Message from the President

NAWBO Ventura County installs 2020-2021 Board

NAWBO CA President Vikita Poindexter inducts
Kamie Abraham as President

Ventura County, CA ­— The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) installed its new Board of Directors on July 14, 2020 in a first-ever virtual installation and celebration sponsored by Chase Bank. Attended by over 45 guests, Vikita Poindexter, President of NAWBO California, installed Kamie Abraham of Sagemark Consulting as the 20/21 President along with a Board of Directors representing a diverse group of respected local leaders from various industry segments.

2020-2021 NAWBO Ventura County Board of Directors and Leadership Council

• President – Kamie Abraham, Sagemark Consulting
• Immediate Past President and Corporate Partners Director – Lynnette Coverly, Coverly Professional Services, Inc.
• President Elect – Seana-Marie Sesma, Your PR Girls and MaryJane Services Network
• Vice President and Programs Director – LaVada English, LaVada English Consulting
• Secretary – Cindy Ericson, 3 Strand Business Solutions
• Marketing Director – Natalie Ruffing, Sirens Media
• Public Policy/Advocacy Director – Dawn Dyer, Dyer Sheehan Group, Inc.
• Education Director – Karen Smith, Personalized College Choice
• Community Liaison – Anne Meyer, California Natural Brands, Inc
• Mastermind Program Chair – Michelle Carlen, Alignment Advising
• Book Club Chair – Jane Tierney, Purple Link

Immediate Past President Lynnette Coverly delivered a State of the Chapter report announcing several successes this past year, from increased sponsorship funding and meeting attendance to new virtual programs in response to the unique challenges presented from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special guest Deborah Snyder, Vice President of Membership and Community Outreach at NAWBO National, welcomed the group emphasizing the support NAWBO National provides the Ventura Chapter.  Vikita Poindexter, President of NAWBO California shared an empowered and purposeful message stating, “As leaders of your chapter you are committing to advocating for women business owners in your community and across the State. Your servant leadership is commendable, and I look forward to watching your continued success as a chapter.”

Newly inducted President Kamie Abraham delivered an inspiring message, “Our membership has held strong in numbers despite the difficulties that many of our women business owners have faced given the economic impact of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders. I attribute this to how quickly we pivoted into a virtual world, hosting our events and meetings online, which we will continue to do until it is safe to be in person again.” Abraham noted that her theme for the chapter this year is, ‘Stay Connected,’ noting the importance of supporting one another both in business and personally. “Our board members are excited to stay connected with our members and to continue to support women business owners in Ventura County,” continued Abraham.

NAWBO Ventura County – Established in 1996, NAWBO Ventura County (NAWBO VC) has been furthering the aspirations of our growing community of women business owners throughout the county for 24 years. The chapter serves women business owners from the west end of the county, including Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, to the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. In addition to monthly meetings featuring instructive speakers and dynamic panelists, the chapter hosts its annual BRAVA celebration honoring the Woman Business Owner of the Year among others. NAWBO VC also takes an active role in supporting favorable business legislation through a state-wide public policy forum. At the national level, NAWBO, has over 80 chapters with 11 in California. Membership is open to women solopreneurs, small to mid-size business owners, partners, corporate owners, and female nonprofit founders and executives, as well as those companies that support women-owned businesses. Learn more: www.nawbovc.org.