The Interview World sat down with WEConnect International COO Saritha Venumbaka, PMP, CPA, SHRM-SCP to discuss how we are unlocking opportunities for women-owned businesses in India and our ambitions to transform the region into a beacon of innovation. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/ecd9wsRS
WEConnect International
Non-profit Organization Management
Washington, DC 39,379 followers
Connecting women's enterprises with global opportunities.
About us
WEConnect International helps drive money into the hands of women business owners by enabling them to compete in the global marketplace. Our vision is a world in which women have the same opportunities as men to design and implement business solutions that create wealth and the sustainable prosperity of their communities. WEConnect International connects member buyers to women-owned sellers based outside of the US, enhances their capabilities to transact business and instills confidence that sellers meet buyers’ standards for women-owned businesses.
- Website
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http://www.weconnectinternational.org
External link for WEConnect International
- Industry
- Non-profit Organization Management
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2009
- Specialties
- Supplier Diversity, Women's Business Empowerment, Procurement and Sourcing Assistance, and Women's Business Enterprise Certification
Locations
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Primary
1100 H St NW
Ste 1100
Washington, DC 20005, US
Employees at WEConnect International
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Yvonne N. Rosina
Corporate IMPACT lawyer | M&A | ESG specialist | Business advisor | Mentor and coach
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Kathy Jourdain
We give people the power to transform - themselves, relationships, workplace cultures, outcomes - and the knowledge to make it happen.
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Katie Day
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Elizabeth Vazquez
CEO & Co-Founder, WEConnect International
Updates
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WEConnect International reposted this
WEConnect International CEO and Co-Founder Elizabeth Vazquez in the Hindustan Times: "Expanding supplier diversity and inclusion is one crucial element to achieve greater equality for women. To achieve this, we need education programmes to raise awareness about the importance of gender inclusive sourcing as a win-win for women-owned businesses, corporate and government buyers, and the economy as a whole." Read her full op-ed about how we're bridging the gender gap in India through inclusive sourcing: https://lnkd.in/ebGRjxdJ
Bridging the gender gap: Women’s underrepresentation in global supply chains
hindustantimes.com
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In Sri Lanka, only about 20% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are women-owned. Women's participation in the labor force also remains stubbornly low at approximately 35%. Through our partnership with the U.S. Department of State, we are developing longterm opportunities for women in Sri Lanka, providing in-depth training programs, facilitating access to large buyers, and leading the conversation on gender-inclusive sourcing. Read more about our work in the region: https://lnkd.in/gjhDdhxq
WEConnect International's Supplier Development #Masterclass for #women-owned businesses was a resounding success in Colombo! Supported and funded by the U.S. Department of State this program provided invaluable learning and knowledge on essential business skills, fostering women empowerment and growth. ✨✨ Grateful to Ambassador Julie Chung for her inspiring keynote address encouraging all the participants. #WomenEmpowerment #SupplierDevelopment #BusinessSkills #WomenOwnedBusinesses #Impact WEConnect International Eroshan Alagaretnam Saritha Venumbaka, PMP, CPA, SHRM-SCP Elizabeth Vazquez Gary Linden, Ph.D. Uditha Tennekoon Michael Tobolski Andrew Shinn
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While all eyes are on Paris now, get ready because we are bringing a different kind of champion to the City of Lights this September – champions of supplier diversity & inclusion! 🏆✨ At the WEConnect International Europe Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Conference at Disneyland Paris, our powerful network of women business owners, corporations, governments, and partner advocacy organizations will convene the largest SD&I event in Europe and further the movement for more gender-inclusive sourcing around the world. Join us! ✔ Follow WEConnect International Europe and our Regional Director for Europe & MENA Jerome F. for the latest updates. ✔ Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/e77TUp7X We're thrilled to bring this event to life with our host Disneyland Paris and our amazing partners in advocacy Disability:IN, ESDP, MSDUK, EGLCC - The European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce, OutBritain, Verband deutscher Unternehmerinnen e.V. (VdU), Social Enterprise UK, Telos, and the Dutch New Narrative Lab. #SupplierDiversity #Inclusion #WomenOwnedBusinesses #Paris2024 #WEConnectInternational #WEConnected #DEI #BusinessOpportunities
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We asked a few of our member buyers for their advice for women business owners. Here's what they said: ✔ Solve a business problem ✔ Know your differentiators ✔ Get certified by WEConnect International Being part of the WEConnect International community puts you in the room where business happens. Learn how to join us: https://lnkd.in/dntKHxA Featuring advice from Lalitha Ravisankaran of Goldman Sachs, Endre Stogard of Accenture, Thais Torritani of Procter & Gamble, Clay Atkins of Intel Corporation, and Sanjeev Ganesh of Diageo. #WEConnectInternational #WomenOwnedBusinesses #GenderInclusiveSourcing #Advice #WomenOwned #SupplierDiversity
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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
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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
Women-owned businesses foster equality and economic development. But, it can be challenging for women entrepreneurs and their businesses to be visible in the global marketplace. WEConnect International, with the help of SAP Business Technology Platform, aims to break down that barrier. Learn how: https://sap.to/6040itehi Elizabeth Vazquez | Tamara McCleary | Timo Elliott
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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
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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
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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
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