LEEANNA DUONG
Women’s Entrepreneurship Round Table Conference hits the ground running
Leeanna Duong, April 17, 2023 - Virginia Tech’s first ever Women’s Entrepreneurship Round Table Conference gives businesswomen the skills and advice they need to make the business world theirs.
Blacksburg, Va., March 24, 2023 - Group Picture: Guest speakers (from left to right) Faith Lewis, Wendi Panell, Éva Clinkscale, Cha Barefield, Dr. Nancy Crews, and Laura Townsend line up for a group picture.
Photo credit: Leeanna Duong
On March 24, 2023, Virginia Tech’s Innovate Living-Learning Community hosted the first ever Women’s Entrepreneurship Round Table Conference. The event was open to people of all ages and professions. It created opportunities for attendees to make connections and receive professional advice from notable guest speakers.
“I want those voices to be explored, I want those conversations to be had, I want people to leave encouraged, I want people to make connections,” said Cha Barefield, master of ceremonies. “This kind of thing is powerful. It’s powerful for networking and it’s powerful because we can obtain new skills, talents and connections that can lead to greater growth.”
The infographic above shows the share of all women-owned businesses in the U.S. between different races/ethnicities, a timeline of women emerging into entrepreneurship and top industries among female entrepreneurs. The infographic gives background information on the history of women in entrepreneurship and where they are today.
The guest speakers came from diverse professional backgrounds. Dr. Nancy Crews and Éva Clinkscale spoke about their experiences as women in STEM. Laura Townsend, director of Innovate, spoke about what entrepreneurship means to her.
Faith Lewis and Barefield spoke about navigating the business world with confidence. Wendi Panel spoke about lessons from climbing the corporate ladder and the power of having a strong advisory board.
Each of the speakers held workshops where they were able to answer questions, provide advice and reflect on lessons they’ve learned.
The World Economic Forum states that women’s share of professional and technical roles has increased by 6.7%. There’s also 5.4% more women in senior, legislative and managerial roles.
“There’s so much value in women coming together,” said Townsend. “Representation matters, and young women cannot see themselves in others if they don’t have people who they can look to. To be able to see other women who have been through things and have taken their risks is very important.”
According to American Express, “Between 2014 and 2019, the number of women-owned businesses climbed 21% to a total of nearly 13 million. Firms owned by women of color
grew at double that rate (43%).”
Innovate aims for events like these to bring businesswomen together, foster a supportive environment and offer them career resources that they need. The directors of the event hope for women’s conferences to expand to other colleges of Virginia Tech - specifically those with male-dominated career fields.