SheLeads.OH 2025 – Cash, Connections, Contracts

OWCC

SheLeads.OH 2025

Cash • Connections • Contracts

SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference

📅 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 📍 Quest Conference Center — Columbus, Ohio

This event has concluded. Thank you to all who attended!

About SheLeads.OH & OWCC

The SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference, hosted by the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce (OWCC), empowered women entrepreneurs with access to capital, connections, and contracting opportunities. Through engaging panels, 1:1 finance and procurement meetings, and networking, women gained tools to start, scale, and sustain their businesses.

Conference Highlights

Power Panel: Access to Capital & Funding Insights

OhioMBE Procurement Fair – One-on-one meetings with buyers & primes

FundHer Finance Fair – 15-minute introductions with banks & lenders

Leadership Luncheon & Power Panel – Strategies from women leaders

Mini-Sessions: Marketing Your Certification

SheCommerce Marketplace – Showcasing women-owned businesses

Speakers & Leaders

Joy Bivens

Deputy Administrator, Franklin County • Moderator – Power Lunch Panel

Damika Withers

Deputy Administrator, Franklin County • Welcome Speaker

Lisa Gutierrez

CEO, Dos Hermanos – Leading MWBE food company

Haleema Shafeek

President, GOFS Commercial Interiors – Contracting & innovation

Cathy Holloway

Owner, HH&M Masonry – Precision, reliability & mentoring women in trades

Judith Politi

Owner, Judith Politi Interior Design • Session: Market Your Certification

Terri Wise

Supplier Diversity Advocate • Session: Market Your Certification

Shaundretta Boykins

State of Ohio – Capital Access • Session: Financing Your Business

Michelle Haslinger

Chief Lending Officer, Fortuna Bank • Session: Financing Your Business

Ellen Harvey

Ohio SBDC – Kiva Loans • Session: Financing Your Business

Jerome Jones

U.S. SBA – Lender Relations • Session: Financing Your Business

Michael Towns

Adelphi Bank – Commercial Banking • Session: Financing Your Business

Wanda Curry

Unique Services • Vision Board – Set Intentions & Goals

FundHer Finance Fair

Women business owners met lenders and funding partners in 15-minute, face-to-face introductions. They introduced their business and made connections that move capital.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

State of Ohio

Adelphi Bank

Wright-Patt Credit Union

Chase Bank

OhioMBE Procurement Fair

Attendees pitched directly to purchasing decision-makers from public agencies, primes, and institutions. Each had 15-minute appointments to market their products/services. Registration was required.

Hensel Phelps

Franklin County

State of Ohio

Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)

Elford Construction

COSI

Encova Insurance

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

City of Delaware

City of Upper Arlington