WEConnect International

Who is planning to attend one of the upcoming WEConnect International regional conferences? 🙋♀️ 🙋♀️ 🙋♀️ Let's zoom in on what's happening next month in South Asia... 🗓 On August 7-9, join us in Bangalore, India, for the first part of our Asia Pacific Conference, a groundbreaking event designed to champion inclusive procurement in Asia. Follow WEConnect International South Asia and our Regional Director in South Asia Eroshan Alagaretnam for details and updates! Register here: https://lnkd.in/dmxBg649 🗓 On August 26-27, we are heading to Australia for the second part of the Asia Pacific Conference, hosted at Amazon's office in Brisbane. This transformative event will feature networking, learning, several exciting announcements, and a special session on procurement opportunities for women ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Follow WEConnect International - Australia and our regional director for Southeast Asia & Oceana Mrinalini Venkatachalam for the latest. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/dSBsPqBV Find more information about all of our upcoming events: https://lnkd.in/eppXTRUc We can't wait to see you there! #WEConnected #InclusiveProcurement #InclusiveSourcing #SupplierDiversity #WomeninBusiness #WBE

Technology plays a huge role in helping us connect global women-owned businesses with potential buyers. WEConnect International CEO and co-founder Elizabeth Vazquez sat down with Timo Elliott at SAP about how our SAP-powered WECommunity platform bridges the gap and allows buyers and suppliers to find each other efficiently and effectively. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eXpGhajJ SAP News #WECommunity

Monica Mockus, Founder and CEO of mock5 design, inc., has built a small creative agency with BIG impact. Her "little agency that could" adapts a human-centered approach to help companies in highly-regulated industries like healthcare and pharmaceuticals bring their stories to life. As a U.S.-based business, becoming certified with WEConnect International has helped Monica expand her network globally, especially in Latin America. “Through WEConnect, we have formed strategic alliances with other small businesses across Latin America, which share our commitment to diversity and similar business objectives," she says. "This platform not only fosters connections, but also enhances our awareness of the initiatives led by women-owned companies globally.” Read more of Monica's story here: https://lnkd.in/dqgSG-BA 🤔 Are you a WBENC-certified WBE in the U.S. thinking about taking your business global? Learn how to join our network: https://lnkd.in/eameFY9N 🌱 We're on a mission to support more women-owned businesses around the world, but we need your support. Help us grow and expand our impact by donating to our Growth Fund Campaign: https://lnkd.in/eeq375U7

The WEConnect International Board of Directors includes procurement and supply chain executives, philanthropists, women owners of large global companies, and ESG and sustainability experts, all dedicated to advancing our mission and connecting women business owners with opportunity around the globe. 🌎 Please join us in thanking these volunteer leaders (including several new members!) for lending their time, expertise, and voice to advocate for a more gender-inclusive supply chain. 👏👏👏 ↗ Elizabeth Vazquez, President, CEO & Co-Founder of WEConnect International ↗ Denise Naguib, Chair, VP of Sustainability & Supplier Diversity at Marriott International ↗ Andrew Cannon-Brookes, Treasurer & Interim Secretary, Global Head of Supply Chain Management, Standard Chartered ↗ Dr. Nairouz Bader, CEO of Envision Partnership ↗ Sue Bhatia, Founder & Chairwoman of Rose International ↗ Tara Clinton, Global Procurement Manger, Wells & Geoscience at ExxonMobil ↗ Piers Cumberlege, Chair of Boards, Development Expert ↗ CaSondra Devine, Head of Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, Global Procurement at Amazon ↗ Sabrina Goicoechea, SVP - Procurement & Sourcing Operations & Analytics at Moody's Corporation ↗ Kathy Golding, Leader of Tech, Talent, Alliances, Brand, Marketing, and Communications Supply Chain Services at EY ↗ James Jones, Former Director, Global Community Programs & Strategy at ExxonMobil ↗ Dr. William Kapfer (He/Him/His), Global Head, Supplier Diversity - Community Engagement at JPMorganChase ↗ Kristine Mangan, VP of Procurement Citizenship at Johnson & Johnson ↗ Selina McCole, Global Head of Sustainable Operations and Supplier Diversity at Goldman Sachs ↗ Pamela O'Rourke, Founder and CEO of ICON Consultants, LP ↗ Sherry-Lee Singh, Senior Director, Supplier Inclusion, Sourcing at Walmart ↗ Erin Stewart, General Counsel and Chief of Staff at Pinnacle Group, Inc. Get to know the board here: https://lnkd.in/eX4TrBs6

