THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | 1

VIVA

OutPerforming. Everyday.diverse solutions for the integrated workplace

September 20, 2012McCorMiCk PlaCe-West, 2301 s. indiana ave., ChiCago(312) 853-3477, ext. 240 | www.WBdC.org

MarqueesPonsors*

PreMier WBesPonsors

Major sPonsors

PreMier sPonsors

PreMier Media sPonsors

WBe sPonsors

offiCial Carrier offiCialtelevisionsPonsor

offiCial teChnology &CyBer Café sPonsors

* The Deluxe Corporation Foundation is serving in an Honorary Sponsorship capacity.sPonsors listed are those ConfirMed By july 31, 2012

ChriStie hefnerFormer CEO, Playboy Enterprises, Inc.Executive Chairman, Canyon Ranch Enterprises

LiSa priCeFounder, Carol’s Daughter, Inc.

Media sPonsors

2 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

certainachievementsopeneveryone'seyes.

Nielsen applaudsWomen's Business

Development Center's supplier

diversity initiatives and is proud

to co-host the Entrepreneurial

Woman's Conference on Thursday,

September 20th.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | 3

Since its inception, the Women’sBusiness Development Center, nowin its 26th year, has been committedto affirmative action and theimplementation of contracting goals,advocacy, public policies, programsand services to strengthen women andminority-owned businesses.

Unfortunately, parity has not yet beenachieved for women and minority-owned businesses; but we have mademajor progress! Women and minority-owned businesses are now the majorityof businesses in the U.S. However, therevenues of 80 percent of all businessesand more than 90 percent of minorityand women-owned businesses in theU.S. are under $500,000.

Small business is the driving forceof the economy. It is responsible fornearly half of all sales, employing morepeople, creating new jobs and startingbusinesses at a faster rate. Minorityand women-owned businesses are thefastest growing segment of our economytoday. The private and public sector’scommitment to and implementation ofdiversity and economic opportunitycontracting programs enhance theirsuccess.

In our search for parity, the horizonis looking brighter at the federal, stateand local levels. The U. S. Small BusinessAdministration is committed to andimplementing an expanded 5 percentcontracting goal for women businessenterprises for every federal agency. InIllinois, Governor Quinn expanded thepower of the Illinois Business Enterprise

Council to insure that women andminority businesses will havesignificant access to contracts andsubcontracting opportunities withthe state of Illinois and that all itsstate agencies and institutions,including state colleges anduniversities.

In Cook County, PresidentPreckwinkle’s administration hasincreased the goals for womenand minority businesses in allcounty agencies by enhancingmonitoring and complianceas well as implementing newinitiatives on bonding, insuranceand prompt payment. In the cityof Chicago, under Mayor RahmEmanuel, new and increased resourcesexpedite W/MBE certification andcommitment to contract compliance isenhanced. All city sister agencies are onboard to expand business opportunitiesfor women and minority businessenterprises. New initiatives are beingimplemented to provide more primecontracting opportunities.

For business and job creation in theU.S., the case for diversity is clear anduncompromising. Corporate Americais committed to strengthening itsrelationships and to sustaining andincreasing market share with womenand people of color as consumersof their goods and services and asemployees, vendors and suppliers.

What we all want is a level playingfield, parity and equal opportunity.Wecan do much together.We can supportefforts to strengthen supplier diversityand vendor development initiatives.We can encourage, commend and buy

from corporations that have diversityin employment and purchasing plans.We can let these companies know werecognize and appreciate their fair-minded practices.

Join us at this year’s EntrepreneurialWoman’s Conference, and takeadvantage of opportunities in theWomen’s Business & Buyers Martto build relationships and findopportunities with the committedcorporations and government agencieswho, like you, understand the value ofdiversity and the business case for theutilization of diverse suppliers.

Our country’s economic strengthdepends upon all of us. Our businesses,our families, our communities and ourcountry are strengthened by diversityand parity. You can make a difference.

