Spotlight on AWBC’s Stearns Bank Partnership
Stearns Bank and the 2024 AWBC Leadership Conference
In September 2024, the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) hosted its highly anticipated annual Leadership Conference in Kansas City, MO. With a record-breaking 367 attendees, this year’s event set new benchmarks for engagement and collaboration. Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, like Stearns Bank, the conference exceeded expectations and provided attendees with invaluable resources to help them grow their businesses and support their clients at Women’s Business Centers.
A Standout Session: “A Capital Rebel”
A highlight of the event was the mainstage session titled “A Capital Rebel: How Stearns Breaks the Mold on Traditional Commercial Loans.” This session featured Corinne Goble, AWBC’s CEO, alongside Kelly Skalicky, President and CEO of Stearns Bank. Together, they delivered an engaging and thought-provoking discussion about the innovative ways Stearns Bank is transforming commercial lending to better meet the needs of small businesses.
The session quickly became a standout moment of the conference, landing in our Top 10 sessions and receiving exceptional feedback. One attendee remarked, “I would listen to Kelly talk about just about any business topic in relation to banking!” Her engaging presentation demonstrated Stearns Bank’s fresh and innovative approach to lending, which resonated with entrepreneurs looking for flexible financing options to grow their businesses. This is just one example of how the Stearns partnership continues to provide tremendous value to our community of entrepreneurs.
Supporting Entrepreneurs: The Power of the Stearns Bank Partnership
This partnership is becoming a cornerstone of our mission to support women entrepreneurs. Stearns Bank’s commitment to empowering small business owners through access to capital was clear at this year’s conference, where their involvement made a significant impact. This ongoing partnership will continue to help AWBC provide the tools, resources, and financial pathways women entrepreneurs need to succeed.
To see more about the impact of our Stearns partnership at the 2024 Leadership Conference, check out our detailed Sponsor Report.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Entrepreneurs with the Stearns Partnership
Through the Stearns Bank partnership, AWBC can continue amplifying our efforts to support women-owned businesses across the country. We are excited to see what the future holds as we work together to help entrepreneurs access the financing they need to lead their businesses to new heights.
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