-owned businesses and corporate buyers for structured matchmaking and sourcing conversations, resulting in more than 400 targeted buyer–supplier engagements.

AFRICA DIALOGUES | FEBRUARY, JULY & OCTOBER, VIRTUAL A tri-regional virtual convening series for Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, introducing women-owned businesses and corporate buyers to certification, buyer requirements, and cross-border market access.

SUPPLIER CONNECT SERIES | APRIL THROUGH NOVEMBER, VIRTUAL A monthly learning and networking forum for women business owners in Kenya, supported by SBM Bank, connecting women-owned businesses with corporations and ecosystem partners around compliance, sustainability credentials, procurement readiness, and access-to-finance pathways.

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AFRICA

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS REVENUE-DRIVEN SALES MASTERCLASS | JULY 16-17, JOHANNESBURG A two-day, in-person masterclass designed to help growth-oriented women-owned businesses refine pricing, pitching, and buyer engagement strategies. Participating businesses represented nearly 200 employees and more than $5M in annual revenue.

The program achieved a 9.6/10 satisfaction score, and over half of participants indicated plans to pursue WBE certification.

IMPACT SOURCING ROUNDTABLE | OCTOBER 23, JOHANNESBURG This convening brought together 57 corporate leaders, ecosystem partners, and women-owned businesses to explore supplier development models and practical approaches to inclusive sourcing. Corporate case studies and open dialogue led to commitments around SME-friendly payment terms and long-term supplier engagement.

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2025

ASIA PACIFIC

Across Asia Pacific, women-owned businesses operate in fast-growing, export-oriented markets where multinational corporations play a major role in local supply chains. At the same time, entrepreneurs face complex procurement systems, delayed payment cycles, capital constraints, and increasing ESG and compliance expectations that make entering corporate and government supply chains challenging.

Offering certification in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam WE EC CO ON NN NE EC C TT II N N TT E ER RN NA A TT II O ON NA A LL 22 0 0 22 55 A AN NN NU UA A LL R RE EP PO OR R TT || P PA AG GE E 23 1 W

ASIA PACIFIC

(*) Dark blue indicates countries where Certification is available.

Light blue indicates additional countries with businesses registered in the network.

In 2025, activity across the region focused on strengthening market readiness, creating direct buyer engagement opportunities, and building ecosystem support that connects women-owned businesses to global value chains in practical, measurable ways.

1,958

414

Registered womenowned businesses

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

2,612 Business connections facilitated across events and programs

5,107

76

Women business owners trained through trainings and webinars

Trainings and webinars delivered

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

ASIA PACIFIC APAC REGIONAL SUMMIT | MAY 28-30, OSAKA This flagship regional summit convened 400+ women entrepreneurs, buyers, youth delegates, and ecosystem partners alongside Expo 2025 in Japan. Over three days, the summit generated 400+ new business connections, hosted a Women’s Business Tradeshow, and featured forums on procurement readiness, responsible sourcing, and cross-border collaboration.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

ASIA PACIFIC

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT | FEBRUARY 15, BALI A large-scale summit designed to equip women-owned businesses with tools to leverage sustainability and ESG credentials for market access and corporate procurement alignment inside and outside of Indonesia.

DIVERSITY DIVIDEND REPORT LAUNCH | OCTOBER 9, SINGAPORE A high-level convening with corporate leaders and policymakers that presented new data showing that increasing women’s representation in supply chains directly contributes to revenue growth and resilience. The launch generated regional media coverage and corporate dialogue around inclusive sourcing as a business strategy.

BUYER-FOCUSED ROUNDTABLES AND FORUMS | SINGAPORE, HONG KONG, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, PHILIPPINES Events including the Sustainability Ecosystem Roundtable, Standard Chartered ESG forums, Disney Supplier Diversity Symposium, Trident Roundtable (NSW Government), WTO Export Readiness Workshop, and JLL Vendor Partner Week convened procurement leaders and suppliers to translate inclusive sourcing and ESG goals into business opportunity and impact conversations.

GLOBAL BUSINESS BOOTCAMP SERIES | VIETNAM & MALAYSIA, VIRTUAL Multi-session bootcamps strengthened financial readiness, procurement understanding, and growth capability for women entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia.

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2025

EUROPE & MENA

Across Europe and MENA, women-owned businesses operate in mature, highly regulated markets where entry into corporate and government supply chains depends heavily on compliance, credibility, and relationship-based access. At the same time, there is growing momentum among corporations, governments, and regional partners to embed responsible procurement into their sourcing strategies.

