MEMBER
A Message from Our CEO: Celebrating 15 Years of Impact
As we close out 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared together. This year marks a significant milestone for WEConnect International our 15th anniversary. While we celebrate how far we’ve come, we remain focused on the road ahead, knowing there is still so much work to be done to create a more inclusive global marketplace.
Over the past 15 years, we have connected thousands of women-owned businesses to opportunities with our member buyers, who collectively represent more than $4 trillion in annual purchasing power. Together, we are breaking barriers and demonstrating the value of supplier diversity and inclusion, even as DEI initiatives face challenges in the U.S. and around the world. Your steadfast commitment has buoyed our mission, and your support reinforces our belief that the power of access can continue to catalyze transformative change.
Asia Pacific
We doubled down on our vision for the future with the launch of the Catalyst Challenge, aimed at tripling member spend with women-owned businesses by 2030. This bold initiative is not just about creating opportunities it’s about reshaping supply chains, driving innovation, and delivering measurable economic impact.
We know that real change requires collective action, and it’s inspiring to see our community of member buyers stepping up with renewed dedication. You are proving that inclusivity isn’t just a value—it’s a competitive advantage.
Thank you for your partnership, your passion, and your trust in this mission. Let’s build on the momentum of the past 15 years and create a future where economic inclusion is no longer a goal but a reality.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous new year.
Elizabeth A. Vazquez CEO and Co-Founder
WEConnect International announces new Opportunities to pay it forward
You asked us how you can lead by example, and one way is to literally pay it forward using our new donation form! Philanthropy is new for us and we want your feedback on how to make it easier to: DONATE to WEConnect International.
Our objectives for this year’s appeal go beyond fundraising and will include social media, emails, and direct asks to help us become better storytellers through our newsletter and donor databases. We will also have special social media posts in December, and we hope you will like and share these posts with your network.
Some of our Member Buyers incorporate donations to WEConnect International into their internal and external corporate giving culture. For example, Marriott Bonvoy members can donate points to WEConnect International with a 5:1 match at Marriott Bonvoy Charity. Thank you for that, Marriott International. We also participated in Giving Tuesday, which is a global generosity movement to unleash the power of small businesses.
We will email our community of leaders end-of-year appeals and we hope you will share.
Donating supports our mission and vision to help ensure women have the same opportunities as men, a world where more than 1% of global procurement spend goes toward women-owned businesses, and a world where women can create wealth and sustainable prosperity in their communities.
Your support matters now more than ever!
a special letter from michael tobolski
Dear Members of WEConnect International,
cation process that meets your needs
As I reflect on my time with WEConnect International, it is with gratitude and a touch of nostalgia that I am getting ready to say goodbye with my retirement at the end of this year. My time at WEConnect International has been a truly rewarding and fulfilling journey.
Working with so many talented and passionate individuals - each of you - has been an incredible privilege. Our shared mission to empower women-owned businesses around the world has been at the heart of my efforts. Together, we have created lasting impacts that will continue to grow, and I am grateful for what we have achieved in laying a foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.
Throughout the years, I’ve seen firsthand the power of connection and the ripple effect of our collective work. You, the members of WEConnect International, are the heartbeat of this organization. Your commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and promoting inclusive supply chains is inspiring, and I am confident that you will continue to drive positive change for years to come.
As I embark on this new chapter, I want to thank each of you for your support, your partnership, and most of all, your belief in the vision we all share. While I may be stepping away from my formal role, my support for WEConnect International and its mission remains unwavering.
I also want to thank the entire WEConnect International Team, as all have contributed to WEConnect International’s success. I know you will continue to be in great hands with Brittany Gonzalez, Camila Ribeiro, Mike Pagliaro, Allie Syrell, and Paige Adams who leads the Membership Team! I look forward to seeing the continued success and impact of this incredible community. Please stay connected, and let’s continue to champion the cause that brought us all together.
With heartfelt gratitude and warm regards, Michael Tobolski
Looking Ahead to 2025: Join Us to Leverage the Power of Access
For 15 years, WEConnect International has been at the forefront of connecting women-owned businesses with buyers worldwide. Now, as we look to the future, we are launching a bold new campaign to underscore the Power of Access in fostering inclusive supply chains and elevating women-owned businesses on a global scale.
What is the Power of Access?
For women-owned businesses, it means unlocking connections to global supply chains, gaining visibility, and accessing the resources needed to scale. For member buyers, it means tapping into a growing network of innovative, diverse suppliers and leveraging tools to enhance inclusive sourcing programs. For funders, it’s an opportunity to invest in measurable economic and social impact.
2024 Global training Program
2024 Program Highlights:
Trained 365 women-owned businesses across 13 countries, including Panama, Peru and Uruguay
Launched a new ESG Training
87% of participants said they are more confident about their understanding of financial management for business growth from the training
65% increased their knowledge on their ability to acquire new financing
More than 90% of participants would recommend this training to others
Looking ahead to 2025:
Recruit and train new women-owned businesses in key markets in Asia, LAC and Africa
Expand ESG content to advance learning concepts
Deliver the training in both digital and in-person
Develop and launch new eLearning modules such as financial management, digital transformation, and sustainability practices.