S. Carol Dougal and Hedy M. RatnerCo-Founders and Co-PresidentsWomen’s Business Development Center(WBDC)

Welcome letter fromthe co-presidents

The Importance of Parity

S. Carol Dougal and Hedy M. Ratner, Co-Founders and Co-Presidents of the Women’s Business Development Center

Thursday, September 20, 2012

7:30 a.m. Registration OpensOutside Skyline Ballroom

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Women’s Forum BreakfastSkyline Ballroom A-CFeaturing Moderator Terry Savage

9:30 – 11:45 a.m. Women’s Business & Buyers MartSkyline Ballroom D & E

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Launching Your Own Business:From Dream to RealityBreakout Room 180Workshop for start-ups

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Contract ConnectionsSkyline Ballroom D & E*By appointment only

Noon – 1:45 p.m. 26th Annual Hall of FameAwards LuncheonSkyline Ballroom A-CFeaturing Keynote Presentation byLisa Price, founder, Carol’s Daughter, Inc.

1:45 – 5:00 p.m. Women’s Business & Buyers MartSkyline Ballroom D & E

2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Contract ConnectionsSkyline Ballroom D & E*By appointment only

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Ask the Experts:Solutions for Your BusinessBreakout Room 181For business owners of all levels

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Get Down to BusinessNetworking ReceptionSkyline Ballroom Terrace

Stay connected! Follow @WBDC on Twitter and use offi-cial conference hashtag #ewc26. Here’s where you can find us:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WBDC.ChicagoTwitter: www.twitter.com/WBDC

Blog: www.wbdcchicago.wordpress.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Mindy MercaldoIllinois Division PresidentCitibank, N.A.

“Women business owners are the fastestgrowing segment of the economy and a majorsource for economic and job growth, and Citiis committed to the economic empowermentof women through business ownership and thesmall business capital initiatives.”

Conference Co-ChairsCheryl Pearson-McNeilSenior Vice President,Public Affairs and Government RelationsNielsen

“Regardless of what we do professionally, we areconsumers first. The really successful entrepreneursare those who strategically synchronize their businessoperations to meet their consumer’s most pressingneeds.”

Honorary Co-Chairs:Honorable Danny K. Davis,

U.S. Congressman, Illinois – 7th District

Honorable Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois

Honorable John J. Cullerton, Illinois Senate President

Honorable Toni Preckwinkle,Cook County Board President

Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of Chicago

Honorable Judith A. Roussel,Illinois District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

4 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

DESERVESOURRESPECT

We know that achieving more in thecommunity begins with the people who belongto it. That’s why PNC is a proud sponsor of theWomen’s Business Development Center.

Visit pnc.com

©2012 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

ACHIEVEMENT is a registered mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. COMMSERV AD JUN 2010 004

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

© 2012 United Parcel Service of America, Inc. UPS, the UPS brandmark, and the color brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Put the new logistics to work for you. thenewlogistics.com

UPS is a proud sponsor of the WBDC.

BMO Harris BankSM is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC

There’s nothingsmall aboutsmall business.It might be called a small business but it’s a big deal to you. BMO Harris Bank offers

a full range of small business services to help your business succeed. To learn more,

call 1-888-489-2265, stop in, or visit bmoharris.com/smallbusiness.

©20

12W

.W.G

rain

ger,

Inc.

W-T

UP1

411

Grainger is proud to sponsor the 26th AnnualEntrepreneurial Women’s Conference.

Committed to Supportingthe Growth and Developmentof Women-Owned BusinessesWhether you supply our company with theproducts and services we need, or supply theproducts that we distribute to our customers, we’llpartner with you to help meet both our goals.

For more information on Grainger’sSupplier Diversity Program, visithttps://app.suppliergateway.com/grainger

Look for the SupplierDiversity symbol throughoutour catalog and on Grainger.com®.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | 5

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER CREATESAN ENERGY ALL ITS OWN.

Diversity is the foundation of any strong organization. That’s why ComEd is proud tolend our support to programs that bring people together in the spirit of community.

ComEd is very proud to support the 25th Anniversary of the Women’s BusinessDevelopment Center. Best wishes for a wonderful event!

www.ComEd.com | 1-800-EDISON-1

© 2011 Commonwealth Edison Company

© 2012 Citigroup Inc.Citi and Arc Design is a registered service mark of Citigroup Inc.

Citi is a proudsponsor of theWomen’s BusinessDevelopmentCenter.

116161

WE GET DIVERSITY...

As a leading provider of technology solutions for business,healthcare, government and education, CDW makes valuingdiversity an important priority. A diverse supplier networkadds innovation to our business and helps us serve ourcustomers best. Visit diversityatcdw.com to learn more.

Creating opportunities for diverse businesses to grow and thrive.

