Introducing WEConnect International: How to Tap into the Global Supply Chain

Internationally recognized expert Elizabeth Vazquez leads WEConnect International, a corporate-driven global non-profit that identifies, educates, registers and certifies women’s business enterprises based outside of the U.S. – such as Marla Kott and Gill Thorpe's companies -  to help them gain access to the global supply chain. Access to WEConnect International’s global network is also available to women business owners in the U.S.

Join this webinar to find out:

• More about WEConnect International and the strategic alliance signed by OWIT with WEConnect last year.
• The business case for corporate supplier development and inclusion.
• The benefits of certification for women business owners and how they are leveraging their access to this global network.
• The value of partnering with OWIT to support the advancement of women business leaders worldwide.

This webinar will be of particular interest to women entrepreneurs around the world and to corporations interested in expanding their supply chains to include the innovative products and services provided by women’s business enterprises.

Presenters:

Elizabeth A. Vazquez

• President, CEO and Co-Founder
• WEConnect International
• Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth A. Vazquez is the President, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International (www.weconnectinternational.org), a corporate led non-profit that helps to empower women business owners to succeed in global markets. She is responsible for the vision, mission delivery, organizational growth for impact, and partner development in every region of the world. The WEConnect International network includes local representatives in 16 countries, and the corporate network represents over US$700 billion in annual purchasing power.

Ms. Vazquez is a serial social entrepreneur and world leader in global supplier diversity and inclusion. She is the co-author of the book, “Buying for Impact: How to Buy from Women and Change Our World.” She also sits on several Boards of Directors, including the Global Banking Alliance for Women and the Cornerstone Capital Group, and is an Advisor to the Clinton Global Initiative. She has a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University where she studied development economics and international negotiation as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. 

*******************

Marla Kott 

• CEO
• Imprint Plus
• Vancouver, B.C.

From an initial investment in a childhood friend’s business, Marla Kott has built Imprint Plus into a thriving international exporter of name badge systems  in her 13 years as CEO. Her goal for the company is to become a category leader in this niche market. Imprint Plus manufactures an assortment of name badges and systems that range from customized name badge systems for large multi-national companies to kits for  small to mid-size businesses.

With over 35,000 customers in 75 countries, Imprint Plus’ operations head office o is in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company also has offices in Florida, Ontario and the UK. Profit Magazine has listed Imprint Plus as one of Canada’s top 100 women-owned businesses for seven consecutive years. A multiple award winner, Ms. Kott is the recipient of the  2013 WEConnect Canada WBE Ambassador Award and the 2012 Bank of Montreal Global Growth Award and was a finalist in the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

*******************

Gill Thorpe 

• Managing Director
• The Sourcing Team Ltd.
• United Kingdom

Gill Thorpe is Managing Director of The Sourcing Team Ltd.,a global sourcing and procurement company in the U.K., specialising in promotional products. Established in 1996, The Sourcing Team is committed to ethical working practices, sustainability, product compliance,  diversity and inclusion.   Gill has more years' experience in the business than she really likes to say (23 at last count) and heads up a dedicated and driven team. Her industry knowledge, coupled with an agency background, gives her a unique insight to all sides of the business. Qualified in procurement to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply; in 2011 she became a Fellow and is  now on the Fellows Committee.  In addition, she dedicated 19 years to supporting her industry on the board of the British Promotional Merchandise Association – subsequently, becoming Chair and President of the association.  For her contribution to industry, she was made a lifetime Fellow and awarded the sword of honour in 2010.

*******************

Facilitator:  Susan Baka, Co-VP Partnerships, OWIT International, and President, Bay Communications & Marketing Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

Cost:

Members:  Free

Non-Members $40

Register Now!