Europe regional conference recap
�� 656 attendees
�� 2,765 matchmaking meetings
�� 34 countries represented
✔ 256 certified vendors
�� 247 corporate buyers
�� 39 incredible partners
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
EUROPE & MENA
Jerome Flint, Regional Director jflint@weconnectinternational.org
2024 accomplishments
2024 has been an extraordinary year for our European initiatives, marked by impressive growth and numerous accomplishments. We’ve expanded our community significantly, welcomed new countries into our certification programme, and grew our team to support our mission better, with Sonia, Jaxx, Andrea, Montse and Olga.
While the achievements below are just highlights, our impact this year has gone far beyond these events.
Business Matchmaking Events Across Europe
Munich, Germany - Hosted by Accenture, making 300 business connections and facilitating impactful networking.
Toledo, Spain - A large gathering of 150 participants, including 12 corporate partners, in collaboration with the regional authorities in Castilla La Mancha.
Bayer Mentorship Programme in Germany
Our collaboration with Bayer delivered a high-impact mentorship experience. Sixteen mentees were paired with 32 dedicated mentors, culminating in a memorable closing ceremony in September in Leverkusen.
Digital events:
Meet & Greet with Nestlé: Engaged 100 WBEs, providing invaluable insights and networking opportunities.
Around the region
"How to Pitch" Webinar: Reached 103 attendees, equipping them with vital business presentation skills.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
ASIA PACIFIC
Minnie Venkatachalam, Regional Director mvenkatachalam@weconnectinternational.org
highlights throughout the year
Procter and Gamble Women Entrepreneurs Academy
We were thrilled to host the Procter and Gamble Women Entrepreneurs Academy for the sixth year in Singapore and the second in Malaysia, empowering 22 women-owned businesses with vital training over eight transformative weeks.
Moody’s Bootcamp
We also hosted the Moody's Foundation Financing Your Growing Business Bootcamp in Vietnam for the second consecutive year. Participants delved into crucial topics like creditworthiness, goal setting, financing options, enterprise valuation, and effective pitching strategies.
APAC Conference
On August 26th and 27th, held at Amazon's Brisbane headquarters, the conference featured impactful presentations and panel discussions that explored both the challenges and opportunities for enhancing women's contributions to supplier diversity. A key moment was the signing of MOUs with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), as well as prominent Australian supplier diversity organizations.
Around the region
MoU with the American Chamber of Commerce Singapore
We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmChamSG) to champion supplier diversity and inclusion by advancing the development and inclusion of women-owned businesses in supply chains in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Through this collaboration, women-owned businesses will be able to tap into AmChamSG’s extensive network to build connections and leverage business opportunities.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
Ixchel Alcantara, Regional Director ialcantara@weconnectinternational org
a recap from the latam regional conference
Over 150 attendees
More than 1,000 connections between member buyers and WBEs Keynote presenters were Miguel Moya (Diageo), Alejandro Ramirez (P&G) and Nazareth Black (Zacua). Zacua is a Mexican company that produces cars that are 100% manufactured by women.
Thank you to our sponsors for your support and dedication!
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
NORTH AMERICA
Stephanie Fontaine, Regional Director sfontaine@weconnectinternational.org
2024 accomplishments
The North America region has had a phenomenal growth year in 2024. We have reached 300 women-owned businesses in Canada, in part due to the immense value of the 3-year certification and our exclusive partnership with WBENC. Over 80 WBENC certified businesses have joined WEConnect International.
We now certify US-based businesses owned by non-residents. This service fills a unique market gap and with our teams overseeing certification in 60+ markets around the world.
egion
In June 2024, WEConnect International joined forces with CAMSC, CGLCC, and IWSCC to co-host DEFY, Canada’s largest supplier diversity conference in Montreal. DEFY received much praise from member buyers and diverse suppliers and was seen as one of the most inclusive events they’d attended this year and as such we were able to make a significant impact in furthering our collective mission to advance supplier diversity in Canada.
In October, Stephanie Fontaine, travelled to St-John's Newfoundland and Labrador to take part in a women business owners breakfast. The event, hosted by our partner NLOWE, featured a panel discussion on the benefits of the WEConnect International certification and its role in growing businesses globally. Stephanie moderated a discussion with Krystal Van Westerop of TD Bank and Lisa Paul of ExxonMobil.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
SOUTH ASIA
Eroshan Alagaretnam, Regional Director ealagaretnam@weconnectinternational.org
key takeaways from this year
We held an amazing event, Empowering Supply Chains: Advancing Gender Inclusion for Sustainable Growth Summit, which was a powerful celebration of empowerment, innovation, and collaboration, bringing together trailblazing women entrepreneurs and forward-thinking corporations to advance gender-inclusive supply chains.
WEConnect International launched the "Policy Dialog on Integrating Women-Owned Businesses into Bangladesh's Green and Sustainable Trade Sector" on October 23, 2024, under the U.S. Department of State-funded program. This event initiated critical conversations on fostering inclusive policies and driving sustainable economic growth through women-owned businesses.