Supplier diversity at OfficeMax® is built on our commitment to buildingstrong relationships with our certified diverse suppliers of all sizes—and helping customers like you achieve your business goals.

OfficeMax Supplier DiversitySupplierdiversity@officemax.comdiversitybusiness.com/officemax

Fulfill your dreams and your goals.©

2012

OM

X,In

c.

6 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

Get your business going,and keep it on the right track.

Timetables. Speed. Direction. Destination.With your vision and our technology, youcan take your business to some beautifulplaces. At Microsoft, we believe that yourpotential is nonstop.

www.youatmicrosoft.com

P R O D U C E D B YC U S T O MMEDIA SOLUTIONS

SPECIALSECTIONS.SUNTIMES.COM

Editor: Tammy Matthewstmatthews@pioneerlocal.com

Cover/Page Design:Jennifer Williams

To Advertise: Cary Leeclee@suntimes.com

The oldest businessopportunities fair forwomen business ownersin the country

Women business owners: are youinterested in doing business withcorporate America or the governmentsector? If the answer is yes, then theWomen’s Business & Buyers Mart is theplace to establish relationships withthese prospective clients.

Featuring more than 200 corporateand government buyers who arecommitted to purchasing productsand services from certified Women’sBusiness Enterprises (WBEs), the Martalso provides women business ownerswith access to information, resourcesand contacts to assist with their businessneeds and boost their bottom line.

26th AnnualWomen’s Business & Buyers MartThursday, September 20, 2012 | 9:30 – 11:45 a.m. & 1:45 – 5:00 p.m. | Skyline Ballroom D & E

CorporateProcurementAllstate InsuranceAmeren CorporationAmerican AirlinesAT&TAvis Budget Group, Inc.Baxter Healthcare CorporationBMO Harris Bank N.A.BP AmericaCardinal HealthCargillCDWCitibank, N.A.CNAComEdDeere & CompanyHealth Care Service

Corporation (HCSC)Hospira

Kraft FoodsMcCain FoodsMacy’sMicrosoft CorporationMotorola Solutions, Inc.NavistarThe Nielsen CompanyNorthern TrustNorthstar LotteryNovationOffice DepotOfficeMaxPepsiCo, Inc.PNCRush University Medical CenterSouthwest AirlinesStaples, Inc.Target CorporationTrinal, Inc.U.S. BankUnited AirlinesThe University of ChicagoThe University of Chicago

MedicineUniversity of IllinoisUPSW.W. Grainger, Inc.WalgreensWalmartWisconsin Energy CorporationWrigley

Business ResourcesACCION ChicagoCharter One BankFundamental Capital PartnersGoldman Sachs 10,000 Small

BusinessesIRS - Employee Plans, Great

Lakes AreaMicrosoft CorporationSCORE: For the Life of Your

BusinessSomerCor 504 Inc.

Federal GovernmentProcurementFederal Reserve Bank of

Chicago, Kansas City,Minneapolis & St. Louis

U.S. Department of EnergyU.S. General Services

AdministrationU.S. Small Business

Administration

Local GovernmentProcurementChicago Housing Authority

(CHA)Chicago Park DistrictChicago Public Schools, Office

of Business Diversity

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)City Colleges of ChicagoCity of Chicago, Department of

AviationCity of Chicago, Department

of Business Affairs andConsumer Protection

City of Chicago, Department ofProcurement Services

City of Chicago, Office of theTreasurer

Cook CountyIllinois Department of Central

Management Services - BEPThe Illinois Department of

Commerce and EconomicOpportunity, IllinoisEntrepreneurship Network –Small Business DevelopmentCenter

Illinois State Toll HighwayAuthority

McCormick PlaceMetraMetropolitan Water

Reclamation District ofGreater Chicago

Navy PierOffice of Illinois State

Treasurer Dan RutherfordPublic Building Commission of

Chicago

Regional TransportationAuthority (RTA)

WBE CompaniesThe Bureau of Engraving, Inc.Cedar Concepts CorporationConsolidated PrintingEvergreen Supply CompanyEverLightsGlobal Capital Ltd.Grandview Group LLCIdeal System Solutions, Inc.INTREN, Inc.J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc.J&J Motor ServicesKayhan InternationalKellyMitchell GroupM.R. Nyron CompanyMy Health and Money LLCNational Van Lines, Inc.Overture Premiums &

Promotions LLCSmead Manufacturing

CompanyTechnology Partners, Inc.VIVA USA, Inc.

