In 2026, WBENC proudly continues its tradition of honoring exceptional women business owners through the WBE Star Award. Selected by their Regional Partner Organizations, the 14 WBE Stars exemplify this year’s theme of IMPACT, demonstrating meaningful influence across their businesses, communities, and industries through leadership, excellence, and service.
Among this year’s honorees is Diana Domenech, recognized for her outstanding impact as a WBENC-Certified business owner and leader. Following her selection as a 2026 WBE Star, Diana was appointed President & CEO of WBEC Metro NY and WBEC Greater DMV, a testament to the leadership, vision, and dedication that have defined her career. We celebrate her achievements and the continued impact she is making across the WBENC network and the broader business community!
Meet Diana Domenech, President and CEO of WBEC Metro NY and WBEC Greater DMV. Diana Domenech is a respected business leader, strategist, and trusted advisor with more than 20 years of experience in the private sector across banking, insurance, and consulting. Throughout her career, she has led transformative sourcing, supplier inclusion, and business strategy initiatives for global organizations.
Most recently, Diana founded Accelerate Consulting Group, a firm dedicated to advancing economic equality through more inclusive workplaces. Through her work, she advised organizations on developing and enhancing global vendor and employee inclusion programs, creating tailored strategies, coaching executive leaders, and delivering measurable, lasting impact. Prior to founding Accelerate Consulting Group, Diana held a senior leadership position at AIG as Head of Sourcing Process, Technology, Governance and Risk. She led transformative initiatives there focused on Supplier Diversity and Sustainability. She also spent 14 years at JPMorgan Chase, culminating in her role as Vice President of Supplier Diversity, where she directed the company’s global efforts for a program exceeding $1.3 billion.
A visionary and collaborative leader, Diana is passionate about creating opportunities. She holds an MBA from New York University, a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, a certificate from the University of Granada in Spain, and is Six Sigma Green Belt certified. Through her leadership and work, Diana continues to champion growth and sustainable business success.
Get inspired by Diana’s insights!
Wisdom from Diana Domenech
How do you define “IMPACT” in your own words?
To me, impact is meaningful, measurable change that expands access, removes barriers, and creates sustainable opportunity—not just for one organization, but across an ecosystem. True impact goes beyond intent or activity; it shows up in outcomes, systems, and the lived experiences of people who previously lacked access, influence, or opportunity. It is the ability to move organizations from intention to action—shifting systems, behaviors, and decision-making in ways that expand access, equity, and opportunity while delivering real business results.
What suggestions would you like to share with business leaders looking to expand their IMPACT?
One of the most effective ways I have found to accelerate impact is by engaging and empowering others. A great idea does no good if it isn’t shared. Having conversations about opportunities you see, and asking others about the opportunities they see, gets the juices flowing and that is where the magic starts to happen. Following up those conversations with the simple question, “How can I help?”, signals moving from idea to action, and provides the support that many need. We don’t do anything alone. I encourage everyone to find ways to get more involved!
What does “IMPACT” mean to you in the context of the WBENC network?
Being part of the WBENC network is being part of the future. Within the WBENC network, impact means accelerating economic opportunity for women-owned businesses by ensuring they are not only certified, but prepared, positioned, and connected to compete and grow.
It means strengthening both sides of the ecosystem—corporate partners and WBEs—so that inclusion is operationalized, relationships are durable, and opportunity leads to long-term business growth. It means creating economic equality and stability for the marketplace, and for generations to come.
What key lessons have you learned from mentors and peers as a business owner?
Oh, this is tough one! Everything I know about being a business owner I have learned from numerous members of the WBENC network, and they have dropped a lot of wisdom! The three lessons that have really stood out and help to guide me everyday are:
- Be Tenacious – Being a business owner requires a grit and determination to persevere each and every day. Hearing about the comebacks, and seeing how these business owners have evolved and grown, encourages me to stay at it every day. Staying grounded in my, “why”, also fuels me with the tenacity needed to be entrepreneur.
- Lean Into The Network – Being a business owner can feel very lonely at times. The women of the WBENC network have taught me the importance of reaching out for community, creating community where it is needed, and asking for help. You are a function of the company you keep – this network does not disappoint!
- Stay Focused – One beauty of entrepreneurship is the freedom to make, create, and do. Rather than being a jack of all trades and experts in none, positioning myself and my business to be industry leaders with a depth of knowledge and experience was great advice that was shared with me early on. It is hard to turn down potential business, but if it is not aligned with my purpose, mission, and vision, it will be more of a distraction rather than an enhancer. Staying focused has also allowed me to shift from operating in a reactionary mode to thinking and acting in strategic ways that help me to scale and grow my business. The peace of mind that comes along with that is also priceless!
Looking ahead, what legacy of impact do you hope to leave in the business community?
My hope is to inspire others to continue this work of business inclusion and ultimately make this the norm for how we all operate.
