AWBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Klassi Duncan

Chair

Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

New Orleans, LA

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Klassi R. Duncan currently serves as Vice President of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) at the Urban League of Louisiana based in New Orleans, LA. CEI operations include: the Women’s Business Resource Center, the Contractor’s Resource Center, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development DBE Supportive Services Program. The CEI provides small business education, counseling services, and access to resources to women and minority entrepreneurs across Southeast Louisiana. Under her leadership, the Women’s Business Resource Center was awarded the 2019 Region VI Women’s Center of Excellence Award and the 2017 Women’s Business Champion Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana District Office for their work in promoting and developing women-owned businesses across the region. Prior to joining the Urban League of Louisiana, Klassi served as the Director of Business Support & Evaluation for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Delgado Community College, New Orleans, La.

Austin Goble

Vice Chair

REACH Women's Business Center

Clanton, AL

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Austin Goble is a coffee-drinking, crazy-sock-wearing, dog-loving, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and Alabama native who has a real passion for people. He joined the Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship team as the REACH Women’s Business Center Director to launch Alabama’s second women’s business center in August 2021. His background is primarily in public relations, leadership development, event planning, and government affairs. Austin holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of North Alabama and a master’s in public administration (MPA) from Valdosta State University. In 2023, Austin opened his company, River & Vale Event Co., to provide event services to clients across Alabama. Outside of professionally minding your business, you can usually find him repotting plants, reading a good book, or going on adventures with his husband and two goofy dogs.

Kathryn Rudloff

Treasurer

weVenture WBC at Florida Tech

Melbourne, FL

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Kathryn Rudloff joined weVENTURE Women’s Business Center in the Bisk College of Business at Florida Tech in January of 2020. As Executive Director, Kathryn oversees the center’s low and no-cost business education programing. During her tenure, she has helped modernize WBC operations, expand support for businesses in distant areas of the expansive region, and increase the number of ethnic and racial minorities the center serves. She has secured over $1.2 million dollars in additional grants and donations to support the program. Prior to joining weVENTURE WBC, Kathryn worked in strategic messaging, communications and fundraising for political committees, campaigns and business advocacy groups in Washington DC, California and Florida. She has worked on campaigns at every level – local, state, federal and even a 2007 presidential campaign as Florida Director of Field Operations. Kathryn currently serves on the AWBC Advocacy Committee.

Sophia Kanaan

Secretary

California Capital Women’s Business Center

Sacramento, California

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Sophia Kanaan is the Director of California Capital Women’s Business Center, a mission based non-profit dedicated to serving underserved communities in the Sacramento region. With a Master’s in Public Administration from McGeorge School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Women’s Studies from the University of California, Davis, Sophia is passionate about community growth and the success of small business owners and entrepreneurs. In her free time, Sophia loves to spend time with her husband and 2 year old daughter.

Ruth Garcia-Corrales

Board Member

New Economics for Women Women’s Business Center

Los Angeles, California

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Ruth Garcia-Corrales is the Director for New Economics for Women- Women’s Business Center. For her leadership, innovative workshops, providing access to capital, and exceeding the Center’s goals, Ruth was awarded The Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award for District IX from the SBA. Before the Women’s Business Center Ruth managed the West Valley Business Source Center a program from the Los Angeles Mayor's Office. Ruth is the former Consul General of Republic of Costa Rica for the U.S. West Coast, appointed by the President of Costa Rica. She holds a degree in Engineering from the University of Costa Rica, co-founder of the Central American Federation of Nations, composed of all the Consul Generals of C.A., working together on issues affecting their communities. She is the author of What it Takes, from $20 to $200 Million.

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Nikki Hahn

Board Member

Women's Enterprise Development Center

White Plains, NY

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Nikki A. Hahn, WEDC's CEO, brings a wealth of development experience to the nonprofit
sector. Ms. Hahn was previously with Volunteer New York! where she developed corporate
social responsibility programming for local business leaders. In addition, she has served as
the chair of the Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee, President of the Junior
League of Central Westchester, and the Client and Partner Development Director of The
Acceleration Project. Ms. Hahn is actively involved in many community initiatives and
currently serves as Vice President of the Westchester Children's Chorus Board of Directors
as well as on Cure JM Foundation's Board of Directors as the Development Director and
Chair. She earned both a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree
from New York University.

