The Women’s Business Development Center celebrated its 30th anniversary Nov. 15 during WBDCelebrate at the Wintrust Bank Grand Banking Hall. Highlights from the evening included a performance by Black Ensemble Theater and award presentations to the following recipients:
Von Technologies President Michelle Vondrasek — Innovative Business Award
Creative Resources President Caren Schweitzer — WBE Award
Charboy’s President Pamela Jones — Ventrepreneur Award
KMY Consulting President Kara Yokley — Deborah Sawyer Rising Star Award
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle — Government Supporter Award
JPMorgan Chase — Foundation Impact Award
U.S. Bank — Corporate Champion Award
Deluxe Foundation — Future Forward Award
In their 30 years, Chicago-based WBDC has helped more than 78,000 people start and grow businesses.
Charles Corrigan, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase, accepted the Foundation Impact Award on behalf of the company. Also pictured are Georgia Marsh, WBDC Chief Development Officer, Women’s Business Development Center, and Emilia DiMenco, President and CEO, Women’s Business Development Center.Hedy Ratner, Carol Dougal, co-founders and co-presidents emeritae, Women’s Business Development CenterHedy Ratner, co-founder and co-president emerita, Women’s Business Development Center; Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Recipient of Government Support Award; and Jackie Taylor, Founder and Executive Director, Black Ensemble Theater.Four business owners received 30th Anniversary awards. From left: Pamela Jones, President and CEO, International House of Sauces & Seasonings (Charboy’s), Recipient of Vetrepreneur Award; Caren Schweitzer, Founder and CEO, Creative Resources, Recipient of WBE Award; Kara Yokley, Founder and President, KMY Consulting, Recipient of Deborah Sawyer Rising Star Award; and Michelle Vondrasek, President of Von Technologies.WBDC Platinum Partners for the evening: Jenny Anderson, Director of Foundations & Community Affairs, Deluxe, Recipient of Future Forward Award; Edward J. Wehmer, President and CEO, Wintrust Financial Corporation; Emilia DiMenco, President and CEO, Women’s Business Development CenterLeslie Sawyer, sister of the late Deborah Sawyer, who presented the Deborah Sawyer Rising Star Award to Kara Yokley, Founder and President, KMY Consulting
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