2025 WBENC Conference: Meet the WBE Co-Chair — KERAMIDA Environmental, Inc.

Get ready to shift into high gear at the 2025 WBENC National Conference! This year, we’re turning up the momentum with our electrifying theme, ACCELERATE—designed to propel your business, network, and impact to new heights!

We are honored to introduce the incredible 2025 WBE Co-Chairs. a dynamic group of trailblazing women entrepreneurs who exemplify what it means to lead with vision, passion, and purpose. Their leadership and commitment to the WBENC network represent the very heart of this year’s conference theme. As Co-Chairs, they will play a pivotal role in championing opportunities, inspiring action, and helping all of us ACCELERATE forward together!

Established in 1988, KERAMIDA is the Sustainability, Environmental, and Health & Safety consulting firm of choice for many high-profile private and public clients worldwide.

KERAMIDA Inc. is a WBENC-Certified Woman-Owned Sustainability and EHS consulting firm that advises industries, businesses, financial institutions, and governments worldwide. Our multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, CPAs, and economists provides strategy, implementation, compliance, reporting, and assurance services globally.

Established in 1988, KERAMIDA is headquartered in a 24,000 ft² building in the historic Lockerbie Square district of Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm employs over 130 professionals throughout the U.S., with offices in Indianapolis, IN; Carnegie, PA; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Sacramento, CA; and Camas, WA.

At KERAMIDA, we help women-owned businesses integrate sustainability into their core operations, allowing them to differentiate themselves in competitive markets. We provide guidance on ESG compliance, carbon reduction strategies, and sustainable supply chain practices, ensuring they meet growing regulatory and investor expectations. Additionally, we mentor and collaborate with other WBENC-certified businesses, helping them scale through knowledge-sharing and strategic sustainability planning.

WBENC is thrilled to introduce Dr. Vicky Keramida, CEO, Chief Technical Officer, and founder of KERAMIDA Inc., as a WBE Co-Chair for the 2025 WBENC National Conference.

A trailblazer in environmental engineering and sustainability, Dr. Keramida has spent over three decades leading innovation in remediation, water quality, and ESG strategy. Under her leadership, KERAMIDA has grown into a globally recognized, WBENC-Certified business serving industries, cities, and governments worldwide.

As a WBE Co-Chair for this year’s conference, centered around the theme ACCELERATE, we asked Dr. Keramida what it means to accelerate growth, innovation, and impact in today’s business landscape. From scaling a global enterprise to championing inclusive economic growth, her insights are nothing short of inspiring.

I see ACCELERATE in action through partnerships that integrate sustainability into business strategies, making companies more resilient and future-ready. For example, women-owned businesses in the WBENC network are leveraging sustainability as a competitive advantage—whether by adopting net-zero strategies, aligning with ESG frameworks, or innovating in circular economy solutions. Corporate Members, in turn, are increasingly seeking diverse suppliers who can help them meet their sustainability commitments, accelerating opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Can you share strategies or actions that have successfully AMPLIFIED efforts in the WBENC community over the past year? How can those strategies be built upon to ACCELERATE outcomes in 2025?

One of the most effective strategies has been fostering partnerships between women-owned businesses and larger corporations committed to sustainability goals. By aligning these businesses with corporate sustainability needs—such as emissions reduction, responsible sourcing, and regulatory compliance—we’ve unlocked new revenue streams and long-term contracts for WBEs. In 2025, we can accelerate this momentum by strengthening supplier diversity programs that prioritize sustainability-focused WBEs and increasing educational resources to help them navigate ESG requirements.

For business owners and leaders who are looking to ACCELERATE their success, what key advice or actionable steps would you recommend for them to implement today?

Embed Sustainability into Your Business Model – Companies with strong ESG performance are increasingly preferred by clients, investors, and corporate partners.
Leverage WBENC’s Network – Build relationships with corporate members actively seeking diverse suppliers.
Innovate and Adapt – Stay ahead of industry trends by continuously improving your processes, whether through technology, sustainable practices, or new market opportunities.
Measure and Communicate Impact – Track your progress on sustainability and business goals and communicate your successes effectively.
Seek Strategic Collaborations – Partner with businesses and experts who can help you scale and meet market demands.

Collaboration and innovation are the twin engines of acceleration. By fostering partnerships between women-owned businesses and sustainability-focused enterprises, we can drive collective success. For instance, companies that collaborate on sustainable supply chains or share ESG best practices gain a competitive edge. Likewise, innovation—whether through new technology, circular economy models, or carbon reduction solutions—allows WBEs to differentiate themselves and capture new markets. The WBENC network provides a unique ecosystem where these forces come together, creating unparalleled opportunities for growth and transformation.