From the assembly line to distribution to sales, Sulakshana Pai has worked in nearly every aspect of the IT market. Now she's at the helm of Finch IT Solutions Pvt Ltd, a dynamic and thriving IT company she founded in 2014 based in India. As a certified women-owned business, Sulakshana is further setting her business apart, expanding her network, and discovering new business opportunities. “We aim to engage with more customers who prioritize women’s diversity in their business relationships,” she says. “We look forward to continuing our association with WEConnect International and collaborating with many more customers who share our commitment to diversity and inclusion.” Read Sulakshana's story here: https://buff.ly/3LimpG1 #WomeninIT #WomenOwned #WomeninBusiness #WomeninTech #WBE

During India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the country led a pivot from “women’s development” to “women-led development,” reaffirming the importance of gender equality and underscoring that an investment in women is key to yielding significant social and economic impact worldwide. Read about the work we are doing in India to support this shift, working hand-in-hand with global and regional partners to support women business owners and amplify buyers committed to gender inclusive sourcing. #WomenLedDevelopment

Since 2019, our Financing Your Growing Business Boot Camp program in partnership with Moody's Corporation has generated millions of dollars of new revenue for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the world. In fact, last year alone, program participants could attribute $1.5M in new funds directly attributable to their boot camp participation. 📈 Why? Targeted support specifically designed for growth-oriented women business owners, expert mentors who help women entrepreneurs take advantage of new opportunities to grow or expand, and dynamic and engaging virtual and in-person programming. Spots remain for women business owners in Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, and several countries in Latin America! Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/e22dBtNg And don't miss our NEW bootcamp series focused on environmental sustainability for women business owners in Nigeria, Malaysia, and Costa Rica: https://lnkd.in/emqsrPBy #FinancingYourGrowingBusinessBootCamp

Meet Jennie Coleman, president of Equifruit, a company on a bold mission to take on Big Banana. 🍌 The problem? The hidden cost of cheap bananas. "Bananas are so cheap because small growers and plantation workers are essentially subsidizing our favorite fruit through low wages and poor working conditions and living the effects of toxic environmental practices," she says. "On the retail side, there is an expectation that bananas will always be priced low, supply chain consequences be damned. Equifruit is changing both ends of this supply chain.” And Equifruit is gaining ground. The company is one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies and now the leading Fairtrade-certified banana importer in North America. Jennie pursued women-owned business certification through WEConnect International to help set Equifruit apart in a male-dominated produce industry, but also to find inspiration and support in our global network of women entrepreneurs. “We feel tremendous pride being among this community," she says. "And empowered by the accomplishments of others." Read more about Jennie's journey to entrepreneurship, the partnerships that helped her business grow, and her advice for other women business owners: https://lnkd.in/eiVsqsUt #WomenOwned #BuyWomenOwned #FairTrade #WBE

What's in a name? For WEConnect International, our name represents the core of what we do. We connect women business owners from around the world with opportunity, with a network of buyers eager to do business with women suppliers, with targeted education and resources to facilitate growth, and with a community of changemakers passionate about women's economic prosperity. ✨ That's the type of connection you can expect at WEConnect International conferences and events. And this year, there are still MANY opportunities to join us, including major regional conferences in India, Australia, France, South Africa, and Mexico. Find information about all of our upcoming regional events here: https://lnkd.in/eppXTRUc Ready to register? Check the comments for direct links. 👇 #WEConnected #WomenOwned #WomenOwnedBusiness

Meet Rakhee Mehra and Astha Dodrajka, co-founders of trophykart, a pioneer of retail and e-commerce based in Bangalore, India. Trophykart had humble beginnings (think garage start-up, small team, big ideas) but has grown into a major global provider of corporate awards, trophies, gifts, and more, with clients like Wells Fargo, Procter & Gamble, Accenture, ExxonMobil, and Sagility. The founders credit WEConnect International with helping them connect with major corporations and boost their bottom line. “𝑊𝐸𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠; 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛-𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠, 𝑓𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠, 𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠.” ✨ Learn more about Trophykart's journey: https://lnkd.in/e9Vsm4bz 📈 Ready to scale up your business and make connections with major buyers? Join us: https://lnkd.in/geSaPUB