WBENC is proud to announce the 2026 WBE Stars! The WBE Star Award is the nation’s premier recognition honoring excellence among women-owned businesses. Fourteen exemplary leaders are selected each year to represent their Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs). These remarkable women are chosen for their dedication to the business community, commitment to excellence, and passion for giving back. The WBE Star Award stands as a powerful testament to their character and the lasting impact they have made throughout their careers.
In 2026, WBENC sought to spotlight leaders who personify this year’s theme of IMPACT, generating measurable and meaningful influence each day. The 2026 WBE Stars were selected by the 14 Regional Partner Organizations—leaders of the nation’s world-class WBENC Certification program—in recognition of the Stars’ journeys and the ripple effects of their work across employees, families, industries, and economies.
Throughout the year, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know each of the 2026 WBE Stars and the IMPACT they create through their insights and inspiring stories. Each Star will be featured in the News and Resources section of the WBENC website, where they will share lessons learned, actionable advice, and what generating IMPACT truly means to them.
All 14 business leaders will also be honored at the 2026 WBENC National Conference, taking place June 15–18, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Be sure to subscribe to WBENC email communications for first access to each WBE Star article through the newsletter and follow WBENC on social media to stay connected throughout the year!
Learn more about the WBENC WBE Star Award.
Rhonda Sargent | Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc. | Center for Women & Enterprise
“Impact is the strong, positive influence a person’s work has on others—the lasting effect of daily choices. It’s creating results that matter, in ways that are intentional, responsible, and sustainable.”
Rhonda Sargent’s career has been marked by over 30 years of IMPACT. Rhonda is known and respected for her unwavering commitment to operational excellence and ethical business practices, along with her keen sense of curiosity and vision. Rhonda founded Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc. in 1991 in Manchester, New Hampshire, with two partners and a clear purpose: to provide proactive, high-quality service and to bring a respectful, ethical approach to the recovery of amounts owed. Those founding values remain at the heart of how they serve clients today.
Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc. delivers first- and third-party debt collection solutions that help clients recover outstanding balances with integrity and professionalism. Lamont, Hanley & Associates, Inc. specializes in overpayment recoveries and commercial collections for insurance carriers, corporations, and businesses nationwide. Their experienced negotiators resolve complex matters with clarity and respect—protecting relationships while driving meaningful results.
Lauren Rakolta | DFM Solutions | Great Lakes Women’s Business Council
“True impact is creating something that continues to benefit others long after our hands have left the work. It’s the power of today’s choices shaping a future of opportunity, resilience, and growth for communities and generations that come next.”
Lauren Rakolta serves as CEO and Chairperson of DFM Solutions, the company she transformed in 2015 by purchasing majority ownership—making DFM the largest woman owned operations and facilities management company in the U.S. Lauren brings 15+ years of leadership in facilities management and construction, complemented by executive management experience. Before joining DFM, she acted as a strategic consultant to political and legislative clients and contributed to numerous statewide and congressional campaigns. Known for “the Lauren factor”—her tenacity, vision, and big personality—she leads with clarity, momentum, and results-driven focus.
DFM Solutions is an Integrated Facilities Management company with a strong national presence, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Serving automotive, industrial manufacturing, aviation, utilities, and commercial markets, DFM delivers full service facility management from asset maintenance, byproduct management, and plant operations to self perform janitorial and technical cleaning. DFM Solutions was founded in 2007 as a partnership between Devon Contracting and Walbridge. Today, the company manages more than 65 million square feet of industrial, R&D, and commercial space with a team of 500+ employees, earning recognition for excellence in safety, cost savings, customer satisfaction, and innovative solutions that meet clients’ unique needs. Guided by Lauren’s leadership, DFM aligns scale, rigor, and service to deliver meaningful results.
Patti Weber | Croixstone Consulting LLC | Greater Women’s Business Council
“True impact shows up when organizations are better equipped to navigate complexity, when individuals grow in confidence, capability, and opportunity, and when communities benefit from leadership that is thoughtful, inclusive, and purpose-driven. Impact is both measurable and human. It is reflected in performance and progress, as well as in trust, access, and the ability to leave something stronger than it was before.”
A trusted and strategic executive, Patricia “Patti” Weber leads as CEO of Croixstone Consulting, guiding the firm’s overall direction, growth strategy, and daily operations while cultivating a culture grounded in innovation and excellence. Known for her clarity, steadiness, and ability to inspire high‑performance teams, Patti ensures the firm delivers tailored, high‑impact solutions that drive meaningful business outcomes for clients. Her leadership has fueled Croixstone’s rapid ascent, earning national and regional recognition from outlets including Inc. Magazine and the Charlotte Business Journal. Earlier in her career, Patti served in Accenture’s Financial Services practice, where she led technology‑driven transformation initiatives for some of the nation’s largest financial institutions.
