About Us

Learn More About Us.

The Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona (WBC) provides business training, 1-on-1 coaching, and technical assistance designed to accommodate the varied needs of diverse, multi-lingual, underserved, and disadvantaged women entrepreneurs in Southern Arizona. Annually, we serve 1000 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, the majority are underserved and low-income (Median Client Income is below $40,000/ 78% of AMI), 84% women, 52% Latino/a, 8% veterans, service members, or their spouses, and 6% disabled.

 

The Women's Business Center is hosted by the YWCA of Southern Arizona, whose mission, "eliminating racism, empowering women" is in direct alignment with the WBC.  The WBC's programs and services are made possible through the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the ongoing partnership with the YWCA of Southern Arizona, foundations, and the City of Tucson Economic Development initiatives.

Advisory Board

Every member of our Advisory Board is a thought leader who has made significant contributions to our community.   Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.   

Jennifer

O'Neill

Jennifer is Founder & CEO of Restoration Empowerment Institute, an organization providing training, consultation, advocacy, & support services in recovery for families impacted by oppression, abuse, and violence.  Jennifer is a local & international retreat facilitator, speaker, and owner of Beautiful Little Things LLC.  She has degrees in Business Administration & Community Counseling, & a PhD Clinical Psychology candidate. Currently serving on the Boards of YWCA of Southern Arizona & WBC.

Danny

Knee

Danny is the Executive Director of Community Investment Corporation (CIC), a nonprofit organization working to increase access to the economy through home-ownership, education, & entrepreneurship. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, an MBA from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree  from Rutgers University. Danny’s professional work focuses on disparities in capital access and creating solutions to reduce inequities in how money moves in through our economy.

Sofia

Ramos Ph.D.

Dr. Sofía Martinez Ramos is a Founding Fellow and Advisory Board member of the Executive Leadership Academy at University of California, Berkeley. She is a higher education professional with more than twenty years of experience in both the two and four-year institutions. Dr. Ramos’s areas of research and expertise are the education, success and development of leaders of color and the building of inclusive environments. Sofia is president of Luminario Education Strategies where she provides career and advancement coaching and trainings. 

Cecilia

Arosemena

Cecilia Arosemena is an alum of the WBC - YWCA of Southern Arizona. She became a small business owner in 2015 after years in the food industry. Cecilia launched a successful juice business with the help of Community Investment Corporation and incubated her business in the YWCA kitchen. Today, Cecilia operates a second business as a bilingual and bicultural Tucson Realtor. As a residential real estate agent, Cecilia loves collaborating with buyers and sellers.

Women's Business Center of Southern Arizona - Staff

Isabel

Georgelos

Deputy Director, Women's Business Center Southern Arizona

Mariela

Carranza

WBC, Project Coordinator

Patricia

Piña

WBC, Program Coordinator Español

Agbale, "Abby"

Nagbe

WBC, Program Coordinator English

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