WBDC Welcomes The Ayers Group as Annual Business Breakfast Sponsor

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) welcomes The Ayers Group of Norwalk as a sponsor of its 12th annual signature breakfast event, this year celebrating the 25th anniversary of the historic passage and President Reagan’s signing of HR 5050, the federal law that ended lending institutions’ discriminatory practices against women. 

“It’s amazing to think that just 25 years ago, in many states a woman needed a man’s signature to secure commercial capital,” says Fran Pastore, chief executive officer of Connecticut’s WBDC.  “Thanks to the passage of HR 5050, today 36 percent of employer firms are either women-owned or women-led.  We’re honored to have The Ayers Group fueling our endeavor to recognize this milestone as we continue working to help Connecticut women achieve economic independence.”

“WBDC is widely known for its work in promoting equality and the advancement of women in their professional lives,” says Joan Caruso, Senior Director, The Ayers Group.  “As a company that specializes in assistance to C-level executives tackling key leadership initiatives, The Ayers Group recognizes the importance of women as leaders and is proud to be a sponsor of WBDC’s annual breakfast event.”

The October 24, 2013 event, “Connect-Grow-Influence: Women with Impact,” will bring together over 500 entrepreneurs, community organizers, CEOs, and legislators and will celebrate the economic impact women-owned businesses have throughout Connecticut and the world.

Program highlights include: 
•    Guest speaker the Honorable Denise L. Nappier, Connecticut State Treasurer;
•    Honorary Chairwoman of the event, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman; and
•    Panel discussion led by Teresa Younger, executive director of Connecticut’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Women - panelists Sarah Fisher, professional race car driver and CEO of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, LLC; Susan Duffy, executive director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College; and Laurie Tucker, senior vice president for corporate marketing at FedEx Services, will discuss women and their critical roles in the economy, women as architects of change and economic influencers, as well as take a look into the future for what the next 25 years may hold.

About The Ayers Group
Since 1975, The Ayers Group, a division of Kelly Services, has been helping clients across a broad range of industries adapt to organizational change.  Our comprehensive, customized Career Transition and Executive Coaching & Development Services further enhance our clients’ abilities to compete effectively in an increasingly global and volatile business environment.  The Ayers Group is headquartered in New York City and is uniquely positioned to provide global services through local resources as a function of our co-ownership of Career Partners International (CPI). 

About WBDC
Established in 1997, the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women achieve economic equity through entrepreneurial training, financial education and professional development.
 
WBDC provides education, training, resources and connections to women (and men) at training sites throughout Connecticut, offering a continuum of programs and services to clients in need while fostering influential relationships for successful business women at the other end of the spectrum.

More information can be found at www.ctwbdc.org.