Offering certification in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and United Kingdom WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 35

europe & mena In 2025, activity across the region focused on high-level convenings, certification expansion, mentorship, and buyer dialogue designed to translate responsible procurement commitments into practical supplier engagement.

682 Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

3,098

3,482

1,517

Registered womenowned businesses

Business connections facilitated

Women business owners trained

49

98

3,113

Trainings and webinars delivered

Events, conferences, and summits (virtual, hybrid, and in-person)

Event participants

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europe & mena

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

EUROPE & MENA REGIONAL SUMMIT | NOVEMBER 17–18, MADRID A two-day regional summit convening 320 participants, 17 multinational corporations, and 12 regional partners. The event generated 1,591 targeted one-to-one meetings via the WEConnect International platform and included a delegation of 30 Canadian WBEs to strengthen cross-border collaboration.

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europe & mena

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

UK INCLUSIVE SOURCING SUMMIT | SEPTEMBER 11–12, LONDON Hosted at the Guildhall in partnership with MSDUK, OutBritain, Veteran Owned UK, Social Enterprise UK, and the City of London Corporation. The event brought together 350 participants, 43 corporations, and hundreds of diverse suppliers to advance the national dialogue on responsible procurement.

CERTIFICATION EXPANSION THROUGH THE JPMORGANCHASE FRANCE INITIATIVE A targeted certification drive supporting women-owned businesses across France to navigate the WBE certification process and strengthen visibility with corporate buyers. The program successfully achieved 100 certified French WBEs, significantly expanding the supplier pipeline in the market.

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europe & mena

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

DISNEYLAND PARIS TRAINING & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM JANUARY–JULY, PARIS A four-month training initiative for 40 women-owned businesses, delivered by local WBE partner Envi, focused on sales capability, corporate readiness, and sustainable growth. A second mentorship phase began in November for 20 selected participants.

GOVERNMENT & INSTITUTIONAL ENGAGEMENT Events including a Breakfast Meeting at the French National Assembly (Paris), the Castilla La Mancha regional launch (Toledo), and ConnectHer (Riyadh) brought together women-owned businesses, government leaders, and corporate partners to strengthen the role of responsible procurement in regional economic development.

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2025

LATIN AMERICA

& THE CARIBBEAN

Across Latin America and the Caribbean, women-owned businesses operate in highly entrepreneurial markets where cross-border trade, regional integration, and access to corporate procurement networks are key drivers of growth. At the same time, many entrepreneurs face barriers related to visibility with multinational buyers, financial readiness, and navigating complex procurement expectations.

Offering certification in Argentina, Brazil, The Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Peru WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 40

LATIN AMERICA

& THE CARIBBEAN In 2025, activity across the region focused on large-scale regional convenings, financial readiness programs, and structured matchmaking that connected women-owned businesses directly to buyers and strengthened participation in regional and global value chains.

468

4,648

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

Registered womenowned businesses

4,200+

2,100+

53

Business connections facilitated

Women business owners trained

Trainings and webinars delivered

3

602

30+

Regional summits and 2 conferences hosted

Summit and conference participants

Ecosystem partners engaged

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN LATIN AMERICA REGIONAL SUMMIT – NOVEMBER 11-12, SÃO PAULO Hosted at Bayer’s facilities, the summit convened 400+ participants over two days, generating 1,800+ business connections through structured matchmaking. More than 10 expert-led panels and 12 hours of programming focused on sustainability, AI for business, ESG, agribusiness, and responsible value chains.

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LATIN AMERICA

& THE CARIBBEAN

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

WE3A VIRTUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE | VIRTUAL The closing conference of the WE3A initiative with the IDB and ASU brought together 320 participants, 40+ women-owned businesses, and 50+ buyers. Seven panels showcased best practices, and 90% of surveyed participants rated the content as Good or Excellent.

MEXICO, CHILE, AND COSTA RICA SUMMITS Regional summits in Mexico (150+ participants), Chile (50+ participants), and Costa Rica (120+ participants) convened women entrepreneurs and member buyers to strengthen cross-border business relationships and expand procurement opportunities across Southern Cone and Central American markets.

GLOBAL BUSINESS BOOTCAMP SERIES | 8 COUNTRIES (VIRTUAL) PLUS COSTA RICA (IN-PERSON) Multi-session bootcamps strengthened financial readiness, decision-making, and growth planning for women entrepreneurs across the region, contributing to stronger positioning for corporate procurement engagement.