More than 3,500 women-owned businesses (WOBs) and corporations across South Asia participated in various training programs, including the Supplier Development Masterclass and advanced training sessions for over 850 WOBs.
Building Bridges for Inclusive Growth in the Maldives
We met with with State Ministers and key officials under the Ministry of Economic Development in the Maldives to discuss advancing Supplier Diversity efforts.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Africa our achievements in 2024
Frida Owinga, Regional Director nga@weconnectinternational.org
Over 200 women-owned businesses from across Africa attended the WEConnect International Africa Regional Conference, hel in Johannesburg from October 8-10, 2024 at Melrose Place. The theme was "Empowering Growth and Sustainability," providing women entrepreneurs with critical insights for navigating global supply chains and gaining direct access to major corporate buyers. esburg, South Africa
See all the photos here
View the highlights video here
Congrations to our new WBE council in Kenya!
This Council is a group of certified women entrepreneurs who volunteer their time and expertise to strengthen the women-owned business community in Kenya.
When women support each other, incredible things happen. – Unknown
Discover women-Owned businesses with Scale!
Design and creative
Contact Information: Jayne Walsh
jayne.walsh@designlogic.com.au www.designlogic.com.au
Working on a global scale, Designlogic deliver human-centric creative to business audiences. We’ve been around for nearly two decades, working with Fortune 500 businesses across 35+ countries to solve their communication challenges and make them more profitable, better employers, and better corporate citizens. Our value proposition has driven the success of the business over the past 21 years, allowing us to work with Fortune 500 clients globally in 35 countries, with over 60% of our business coming from North America.
Service Area: Global
Software
Contact Information:
Anu Sriram
anu.sriram@integra.co.in www.integranxt.com
Founded in 1994, Integra Software Services has grown from a modest startup into a global industry leader, employing over 2,300 professionals and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The company specializes in providing comprehensive, endto-end solutions for publishers in scholarly, K12, and higher education sectors, leveraging AI-driven technology and optimized workflows to meet the challenges of the digital content landscape.
professional consulting
Service Area: North America, Europe, Asia, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Austria
Contact information
Kalyn Romaine kalyn@godreamforward.com https://4wardcollective.com/ check out kalyn’s
Forward Collective Group (formerly Dream Forward Consulting) is a global management advisory and consulting firm specializing in organizational development, HR, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) consulting, learning design & facilitation, culture transformation, and executive coaching. Dream Forward is M/WBE-certified, -founded, andowned since 2016 and is based in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area.
Service Area: Global
Discover women-Owned businesses with Scale!
Legal
Contact Information:
Yvonne Rosina ynrosina@rockwaterlegal.com https://rockwaterlegal.com/
Rockwater Legal is a Dutch corporate law firm with an international focus. Our team of dedicated lawyers and legal specialists provide high level advice in the field of corporate law, transactions, corporate litigation and other companyrelated legal areas. We call ourselves, IMPACT LAWYERS, because we strongly believe that we must always strive to make a positive impact on the three P’s (People, planet and profit).
Service Area: Europe, United States , India, Singapore, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, Aruba, Curaçao
audio visual
Contact Information:
Ninoy Kichari NKichari@proscene.co.ke www.proscene.co.ke
Proscene is one of East Africa’s most experienced and innovative providers of Audio Visual products, integrated Audio Visual systems, Video Collaboration and unified communications technology. We provide specialist Audio Visual support, advice and System Installation and maintenance services to a vast range of corporate clients, education, public sector, government departments and Religious Organisation.
Service Area: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia
decarbonization/ESG
Contact Information: Alicia Silva alicia@revitalizaconsultores.com www.revitalizaconsultores.com
Revitaliza Consultores is a firm specializing in LEED® certification, green buildings, training and corporate sustainability. We have a portfolio of over 85 LEED certified projects. We also manage portfolios of investment on Sustainability and ESG initiatives in Mexico and Latam. We also work with WELL, SITES, EDGE and Living building certifications.
Service Area: Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United States
Want To Get More Involved? Learn About OUr Industry Groups
WEConnect International and our 200+ member buyers work together every day to bring opportunities to women-owned businesses. One key initiative is the establishment of industry groups that focus on the unique dynamics of specific sectors. These groups work to understand supply chain nuances and develop innovative strategies to create more opportunities for women suppliers. Some benefits of these groups are customized business searches, meet the member events based on your category, and peer to peer benchmarking.
Food, Beverage & Agriculture Industry Group
Contact: Brittany Gonzalez bgonzalez@weconnectinternational.org
Healthcare Industry Group
Contact: Camila Ribeiro cribeiro@weconnectinternational.org
Chemical, Oil & Gas Industry Group
Contact: Mike Pagliaro mpagliaro@weconnectinternational.org
Automotive & Manufacturing Industry Group
Contact: Camila Ribeiro cribeiro@weconnectinternational.org
Looking to start an industry group or join? Please email us here!
