During the first quarter of 2026, a clear message emerged from CEOs across the WBENC network: Growth is the result of intentional design—not just operational intensity.
Through the early sessions of the newest WBENC LIFT capacity building program, CEO Catalyst—and with interest building for Entrepreneur Financial Readiness (EFR)—entrepreneurs are learning the key insights necessary to shift their focus, from solely “running” their businesses; to building companies structured for long-term growth, financial fluency and capital opportunity.
At WBENC LIFT, our 2026 programming is intentionally built to meet this moment. By integrating financial and scalability readiness into a cohesive pathway, we are helping business owners shift from the “daily whirlwind” to a more strategic, growth-focused role.
Scaling doesn’t happen through isolated interventions, it requires alignment across strategy, finance, and access.
Our 2026 programming connects businesses with strategic insights, financial capability, and real opportunities for partnership and capital—powered by a national network of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and regional and national resources:
- CEO Catalyst | Brought to you by Wells Fargo
- CEO Catalyst equips founders with the strategic tools and executive discipline needed to lead at the enterprise level. Through the development of the CEO Catalyst Playbook, participants build a living blueprint for their company’s future—clarifying direction, priorities, growth engines, and leadership systems.
- Entrepreneur Financial Readiness (EFR) | Brought to you by MassMutual and Wells Fargo
- EFR strengthens the financial capability required to support growth and partnership opportunities. While CEO Catalyst builds a strategic and scalable approach, EFR builds the financial foundation to fund it—integrating financial intelligence, capital-ready storytelling, and wealth-building pathways.
- LIFT in the Community | Brought to you by Fifth Third Bank
- Through regional activations, LIFT in the Community expands access to essential financial readiness and capital resources—bringing education, insights, and connections directly into local entrepreneur ecosystems.
National Conference Connection Corners
- At the WBENC National Conference, we bring together an ecosystem designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are. The Capital, Advisory, and Business Services Connection Corners provide direct access to the resources, experts, and partners that help entrepreneur grow with confidence.
During the kickoff of CEO Catalyst, more than 260 CEOs engaged in real-time polling. The data reveals a network ready to evolve their strategic approach for operational management. Currently, 71.6% are deeply engaged in the daily operations of their company, with only 6.2% reporting that they are primarily focused on designing for the future; however, when asked about their primary strategic focus, 50.6% identified “scalability” as their top priority, with an additional 32.3% expressing a desire to strengthen their financial storytelling.
WBENC LIFT programs are already producing measurable impact in 2026. After the initial CEO Catalyst session, 88% of CEOs reported new clarity in separating strategy from tactics.
As Lina Parnell, CEO of Innovaxis, shared:
“The strategic frameworks and insights feel like having your own executive advisory board.”
These findings affirm a powerful truth: small and medium–sized businesses are not standing still; they are shifting their business practices to align with an elevated business strategy. With a majority of our entrepreneurs across the network, actively pursuing scalability, WBENC LIFT is working to provide the tools and insights to develop their structure, strategic design, and intentional leadership capabilities. For our corporate partners, this level of ambition reflects a network of businesses sharpening their capabilities to become enterprise-ready and be prepared for corporate opportunity.
- Redefine the CEO Role: Scaling requires moving from “Chief Problem Solver” to Strategic Visionary—a leader who moves beyond problem‑solving and focus on shaping the systems, team, and structure that allow the business to scale.
- Make Strategy Actionable: A One-Page Strategic Framework is more than an exercise; it is a communication tool. When priorities and growth engines are aligned on a single page, CEOs gain the strategic coherence and external credibility needed to scale.
- Design Enterprise Value Intentionally: Scalable companies aren’t accidental. They grow because leaders make deliberate decisions to narrow focus to high-value clients, increase repeatability, and design the business for the future, not just the present.
The journey continues April 29, when WBENC LIFT hosts the joint CEO Catalyst and Entrepreneur Financial Readiness session: Design a Funding Readiness Strategy. This is the “integration moment” where strategic design meets capital readiness, laying the groundwork for 2026 to be the year of Scalable Design.
Upcoming Highlights:
- March 25 — EFR Session 1: Accelerate Growth with Acquisition Readiness (COMPLETED!)
- April 29 — CEO Catalyst & EFR Joint Session: Design a Funding Readiness Strategy (Registration Now Open!)
- June 15 – 18: WBENC National Conference:
- June 15 – CEO Catalyst: Leading through Change
- June 17 – 18: Capital, Advisory and Business Services Connection Corners
- LIFT in the Community: Continuing in-market starting Q3 2026
- August 5 — EFR Session 3: Build Wealth for You and Your Team
- September 30 — EFR Session 4: Design Your Future: From M&A Readiness to Legacy
Learn More about the WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence.
