REGISTRATION IS OPEN TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
We have reached out to engaged Women Veterans across the State of Texas to share their brilliant ideas and innovations in celebration of Women Veterans Day 2021!
We invite you to join the celebration and cheer on these amazing women as they pitch their ideas and innovative businesses that can and are driving our Texas economy.
http://bit.ly/2NDANNUALSTATEOFTXWOMENVETERANS-THEPITCHWVD2021CELEBRATION
Without these two amazing Representatives and their team of committed colleagues there would be no Women Veterans Day. Every year they join us to acknowledge the contributions of women veterans and their continued support. Join us to learn how these two leaders are impacting women across the state of Texas.
Join us for a day filled with a series of Fireside Chats with business experts from across our nation.
Keynote Fireside Chat & Special Guest Judge:
Precious L. Williams
Have you ever met the full-figured diva who has taken the business world by storm and won BIG? Well now you have! Precious L. Williams, also affectionately known as the #KillerPitchMaster, can help you #slayallcompetition with her “killer” elevator pitches, media pitches, and investor pitches. Precious is a world class master communicator who works with successful entrepreneurs and speakers and helps them take their professional pitching and speaking skills to the next level. With over 26 years of experience in creating unique speaking and public speaking techniques, Williams is also known for her innovative training programs and services to her clients and sales teams at Fortune 500 companies. These companies include Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, NBC Universal, etc.
As a 13-time national business elevator pitch champion, Williams has been on top television shows and publications for her pitching, branding, and professional speaking skills. She was featured on Season 8 of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Forbes Magazine, CNN, ABC, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, the movie, “LEAP,” as well as several others around the world. In 2019 and 2020, Precious became a 2X best-selling author of the #1 business book series, “Bad Bitches with Power Pitches: For Women Entrepreneurs and Speakers Only” and has been featured on Time Square billboards, top podcasts and stages around the world.
The philosophy of her “killer” pitch is evident in the strategic and personalized creative communications and presentations solutions Williams puts forth. As serial entrepreneur, international professional speaker, and corporate trainer, Williams is equipped to bring life, authenticity, strategy, and boldness to all your oral and written communication needs.
Williams is a graduate of Spelman College and Rutgers School of Law. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. To learn more about Perfect Pitches by Precious, LLC, please visit: https://www.perfectpitchesbyprecious.com
MEET OUR DISTINGUISH JUDGES:
Michelle "G-I" Gardner-Ince
Director of Women Veteran-Owned Small Business Initiative (WVOSBI) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Department of Veteran Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) plays a significant role in ensuring that programs, services, and support resources reach the Veteran small business community. As the Director of Program Development and Women Veteran-Owned Small Business Initiative, Ms. Gardner-Ince leads the Department's efforts to develop programs that connect and enable underrepresented target groups with VA, the federal and commercial marketplaces to increase educational, employment and economic opportunities. She is the architect of the Department of VA's inaugural Women Veteran-Owned Small Business (WVOSB) Initiative. The program brings together like-minded female veteran and non-veteran entrepreneurs to position and enable their success and to remove obstacles that often stand in the way. The effort is known in the veteran and small business community as" VetBizLady or VetBizLadies."
Ms. Gardner-Ince has successfully led several Directorates within OSDBU. As the Director of National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE), Ms. Gardner-Ince led the NVSBE is the Department's premier event for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) to connect with Procurement Decision Makers and contracting experts from the federal and commercial marketplaces. She simultaneously served as Operations Director, where she led the management and delivery of services and products to OSDBU directorates, enabling 242 federal and contract staff to help veteran businesses. She oversaw the human capital, financial, security, administrative, logistical, information technology, and support functions that are critical to its mission. Focusing always on "people, process, and technology," her vision brings significant value to the federal government's largest Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).
Before being the Director of Operations, she was the Director of the Center for Verification and Evaluation, formerly known as The Center for Veteran Enterprise (CVE), within the OSDBU at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) from December 2011 to November 2015. As Principal of the only Federal Government program that audits and verifies ownership and control of Veteran-owned businesses for the Department of Veteran Affairs and other federal agency contract set-asides, CVE enabled $3.8B in contract set-asides making the Department of Veterans Affairs the leading supporter of Veteran small businesses. Under her leadership, CVE was certified as one of three ISO- 9000-1 registered organizations in the entire Department of VA. Further, she successfully led the historic transformation of the new CVE to achieve historical precedence: 100% of applications processed within the Veterans First law timelines for the "first time" in the history of the Veterans' First Program. The CVE program is known within the supplier diversity and veteran small business communities as VetBiz.gov and is recognized as the "Gold Standard" for Veteran Small Business certifications.
