2025 Maryland Women's Small Business Celebration

We are commemorating National Women's Small Business Month with this special event honoring some of Maryland's most outstanding women leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. Our 2025 Women’s Small Business Celebration will focus on Wellness / Empowerment / Leadership. We will feature four amazing women who have a broad range of expertise in leading top international, national, and local organizations and/or businesses. They will share their challenges and how they have successfully navigated through their responsibilities applying wellness techniques, leadership and strategic planning methods that have empowered them toward successful outcomes. In addition you will also learn how to navigate the state's socioeconomic procurement programs and connect with resources that can help you compete with greater confidence in both the private sector and the government contracting arena.

Keynote Opening:

Y. Maria Martinez, Special Secretary, Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs

Featured Speakers:

Catherine Horta-Hayden, Chair & Professor, Department of Dance, Towson University

Bel Leong-Hong, Founder / President & CEO, Knowledge Advantage Inc.(KAI)

Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO Global Refuge

Dr. Zina Pierre, President & CEO, REYARP Strategies Group, LLC

Click here to Meet our Speakers, and to learn more about their amazing expertise & experience!

Who should attend?

Women leaders and small business owners interested in learning how to incorporate various wellness & leadership strategies to further empower their ability to build up their organizations and/or businesses, identify resources, and be able to compete with greater confidence in both the private sector and the state contracting arena.

Brief Overview:

9:30 a.m. - Check in and refreshments

10 a.m. - Program & Featured Speakers

11:20 a.m. - Moderated Q&A Session

11:30 a.m. - Open Networking

1 :00 p.m. - End

What you need to know:

• There is no cost to attend.
• Advance registration is required.
• You will have plenty of time to connect and network.
• Don't forget to bring business cards and capability statements.
• Attendee check-in opens at 9:30 a.m., and the program begins at 10:00 a.m.
• General parking is free. Click here for a map
• Special accommodation requests should be made 14 days in advance to [email protected]

* Maryland law requires a person to be 21 years of age or older to enter a casino gaming floor.

Thank you to our collaborating partner!

Host or Publisher MD Gov's Office Small, Minority, Women Biz Affairs