ResourceOrganizationsChicago Minority Supplier

Development Council, Inc.(CMSDC)

HACIAThe Illinois Hispanic Chamber

of CommerceMGPG Events Inc. – The Black

Women’s ExpoNational Association of Women

Business Owners – Chicago(NAWBO-Chicago)

VistageWomen Presidents’

Organization (WPO)Women’s Business

Development Center (WBDC)Women’s Business Enterprise

National Council (WBENC)

MediaChicago Sun-TimesCrain’s Chicago Business

Stay connected atthe conference!While you’re here, don’t forget tofollow @WBDC on Twitter and useofficial conference hashtag #ewc26.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | 7

Learn from and be inspired by nationally renowned women business owners as moderator Terry Savage,appearing courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times, leads this year’s panel of entrepreneurs through a lively, candid

and always fascinating discussion about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

26th AnnualWomen’s Forum Breakfast

FORUM MODERATOR

Terry SavageChicago Sun-Times FinancialColumnist, Best-Selling Authorof The Savage Truth on Money,and President, Terry SavageProductions, Ltd.

Terry Savage is a nationallyrecognized, award-winningfinancial authority, television

personality and the author of best-selling books on personalfinance. Her most recent book is a new edition of The SavageTruth on Money, which was named one of the ten best moneybooks by Amazon.com. Released in 2009 was The New SavageNumber: How Much Money Do You Really Need to Retire?

A nationally syndicated personal finance columnist for theChicago Sun-Times and a regular contributor to the popularinvesting websites MoneyShow.com,YahooFinance.com andTheStreet.com, she is also a frequent guest on radio andtelevision shows including CNN, NBC, and CNBC. Terry’sfinancial expertise comes from experience. A founding memberand the first woman trader on the Chicago Board OptionsExchange, she is also the president of her own company, TerrySavage Productions, Ltd.

Sue BhatiaChief Executive OfficerRose International, Inc.

Ranked 13th on Fast Company’slist of the Top 25 Women BusinessBuilders in North America, RoseInternational has emerged asa force in the IT and BusinessServices arena, and is a leader in

providing innovative technology services to both commercialorganizations and government agencies from branch officesand development centers in 21 U.S. cities and India.With 6,000-plus associates and steady revenue growth, the company isrecognized as one of the country’s fastest-growing and mostsuccessful companies, and the largest woman-owned business

in St. Louis.

Christie HefnerFormer CEO, Playboy Enterprises, Inc.Executive Chairman, Canyon RanchEnterprises

Christie Hefner serves as ExecutiveChairman of Canyon RanchEnterprises, a new companyleveraging the brand andknowledge of Canyon Ranch via

media and business partnerships. From 1988-2008 she servedas Chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. overseeingglobal expansion of Playboy’s legendary brand to a widearray of new platforms and markets, transforming a domesticpublishing-based business into a global multi-media andlifestyle company. She was the longest serving female CEOever of a public company, and she was named one of the 100Most Powerful Women in the World by Forbes magazine forthree consecutive years.

Laura RickettsDirector of Chicago Cubs MajorLeague BaseballChairman of the Board, ChicagoCubs

Laura Ricketts is a Director andpart owner of the Chicago CubsMajor League Baseball as well asChairman of the Board for Chicago

Cubs Charities. Much of her work with the Cubs is focused oncommunity relations, government relations and philanthropy.She is active in several organizations in the Chicago areacommunity and beyond, currently serving as the Co-Chair ofthe Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Leadership Council,and serving on the National Leadership Council for LambdaLegal Defense and Education Fund, a national non-profitorganization that litigates, educates and engages in publicpolicy work on behalf of LGBT civil rights.

Richelle ShawChief Executive OfficerRTS Publishing, LLC

Once the only female African-American public utility owner inthe nation, Richelle Shaw’s storyof entrepreneurial success is oneof true tenacity, hardship andhard work. The author of a book,

How To Build a Million Dollar Business in Las Vegas, Richelleis a noted speaker whose expertise comes from building a$36-million business, losing it after the 9/11 World Trade Centertragedy, and then, successfully rebuilding the company in fivemonths. Since 2007, Richelle has been committed to helpingentrepreneurs avoid the mistakes she made in her businessand has successfully mentored over 12,000 men and womenin 98 different industries through her international coachingprograms.

