Women's Business Council
The Women’s Business Council was formed in 2010 with the goal of helping to accelerate the advancement of women in business – whether they are employees or entrepreneurs, mid-level administrators or senior management. The WBC hosts educational programs and events to assist women with the ultimate goal of their success. Men and women are invited to attend all events.
"The Fauquier Chamber Women’s Council is an asset to women in business, local organizations and the community. The monthly meetings offer a wonderful opportunity for women to come together, discuss pertinent topics with experts, and formulate a network that empowers Fauquier’s entrepreneurs".
L to R: Virginia Ward, Gloria Williams, Jen Robinson, Sarah Irving (Co-Chair), Deanna Hammer, Priscilla Hottle, Kendal Blaser, Tami O'Brien (Co-Chair). Not pictured, Freshta Ahmadi
Annual & Individual Sponsorship Opportunities
None of this would be possible if it were not for our generous sponsors! Sponsorships are available for $425 for the entire season! All Seasonal Sponsorships come with:
- Company logo printed on retractable banner & on display at each event (annual only)
- Company logo and link listed on WBC Web Page
- Company logo and link listed on each of the four event pages
- Recognition at each event
Unable to commit to the full season but still want to support? Sponsorships for each individual events are available for $150 and come with all of the above except for inclusion on the banner.
Contact mailbox@fauquierchamber.org to set up your company's sponsorship or purchase when registering for the events (links below)
2024 Women's Business Council Recap
November 19 - The Power of Science
Dr. Ellen Stofan is the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution. She oversees the science museums and science research centers as well as the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives and Smithsonian Scholarly Press. Her focus is on the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative and collective research, especially in areas of biodiversity, climate change, global heath, sustainable communities, and environmental justice.
Stofan previously was the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. She came to the Museum with more than 25 years of experience in space administration and planetary science.
As the former Chief Scientist of NASA, Stofan served as the principal advisor to the Administrator on science programs and strategic planning. She helped guide the development of a long-range plan to send humans to Mars, and on strategies for NASA to support commercial activity in low Earth orbit.
She held senior scientist positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, including work on missions to Venus, Earth, Mars, and Saturn. She is currently on the science team of the NASA Dragonfly mission to Titan.
Stofan holds master’s and doctorate degrees in geological sciences from Brown University, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary. Awards received include the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award. She serves on National Geographic Society’s Board of Trustees and the Presidential Committee on the National Medal of Science.
March 2024 - The Power of Connection
The Women's Business Council is excited to welcome Ashley Hutson!
Ashley Hutson is a Northern VA native who grew up in the heavy construction industry following her father who is a General Superintendent. She began her career at Branch Civil where her appreciation and interest in heavy construction grew tremendously. As Director of Member Engagement at the Heavy Construction Contractors Association, Ashley is responsible for coordinating and executing educational and networking events, marketing, legislative affairs monitoring, and assisting internal committees. In her tenure with HCCA, she has been heavily involved in Workforce Development initiatives through the VDOT High School Career Fair and the heavy equipment operator program offered at Virginia’s Community Colleges. Spreading awareness about rewarding construction careers has become one of Ashley’s most dedicated life missions.
Ashley believes communication and compassion are vital to forming strong relationships. With this in mind, Ashley graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Spanish and Communications. She serves as Chair for the Community Advisory Committee to the Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board and is Co-Chair of the Building Code Appeals Committee in the City of Manassas, where she resides.
March 2024 - The Power of Connection
The Women's Business Council is excited to have Sheri Winesett kick off the 2024 season with a presentation on Leveraging your Circle of Influence!
For more than 20 years, Sheri Winesett has been an advocate for businesses large and small through her work as an international lobbyist and now as CEO of her business growth consulting firm. She is dedicated to developing business and organizational leaders who elevate individual and corporate performance through the power of influence. Leading executives and their teams to their highest potential is Sheri’s personal and professional mission. Through powerful coaching and effective training and facilitation, she empowers her clients to achieve personal growth, ongoing professional development, business and organizational success.