Founded in 2016, Croixstone Consulting is an award-winning, boutique firm providing management consulting, interim leadership, and executive search services. Serving mid‑to‑upper middle market companies, private equity firms, and large corporations across the USA and Europe, Croixstone delivers a distinctive, experience‑driven approach. Every consultant is a former C‑suite leader, operator, P&L owner, or departmental head—ready to contribute from day one. With practices that integrate AI & Innovation Readiness across data, governance, talent, and process, Croixstone ensures foundational strength before scaling advanced technologies. Under Patti’s guidance, the firm combines practical expertise, innovative thinking, and trusted partnership to drive exceptional client results.
Patti Winstanley | Winstanley Consultants | Women’s Business Council Southwest
“Impact, for me, means leaving things better than I found them, not only for my clients, but in my personal life and for the non-profits I support. Did my actions or recommendations change things for the better? I love hearing that I helped my client double her business in one year! That’s impact.”
Patti Winstanley has spent more than 20 years driving meaningful impact in certification. Since entering the field in 2004, she has guided countless businesses through the certification process while starting and selling four certified companies of her own. Known as “The Connectanator,” Patti is respected for her practical insight, her ability to turn certification into strategic opportunity, and her longstanding leadership with the Women’s Business Council–Southwest and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Her deep commitment to community and mentorship continues through her service with the State Fair of Texas, Delta Delta Delta, the Lake Highlands Women’s League, and multiple national mentorship programs.
As President of Winstanley Consultants, LLC, Patti helps certified businesses and corporations confidently navigate the diversity network with clarity and purpose. Her firm simplifies an overwhelming landscape of opportunities, identifies the most impactful paths for growth, and builds partnerships that solve real business challenges. Winstanley Consultants opens doors—facilitating introductions, strengthening networks, aligning innovative suppliers with procurement needs, and supporting organizations in meeting critical project goals. Guided by a values‑driven approach, Patti and her team deliver meaningful results while protecting and elevating the relationships at the heart of every successful partnership.
Adonica Randall | Abaxent, LLC | Women’s Business Development Council – Midwest
“IMPACT is the ripple effect of intentional action—it’s what happens when purpose meets opportunity. To me, impact isn’t measured by accolades or awards, but by the lives transformed along the way. It’s the entrepreneur you mentor who launches their dream business. It’s the workforce you develop that changes a company’s trajectory. Impact is legacy in motion—serving with purpose and acting intentionally so others can realize possibilities they never imagined for themselves.”
An admired business leader, Adonica D. Randall brings more than 40 years of technology expertise and entrepreneurial leadership to her role as President and CEO of Abaxent LLC, the nationally certified technology firm she founded in 2002. With engineering degrees from Marquette University and the Missouri School of Science and Technology, and executive experience at GE Medical, IBM, and General Motors, she is respected for bridging complex technology challenges with clarity and practical solutions. A Professor Emeritus of Alverno College and Entrepreneur in Residence at Marquette University, Adonica has dedicated her career to advancing workforce development and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through her service on boards including Discovery World, GPS Education, and UW–Madison’s Erdman Center.
As a 24‑year‑old technology broker and solutions firm, Abaxent LLC “calms the chaos” of an ever‑evolving technology landscape. Vendor‑agnostic by design, the firm connects buyers and sellers of technology services based solely on client need, delivering customized, scalable solutions across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, government, and construction. Abaxent’s core capabilities span IT infrastructure lifecycle management, physical and data security, leasing and capital optimization, and workforce solutions. Guided by Adonica’s “Chief Problem‑Solver” philosophy, the firm helps organizations cut through complexity, strengthen operations, and achieve meaningful results through clarity, innovation, and trusted partnership.
Kelly Adels Hess | CompuCycle | Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance
“Impact, to me, is doing work that truly matters—work that protects people, honors trust, and creates positive ripple effects long after the moment has passed. It’s leading with integrity, caring deeply about outcomes, and knowing that how we do something is just as important as what we do. Real impact leaves people, communities, and the planet better because we were part of the story.”