September 20, 2012 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., McCormick Place-West, Skyline Ballroom A-C

Sponsor AcknowledgementsMarquee Sponsors ($50,000 and Up)BP America, Inc.Deluxe Corporation Foundation *Nielsen

Premier Sponsors ($25,000 - $49,000)Allstate Insurance • BMO Harris Bank • CDW • Citibank •CNA • ComEd • Microsoft Corporation • OfficeMax • PNC• U.S. Bank • United Airlines - The Official Carrier of theWBDC • UPS • W.W. Grainger, Inc. • Walgreen Co.

WBE Premier Sponsors ($10,000 and Up)Futura Marketing, Inc. • INTREN, Inc. • J&J ExhibitorsService, Inc. • Kayhan International • National Van Lines,Inc. • Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC • SmeadManufacturing Company • VIVA USA

Major Sponsors ($15,000 - $24,000)AT&T • Deere & Company • Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. •Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses • Kraft Foods •Macy’s • MasterCard Worldwide • Northern Trust • OfficeDepot • PepsiCo Inc. • RubinBrown LLP • SouthwestAirlines Co. • Staples, Inc. • Target • U.S. Department ofEnergy • University of Illinois • Walmart • Wrigley

Workshop Sponsors ($10,000)Cardinal Health • Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, KansasCity, Minneapolis and St. Louis • Harley-Davidson MotorCompany • Health Care Service Corporation/Blue CrossBlue Shield of Illinois • The University of Chicago • TheUniversity of Chicago Medicine

WBE Sponsors ($5,000)The Bureau of Engraving, Inc. • Evergreen SupplyCompany • KellyMitchell Group • United Scrap Metal

Premier Media Sponsors ($50,000 Value and Up)Chicago Sun-Times • Comcast • Crain’s Chicago Business• NBC5 Chicago • Pioneer Press • WVON Radio

Media Sponsors ($10,000 - $49,000)Black EOE Journal • Enterprising Women • HispanicNetwork • MBE • MBE Connect • Minority Business NewsUSA (MBN USA) • Minority Entrepreneur • ProfessionalWoman’s • Project Eve • Today’s Chicago Woman (TCW) •U.S. Veteran’s • Women’s Enterprise Magazine (WE USA)

Official Carrier: United Airlines

Official Technology & Cyber Café Sponsors:CDW and Microsoft Corporation

Official TV Sponsor: NBC5 Chicago

Special ThanksAlto Tech • Sue Bhatia • Chicago Sun-Times • Chris RuysCommunications • Comcast • Christie Hefner • HooplaCommunications • Michelle Kantor • Levy SecurityCorporation • McCormick Place • Mindy Mercaldo •Motorola Solutions, Inc. • NBC5 Chicago • Cheryl Pearson-McNeil • Pioneer Press • Lisa Price • Laura Ricketts• Allison Rosati • Terry Savage • SAVOR…Chicago atMcCormick Place • Richelle Shaw

*The Deluxe Corporation Foundation is serving in an honorary capacity.

The Women’s Business Development Center and its Boardof Directors also extends their gratitude to all exhibitors,advertisers, breakfast and luncheon table purchasers,auction donors, Contract Connections participants, vendors,and each and every individual that participated in the suc-cess of this year’s event. We could not do this without you!

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) extends its gratitude to the following entitiesfor their commitment, consistent generosity and support to ensure the success of the 26th AnnualEntrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.Without them, this conference would not be possible.Companies listed are those committed as of July 31, 2012.

8 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

©2012 Futura Marketing Inc.

“As a business owner, I’m p r o ud to s u ppo r t the efforts of the

Women ’s B u s i n e s s De v e l opmen t Cen t e r .”

– Kelly Wold Smith, Owner, Futura Marketing

Visit our website for more event information: futuramarketing.com/wbdcF r e s h i d ea s f o r ma r k e t i n g f a r m t o f o r k

With more than years of experience, Kayhan International is a trusted partner for commercial furniture.

We help clients with workplace strategy and the critical activities relating to speculation, coordination

and installation of furniture for corporations, education, healthcare and government facilities.

