[Orlando, FL] - The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Orlando Chapter is pleased to announce its newly elected Board of Directors for the 2024-25 term. This diverse and accomplished group of women leaders is set to guide the organization and advocate for the interests of women entrepreneurs in the Orlando area.
Leading the NAWBO Orlando Chapter as President is Regine Bonneau, CTPRP, CEO of RB Advisory LLC. Bonneau brings extensive experience in business consulting, cybersecurity compliance, and risk management. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and industry thought leader, recently honored as one of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Florida by The Women’s Edge. As NAWBO Orlando’s Chapter President, she will provide strategic direction and foster a supportive network for women business owners, emphasizing industry collaboration and creating valuable partnerships.
Joining Bonneau on the Board are several esteemed women business professionals, each bringing unique expertise and creative insights to NAWBO Orlando. The newly elected Board members include:
Christa Santos, Immediate Past President – President of CKS Marketing Communications, LLC brings extensive experience marketing entrepreneurship initiatives, high technology, and professional services companies, as well as a deep commitment to empowering women in business. As NAWBO Orlando’s Chapter former President, she will continue to provide strategic advice and mentoring for the Chapter leaders to continue to provide programming and support to grow and strengthen women owned businesses.
Karen Kurta, President-Elect - Owner of Karen K Photo, leveraging her creative talents and marketing skills to enhance the chapter's communications strategies and continued collaboration for the upcoming year.
Tracy Rickard, Secretary - founder of Tracy's Total Wellness, a Certified Health and Life Coach, Yoga Teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Energy Worker. Rickard is dedicated to empowering women to live in a body and life they love through one-on-one sessions, group work, and transformational events.
Amber Kelley, Programs Chair for NAWBO Orlando, is the co-Founder and COO of M.A.D. Cleaning Services, a family-owned business specializing in residential and commercial cleaning services. With years of experience in perfecting the craft of creating clean, inviting spaces, Amber is passionate about helping clients improve their quality of living.
Shameka Allen-Lane, CMP, DES, our Communications Chair is the founder and CEO of Catalyst Event Coaching LLC, where she combines her passion for events and education to empower others with effective event management strategies. As a chemist who transitioned into the event and hospitality industry, Shameka is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with over 15 years of experience, having successfully managed over 1,200 events for global clients. With her expertise in strategic planning, team engagement, and risk management, Shameka equips her clients with the knowledge and tools to execute events successfully.
Rose LeJiste, Membership Chair - CEO of RL Engineering & Tech Solutions, LeJiste has a strong background in engineering, data analytics, and business intelligence. She is also a mentor and advocate for diversity in tech, having served as Executive Director of Black Orlando Tech and on the advisory board of BizLink Orange.
Ansi Fernandes, Treasurer - Founder of Every Penny Solutions, Fernandes specializes in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs manage their finances through services like bookkeeping, payroll, accounts receivables/payable support, and consulting. Her passion is to provide financial clarity and planning for businesses to thrive.
Shawntia Lee (Emilius), Director - CEO of College Thriver Education, leverages her business connections and acumen, to help NAWBO with its outreach and exposure. Lee's entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in education will contribute to NAWBO Orlando's efforts to attract and grow its membership base. She was the winner of the chapter’s PropelHER Pitch Emerging Business in 2022 as part of its annual Take Flight Business Conference and has gone on to win several business pitch events.
These outstanding individuals will work collaboratively to drive NAWBO Orlando's mission of empowering women entrepreneurs, facilitating growth opportunities, and advocating for their interests in the business community. The board will leverage their diverse backgrounds and expertise to deliver impactful programs, networking events, and educational resources for NAWBO Orlando members.
NAWBO Orlando is dedicated to fostering the economic empowerment and success of women business owners in Central Florida. The chapter is poised to drive impactful initiatives, promote diversity and inclusion, and provide valuable resources to women entrepreneurs throughout the region.
"We are excited to have such an exceptional group of women leading NAWBO Orlando," says Regine Bonneau, President of NAWBO Orlando Chapter. "Our Board is committed to championing women-owned businesses, fostering their success, and creating a thriving entrepreneurial community."
For more information about NAWBO Orlando and its initiatives, please visit www.nawboorlando.org. NAWBO Orlando is a partner organization of the National Entrepreneur Center (NEC). Make plans to attend the upcoming Installation event on August 22 at the Winter Park Civic Center from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Additional events are also happening on July 1 in partnership with World Orlando, featuring a discussion with an international delegation on Women Making an Impact. Details and registration available on the NAWBO Orlando website.
About NAWBO Orlando:
A 5-Star Award Recipient, NAWBO Orlando’s vision is to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide. Our mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of NAWBO Orlando’s members and promote economic development; create innovative and effective changes in the business culture; build strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations; and transform public policy and influence opinion–makers. Orlando is home to more than 51K women-owned businesses.
Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the unified voice of more than 12 million women-owned businesses in the United States with more than 5,000 members and 60+ chapters, representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. It is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. NAWBO will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.