Message from the President

Celebrating its 21st year, BRAVA, previously known as BRAVO, is the annual signature awards luncheon hosted by the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC).

This year’s theme is “Diversity, Resilience, Transformation: Bold Women Creating Her-story.”

Mark your calendar for Friday, June 18th from 12:00pm to 1:30pm as NAWBO VC shines the spotlight on outstanding business women of Ventura County.

Nominations for six local, outstanding and fearless women in the following categories are now closed and with a record number of nominations this year, we will be excited to announce winners soon!

1. Woman Business Owner of the Year
2. Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (30 years old or younger)
3. Adaptability Award
4. Champion of Diversity
5. Rising Star of the Year (in business less than 5 years)
6. Resiliency Award

Click here to view a full description of each award category.

BRAVO alum include Catherine Von Burg of SimpliPhi Power, Alison Kenis of Sugar Lab Bakeshop, Emily Barany of Visionality, Breanne Cochran of The Vent Human Performance Center, Lori Volk of Lori’s Original Lemonade, Dr. Janis Shinkawa of Ohana Pet Hospital, and Dawn Dyer of Dyer Sheehan Group, Inc. Dyer brought home the prestigious NAWBO California Woman Business Owner of the Year award in 2018 and both Dyer and Shinkawa were finalists for the National Woman Business Owner of the Year presented by NAWBO in the past few years.

“The caliber of our past honorees is truly inspiring. Given the challenges we have all endured in the last year, I am thrilled that we are renaming NAWBO VC’s BRAVO awards to BRAVA in a time when women business owners have had to adapt and transform in the face of historic challenges. I believe this year’s theme accurately recognizes the resiliency of diverse women business owners now and into the future,” stated Seana-Marie Sesma, President-Elect, NAWBO Ventura County and BRAVA 2021 Chair. “I look forward to seeing who will be nominated this year.”