Our focus is on providing a repeatable and tailored service model that ensures high quality, on-time

and on-budget project delivery for our clients locally and globally.

kayhan.com

a Haworth preferred dealer

diverse solutions for the integrated workplace

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | 9

Thursday, September 20, noon | McCormick Place-West, Ballroom A-C26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon

Each year, the Women’s Business Development Center(WBDC) recognizes women entrepreneurs who havedemonstrated unequaled strength, perseveranceand creativity in their businesses, and who haveembodied entrepreneurial success in various ways.The WBDC also recognizes advocates, corporationsand government agencies that have demonstrated theirenthusiastic commitment to strengthening women’sbusiness ownership and economic development.Congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame AwardRecipients!

LUNCHEON KEYNOTESPEAKER

Lisa PriceFounderCarol’s Daughter, Inc.Lisa Price is the founder of a multi-million-dollar company, Carol’sDaughter, Inc. (lovingly named after

her mother Carol), whose fragrances and lotions are a favoriteamong celebrities like Jada Pinkett-Smith, Erykah Badu, RosiePerez and Halle Berry. Products are sold at nine company-ownedstores, including its flagship store in Harlem. Price is the authorof a book, Success Never Smelled So Sweet, and is a philanthropistwho serves on the boards of the National Women’s BusinessCouncil and the Foundation for Advancement of Women Now,founded by Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute.

26TH ANNUAL ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMANOF THE YEAR

Cassandra SanfordCEO, KellyMitchell GroupCassandra Sanford is the CEO and co-founder of KellyMitchell, a company thatspecializes in technology consulting forFortune 500 companies. Under Sanford’sdirection, the St. Louis-based companyhas grown from three employees to a

national organization with more than 1,000 employees in 45states. In addition to running a successful business, Sanfordmakes a practice of mentoring other women and giving back toher community. She serves on several boards including the St.Louis Regional Commerce Growth Association and Magic House,and she is chair of the Women’s Leadership Society of the UnitedWay. She is also active in WINGS, the fundraising entity for BarnesJewish Hospital’s Children’s Hospice Program. A licensed lawyer,she is a volunteer for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, whichoffers free legal services to low-income individuals. For herbusiness success, Sanford has won numerous awards, includingthe 2012 WBENC Star award and the WBDC’s 2006 WBE SuccessEntrepreneurial Woman of the Year.

26TH ANNUAL ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMANOF THE YEAR – WBE SUCCESS

Heather SandersonPresident, Overture Premiums &Promotions LLCHeather Sanderson leveraged a wealthof operational and financial expertise toestablish Overture Premiums & Promotionseleven years ago. Today, the company

has more than 2,500 clients in nearly 20 industries, which itserves with a team of 65 employees who have industry-specificexperience. Housed in a 70,000-square-foot building in theChicago suburbs, Overture has an in-house graphics supportdepartment to help ensure quality branding for its clients. Forthe past five years, Overture has been named one of the top 50promotional marketing companies in the U.S. An innovator andstrong believer in the value of good employee morale, Sandersonspearheaded a successful Mentor Program at her company, whichnow has five successful product experts, two of whom are womenwhose sales topped $1 million in 2011.

26TH ANNUAL ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMANOF THE YEAR – RISING STAR

Danielle HrzicPresident and Co-Founder,Gourmet GorillaInspired by the desire to provide healthiermeals to her sons’ school in Chicago’sSouth Loop, Danielle Hrzic co-foundedGourmet Gorilla. This foodservice

company delivers healthy meals to more than 90 pre-schools andelementary schools throughout Northern Illinois. The companyserves up more than 5,000 healthy, organic meals a day. Itprimarily uses locally grown products. Hrzic started the companyusing a personal credit card and an $8,000 microloan, but she hasmanaged to grow the company with minimal debt, reinvestmentof profits and hard work. An alumnus of Chicago’s first GoldmanSachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Hrzic was recentlyfeatured on MSNBC’s popular Morning Joe program. Previously,she spent 12 years in the financial and insurance industries insales and marketing positions.

26TH ANNUAL ADVOCACY AWARDS

Joset B. WrightPresident , National Minority SupplierDevelopment Council, Inc. (NMSDC)

PamelaPrince-Eason

President & CEO, Women’s BusinessEnterprise National Council (WBENC)The The Women’s Business Development Center is thrilled tohonor both Pamela Prince-Eason and Joset B.Wright for theirtremendous advocacy efforts on behalf of women and minoritybusiness owners nationally with the 26th Annual AdvocacyAwards.

