We Are NAWBO
Kentucky Chapter
Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of over 11 million women-owned businesses in America, representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries with local chapters across the US. See more of the historical timeline of the national organization here.
Today, NAWBO Kentucky is a thriving organization with a vision for statewide growth. Click here to see our yearly plan.
Mission
Our mission is to help connect women to the resources, people, information, and organizations that can help them achieve their personal, business, or political goals.
Goals
By combining the knowledge, networks, and expertise of our diverse membership, our board of directors, and our staff, NAWBO Kentucky works to:
- Strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promote economic development.
- Create innovative and effective changes in the business culture.
- Build strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations.
- Transform public policy and influence opinion makers.
Leadership
NAWBO Kentucky has always been led by a group of strong and independent businesswomen. We are proud to showcase our current leadership, as well as all women who came before them in the Kentucky chapters. If you are interested in learning more about NAWBO Kentucky committees, reach out to us today. You can also contact us if you are interested in serving on our board! Please send your resume, bio, company information, website, what position you would be interested in, and all other inquiries to [email protected].
President
Barbara Kelly
President-Elect
Kathy Sanders
Treasurer
Jennifer Schnurr
Secretary
Carrie Downey
Clarity Co.
Clarity Co.
DEIB chair
Demetria Miles-McDonald
Lexington Market Engagement
Jennifer Longworth
Louisville Market Engagement
Julie Brown
Membership Chair
April Petrey
Advocacy Chair
Dee Dee Taylor
502 Hemp
502 Hemp
Programs Chair
Vanessa Shannon
Optimize Consulting
Communications Chair
Emily Conley
Corporate partner chair
Christy Smallwood
Past Presidents
Immediate Past President
Vanessa Pennoyer
| Term in Office | Name |
| 2023-2024 | Vanessa Pennoyer: Go 2 Girl LLC |
| 2020-2023 | Basha Roberts: Lextech, Inc. |
| 2020-2021 | Sarah Waskey: Strothman + Co |
| 2018-2020 | Robin Miller: Nest Community Marketing |
| 2016-2018 | Jesika Young : Cimtech Inc. |
| 2014-2016 | Denise Jerome: Michaelis Events |
| 2012-2014 | Lawren Just: Persimmon Ridge |
| 2010-2012 | Lesa Seibert: Mightily |
| 2008-2010 | Maggie Payette-Harlow: Sign-A-Rama Downtown |
| 2006-2008 | Tricia Burke : Office Environment Company |
| 2005-2006 | Gayle Graham : W.T. Shumake & Daughters |
| 2004-2005 | Patsy Bargo : Bargo & Associates |
| 2003-2004 | Sharon Scheer : Sharon M. Scheer, CPA |
| 2002-2003 | Katherine Autin : The Jewelry Search, Inc. |
| 2001-2002 | Gwen Parrott : Parrot & Associates, PSC |
| 2000-2001 | Cindee Coffee : Stites & Harbison Law Firm |
| 1999-2000 | Pam Rankin : PBR Financial Strategies |
| 1998-1999 | Cathy Zion : Today’s Woman |
| 1997-1998 | Kay Meurer : Discount Office Interiors |
| 1996-1997 | Mary Morrow : ProBusiness Source |
| 1995-1996 | Winter Reneaux Collins : Burbank & Collins Law Firm |
| 1994-1995 | Joan Frentz : JWF Concepts, Inc. |
| 1993-1994 | Rita Bodart : Airlanes Travel |
| 1992-1993 | Betty Griffin (Charter President) : Betty Griffin Public Relations, Inc. |
| 1992-1994 | Carrie Smith – Lexington Chapter |
| 1994-1995 | Patty Breeze – Lexington Chapter |
| 1995-1996 | Basha Roberts – Lexington Chapter |
| 1996-1997 | Jeanne Tighe – Lexington Chapter |
| 1997-1998 | Kim Monthie – Lexington Chapter |
| 1998-1999 | Pat Bowles – Lexington Chapter |
| 1999-2000 | Anita Britton – Lexington Chapter |
| 2000-2001 | Sheila Bayes – Lexington Chapter |
| 2001-2002 | Cathy Chatfield – Lexington Chapter |
| 2002-2003 | Eileen O’Brien – Lexington Chapter |
| 2003-2004 | Janie Head – Lexington Chapter |
| 2004-2005 | Sharon Cox – Lexington Chapter |
| 2005-2006 | Lisa Hendricks – Lexington Chapter |
| 2006-2007 | Pam Larson – Lexington Chapter |
| 2007-2008 | Diana Hughes – Lexington Chapter |
| 2008-2009 | Beverly Clemons – Lexington Chapter |
| 2009-2010 | Janey Moores – Lexington Chapter |
| 2010-2011 | Cathy Stafford – Lexington Chapter |
| 2011-2012 | Julie McEwen – Lexington Chapter |
| 2012-2013 |
Amy Johnson – Lexington Chapter |
| 2013-2014 | Rhonda Bartlett – Lexington Chapter |
| 2014-2015 | Donna Smith – Lexington Chapter |
Our History
NAWBO Kentucky was formed in 2015 from the combination of two Kentucky NAWBO chapters based in Louisville and Lexington. NAWBO Kentucky is committed to representing a diverse rural and urban group of women business owners. Currently, NAWBO Kentucky is supporting the following markets: Lexington, Louisville, Southern Indiana, Northern Kentucky, and Southern Cincinnati. Several other markets are planned for 2024. Members are welcome from everywhere within the state.
The original NAWBO Kentucky chapters were formed in 1992. These two chapters, named NAWBO Louisville and NAWBO Lexington, represented urban women business owners for years. Both chapters grew to hundreds of members and were committed to nurturing the success of women business owners. The chapters partnered to support the small business caucus, created in Frankfort KY to monitor, and support legislative issues impacting women business owners. Several chapter members were Kentucky representatives to the White House Conference on Small Business in 1995.
The following Kentucky NAWBO members have served on the National NAWBO board as representatives of the local Kentucky chapters of Lexington and Louisville:
- Evelyn Strange – (Served as the NAWBO National President from 2011-2012)
- Patty Breeze
- Lisa Seibert
- Basha Roberts
We are Stronger Together
The organization is comprised of a diverse range of business types including accounting firms, advertising firms, financial services, catering companies, retail stores, printing services, contractors, manufacturers, and others. NAWBO Kentucky serves business establishments in categories from small, home-based businesses, to multi-million-dollar companies.