CWE and VBOC Present:
The Summit
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at The Summit – an in-person event designed to inspire, connect, and elevate your entrepreneurial journey!
Join CWE and the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC) for a day filled with dynamic workshops, impactful networking opportunities, and the chance to engage with fellow entrepreneurs!
Thursday, October 30, 2025
8:00 AM -5:00 PM
Bridgewater State University
Rondileau Student Union
19 Park Avenue
Bridgewater, MA 02325
Elevate Your Business
Discover innovative strategies to take your business to new heights! Our sessions will cover everything from navigating certification processes to gaining visibility among key decision-makers in the corporate and government supply chains.
Celebrate the Entrepreneurial Spirit
This isn’t just an event; it’s a vibrant celebration of creativity, growth, and community! Connect with passionate entrepreneurs from varied backgrounds who share your drive for success. Together, we’ll foster an environment that inspires collaboration and celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit!
Why Attend?
- Share Experiences: Forge connections with fellow entrepreneurs and share your unique stories.
- Exchange Ideas: Dive into engaging discussions that encourage fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.
- Forge Communities: Build lasting relationships with like-minded individuals.
- Explore Opportunities: Discover certification and contracting opportunities to expand your business with government and corporate partners.
You'll leave the summit equipped with practical tools, actionable insights, and game-changing strategies to elevate your business. Our lineup of engaging workshops and interactive sessions will expand your network, empower you to lead confidently, and help you achieve your goals.
Conference Highlights
- Sessions & Workshops: Participate in interactive sessions led by industry experts, designed to equip you with practical tools and actionable insights.
- Matchmaking Event: Connect with decision-makers in both the private and public sector (must be a certified women-owned or veteran business to attend)
- Networking Opportunities: Build valuable connections that can enhance your business.
Check Out this Year's:
Tickets & Registration
| Tickets | |
|---|---|
| $50 | Early Bird (Ends Friday, August 29) |
| $75 per person | General Admission |
Don’t let this incredible opportunity pass you by! Join us at The Summit to transform your business and immerse yourself in a dynamic community of entrepreneurs eager to support one another. Online sales will close on Thursday, October 23. All registration/ticket sales are final after this date, and no refunds will be issued.
Sponsorship, Advertisement Opportunities and Donations
Are you looking to boost your company's visibility while supporting women and veterans? Consider becoming a sponsor or making a donation to a worthy cause. Your company logo or name will be featured in the conference promotional materials sent to over 40,000 subscribers, including our clients, corporate members, supporters, business leaders, and more. Click here for sponsorship opportunities. For more information about our sponsorship packages and donation options, please email Debbie Aurelio at dauerlio@cweonline.org.
The Summit
Our Sponsors
Special thanks to our sponsors.
Silver
Bronze
The Summit
Planning Committee
Melissa Achaw-Owusu
Hearing Officer Transportation Operations
Massport
Queen Allotey-Pappoe
Founder
Queen Adeline
Sheila Azor
Senior Specialist Supplier Diversity
Eversource
Nadiuska Ballard
Director of Purchasing
Encore Boston Harbor
Ray Blount
Compliance Manager
Massport
Trevor Boylston
Economic Inclusion Manager
Boston Scientific
Crystal Burnett
Manager of Supplier Diversity
National Grid
Laurel Cadman
Director of Procurement
MFS
April Cimorelli
Supplier Diversity Manager
MassMutual
Komal Dangi
President & CEO
Synkriom
Shonte Davidson
CEO
BT2 Energy
Grace DeLeon
Responsible Sourcing Program Specialist
Liberty Mutual
Colleen DeVoti
Assistant Vice President, Finance, Global Procurement and Accounts Payable
State Street
Victoria Downes
Vice President, Relationship Manager
Eastern Bank
Joyce Eriksen Eggers
Global Lead, Supplier Diversity
Takeda
Jerry Epps
Director of Supplier and Community Engagement
Babson University
Daylana Erwin-Parker
Director of Budget and Supplier Inclusion
Blue Cross Blue Shield MA
Tracy Fagan Duffy
Senior Vice President, Project Management Office
Natixis
Adriana Flax
Head of Supplier Diversity and Vice President
Citizens Bank
Erika Gibson
AVP and Director, Responsible Sourcing
Liberty Mutual
David Gifford-Robinson
Diversity and Inclusion, Supplier Diversity
Vistra
Jill Governor
Procurement Diversity Specialist
MFS
Vicki Gray
Owner & Founder
New Chapter Home Improvement
Theresa Harrison
Global Environmental Social Governance Services Leader
EY
Kip Hollister
Founder & CEO
Hollister Group
Ruth Johnson
Vendor Diversity & Program Manager
TJX
David Jones
US Army
Owner
214 Consultants
Andrea Laing
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
MassHousing
Louise Leduc Kennedy
Founding Attorney, IP & Strategic Transactions Counsel
West Hill Technology Counsel
Christine Lynch
Supply Chain Manager
Penn National Gaming
Lisa Klein
Managing Partner
TMSS Advisors
Brian Lafauci
US Air Force
Owner
WON Strategy
Amy Malecki
Director of IT Staffing and Workforce Strategy
Synkriom
Akshata Nayak
Founder
Little Patakha
Ernie Olivera
US Army
Owner
DEO Associates
Jennifer Pacheco
Assistant Vice President for Finance, Procurement Services and Contracting
Bridgewater State University
Wendy Pease
Owner & President
Rapport International
Saken Pillay
Supplier Diversity Manager
Boston Scientific
Margarita Polanco
Regional Supplier Diversity Manager
DPR
Ingalee Puentes
Strategic Initiatives
RTX
Nelson Roman
Procurement, Supplier Diversity, Supply Chain Management
National Grid
Laura Qureshi
Founder & CEO
Zaazey
Ann Ramakumaran
CEO
iTech/Ampcus
Lisa Roben
Procurement Manager
Comcast
Rhonda Sargent
President and one of three Founders
Lamont, Hanley & Associates
Chris Stanley
VP, Global Head of Supplier Diversity
State Street
Natalia Urtubey
Foundation Fellow
Eastern Bank
Adriana Vaccaro
CEO & Founder
Culture Redesigned
Karen Wallace
Executive Vice President of Economic Inclusion
AIM
Eileen Wheeler Sheehan
President
ABLE Team
Kasin Whittaker
Program Associate – Outreach and Operations
Massport