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2025

NORTH AMERICA

Across North America, women-owned businesses operate in mature but highly relationship-driven procurement environments where gaining traction with large buyers often requires sustained visibility, credibility, and persistence.

Offering certification in Canada and support in the United States in partnership with WBENC WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 44

NORTH AMERICA In 2025, economic uncertainty, tariffs, and funding constraints added additional pressure for entrepreneurs seeking to grow and diversify their client base beyond domestic markets.

Throughout the year, activity across the region focused on strengthening connections within the women-owned business community, supporting global market exploration, and creating highly intentional spaces where buyers and suppliers could build the relationships that lead to long-term procurement opportunities.

4,402

940

2,144

787

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

Registered women-owned businesses

Business connections facilitated

Women business owners trained

29

3

14

12+

Trainings and webinars delivered

Major events and summits hosted

Matchmaking and Meet the Member events

Ecosystem partners engaged

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA SUMMIT | SEPTEMBER 25, TORONTO A sold-out summit hosted at EY, convening 150+ participants for a full day of storytelling, learning, matchmaking, and networking. Early feedback indicated strong follow-up conversations around procurement and partnership opportunities.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

NORTH AMERICA WEFOUNDERS LUNCHEON | SEPTEMBER 25, TORONTO

An exclusive gathering with EDC of Canada’s leading women business owners with revenues over $10M, creating space for peer connection and dialogue around scaling, procurement, and global opportunity.

CONNECT. COLLABORATE. SUCCEED | SEPTEMBER 26, TORONTO Delivered in partnership with CAMSC and CQCC, this multi-stakeholder event focused on educating suppliers on procurement practices and impact sourcing, with 1:1 matchmaking resulting in immediate next steps toward potential contracts.

ECONOMIC RESILIENCY & LEADERSHIP EVENTS WITH EY | FEBRUARY - MAY, VIRTUAL A series of events addressing economic turbulence, succession planning, and business resiliency, equipping women entrepreneurs with expert guidance on navigating tariffs, funding, and operational challenges.

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2025

SOUTH ASIA

Across South Asia, women-owned businesses operate in highly entrepreneurial markets with strong export potential, but face persistent barriers to entering corporate supply chains due to limited buyer access, capital constraints, compliance complexity, and visibility challenges. At the same time, corporations, chambers, and government partners across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are increasingly recognizing the role women entrepreneurs play in building resilient, diversified economies.

Offering certification in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 48

SOUTH ASIA In 2025, activity across South Asia focused on large-scale trade and procurement convenings, intensive capability-building, and direct buyer engagement designed to translate market access into measurable contracts, jobs, and cross-border trade opportunities.

128

6,195

Certified Women’s Business Enterprises

Registered women-owned businesses

3,235

3,443

Business connections facilitated

Women business owners trained

53

14

Trainings and webinars delivered

Conferences, summits, and expos delivered

4

114

Corporate and policy roundtables across the region

Participants in Impact Sourcing Roundtables

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 49

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

SOUTH ASIA BUILDING RESILIENT ECONOMIES SUMMIT | MARCH 5, NEW DELHI Convened 160 participants including 16 member buyer representatives and enabled 600+ business connections through structured matchmaking, product showcases, and high-level dialogue on trade and resilient supply chains.

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 50

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

SOUTH ASIA

SRI LANKA SUSTAINABLE TRADE & ECONOMIC SUMMIT | AUGUST 7, COLOMBO In partnership with AMCHAM and the Export Development Board, this event convened 150+ participants, featured a public trade show with 60 women-owned businesses, generated strong B2C sales, and created 100+ corporate business connections.

TRADE FOR IMPACT REGIONAL CONFERENCE | AUGUST 28, BANGALORE A regional convening marking the culmination of a five-year trade initiative, bringing together 170 in-person participants, 7 member buyers, and enabling 400+ business connections across India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

WOMEN ENTERPRISE EXPO | NOVEMBER 25, COLOMBO Featured 65 women-owned businesses, engaged 20+ corporate buyers, attracted 1,000+ visitors, and generated on-site sales and sourcing conversations.

POWER OF ACCESS ROADSHOW SERIES | INDIA, SRI LANKA, BANGLADESH, MALDIVES Nine roadshows reached 600+ women-owned businesses and 25 corporate buyers, combining capacity building with product showcases to strengthen procurement readiness and buyer engagement.