Ms. Gardner-Ince is a highly decorated Air Force Veteran and a retired Colonel, having served 27 years supporting Veterans, military troops, and their families. Before the creation of her own small business, G-I Strategic Solutions LLC., an advisory and consulting firm, she held numerous executive-level positions. Her experience spans customer-centric business operations, training, consulting, strategic collaboration, and directing award-winning complex global operations. One of her most significant leadership roles was as the Commander (Senior Vice President) of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Pacific Region where she led a $1.8 billion-dollar retail, food, and services business, with full profit-loss responsibility, that employed 7000+ associates who provided goods and services to over 350,000 military, U.S. government civilian and State Department patrons and their families. While in command, her leadership led to the top highest grossing military exchanges in the world two years in a row. AAFES is the U.S. military's largest retail operation.
Ms. Gardner-Ince's mission is to be "About the business of America's Veterans – serving those who continue to serve America." Ms. Gardner-Ince has a unique perspective in that she has never been without a military ID Card. She is not only a veteran, a military spouse, but she grew up in an Army family and is originally from Albany, Georgia. She was commissioned by her father and Vietnam Veteran, Colonel Arthur Gardner. She holds a bachelor's degree from Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, and a master's degree from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama. She is a Dale Carnegie and John Maxwell leadership coach/trainer. She resides in the Metro Washington DC area and is married with two children.
Dr. Alicia Makaye - President & CEO, GXA
Dr. Alicia Makaye. is the President and CEO of GXA, a Dallas-Fort Worth area IT Solutions provider that helps other businesses take command and control of their IT. The “A” in GXA, Dr. Alicia Makaye co-founded the company with her spouse George Makaye in 2004. She thrives in her diverse roles – award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, U.S. Air Force veteran, wife, and mother of two.
Most recently Dr. Makaye was recognized as the 2020 Women's Veterans Enterprise Center Business Pitch Winner for State of Texas; SEI Dallas Women in Technology Luminary Award Nominee 2020; Dallas Business Journal Minority Business Leader Award 2019; Alumna of the Year at UT-Dallas – Public and Nonprofit Management Program 2019; Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Minority Women Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2019.
Dr. Makaye frequently speaks and participates in activities that foster youth development. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Dallas College Foundation as well as on the UT Dallas Diversity Advisory Council and MPA Advisory Board. She also is an Advisory Board Member for the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Makaye has led the GXA community outreach initiatives including Adopting a Veteran Family, providing financial literacy workshops for the youth and backpack drives. GXA collected and donated over 100 computers to Imani Bridges to empower men and women in Nigeria. In 2018, GXA collected and donated over 300 computers to the community locally and internationally.
Join us on the Zoom platform to cast your Audience Choice Award vote for one of our amazing contestants.
MEET OUR AMAZING FEMALE VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS
ASHLEY
Ashley Marie Knights was born and raised in Texas. She is a Veteran of the U.S. Army which she proudly served for 10+ years. Ashley holds great allegiance to the military and all her brothers and sisters that have served alongside her in the past, present and future. To be a great leader was her greatest honor and she aims to continue that service as much as possible. She is the founder of a movement called I Stand For Positivity; which was created in hopes of influencing her community to look for the positives in life. Ashley can best be described as a “patient busy bee.” She is beautiful, strong, ambitious, driven, outgoing, big hearted, approachable and athletic. Ashley is a mother of three and influential parental figure for dozens. Ashley loves the Lord, time with family, friends and providing care for children. “Lead from the front.” Is a motto that she strives to live by every day of her life.
Ashley Marie Knight lives a life in the positive lane. She is the founder of a movement called I Stand For Positivity; which was created in hopes of influencing her community to look for the positives in life. Ashley can best be described as a “patient busy bee.” She is a wife and mother of 3 beautiful girls and a parental influence for dozens. She writes to inspire all to live freely knowing that we all have a light inside and we are destined to let that light shine!
Cheramie
Former United States Marine, Black woman vintner and co-founder of Salt and Pepper Wine, Cheramie Law is a woman on a mission to share the beauty of Texas wine with the world. Raised in Sherman, Texas, and with a successful career as a Data Management Specialist in the railway industry, Cheramie has been advocating for Texas wine since 2014. What began as a first date to Fredericksburg with now-fiancé Todd Aho for wine tasting in 2013, has forged into a partnership in wine and life. This partnership is celebrated with the launch of the Cheramie Wine brand.
Cheramie’s vision is simple: “My hope is to inspire those who don’t see themselves represented in the wine industry and to show them there’s a seat at the table for them. So pull up a chair and raise your glass, because wine doesn’t have to be so serious. We’re here to have some fun! “
Jennifer
Jennifer Ballou is the Founder and CEO of A Joyful Life With Jennifer, LLC helping women Veterans navigate life changes while living a whole and joyful life. She does this as a Speaker, Women’s Wellness Coach and Yoga Teacher, both virtually and in-person, through a variety of offerings.
Throughout her 21-year Army career, Jennifer held numerous leadership positions which culminated in her role as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the United States Army Resilience Directorate, Army G1, Pentagon. In this capacity, she oversaw the entire Army Resilience Program worldwide, including a staff of over 200 personnel and a budget of $60M.