Katty Ibarra

Board Member

San Diego & Imperial Women’s Business Center

San Diego, CA

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Katty Ibarra is the Director of the San Diego & Imperial Women's Business Center, hosted by Southwestern College. Katty is a bilingual small business owner excited to empower female entrepreneurs by leading the WBC, creating programs, providing business advising, and training to secure women's economic justice and entrepreneurial opportunities. Katty holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico and a Master's of Science in Marketing from National University, with extensive branding, marketing, and social media experience. Katty owns a binational marketing firm and has more than 15 years of experience in small business and marketing strategies.

Jackie Scott

Board Member

Inland Empire Women’s Business Center

Temecula, CA

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Jackie Scott is the Director of the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center and has been a business consultant with the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center. With 25 years of experience in seafood wholesale distribution, she is a passionate advocate for small businesses. Jackie has served on the board of the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California and has been an active member of the advocacy committees for both the California Women's Business Center Network and the Association of Women's Business Centers. Her dedication to empowering individuals through entrepreneurship has earned her multiple regional awards. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from California State University San Marcos and has helped countless clients start their businesses, secure millions in startup funding, and significantly increase their sales.

Luz Sellers

Board Member

Women's Business Center, True Access Capital

Wilmington, DE

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Luz A. Sellers, with an MBA in Project Management, brings a diverse set of experiences to her role as Program Director at the Women’s Business Center, True Access Capital. Her career has touched upon several sectors, including lottery and gaming, biotechnology, real estate, and library services. Her varied career path equips her with the ability to offer practical and relevant advice to new entrepreneurs.

At the Women’s Business Center, Luz applies her understanding of different industry challenges and opportunities. She focuses on providing business owners with personalized support, aiming to help them achieve their goals. Luz is committed to creating an environment that supports the growth and success of entrepreneurial goals.

Rana Shanawani

Board Member

Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corp.

Chatham, NJ

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Rana Shanawani is the Executive Director for the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corp. in Chatham, NJ (WCEC). Before working at the WCEC, she was a non-profit consultant helping international organizations in strategic management. In 2004, after working as a UN consultant for several years, she served as the CEO of BIDAYA, a chapter of the Prince’s Youth Business International in Syria. BIDAYA’s main objective was to provide under-served entrepreneurs with training, micro-loans, and mentoring. During her tenure there she received the Takreem Achievement Award for Best Young Entrepreneur and was selected to meet with President Barack Obama and Secretary Clinton at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship. Ms. Shanawani has received her Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins, and her Bachelors in biology from Cornell University. “I look at entrepreneurship, and all development work, through a health and human rights lens. When socioeconomic human rights are secured for entrepreneurs, it cascades into public health improvement for all.”

Kassi Strong

Board Member

Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center

Billings, MT

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Kassi Strong is the program director of the WELL Women's Business Center. As a digital marketer and business strategist, she is passionate about helping companies grow and succeed by implementing thoughtful business plans and innovative marketing
strategies. Kassi is a born and raised Montanan and has started and grown multiple businesses of her own. When she isn't meeting with or advocating for women business owners in Montana you can likely find her strolling through an antique store or enjoying time outside with her husband and two sons.

AWBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Klassi Duncan

Chair

Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

New Orleans, LA

Austin Goble

Vice Chair

REACH Women's Business Center

Clanton, AL

Kathryn Rudloff

Treasurer

weVenture WBC at Florida Tech

Melbourne, FL

Sophia Kanaan

Secretary

California Capital Women’s Business Center

Sacramento, California

Ruth Garcia-Corrales

Board Member

New Economics for Women Women’s Business Center

Los Angeles, California

Nikki Hahn

Board Member

Women's Enterprise Development Center

White Plains, NY

Katty Ibarra

Board Member

San Diego & Imperial Women’s Business Center

San Diego, CA

Jackie Scott

Board Member

Inland Empire Women’s Business Center

Temecula, CA

Luz Sellers

Board Member

Women's Business Center, True Access Capital

Wilmington, DE

Rana Shanawani

Board Member

Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corp.

Chatham, NJ

Kassi Strong

Board Member

Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center

Billings, MT

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