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 51

SOUTH ASIA

FIVE YEARS OF TRADE, ACCESS, AND IMPACT IN SOUTH ASIA From 2020 to 2025, WEConnect International implemented a landmark regional trade and procurement initiative across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. Designed to strengthen women-owned business participation in corporate and cross-border value chains, the program addressed both sides of the market: building the capability of women entrepreneurs while working directly with corporations, chambers, and policymakers to expand supplier engagement.

Grounded in a comprehensive ecosystem assessment of nearly 600 women-owned businesses and corporate buyers, the initiative delivered a sequenced platform of training, matchmaking, corporate roundtables, and regional trade convenings that created one of the most procurement-ready pipelines of women-owned suppliers in South Asia.

RESULTS ACROSS FIVE YEARS 207 documented corporate contracts secured by women-owned businesses 2,533 jobs created through new revenue and trade opportunities 4,721 business connections facilitated between women-owned businesses and corporate buyers 8,248 hours of training delivered to more than 2,000 women entrepreneurs 209 businesses completed the Global Procurement Readiness Assessment (GPRA), receiving customized growth pathways 3,583 women-owned businesses registered in WECommunity, dramatically increasing visibility to multinational buyers 551+ corporations engaged through trainings, roundtables, and matchmaking 15 Supplier Development Pledges signed by corporate buyers, formalizing commitments to engage and develop women-owned suppliers

Signature convenings—including the Empowering Inclusion Summit Series, Trade for Impact Regional Conference, and country-level expos and roadshows—brought together more than 1,700 participants, including senior corporate leaders, U.S. officials, chambers, and women entrepreneurs. These platforms advanced cross-border trade relationships and strengthened regional economic cooperation.

The program also reached more than 700,000 people through media, thought leadership, and awareness campaigns, elevating the role of women-owned businesses as contributors to resilient, responsible supply chains.

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 52

2025 ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIALS & GOVERNANCE

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 53

FINANCIALS 2025

2024

2023

Program Revenue

$6,184,348

$7,537,612

$7,621,659

Expenses

$6,140,670

$8,143,388

$7,968,893

Change in Net Assets

$43,678

-$605,776

-$347,234

Net Assets - Beginning of year

$2,639,925

$3,245,701

$3,205,672

Net Assets - End of year

$2,683,603

$2,639,925

$2,858,438

Assets

$3,624,876

$3,890,673

$4,363,596

Liabilities

$941,273

$1,250,648

$1,505,158

Net Assets

$2,683,603

$2,639,925

$2,858,438

Program Services

$4,948,450

$6,364,137

$6,573,101

Administration

$752,919

$874,102

$1,184,709

Business Development

$210,441

$504,496

$211,083

Total

$5,911,810

$7,742,735

$7,968,893

Business Development 3%

Administration 13%

Program Services 84%

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 54

FINANCIALS BREAKDOWN OF PROGRAM SERVICES

2025

2024

Certifications

$399,185

$657,994

Capacity Building

$1,219,117

$1,490,231

Connections

$1,589,211

$2,161,187

Strategic Research

$452,138

$171,865

Inclusive Sourcing Initiatives

$594,432

$941,411

Technical Outreach

$694,367

$941,449

Capacity Building 25%

Connections 32%

Inclusive Sourcing Initiatives 12% Strategic Outreach 9%

Certifications 8%

Technical Outreach 14%

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 55

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

Casondra Devine, Amazon

Denise Naguib, Marriott International

Erin Stewart, Pinnacle Group

TREASURER Andrew Cannon Brookes, Standard Chartered Bank

Jim Jones, Development Expert Kathy Golding, EY Kristine Mangan. J&J Nairouz Bader, Envision Partnership Pamela Chambers O'Rourke, Icon Consulting