Jennifer’s awards include the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award and the Legion of Merit and her certifications include Certified Professional Life Coach and Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultant, among many others.
She is honored to continue serving and helping others after retiring from the Army through her work. Jennifer considers herself a lifelong learner and advocate for the wellness of all people, but specifically Women Veterans and military families.
Jennifer is the wife of CSM Omari Ballou and has three children, Alexis, Eddie and Sophia.
Tracy
Tracy Harris, an Army and National Guard veteran, is the founder of HOPEvolution, an organization that helps servicemen and women transition from the battlefield to federal career. HOPEvolution was founded in July of 2017. Approaching retirement from the Department of Justice after 24 years of service, Ms. Harris had a strong desire to use the second phase of her career to assist veterans who had a desire to extend their service to their country through federal civilian employment. After 16 years of being an active participant in the federal hiring process as a Human Resource Specialist, Tracy came to understand what a great candidate for federal employment looks like and what the barriers are for those who apply, but are not selected. As a result, Tracy’s passion for human resource management and determination to help veterans understand the benefit of continued service through federal employment resulted in the start of HOPEvolution. Tracy studied at Oklahoma State University, Barton County College, and Bryan Institute. Certified through SBA - Boots to Business-Reboot, she’s an alumni of Syracuse University - Institute for Veterans and Military Families Human Resources (SPHR) Onward to Opportunity Career Course, completed certification of OPM - Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and OPM-Delegated Examining. HOPEvolution’s growth goal is to become the premier expert in assisting service members, veteran, reservists, national guardsmen and their families with increasing their odds of gaining federal employment.
Yenny
As the founder and CEO of Paradigm Doulas LLC, Yenny’s mission is to improve birth outcomes and access to high quality maternal healthcare for BIPOC families. Yenny has dedicated more than 10 years of her career serving her community through various roles, from hospital corpsman to medical assistant and certified birth and postpartum doula. Her passion to help those in underserved communities, stems from the obstacles that she has overcome as an immigrant, Navy Veteran, wife, and mother of 2.
Her life journey has driven her to become a passionate maternal and child health advocate, pushing to dismantle institutional racism. Through teaching and doula work, Yenny will continue to be a voice for families in her community and throughout the country.
Don’t miss our International Women Fireside Chat
DR. EVA CSAKY
Eva Szalkai Csaky is the Executive Director of the Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity at SMU and the co-founder of the Inclusive Economy Consortium. She has 25 years of global experience fostering climate-smart inclusive economic solutions through innovation and social entrepreneurial approaches.
Her work leverages transformational technologies for high impact solutions, from energy efficiency, renewable energy and water purification to climate smart agriculture and sustainable and inclusive value chains. Financial and policy innovations are integral to all her efforts to ensure sustainability and systemic impact. Prior to the Hunt Institute, Dr. Csaky worked for 18 years at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, where she developed innovative programs and financial mechanisms to empower small businesses, farmers and social enterprises.
Dr. Csaky has served as an advisor to the G20, OECD and various UN agencies. She has also served on the Dallas Mayor’s Poverty Task Force and on the advisory council of the Dallas 100 Resilient Cities Initiative. Dr. Csaky has an MS in Finance from George Washington University and a PhD in Public Policy from Duke University.
DR. YASMIN SAADAT
Ms. Saadat is a senior fellow at the Hunt Institute of Engineering & Humanity, part of the SMU, in Dallas, Texas, and is a board member on SEAF (Small Enterprise Assistance Fund- a private equity fund supporting SMEs in emerging and disadvantaged markets). In her 30+ years of professional experience at the World Bank and the IFC, Ms. Saadat worked in many regions and economic sectors. Her last position was head/manager of a new product that she initiated in IFC - Structured Trade Finance- a financial product very suitable for high-risk country environments, earning recognition from the industry. During her years at the World Bank Group, Ms. Saadat accumulated extensive experience working with financial institutions in emerging markets, leading teams to assess banks and corporates, advise on investments, and conduct economic and policy analyses. Ms. Saadat holds a PhD and MALD in International and Development Economics from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Social Sciences, in Grenoble, France. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1996.
Enjoy our Partner Posse Panel discussions providing you an exciting and engaging Pitch Play by Play.
We know that Women Veterans have some amazing business concepts and outstanding businesses serving our communities and driving our national economy.
During this Pitch Competition, the Women Veteran winners will claim bragging rights for their branch of service, because every military branch believes they have the best of the best.
Moreover; and in Texas, every City has its share of claims as the best place for entrepreneur women and veterans.
JUDGES CHOICE AWARD $3000
Audience Choice Award $750
Now is the time to join the celebration as we continue our commitment to educating, validating, and commemorating women who have and are serving in our military every
Women Veterans Day!
We also invite you to get connected and join VETS4VETS NATION https://vets4vetsnation.com/groups/veteran-women-s-enterprise-center