Announcing the Woman Business Owner of the Year Finalists
Owning a small business in 2022 has proven to be a challenging yet rewarding experience for entrepreneurs across the country. Small business owners have remained resilient despite economic headwinds and challenges, including rising inflation, supply chain issues and hiring shortages. According to Bank of America’s 2022 Small Business Owner Report, 88% of small business owners indicated that inflation is impacting their business, while 79% of business owners said their business had been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Small businesses are an essential backbone of our local communities, bringing people together, contributing to local culture and helping regional economies thrive. Women-owned businesses are critical participants in the small business landscape. Despite often facing access to capital challenges and gaps in financial literacy, more women are taking the leap to entrepreneurship to become their own boss and are looking for training and funding programs to help them succeed.
On October 9-11, the National Women’s Business Conference hosted by NAWBO will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, to honor the fearless women business owners who continue to grow nationwide, and to celebrate another year of improvements and advancements.
“Bank of America is thrilled to continue supporting the National Women’s Business Conference to advance and empower women business ownership nationwide,” said Jill Calabrese Bain, Managing Director, Small Business, Specialty Banking & Lending, Bank of America. “We are committed to working with NAWBO to ensure that entrepreneurs nationwide have access to the tools, resources and expertise they need to succeed.”
For the 10th consecutive year, Bank of America will serve as the presenting sponsor of the National Women’s Business Conference. This year’s conference theme is “Power Your Dream”—every entrepreneur started with one, and every entrepreneur should have the chance to realize it.
The conference will feature group breakout sessions to help entrepreneurs of all business sizes learn how to plan and grow their businesses. The sessions will approach topics such as diversity and inclusion, social impact, mental wellness, future of work and leadership.
This year’s keynote speakers are Molly Bloom, an entrepreneur and the best-selling author of “Molly’s Game”, and Magie Cook, an author and CEO of Maggie’s All-Natural Fresh Salsas and Dips. The emcee is Vera Jones, a communication coach, author and former ESPN basketball analyst.
NAWBO and Bank of America will also present the annual Woman Business Owner of the Year Award on Tuesday, October 11. This recognition is not based on superior business size, but superior business practice. It recognizes an entrepreneur who excels at the core tenants of business ownership, including business strategy, operations, finances, problem solving, overcoming adversity and community involvement.
“I’m honored to announce three impressive finalists for the 2022 National Women Business Owner of the Year award,” said Jen Earle, NAWBO National CEO. “Innovative and driven, these businesswomen exemplify the spirit and mission of NAWBO, and we look forward to recognizing their success and sharing their stories at this year’s conference.”
Please join us in celebrating the 2022 Woman Business Owner of the Year finalists:
Diana Dibble, President, Design To Delivery Inc
Diana is the president and co-founder of the government contracting firm Design To Delivery Inc (D2DInc), which she founded in 2001. D2DInc classifies as a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), and Diana supports the work D2DInc does for the Navy, Coast Guard, GSA, Department of Interior and other federal agencies.
Diana is a member of NAWBO, the Society for Human Resources Managers (SHRM) and NCMS, Inc. – the Society of Industry Security Professionals. She has served as Chapter President and on the Board of Directors of the NAWBO Greater DC Chapter from 2019-2021.
Moira Vetter, Founder/CEO, Modo Modo Agency
Moira is the founder and CEO of Modo Modo Agency, a strategic brand engagement firm that helps billion-dollar companies acquire and grow their market. At Modo Modo, Moira helps connect C-suite leaders with marketing solutions to solve their business challenges in the form of brand strategies and performance.
Moira is passionate about community service and through Modo Modo, she supports more than 30 organizations, while her team invests more than 4,700 employee volunteer hours through the company’s quarterly DoGooder program. Moira also serves on leadership boards of several associations and nonprofits, including the American Marketing Association, Kennesaw State University, 48in48 and GoBeyondProfit. She previously served as a contributor to both Forbes and LinkedIn.
Shital Daftari, Founder/CEO, Saris and Things DBA SNT Biotech
Shital is the founder and CEO of Saris and Things, an online multichannel e-commerce seller that rents designer Indian clothing for events. Shital also founded and serves as CEO of SNT Biotech, a leading national supplier and distributor of VTM Kits, PCR test kits and rapid antigen test kits to laboratories and hospitals across the country.
Shital is a member of C200, a premier women’s business leadership organization. She is also co-founder of Women’s Empowerment Campaign and serves as an advisory board member of the Women’s Business Collaborative and Enterprising Women.