Messages from Our President & President-Elect

Wisdom from Those Leading the Way

Our chapter presidents leave a lasting mark on NAWBO Buffalo Niagara. This page honors their leadership, vision, and commitment through personal messages that reflect on their time at the helm. Their insights serve as a bridge between our legacy and our future, offering inspiration, gratitude, and guidance for the leaders of tomorrow.

Chapter President

Welcome to the 2025-2026 year at NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara! I am beyond excited to welcome you to a year filled with education, connection, and most importantly, support.

NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara has always held a special place in my heart. When I first started my business, I was grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and wisdom I received from my NAWBO sisters. Less than six months after launching, I was sponsored to join by Joyce DeLong, one of our Past Presidents. She encouraged me to connect with the women in this chapter and see them as the powerhouses they truly are. And I did.

Shortly after, life tested me in ways I never expected. My family faced a devastating series of events. We lost my grandmother, and just one month later, my mother, Amy, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which she, just two years later, lost her battle with. During this time, I kept running my business, leaning on the support of my NAWBO sisters. Their encouragement didn’t just help me survive; it helped me thrive. Without them, I honestly don’t know where I would be today.

Eight years later, I am humbled and honored to serve as your President. I am grateful for this sisterhood, for this community, and for the incredible opportunity to give back and help create even more connection and support among our members.

Being champions of women-owned businesses has always been our mission. But building friendships, community, and meaningful connections—that is the cherry on top.

This year, I encourage you to share.

Share in each other’s wins. Share in each other’s losses. Share your joy. Share your gratitude. But also, share your struggles. Ask for help. Be vulnerable. Because without the dark, we cannot fully appreciate the light. And no matter where you are in your journey, there is always something good just around the corner.

We are all in this together, not just as women in NAWBO, but as women, period. Together, we are building a legacy for ourselves, for our sisters, and for the generations of women who will follow.

NAWBO has a 50-year history of dedication, advocacy, strength, and resilience. I am so proud to be part of this legacy. And I can’t wait to build the next 50 years with all of you.

Thank you, and let’s make this year unforgettable.

With gratitude & love,

Chapter President-Elect

I’m excited to share that this year, we’ve re-imagined our chapter meetings to make them more engaging, valuable, and intentional for every member. (By “we”, I mean this is the work of many phenomenal members.)

Each monthly gathering now follows a refreshed structure designed to balance connection, learning, and action:

• Meaningful Networking: We’re creating space for real conversations that spark collaboration and build relationships that include our creative members.
• Focused Learning: Every meeting features a guest speaker or panel offering practical tools you can use right away in your business.
• Chapter Impact: We’ll highlight ways our chapter is making a difference through advocacy, philanthropy, and supporting one another as women business owners.
• Celebrating Wins: Together, we’ll recognize new members, applaud successes, and lift each other up.

Our goal is simple: when you walk into a NAWBO Buffalo-Niagara meeting, you feel welcomed, energized, and equipped to take something meaningful back to your business and your life.

I hope you’ll join us for upcoming meetings and experience this new structure for yourself. We’re building a vibrant chapter where every woman’s voice matters, and I can’t wait to see you there!