Kelly Adels Hess serves as CEO of CompuCycle, where her relentless focus on sustainability, transparency, and operational rigor sets a higher bar for the IT asset disposition industry. In a space that’s difficult to regulate and easy to exploit, she leads Houston’s first woman‑owned, dual‑certified (e‑Stewards/R2v3) ITAD company with documented accountability—insisting transparency be proven, not presumed. Hands‑on and principles‑driven, Kelly keeps critical processes in‑house at CompuCycle’s 130,000‑square‑foot secure Houston facility, where data is destroyed, equipment is refurbished and redeployed when possible, and scrap electronics and e‑plastics are processed under direct supervision. An innovator moving the needle toward a greener tomorrow, Kelly brings clarity, discipline, and integrity to decisions about process, safety, community, and environmental impact.
Building on that discipline, CompuCycle is a trusted circular‑economy partner for corporations, public‑sector organizations, and institutions—delivering secure, compliant, and fully accountable end‑of‑life IT asset disposition. Founded in 1996 with one of the industry’s earliest chain‑of‑custody protocols, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of services spanning secure data destruction, certified electronics recycling, and value recovery through remarketing. CompuCycle maintains leading certifications—e‑Stewards, R2v3, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, and NAID AAA—reflecting a disciplined commitment to safety, documentation, and consistency. By operating in‑house and avoiding downstream and overseas risk, CompuCycle pairs sustainability and security to turn IT challenges into measurable business outcomes.
Lisa Casiello | CD & Associates, Inc. | Women’s Business Enterprise Center East
“Impact means turning insight into action that improves lives, strengthens communities, and delivers measurable results for our clients. It is the responsibility we carry to lead with integrity, accountability, and purpose to deliver high-quality results in everything we do.”
A tenacious, thoughtful, and respected leader, Lisa Casiello brings more than 40 years of experience to projects within the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science industries. With expertise in design, construction, and management, she guides projects that deliver value, high technical competence, and unrivaled project support. Lisa is equally admired for her commitment to the business community: proudly certified by WBENC since 2009, she is dedicated to continually supporting her RPO, WBEC-East, by volunteering on committees, serving as an Envoy Mentor, and advocating for other women-owned businesses as a three-time winner of the Done Deals Award. She also champions causes that advance literacy and STEM, mental health, food and housing equity, careers within the trades, and Girls Inc., which creates opportunities to prepare girls to realize their full potential to become leaders. Lisa is an engaged member of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) and a 35-year Professional Member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers).
Headquartered in Blue Bell, PA, CD & Associates, Inc. is a highly respected firm trusted by industry leaders for providing total project services to deliver complex projects with precision and seamless coordination from concept development to project completion. Guided by Lisa Casiello’s vision, the firm aligns integrity, practicality, and partnership to drive meaningful results for clients across the industry.
Cindy Zimmerman | SS Designs | Women’s Business Enterprise Council Florida
“IMPACT is what happens when business decisions create real value—fueling opportunity, sustainability, and positive change for people, communities, and the economy.”
Cindy Zimmerman serves as President and CEO of SS Designs, a premium custom apparel company founded in 1978. With more than 31 years of executive leadership, she has guided the organization through economic shifts, global trade disruptions, and the COVID‑19 pandemic—maintaining operational stability while driving long‑term growth. Cindy’s commitment to premium product quality, resilient supply chains, and enduring client partnerships has positioned SS Designs as a trusted provider to leading retail and corporate brands. A graduate of the University of Florida, Cindy has been named to Florida Trend’s Florida 500 for four consecutive years. She is deeply engaged in the WBENC network and with the WBEC Florida Regional Partner Organization, alongside the Gotham Fellowship and PGN mentoring program. Cindy also serves on multiple boards and remains committed to meaningful community impact through nonprofit service, employee support initiatives, and educational mentorship.
SS Designs delivers first‑class, custom‑branded apparel designed to elevate and express a client’s brand with clarity and purpose. Guided by a thoughtful, strategic approach, the company develops apparel solutions rooted in brand strategy, creative design, and a commitment to using the finest and most sustainable materials available. By partnering with eco‑conscious suppliers and emphasizing responsible sourcing, SS Designs ensures its products reflect both quality and values. The firm understands that branded apparel is more than placing a logo on merchandise—it requires insight, collaboration, and a consultative partner who understands the essence of a brand. Under Cindy Zimmerman’s leadership, SS Designs remains dedicated to crafting apparel that meaningfully represents clients and resonates with their customers and stakeholders.
Stacy K. Fritz | FIT2Order, LLC | Women’s Business Enterprise Council Greater DMV
“Impact is creating meaningful change that people can feel in their daily lives. It’s not about big gestures, it’s about small, intentional actions that ripple outward, improving health, confidence, connection, and quality of life over time.”
