History/Mission
The mission of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is to provide services and
programs that support and accelerate women’s business ownership and strengthen their impact on the economy.
Since 1986, the WBDC has offered a full-service approach to assist prospective and established women business owners in the Chicago area. The objectives of the WBDC are:
- To accelerate the rate of growth of women’s business ownership
-To increase the economic impact of women-owned businesses on both families and
communities
-To increase awareness of business ownership as a viable means of economic self-sufficiency
-To stimulate public policy and system changes which support and strengthen the economic
impact of women
In 1986, less than 10% of U.S. businesses were women-owned. And, in the workplace, women earned $24,479 to men’s $38,088 in annual wages – 64 cents for every dollar earned by men. These statistics, and the lack of women in positions of power and leadership, spurred Hedy M. Ratner and Carol Dougal to create the WBDC, one of the first women’s business assistance centers in the U.S.
Since its founding in 1986, the WBDC has grown from a two-person operation to a national leader in women’s economic development with a budget of $3.3 million. Our operation has grown to a staff of 24 full-time employees and consultants, a roster of expert trainers, industry-specific advisory boards, and a powerful Board of Directors comprised of Chicago women considered leaders in their fields.
Over the years, we've assisted more than 66,000 women in the greater Chicago area, helped establish 14 additional women’s business assistance centers in six states in the U.S., and continue to be credited for programs and policies that impact women’s economic development across the nation and globally.
President and CEO, Women’s Business Devleopoment Center (WBDC)
Emilia DiMenco is the President and CEO
of Women’s Business Development Center and Retired Executive Vice President BMO Harris N.A. Emilia DiMenco was named president and chief executive officer of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) on August 1, 2013, a transition from co-founders, Hedy Ratner and Carol Dougal. Emilia joined the WBDC as chief operating officer in July 2010 after completing a 30-year career as an executive vice president with BMO Harris N.A. Emilia had P&L responsibility for 80% of her career and managed budgets in excess of $200 million with revenues multiples greater. Her responsibility included leadership and management for 600 commercial banking employees.
Emilia is well-known for her contributions to leading civic and professional organizations, including the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She currently serves on the City of Chicago’s Small Business Advisory Council, the State of Illinois’ Workforce Investment Board’s Entrepreneurship Task Force, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Job-Creation Advisory Board, Enterprising Women magazine’s Advisory Board, among others. Emilia has also advised the Chicago Area Chapter of NAWBO on strategy and has served as an advisor to participants in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Chicago. Nationally, she is a leader in Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), helping the organization develop policies for access to capital for women-owned businesses.
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