Message from the President

WEV’s Marsha Bailey inducts Lynnette Coverly of Coverly Professional Services as President

The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) installed its new Board of Directors last week at the woman-owned RELM Wine & Beer Bistro in Camarillo as part of its Summer Celebration. Marsha Bailey, founder of Women’s Economic Ventures installed the new slate of officers who represent a broad spectrum of industries, leadership and business acumen.

2019-2020 NAWBO Ventura County Board of Directors

• President – Lynnette Coverly, Coverly Professional Services
• Immediate Past President – Diane de Mailly, DDM Metering Systems, Inc.
• Secretary – Lisa Rule, The Acorn Newspapers and Beyond The Acorn Magazine
• Membership Director – Kamie Abraham, Sagemark Consulting
• Programs Director – Rose Hayden-Smith, Shine Communications
• Public Policy/Advocacy Director – Dawn Dyer, Dyer Sheehan Group, Inc.

“It’s been a fabulous year. Our membership has grown by 64% in the last twelve months with our members representing multiple business sectors, from professional and legal services to manufacturing, construction, retail, and energy,” stated Diane de Mailly, NAWBO VC’s now Immediate Past President.

Newly inducted NAWBO VC President Lynnette Coverly outlined exciting plans for the new year. She plans to launch quarterly idea-sharing Membership Meet-Ups to allow members to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment. She also announced ideas to reenergize the chapter’s monthly meetings, which includes holding them throughout the County, incorporating breakfast and lunch time-frames, and co-hosting networking activities and educational workshops with community partners. “I’m thrilled at the momentum our chapter is gaining and I look forward to continuing to offer a collaborative, educational and supportive environment for women business owners throughout our county.” Coverly added that she’d like to launch a business book club and grow the organization’s Mastermind and Mentor Programs. She even hinted at the possibility of a few scholarships to diversify the membership and broaden its reach into new industries. The Board of Directors is joined by active leadership Chairs Andi Malone (Infinity Gifts, Baskets & Balloons) who will lead the Mastermind program and fundraising activities, Doris Muna (Dorothea Essences) who will be developing corporate partnerships, Seana-Marie Sesma (Your PR Girls and MaryJane Services Network) overseeing the Mentor program and special events, and Brenda Terzian (Doug Terzian Construction) as the chapter’s Community Liaison.

Established in 1996, NAWBO Ventura County has been furthering the aspirations of our growing community of women business owners throughout the county for over 23 years. The chapter serves women business owners from the west end of the county, including Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, and throughout the Conejo Valley, east to Simi Valley and Moorpark, and into Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. In addition to monthly meetings featuring instructive speakers and dynamic panelists, the chapter hosts networking activities and events, including its annual BRAVO 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. The national organization, NAWBO, has over 80 chapters across the United States. Membership is open to women solopreneurs, small to mid-size business owners, partners and corporate owners as well as those companies that support women-owned businesses. Learn more: www.nawbovc.org.