Stacy K. Fritz is a transformational speaker, leadership strategist, and innovator who serves as CEO and President of FIT2order and creator of the VIDAball®. With 30+ years of experience working with professionals, teams, and executives, she specializes in bridging the gap between leadership vision and daily execution, equipping organizations with tangible strategies to reduce friction, elevate performance, and build cultures where people feel engaged, resilient, and valued. Stacy’s signature approach leverages science‑backed micro‑habits to counter “workplace inflammation”—the chronic stress, inefficiencies, and disengagement that erode results—delivering practical, scalable solutions leaders can apply immediately. An 11‑time marathoner and lifelong student of human potential, she brings high energy, real‑world insight, and a results‑driven lens to every stage and executive engagement.
Founded in 2008, FIT2order meets workplace wellness where real life happens—making health doable at work. What began as onsite group training grew into a focus on small, science-backed habits that reduce stress, boost energy, and fit into real workdays. Through the challenges of COVID, Stacy advanced the mission, and today FIT2order supports employers, teams, and health insurance brokers with solutions that improve work rather than disrupt it. Under Stacy’s leadership, FIT2order is expanding on the goal to support well-being in the workforce.
Diana Domenech | Accelerate Consulting Experts LLC | Women’s Business Enterprise Council Metro New York
“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.”
Diana Domenech is the Founder & CEO of Accelerate Consulting Experts (ACE), a management consulting firm that started because of the need for global diversity and sustainability expertise. Diana brings 20+ years of private‑sector experience across banking and insurance, most recently serving as Head of Sourcing Process, Technology, Governance & Risk at AIG—where she led special sourcing programs including Supplier Diversity and Sustainability—and previously spent 14 years at JPMorgan Chase as Vice President of Supplier Diversity. Diana holds an MBA from NYU, a B.S. from Cornell University, a certificate from the University of Granada (Spain), and is Six Sigma Green Belt certified. She is Chair Emeritus of the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity and Secretary of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Metro NY & Greater DMV.
Accelerate Consulting Experts is a results‑driven management consulting firm that helps businesses strategically leverage diversity and sustainability to grow revenue, reduce costs, improve employee satisfaction, and exceed stakeholder expectations. The firm advises on and builds global Vendor Diversity and DE&I programs, refines and scales existing efforts, and delivers leadership training and change management that turn strategy into action. ACE’s offerings span business case development and strategic planning; program scope definition; data collection and analysis; KPI design and reporting; organizational design and budgeting; and communications, marketing, and program planning. Action‑oriented and accountable, ACE partners closely with clients to translate inclusion into operational excellence and meaningful, measurable impact.
K. Zulene Adams | Z Promotions | Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley
“Weave your desire to drive IMPACT through your own company’s Purpose, Values, Vision, etc. and identify what results you envision to yield. Align this with your team and who you do business with in order to build a strong infrastructure to support and deliver the IMPACT.”
K. Zulene Adams is the CEO and Co‑Founder of Z Promotions, where she helps organizations get noticed—and become memorable—through creative branded products and corporate apparel. A marketing consultant and public speaker with global reach, Zulene takes a deeply consultative approach: she learns each client’s mission, vision, values, and objectives, then delivers highly qualified recommendations that turn branded merchandise into measurable ROI. Guided by core values—Be Kind, Be Transparent, Have Fun, Listen, Learn, Be Involved—she builds culture with intention, investing in staff development, creating connection, and staying active in nonprofits and business organizations. A committed mentor and lifelong learner, she leverages her platform to open doors and share resources for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Founded in 2006 by Zulene Adams and Andrew Gehring, Z Promotions is a marketing agency that elevates brands through creative branded products, promotional items, and corporate apparel. The firm gets to know each client’s strategy and audiences, then translates brand essence into a genuine voice and tangible form that increases recognition and achieves clear marketing objectives. Acting as an extension of the marketing team—or the team itself when needed—Z Promotions pairs thoughtful strategy with standout execution to deliver branded experiences that leave a lasting, positive impression.
Glenda S Thomas | Electra Grid Solutions | Women’s Business Enterprise Council South
“IMPACT means creating intentional moments to partner with others and help them grow successfully. I have been a longstanding advocate for local, small, and diverse companies—supporting them as they learn, scale, and fully step into their purpose. I am committed to listening, understanding needs, and connecting people in meaningful ways. We cannot build anything truly sustainable without partnering with others for shared success.”