Pamela Prince-Eason is president and CEO of the Women’sBusiness Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the leadingthird-party certifier for WBEs in the country. Her professionalcareer has included roles as both a corporate executiveand business owner. She was vice president of WorldwideProcurement for Pfizer Inc., headquartered in New York City, andwas co-owner of RMR Associates, a business process consultingcompany.

Joset B.Wright is president of the National Minority SupplierDevelopment Council (NMSDC), a private non-profit organizationthat expands business opportunities for minority-ownedcompanies of all sizes, and the leading third-party certifier ofMBEs in the country. She is an attorney and former procurementexecutive with a broad range of professional experience in thecorporate and private sectors, including a 13-year career in thetelecommunications industry.

The WBDC is the largest certifying regional partner organizationof WBENC, and it has enjoyed a partnership with the ChicagoMSDC for more than two decades. The collaboration with bothorganizations has led to much of the important legislation thatsupports the creation and growth of women and minority-ownedbusinesses in the State of Illinois, the County of Cook and theCity of Chicago. Today, the WBDC honors the collaborativeaccomplishments of both Pamela and Joset on behalf of womenand minority-owned businesses nationally.

26TH ANNUAL CORPORATE SUPPORT AWARD

Allstate Insurance:

Cheryl A. HarrisChief Procurement Officer

MargaretKlinsport

Director, Supplier DiversityThe Women’s Business DevelopmentCenter (WBDC) is proud to honor AllstateInsurance as its 26th Annual CorporateSupport Award recipient for their ongoing commitment to theadvancement of women and minority-owned businesses andits steadfast dedication to the Women’s Business DevelopmentCenter and its mission.

Accepting the award are Cheryl A. Harris, C.P.M., senior vicepresident, sourcing and procurement solutions, and MargaretKlinsport, director, supplier diversity. Harris oversees Allstate’sspend portfolio of $14 billion through collaboration with internalbusiness partners and external suppliers. Klinsport workswith minority suppliers, helping them earn the opportunity tocompete for Allstate’s business.

10 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

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SO WHAT ARE YOUWAITING FOR?GIVE US A CALL 888.456.9564 ORGO TO OVERTUREPROMOTIONS.COM

Fashion Collection by Smead®

Being Organized NeverLooked So Good

©2012 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

Our program with the City Colleges of Chicago provides skills to helpyou grow your business, at no cost to you. Just ask Angelica.

Learn valuable skills that drive results.

— Angelica, Owner Colmex Construction, New Orleans, LA

“I was always afraid of negotiating, now I stand firm to get the better deal.”

Apply now at www.ccc.edu/10KSB

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | 11

GOOD HANDS®

WORKING TOGETHERCAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

© 2012 Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL

Allstate is proud to sponsor the26th Annual WBDC Entrepreneurial

Woman’s Conference.

People come first. Everything else is second.That’s Allstate’s Stand.®

To learn more about Allstate'sSupplier Diversity program

visit www.allstate.com/procurement

When it comes to business insurance... we can show you more.®

CNA is proud to support the 26th Annual EntrepreneurialWomen’s Conference, Women’s Business & Buyers Mart.

Insuring businesses like yours for more than 100 years.Visit www.cna.com for more information.

CNA is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Copyright © 2012 CNA. All rights reserved..

Together,we can go places.United is committed to providing a worldof opportunity to diverse suppliers.

If you are a certified minority or woman-owned business that has airline

or Fortune 500 experience, email us at supplierdiversity@united.com.

United is proud to have received WBENC’s 2011 Top Corporations for

Women Owned Business Enterprises Award.

©2012 United Air Lines, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Member FDICusbank.com

At U.S. Bank, we take pride in being an active & vital member of the communitieswe serve. By investing our time, resources, and skills, we join our customers in

supporting the families, neighborhoods, and organizations that make this communityvibrant. U.S. Bank – committed to serving our customers and our community.

U.S. Bank is a proud sponsor of the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference

All of us supporting you.

12 | SUN-TIMES MEDIA | THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

BP is honored to partner with Team USA.Just as we fuel Team USA, BP is committed to relationships that energize business opportunities

with Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises.Through a culture of inclusion, we connect

with the most innovative and performance-driven suppliers within BP’s community. Find out more

at bp.com/supplierdiversity

© 2012 BP America Inc. 36 USC 220506