U.S. Women's Business Journal
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Featured Contributors

Margot DorfmanMargot Dorfman
Ms. Dorfman is the CEO of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and leading voice on economic issues.  Read either her "Get Serious!" commentary or her "Market Force Blog:  Day to Day Opportunity and Influence"

 

Lisa Maatz: Inside the BeltwayLisa Maatz 
Inside the Beltway:  Ms. Maatz provides a real insider's look at the political workings of our Nation's Capital.

 

NewsLinda Basch 
Real Life:  Ms. Basch leads the National Council for Research on Women and provides insights on the reality of women's lives.

 

NewsPatricia DeGennaro 
Think Global:  Ms. DeGennaro leading int'l security  expert whose passion is to broaden global and cultural understanding.

 

NewsTim Lohrentz 
The State of WBE:  Tim keeps us up to date on local business development and procurement progams for women in business.

 

NewsTerry Williams 
Business Matters:  Ms. Williams provides insights on business, finance & leveraging our market force.


>>Watch for additional Featured
Contributors providing insights and commentary on business, finance, politics and more

Tim Lohrentz is a leader in the field of community economic development, applying his extensive research skills and knowledge of what works in the field to advance opportunity and economic justice. As Director of the Inclusive Business Initiative, Mr. Lohrentz believes that small businesses owned by women and people of color are a key to building sustainable local economies.

The Inclusive Business Initiative is a national program of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development to grow and develop minority and women-owned business enterprises through the promotion of best practices by the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. The Inclusive Business Initiative national advisory committee includes the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce along with ten other national organizations. The Insight Center (http://www.insightcced.org) is a national research, consulting, and legal organization dedicated to building economic health in vulnerable communities.

Mr. Lohrentz has a broad background in community development, urban planning, and international development. He has worked for several years in Central America – El Salvador and Nicaragua – as well as West Africa – Guinea Bissau, where he provided technical assistance to the national women’s chamber of commerce, along with other small business associations.

Mr. Lohrentz has been with the Insight Center since 2004 and previously owned a consulting business in the Chicago area, while also a stay-at-home dad. He has a Masters in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.A. in Math from Bethel College (KS).

Tuesday
23Dec

Houston Suspends WBE Goals on Construction

DateTuesday, December 23, 2008 at 6:05PM

The City of Houston suspended its goals for women owned businesses (WBEs) on construction projects last week, following a settlement with Kossman Contracting Co. It follows a 12-year legal battle between the City and Kossman. The overall goal for WBEs on construction had been 5%, with the actual percentage varying per contract. A goal of 14% for minority owned businesses remains, while a goal of 3% for small-business enterprises (SBEs) was increased to 8%, now including both white-male and white-female owned small firms.

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Wednesday
03Dec

Planning for Change in Women Business Centers

DateWednesday, December 3, 2008 at 10:41AM

Women Business Centers and associations representing women-owned businesses need to plan for change in order to maintain long-term sustainability and success.  The Inclusive Business Initiative is hosting a webinar, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Eastern, Thursday, Dec. 4.  Registration is free.

The presenters include Angel McCormick Franks, Director of the Missouri Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity; Teo Tijerina, Executive Director of EDCO Ventures in Austin, Texas; and Jeff Jones, Sr. Vice President of Bank of America for Supply Chain Management.

This webinar will address how to create structures and processes that ensure that your program, center, chamber, or association maintains its strength in the face of change, whether that is a change in executive, key staff, or Board or a loss in funding. Presenters will discuss why this is especially important for supplier diversity programs as well as nonprofits and associations that are working with women-owned and other businesses. More information...

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Friday
21Nov

Colorado Rejects Attack on Affirmative Action

DateFriday, November 21, 2008 at 4:36PM

“With the failure of Amendment 46, women business owners will continue to have opportunities to access government contracts,” said Donna Evans, President & CEO of the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce. Women-business owners in Denver will continue to enjoy equal access to that city’s procurement and contracting needs after voters in Colorado rejected Amendment 46, which would have banned most affirmative action measures in that state. At the same time, voters in Nebraska approved a similar measure there, Ballot Measure 424.

The Colorado vote was the first time that voters in any state had rejected the so-called ‘civil rights initiatives’ sponsored by Ward Connerly. Voters in California approved Proposition 209 in 1996, followed by the approval of Initiative 200 in Washington in 1998, and Measure B in Michigan in 2006.

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Wednesday
19Nov

Dangerous Ballot Measures in Colorado and Nebraska

DateWednesday, November 19, 2008 at 6:10PM

Lost in the national political commotion are various state ballot measures, including some that could have an impact on women-owned businesses. Foremost among these are Amendment 46 on the Colorado November 4 ballot and Initiative Measure 424 on the Nebraska ballot, which would both make it much more difficult for the state, educational institutions, and local jurisdictions to consider gender, along with race, ethnicity, and national origin, when making decisions related to contracting, employment, and education. Opponents of the measures say they would effectively ban affirmative action in those states.

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