Klassi Duncan
Chair
Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
New Orleans, LA
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
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.
Nicole Liatos
Treasurer
Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI)
Ohio
Nicole Liatos is the Chief Operating Officer of the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), the nation's largest SBA microlender. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she provides strategic leadership for organizational operations, client services, marketing and communications, and enterprise-wide initiatives that advance ECDI's mission and impact. With nearly a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, economic development, and nonprofit leadership, Nicole has helped launch and scale innovative programs, build strategic partnerships, and expand access to resources for small business owners across Ohio. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC), helping strengthen the national network of Women's Business Centers and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country.
Sophia Kanaan
Secretary
California Capital Women’s Business Center
Sacramento, California
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 WBC
Los Angeles, California
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.
Nikki Hahn
Board Member
Women's Enterprise Development Center
White Plains, NY
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.
Gwen Hart
Board Member
Hart's Revival
Vermont
Gwen Pokalo Hart is an enthusiastic evangelist of applied economics with two decades of
experience building the systems that help women and rural entrepreneurs gain economic power on their own terms. She is the founder of Hart's Revival, a strategic finance consultancy
providing CFO-level advising, transition planning, and ecosystem infrastructure-building for mission-driven small businesses. She also serves as a Network Development Specialist with the Cooperative Development Institute, where she coordinates and facilitates the Northeast Transition Initiative Fellowship.
Earlier, Gwen launched and led the inaugural Vermont Women's Business Center under the
Center for Women & Enterprise, where she built a federally compliant, SBA-funded program that served more than 2,000 Vermonters and cultivated over $1M in funding, and later served as CWE's Vice President of Policy & Practice. Her career spans directing cohort-based
entrepreneurship programs, founding the international entrepreneurship education practice GAP Labs, and teaching business and finance at institutions across Vermont. A passionate side hustler, Gwen’s first side hustle was as Chief Crooner of Vermont Singing Telegram.
Katty Ibarra
Board Member
San Diego & Imperial WBC
San Diego, CA
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.
Lindsey Kay
Board Member
WESST
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Since founding Paws and Stripes in 2010, Lindsey created and led the Albuquerque-based veterans service organization as it grew from a small start-up into an international partner in service dog training and mental health services for veterans and their loved ones. She holds a master’s in social work in Leadership and Administration from NM Highlands University and is passionate about serving her New Mexico community. In 2024, Lindsey bid farewell to her role as Executive Director at Paws and Stripes to serve as the Vice President of Client Services for WESST. WESST’s dedication to supporting New Mexico’s small business community and its families—and to providing services that address the systemic economic barriers that harm marginalized communities across the state—resonates deeply with Lindsey’s values. In January 2025, Lindsey stepped into the role of President and CEO of WESST. During her first year of leadership, WESST grew its lending by 400%, expanded its reach across New Mexico for core client services, and outperformed previous years’ service delivery metrics goals. Under her guidance, WESST also launched a new logo and website, modernizing the organization’s brand and enhancing accessibility for entrepreneurs statewide.
Jackie Scott
Board Member
Inland Empire Women’s Business Center
Temecula, CA
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
WBC, True Access Capital
Wilmington, DE
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.
Kassi Strong
Board Member
Strong Marketing & Strategy
Billings, MT
Kassi Strong is a digital marketer and business strategist who 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.
Kathryn Walker
Board Member
Women's Business Center of Northern Virginia
Virginia
As the Assistant Director of the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, Kathryn has played a pivotal role in delivering training and counseling services to over 1,000 clients each year. With an unwavering commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, she supports them in navigating the path from initial concept to market success.
Additionally, she serves as a team member of ARTICLE22, a woman-owned sustainable brand that collaborates with Laotian and Ukrainian artisans to transform bomb shrapnel into high-fashion jewelry. Kathryn launched the Washington, DC Metro Area market, executing events such as the Downtown Holiday Market and National Geographic
Museum pop-ups. She has initiated new corporate collaborations and is proud to
partner with nonprofit organizations like Legacies of War and Mines Advisory
Group—doing life-saving work.
Kathryn has also built a notable career at George Mason University since 2008, where
she was honored with The Patriot Award for her outstanding service and leadership.
She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Social Entrepreneurship from
George Mason University, which fuels her passion for cultivating businesses that create
lasting social impact.
Ann Marie Wallace
Board Member
Women's Business Centers of Utah (North + South)
Utah
Ann Marie Wallace is the State Director of the Women's Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah), a
nationally recognized SBA-funded organization she has led since 2013. Under her leadership,
WBCUtah has grown from a local Salt Lake City resource into a statewide engine for women's
economic empowerment, expanding from 235 clients annually to more than 1,500, and earning recognition as a U.S. Small Business Administration Women's Business Center of Excellence in 2025.
Ann Marie has secured more than $7 million in grant and legislative funding, built a team of
eleven, and designed programs and partnerships that reach women entrepreneurs in all 29
Utah counties, including 24 rural communities that previously had limited access to business
support. She created Utah's first public Women-Owned Business Directory, now featuring more
than 3,800 listings, and launched an Online Academy with 40+ courses taught by Utah
entrepreneurs. In the past five years, WBCUtah clients have collectively started 1,325
businesses, accessed $62 million in capital, and created more than 4,500 jobs.
A practicing entrepreneur as well as a nonprofit executive, Ann Marie is the founder and sole
owner of concoXions LLC, a specialty beverage catering company now in its fifteenth year. She is the inventor of a patent-pending drying technology for an electric bidet and founder of Bare
Instinct, a Benefit LLC. She is also the founder of Fisson Trove LLC, doing business as Arrival &
Co, a luxury hospitality company specializing in placing curated essentials in new homes on
closing day on behalf of real estate agents and custom home builders. Her experience building
and running businesses alongside leading WBCUtah gives her firsthand understanding of the
clients she serves.