Glenda S. Thomas serves as President & CEO of Electra Grid Solutions, LLC, where she is dedicated to supporting the electric and gas utility market with integrity and purpose. As the esteemed President and CEO of Electra Grid Solutions and Electra Lines, Glenda brings over two decades of indispensable experience from her tenure leading supplier diversity and sustainability programs at Southern Company, one of the Southeast’s largest utility firms. She holds a BS in Accounting from Alabama A&M University and an MS in Project Management from The George Washington University. Passionate about making a difference, Glenda is actively involved with WBEC South, WBENC, SRMSDC, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, and the EEI Executive Business Diversity Committee. A servant leader known as “The Light,” she is committed to empowering her team to be the best version of themselves every day.
Electra Grid Solutions, LLC is recognized as an infrastructure contractor with a proven record of excellence in serving the electric utility industry. Demonstrating a strong commitment to quality and safety, the company specializes in delivering safe, efficient, and high‑quality construction and maintenance services. While the primary operations flourish in Alabama and Georgia, EGS’s reach extends far and wide, a testament to its dedication to excellence and client satisfaction. The Electra Grid Solutions team is dedicated to enhancing grid reliability, upgrading aging infrastructure, and addressing the evolving demands of the energy sector. Through innovative solutions and a customer‑focused approach, Electra Grid Solutions continues to serve as a key partner in shaping the future of the electric utility landscape.
Lisa Riggs | Spirit Sox USA | Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Pacific
“Impact, to me, is about creating value that lasts beyond a transaction. It is how our products make people feel, how they are experienced, and what they leave behind. At Spirit Sox, impact starts with our socks. They help our customers tell their stories, build connections, and bring personality and joy into workplaces, events, and everyday moments. When something as simple as a sock can spark a conversation or make someone smile, that matters.”
Lisa Riggs—affectionately known as the Sock Queen—is the Founder and CEO of Spirit Sox USA. She is celebrated for turning a simple fundraising idea into a creative force for connection, joy, and brand expression. A visionary leader with a passion for community, Lisa has spent the past decade designing high‑quality custom socks for global corporations, national retailers, schools, and nonprofits while championing innovation, quality, and giving back. Her commitment to purpose‑driven business has earned her numerous honors, including WBEC Pacific Emerging Leader of the Year (2022) and Enterprising Woman of the Year (2023). A Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of California, Irvine and Phi Beta Kappa member, Lisa is also a WBENC Tuck Capstone and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumna, a former Citizen of the Year for San Jose, and a lifelong Californian who balances entrepreneurship with family, animals, sports, and the outdoors.
Founded on a sold‑out sock fundraiser that sparked a movement, Spirit Sox USA creates vibrant, custom socks designed to elevate brands and build community. Today, the company partners with iconic organizations to craft premium socks that serve as memorable promotional tools, retail products, and meaningful gifts. Spirit Sox USA blends creativity with purpose, using sustainable materials, co‑branded collaborations, and a commitment to donating 5% of profits to those in need. Under Lisa’s leadership, every pair of Spirit Sox tells a story, one that delivers joy, connection, and impact with every step.
Tammy Sue Cooper | Technologent | Women’s Business Enterprise Council – West
“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.”
Tammy Sue Cooper serves as CEO and CFO of Technologent, bringing a rare blend of financial expertise, strategy, and governance to the boardroom. Known as an influential agent for positive change, she developed the company’s mentorship program and leads with confidence—tackling complex challenges with perseverance and a results-driven mindset. Tammy oversees strategic planning, finance, audit, and HR, and has presided over an extraordinary growth trajectory—from a 20‑employee, $25M startup to a 300‑person enterprise approaching the $1B mark with a Tier‑1 client base and 14+ U.S. offices. A seasoned operator with deep P&L experience, she is recognized for building alignment, earning buy‑in for innovative solutions, and elevating teams. Tammy’s community leadership includes Girl Scouts, The Jeremiah Society, and Meals on Wheels initiatives. She is active in professional circles—Public Directors Association, FEI, ACG (first woman elected to the C‑Circle), Octane, and WBENC‑West Forum Lead—and holds a BBA in Accounting from Cleveland State University.
Technologent is an IT solutions provider delivering enterprise‑class services across Data, AI, Cloud, and Security. The firm aligns transformation strategies with business objectives—unifying data for intelligent insights and compliance readiness, architecting custom solutions, and enabling users so that value is realized quickly and at scale. With 300+ employees and 14+ U.S. offices serving a global customer base, Technologent bridges the gap between technology and outcomes, turning complexity into clarity and vision into execution. Guided by Tammy’s leadership, the company delivers measurable impact to each of their clients.
