Woman Owned

WBENC 2026: A week of Impact, Community and Action 

The 2026 WBENC National Conference in Salt Lake City made one thing clear: this community doesn’t just connect–it moves. 

From the first session to the final celebration, women-owned businesses, corporate partners, and industry leaders showed up ready to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. Conversations turned into next steps. Introductions turned into action plans. 

As one attendee put it, the value of WBENC goes “far beyond business opportunities… it’s about the relationships we build, the ideas we exchange, and the community we continue to strengthen together.” 

There wasn’t just energy. There was action. 

A Community Built to Drive Impact 

WBENC continues to set the standard for what a meaningful business community looks like—connection, execution, and impact.

At West Hill, we were proud to be part of a community that prioritizes supporting and doing—not just discussing. 

WBENC’s 2026 theme—IMPACT—showed up everywhere. From programming to Expo conversations to the way attendees showed up for each other with intention. Not as a tagline, but as a standard. 

Leaders reinforced that this network isn’t just about access—it’s about outcomes. As WBENC Co-Chair Janice Bryant Howroyd put it: 

“WBENC is more than a certification; it’s a powerful network that amplifies the voices of women-owned businesses and drives meaningful progress… Together, we unlock opportunities, build partnerships, and inspire growth.” 

That ethos was visible across every room, every session, and every conversation. 

Monday, June 15: Start with Purpose, Build for Impact 

The week opened with a clear directive: act boldly, lead intentionally and build something that lasts. 

The General Session set the tone early–this isn’t about showing up to listen. It’s about showing up and taking action. As a Host Committee member, West Hill joined the Center for Women & Enterprise to bring this that mindset to life—grounded in long-term investment in women entrepreneurs and the ecosystems that support them.  

A few takeaways that stuck: 

• The future of work is already shifting–if we want to stay relevant, we need to prepare for roles that don’t exist yet. Stay curious. 

• We need to continuously update our operating system. The best leaders aren’t “know-it-alls”–they’re “learn-it’alls” 

• Progress requires clarity, but leadership requires comfort with nuance. 

We also got our hands dirty–collaborating on the Acadia-themed Northeast Region poster and “impact journey” bandanas for the National Parks evening event. A reminder that this community builds together, not just alongside each other. 

Bottom line: Impact is intentional. And it starts on day one. 

Tuesday, June 16: Access that Actually Moves the Needle 

Tuesday delivered what WBENC consistently does better than most: real access. 

Corporate Meet & Greets and Industry Labs weren’t just well-attended–they were productive. The difference is simple: this is access to decision-makers who can actually move your business forward. 

This isn’t networking for the sake of it. It’s business development in real time. 

The biggest takeaway: 
When access is paired with preparation and follow-through, it converts. 

This is where strategies get tested, refined and–if you do it right–advanced. 

Wednesday, June 17: Engagement that Creates Opportunity 

Once the Expo floor opened, the energy shifted into full gear. 

The West Hill booth became what we intended it to be: a point of entry. A way to start a conversation, create a connection, and open the door to more substantive conversations about building and protecting innovative businesses.  

And that distinction matters: 

Engagement isn’t the goal. Results are. 

From quick interactions to deeper conversations around growth, tech, and risk, the throughline was consistent–help businesses move faster, smarter, and with more confidence. 

Across the conference, that same pattern held: 

Relationships aren’t built in a single moment. But moments start them. 

Speaker Spotlight:  Leadership in Action 

Keynote Coach Dawn Staley’s message landed: leadership is discipline, accountability and belief–executed consistently at every level of success. Not theory. Practice.  

Other session themes reinforced that same idea: 

• Growth requires action–not just strategy 

• Procurement is evolving into a strategic driver 

• The businesses that move fastest are the ones willing to step into bigger opportunities, earlier  

Translation: execution wins. Keep taking the next step. 

Speaker Spotlight: Ayana Parsons

Rich and Rundown Is Expected. Wealthy and Free Is Not. – Ayana Parsons

What if the biggest thing standing between your business and your wealth is the story you’ve been telling yourself?

In one of our favorite sessions, Ayana Parsons challenged women business owners to rethink the relationship between entrepreneurship, success, and financial freedom. A venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Fearless Fund, Parsons brought a candid perspective shaped by her own experience building and selling a successful business.

In her session, she explored a provocative idea: many founders know how to build thriving companies, but far fewer know how to build lasting wealth. Parsons encouraged attendees to move beyond being “rich and rundown” and instead envision a future where they are truly “wealthy and free.”

It was an honest conversation about ownership, valuation, succession, and the difference between running a business and a business running you.

“I confused building my business over building wealth. They are not the same. Because growth is important—but freedom is the ultimate goal.”

Thursday, June 18: From Connection to Conversion 

By Thursday, you could feel the shift. 

Conversations went deeper. Follow-ups started happening in real time. “Nice to meet you: turned into “Let’s do this.” 

This is where WBENC stands apart–people come back, reconnect and move things forward quickly. Relationships strengthened. Opportunities became more tangible. 

And the conversations reflected what our clients are living every day: 

• Speed and agility aren’t optional–they’re expected 

• Compliance and risk management aren’t side considerations–you can’t afford to get them wrong 

• AI, data and operational efficiency are no longer future state–they are now 

The takeaway:  

The businesses that win will be the ones that balance growth with discipline–and move without creating unnecessary risk. 

Closing Moments: Momentum That Doesn’t Stop Here 

As the conference wrapped, the focus stayed grounded in what matters most: collective impact. 

Not a theoretical impact. Economic impact. Real businesses driving growth, innovation, and leadership across industries. 

The energy in Salt Lake City wasn’t just celebratory—it was directional. Momentum that continues well beyond the conference. 

The West Hill Takeaway: Impact isn’t passive. It’s Built. 

WBENC 2026 reinforced something we already believe: 

Impact doesn’t happen by showing up. 
It happens when you do something with the room you are in. 

That means: 

• Engaging with intention 

• Following through quickly 

• Turning conversations into action 

That is how we approach our work. And that is why the WBENC community fits.  

We don’t just show up. 
We help businesses move forward. 

Because impact isn’t what you talk about. 
It’s what you build.