“If it was easy for women owned businesses to get contracts, we wouldn’t be here, but we all know it takes effort, connections, education and sometimes just a little luck… WPEO-DC your partner for approval, awareness and access…”
About Us
The Women Presidents’ Organization or WPEO was founded by Marsha Firestone, Ph.D. in 1998. The WPEO is a regional Partner of WBENC the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses and provider of certification services in the private and public sector (WOSB). WPEO programs help women business owners develop the skills, knowledge and relationships to succeed.
Mission
To create increased access to business opportunities for Women Business Enterprises. WPEO-issues WBENC’s nationally recognized certification to qualifying women-owned businesses in Washington, D.C. Maryland, Virginia, New York, Northern New Jersey, Southern Connecticut. Nearly 100 corporations support WPEO in the New York and D.C territories. Approximately 15% of all WBENC certified Women Business Enterprises are certified by the WPEO and that percentage continues to grow.
Our WBEs
WPEO DC has certified over 400 Women Owned Businesses
- MD = 50%
- VA = 36%
- DC = 14%
Total revenue for the region as reported by WBEs in 2009 is more than $2 billion
- MD = $1.2 billion
- VA = $7.6 million
- DC = $4.7 million
Employing more than 22, 000 workers
- MD = 14,873
- VA = 4,435
- DC = 2,963
The Team
Marsha Firestone, Ph.D, President and Founder – Extensive resume which includes VP of AWED; Pres. Of Educational Institution; National ED of ORT. She establishes and maintains WPEO mission and vision; has overall financial insight; management of sponsorship and program development and serves on WBENC board, finance committee and leadership council.
Sandra Eberhard, Executive Director – Hails from Corporate America where she managed corporate capital expenditures in the management and operation of the facilities and shared services in the northeast for a major corporation. As President of the New York Women’s Agenda, she had the opportunity to help aff ect public policy change in regards to women’s economic empowerment.
Melissa Wahl, VP Development – Melissa was directed development and outreach for ORT and NAFE, AMIT and publisher of Executive Female Magazine Kirsten Wynn, Director of Communications – Kirsten started working for WPEO in 2008 after graduating with a post graduate degree in Public Relations from the University of Western Ontario. Kirsten completed her bachelor’s degree, majoring in psychology and sociology with a certificate in writing.
Keri Smyth, Online Communications Manager – Keri graduated in May 2008 from The University of Maryland, College Park. Keri was a Communications intern for the WPEO and WPO the summer before graduation and is excited to join us again as a Online Communications Manager for both organizations.
Liza Avruch, Program Manager – A seasoned Program Manager with 5 years experience, Liza has a degree from George Mason University and is currently pursuing her
Master’s in Non-Profit Management.
30 Local Corporate Sponsors – AARP, Accenture, Altria Group, Avis Budget Group, Bank of America, BridgeStreet Worldwide, Capital One, Choice Hotels International, CSC, Con Edison, Dominion, Ernst & Young, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Freddie Mac, Giant Food LLC, Macy’s Inc./ Bloomingdale’s, Major League Baseball, Marriott International, McCormick & Co., Microsoft Corporation, NEA Member Benefi ts, Pepco Holdings, Inc., PepsiCo, Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, Sodexo, UPS, Verizon, Washington Gas, WSSC.
WPEO Provides The Three A’s
Approval
WPEO-DC continues to uphold WBENC standards in all aspects of the certifi cation process. Because of our dedicated volunteers, the process is both fast and efficient for WBEs. In addition, the recommendations of our committee are thorough and accurate reflecting their experience and commitment to WPEO-DC ensuring that those granted the certification are legitimately owned and run by women.
Certification Requirements
- At Least 51% ownership by a woman or women who are US citizens or Legal residents
- Proof of effective management and control of the business
- Documented evidence of contribution of capital and or expertise
- Demonstrated Independence of other non WBENC certified entities
Awareness
WPEO-DC continues to build awareness of WBENC certification and its benefits by hosting educational programs, attending regional programs geared to women business owners, and building alliances with corporate, government and community organizations.
Upcoming Programs for September – December.
http://www.wpeo.us/programs/featured_program.html
Access
WPEO-DC continues to open doors for women business owners. This year WPEO-DC celebrated over 1000 Done Deals, contracts between certified WBEs and Corporations and between WBEs and WBEs.
Winners of the 2011 Awards:
- WBE partnership award for the most Done Deals with WBEs The Sutter Group
- WBE Leadership Award for the most Done Deals overall in 2010 – MAPADNET
Corporate Leadership Awards:
- Most Done Deals Overall – Capital One
- Highest Spend reported – Bank of America
Signature Programs And Events
- Breakthrough Breakfast: Includes a networking reception, Matchmaker appointments, Done Deals awards and mini trade fair.
- Annual Awards Breakfast: Celebrates the access the WPEO has created for WBEs to private-sector contracts; Outstanding Corporation, President’s Award and a Women’s Business Advocate are recognized.
- Celebrating our Partners: Recognizes WPEO sponsors
- Corporate Roundtables: Gives our corporate sponsors the opportunity to discuss best practices and provide feedback about how WPEO can best support their supplier diversity efforts.
- Certification Workshops: Provides information about certification application and process as well as the tools WBEs can use to leverage the certification.
- How to do business with corporations: Corporate sponsors host WBEs at a program designed to provide information on the specific opportunity areas within a
particular corporation and how to do access them. - Annual Access Reception: Networking at the annual access reception provides an additional opportunity to build relationships with corporate sponsors and WBEs.
- Done Deals Challenge: Developed to recognize, celebrate and publicize business being conducted between WBEs and WPEO’s corporate sponsors and to inspire more of
these contracts.
