Program Overview: At our October 14th dinner meeting, Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D. The President & CEO of Launch NY will lead a candid conversation on “Building a Business That Can Scale.”

Building a successful business is one thing. Building one that can grow sustainably is another. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and economic development initiatives, Dr. LaVigne will explore what it truly takes to build a business positioned for meaningful, sustainable growth.

The conversation will go beyond the success stories. Marnie will share lessons from businesses that have scaled, businesses that have struggled, and the decisions, assumptions, and turning points that can make the difference between the two. Attendees will hear practical perspectives on recognizing growth potential, preparing a business for its next stage, accessing the right resources and capital, and understanding when an opportunity to grow is actually an opportunity to scale.

Whether you are actively scaling, preparing for growth, or simply asking what the next chapter of your business could look like, this conversation will offer a candid look at what it takes to build a business that is ready for more.

🎤 Featured Speaker: Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D.  –With a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Rochester, Dr. LaVigne has spent more than 30 years in both the private and public sectors creating new products and start-up businesses, driving innovation and economic growth in technology-based companies. In 2014, after heading economic development at the University at Buffalo, she became the President and CEO of Launch NY, which she co-founded in 2012 to serve high-growth potential startups in Upstate NY.

Launch NY is a sector-agnostic nonprofit venture development organization that has provided pro bono mentoring and the most active seed fund in the state for seven years running – ranked among the top 5 nonprofit seed funds in the country – among its InvestLocal Financing Programs to over 2000 companies, supporting nearly 10000 jobs. Serving on numerous boards and as fund manager for Launch NY, Dr. LaVigne led the organization to become one of fewer than 16 U.S. Treasury-designated venture funding Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) nationwide, with more than 70% of Launch NY client companies located in low-income neighborhoods.

📍Location: The iconic Chef’s Restaurant, 291 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY

⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

🍽️ Dinner Pricing: Members $42 | Non-Members $50

🚀 Perks: Complimentary parking | 🍷 Cash bar available

⚠️ Please Note: Topics and speakers may evolve as the series progresses. Stay tuned via our website and social media channels for the latest updates.

🎉 First Time Joining Us? Whether you’re curious about NAWBO, thinking about membership, or just want to network with a dynamic community of women entrepreneurs, we’d love to welcome you!