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The WTS-Boston Professional Development Committee was pleased to host the virtual "WBE/DBE Small Business Panel" on the evening of Tuesday, April 2, 2024, where WBE/DBE-certified small business owners shared their experiences with running their women-owned firms to the 26 participants.

Amanda Alzaim, WTS-Boston Professional Development Committee Co-Chair, welcomed everyone and introduced moderator Elizabeth Bennett, Corporate Sustainability Manager at VHB, who also served as DEI Compliance Manager for six years.

Elizabeth introduced the panelists: Kathy Campbell, President/CEO of CDW Consultants, an environmental and civil engineering services firm; Marion Driscoll, Principal at MLD Services Inc, providing services to the transportation, public safety and associated industries; Seta Kalaijian, President of SMK Services Inc, a construction and project management consulting firm; and Janice Bergeron, President and CEO of RND Consultants, providing program management and real estate development services for public and private clients.

The session chronicled the panelists’ inspiration to start their own businesses, their first steps in founding a WBE/DBE business, critical next steps, unexpected challenges, stumbling blocks, and lessons learned along the way. The panelists also talked about the rewards of mentoring others and the importance of building a support network. The panel members shared tips regarding the certification process, contracting, and developing your client base. A key take-away from this event was that as hard as it is to start and run your own business, it is worth it, and everyone on the panel would do it again.

Special thanks to our panelists, moderator, and committee members for contributing to the success of this interactive and engaging event, and to WTS International for providing the virtual platform.