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.
Throughout the year, the 2026 WBE Stars will be featured on the WBENC website, culminating in their celebration at the 2026 WBENC National Conference, June 15–18, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where thousands will gather to do business and honor the strength and impact of the WBENC Network.
Meet Tammy Sue Cooper, CEO & CFO of Technologent, with the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West Regional Partner Organization. Tammy is a highly accomplished C‑suite executive and board‑level leader known for combining deep financial expertise, strategic insight, and strong governance to drive informed decision‑making. With experience spanning multiple industries, Tammy brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to leadership and is widely recognized as an influential agent for positive change—championing mentorship, innovation, and resilient growth.
Over more than two decades, Tammy has led Technologent through an unprecedented period of expansion, transforming the company from a 20‑employee, $25M startup into a leading technology firm with more than 300 employees, 14 offices worldwide, and an established tier‑one client base of multibillion‑dollar enterprises. In her role, she oversees strategic planning, finance, audit, and human resources, including compensation governance, while managing large P&Ls and guiding long‑term growth strategy.
Guided by a commitment to both business excellence and community impact, Tammy is actively involved in organizations including the Girl Scouts, The Jeremiah Society, and Meals on Wheels. She is also very involved with her Regional Partner Organization, WBEC-West, having served with the Orange County Forum, most recently as Forum Chair. Tammy’s work demonstrates how visionary leadership, compassion, and collaboration can create a lasting impact.
Get inspired by Tammy’s insights!
Technologent is an IT solutions provider that delivers enterprise-class services across Data, AI, Cloud and Security—empowering organizations to drive strategic digital innovation and long-term growth. Technologent has over 20 years of experience creating IT environments that are agile, modern, and compliant. Their tailored transformation strategies align IT capabilities with operational objectives, enabling smarter investments and measurable impact. The Technologent team is dedicated to bridging the gap between technology and business outcomes, transforming complexity into clarity for clients.
View the Technologent Economic Impact Story!
Wisdom from WBE Star, Tammy Sue Cooper
How do you define “IMPACT” in your own words?
Impact is the meaningful change your actions created. Such as what you do that influences people, outcomes or situations in ways that last or ripple outward.
For business owners and leaders who are looking to accelerate their “IMPACT,” what key advice or actionable steps would you recommend for them to implement today?
Be explicit about the change you want to create. Invest in people, not just performance. Leverage your influence, not just your resources. Measure what matters (track retention, advancement and client success) and give back in ways that align with your expertise.
What strategies do you use to stay motivated and inspired as a leader?
- Reconnect to the “why,” not just the goals
- I remind myself who benefits when the work is done well—employees, clients, and the broader community. Purpose sustains motivation longer than milestones.
- Measure progress, not perfection
- Small wins matter. Tracking momentum—even during hard seasons—keeps motivation grounded in reality.
- Surround yourself with honest peers
- A trusted circle that challenges, supports, and understands the weight of leadership prevents isolation and burnout.
- Invest in continuous learning
- Curiosity fuels energy. Learning something new—whether a skill, perspective, or trend—keeps leadership fresh and forward-looking.
- Delegate to elevate
- Letting go of control creates space for higher-impact thinking and reminds me leadership is about empowerment, not exhaustion.
- Protect personal energy
- Motivation fades when energy is depleted. Setting boundaries, taking breaks, and stepping away when needed isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership responsibility.
- Reflect on impact regularly
- I take time to look back at people helped, growth enabled, and challenges overcome. Impact is a powerful motivator.
In what tangible ways is your business generating “IMPACT”?
We generate impact by enabling growth (scale smarter or make clear decisions), create stability (reliable jobs, ethical leadership), develop people (mentoring, promoting and advocating for women in early career), model possibility (showing women to lead with competence, integrity and vision) and reinvest in success (sharing knowledge, opening doors and strengthening networks).
Looking ahead, what legacy of impact do you hope to leave in the business community?
I hope to leave a legacy of lifting while building.
One where success is measured not just by growth or revenue, but by the people who advanced, the confidence that was sparked, and the doors that stayed open long after I walked through them. I want the business community to remember leadership that was principled, generous with knowledge, and intentional about creating space for women and underrepresented voices to lead.
If my work proves anything, I hope it’s this: you can scale a business, honor your values, and make room for others—all at the same time.