SECRETARY

Sabrina Goicoechea, National Grid

Piers Cumberlege, Straightview International

Selina McCole, Goldman Sachs

PRESIDENT

Sue Bhatia, Rose International

Elizabeth A. Vazquez, WEConnect International

Tara Clinton, ExxonMobil

Sherry-Lee Singh, Walmart

William Kapfer, JPMorgan Chase

BRAND AMBASSADORS Adam Rubinfield, World Bank Group

Marie Caron, ETS

Angela Thomas-Anderson, CAA

Padmini Ranganathan, TELUS

Clay Atkins, Intel

Rakhi Agarwal, Sanofi

Genne McDowell, Dow

Raul Suarez-Rodriguez, Merck

Heidi Koester Oliveira, Mars Pet Nutrition

Sherri Rossoff, RockCreek

Janice Howroyd, Act One Group

Shira Rotem, The Israel Fintech Center

Jason Cirpiano, Tivor

Tamra Pawloski, Corteva

Jennifer Stula, PWC Foundation

Thais Torritani, P&G

Jennifer Turner, IBM

Tyler Butler, Collaboration for Good

Loreto Carranza, Bayer

Wendy Perry, Workforce BluePrint

Margery Kraus, APCO Worldwide

Zandile Njamela, Accenture

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 56

GLOBAL TEAM

*

GLOBAL: Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO, President, & Co-Founder Saritha Venumbaka, COO Brittany Gonzalez, Associate Director, Membership Growth and Development Gary Linden, Director of Global Markets Shorena Megrelishvili, Head of Projects Jithmi Mitchell, Certification Manager Camila Ribeiro, Corporate Relations & Member Engagement Manager AFRICA: Frida Owinga, Regional Director ASIA PACIFIC: Mrinalini Venkatachalam, Regional Director Cheryl Gray, Market Lead, Oceania Yeon Sung, Market Lead, Japan Richard Wong, Market Lead, Greater China EUROPE & MENA: Jerome Flint, Regional Director Sonia Buse, Communications & Events Lead Andrea Dih Kahn, Market Lead, France Jaxx Nelson, Market Lead, UK & Ireland Valeria Rodriguez Felgueras, Growth and Engagement Lead LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN: Ixchel Alcantara, Regional Director Luciana Barella, Market Lead, South Cone Region Marylin Gomez, Market Lead, Andean Region NORTH AMERICA: Stephanie Fontaine, Regional Director Lorna McTavish, Certification Lead SOUTH ASIA: Eroshan Alagaretnam, Regional Director Poonam Mehdiratta, Market Lead, India Nazma Akter Popy, Special Projects Lead, Bangladesh Maksudur Rahman, Market Lead, Bangladesh Uditha Tennekoon, Market Lead, Sri Lanka

* Includes employees, independent contractors/consultants, and other representatives.

Titles are functional role descriptions and do not necessarily indicate employment status.

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 57

GLOBAL: Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO, President, & Co-Founder Saritha Venumbaka, COO Gary Linden, Director of Global Markets Brittany Gonzalez, Associate Director, Membership Growth and Development Shorena Megrelishvili, Head of Projects Jithmi Mitchell, Certification Manager Camila Ribeiro, Corporate Relations & Member Engagement Manager AFRICA: Frida Owinga, Regional Director ASIA PACIFIC: Mrinalini Venkatachalam, Regional Director Cheryl Gray, Market Lead, Oceania Yeon Sung, Market Lead, Japan Richard Wong, Market Lead, Greater China EUROPE & MENA: Jerome Flint, Regional Director Sonia Buse, Communications & Events Lead Andrea Dih Kahn, Market Lead, France Jaxx Nelson, Market Lead, UK & Ireland Valeria Rodriguez Felgueras, Growth and Engagement Manager LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN: Ixchel Alcantara, Regional Director Luciana Barella, Market Lead, South Cone Region Marylin Gomez, Market Lead, Andean Region NORTH AMERICA: Stephanie Fontaine, Regional Director Lorna McTavish, Certification Lead SOUTH ASIA: Eroshan Alagaretnam, Regional Director Poonam Mehdiratta, Market Lead, India Nazma Akter Popy, Special Projects, Bangladesh Maksudur Rahman, Market Lead, Bangladesh Uditha Tennekoon, Market Lead, Sri Lanka

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 57

JOIN US

The future of global supply chains depends on who has access to them.

WEConnect International exists to expand that access—creating pathways for women-owned businesses to compete, grow, and thrive in markets worldwide.

FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

We provide what matters most: visibility, credibility, and direct connection to opportunity through certification, training, and access to global buyers.

FOR CORPORATE BUYERS

Joining means investing in economic systems that work: where women entrepreneurs create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and drive resilient growth across regions.

FOR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

We deliver a qualified pipeline of womenowned suppliers across markets and industries, and a trusted platform to advance impact sourcing with measurable results.

This is how access scales. This is how economies grow stronger.

This is how we build supply chains that reflect real world needs.

JOIN US.

WECONNECT INTERNATIONAL 2025 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 58

the power of access

www.weconnectinternational.org