To learn more about Sheri, visit www.sheriwinesett.com.
Sheri has a new book! "Transparent Leadership for Women Who Mean Business". Click here for more information.
June 18th - The Power of You
The Women's Business Council is excited to welcome Daphne Latimore!
Daphne B. Latimore, Human Capital Strategist, is devoted to elevating HR as a profession. With 30+ years of experience in HR, her expertise is invaluable. Leaving her corporate role, an employee's question inspired her mission: "Who's going to take care of the People?" As founder of D.B. Latimore Professional Services Group, she specializes in talent management, coaching, and workforce seminars. Her exclusive Productivity Powered by P.E.O.P.L.E.® framework, optimizes workforce productivity. Daphne's insights shape effective talent management strategies and empower professionals to harness their workforce potential. As a speaker and consultant, she inspires leaders to prioritize PEOPLE as their greatest asset.
2023 Women's Business Council Recap
Lisa Myer - The Power of Paying it Forward
Ms. Mayr’s experience has primarily focused on assisting growth companies with financial transformation and helping companies gain access to capital markets. She has led many strategic efforts to increase productivity, optimize operations and reduce costs, such as offshoring development, growing sales and integrating acquisitions. With regard to capital markets, Ms. Mayr has led efforts to raise both debt and equity financing for public companies and late-stage ventures, in private and public markets. She specializes in optimization of capital structure and global working capital management.
Joy Ditto - The Power of Driving Change
Joy has over 25 years representing electric utilities in Washington, D.C. as a senior executive and then as the CEO of the Utilities Technology Council and later the American Public Powers Association. Joy has developed and implemented innovative strategic plans and works hand-in-hand with organizations to enable the necessary transformations to achieve their desired marketplace or policy results. She also helps clients to shape their strategic engagement with the federal government, from Congress to the agencies to the inside-the-beltway media.
Jackie Krick - The Power of Escalating Your Business
When Jackie Krick founded ecucomm, Virginia based marketing agency in 2004, her goal was to make an impact on the marketing world and her community. She did both. Fast forward to today, and we’re a full-service digital marketing communications agency that has developed award-winning campaigns for dozens of local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as leading non-profits, and private sector brands.
Bethany Pitsky - The Power of Changing the Narrative
Bethanie Pitsky, Founder of LadyVet served six years in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 2005. She used her GI Bill to earn a BS in Exercise Science and started a yoga business focused on helping everyday people reduce stress and find peace. She later founded Lady Vet to raise the visibility of women Veterans and broaden the public’s perspective of what a Veteran looks like.Launched in 2020, Lady Vet is a trademarked brand that encourages women of all eras, branches, and backgrounds to speak up and be proud of their Veteran identity. Bethanie writes nearly all of the material on the Lady Vet Blog and loves helping bring a voice to the individual experiences of women who served.
2022 Women's Business Council Recap
Talene Staab - The Power of Your Path
Maria Tedesco - The Power of Money
As Vice President & Brand Leader, HOME2 Suites by Hilton, Talene Lanuza Staab serves as the chief strategist for one of the fastest growing brands in the industry. In her role, she is responsible for driving global growth, guest loyalty, overall performance and brand culture.
Maria Tedesco, President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlantic Union Bank, leads the commercial banking, business banking, consumer banking, wealth management and mortgage teams, as well as enterprise-wide functions of technology, operations, marketing, digital strategy, product management, business line risk and customer experience.
Tamera Wolfe - The Power of Vision
You have a deep sense that there is something more in store for you, yet you are not sure what that is. You have attended workshops, enrolled in success programs, done all the “right” things yet there seems to be an invisible ceiling on your results.
Whether you are ready to reach your next level of success, impact, or financial freedom OR move from stuck in the old story getting the same results to feeling more alive and creating new powerful results, this presentation is for you.
Steven R. Robinson - The Power of Cybersecurity
