We can’t wait to be TOGETHER AGAIN at the 2022 WBENC National Conference in Atlanta, June 7-9, 2022! To get you even more excited, we are providing inspiration, advice and insights from our Host Committee members amd WBENC-Certified WBE sponsors that have stepped up in a big way to help make the National Conference an amazing experience this year.
Meet Gabrielle Christman, President & CEO of STEMHUNTER and Hunter International Recruiting, and Tammy Cohen, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of InfoMart.
About Gabrielle Christman and STEMHUNTER
In 2006, Gabrielle launched Hunter International, a STEM-focused recruiting firm from her own kitchen table. Her Cleveland-based venture has since rocketed nationwide, finding top-shelf scientific, engineering and technical staff for Fortune 500 companies that demand STEM excellence. Hunter has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Midwest and Ohio’s Best Workplaces.
Within WBENC, Gabrielle serves on the Forum, NCBF Host Committee, and WBEC ORV
steering committee member. Significantly, Hunter Recruiting is a four-time recipient of WBEC ORV’s B2B Award, which recognizes the organization’s spend with other certified women-owned businesses. In 2021, she was honored as one of 14 WBENC WBEs named “Women’s Business Enterprise Stars.”
As a female business owner with an academic and professional background in science, she is deeply committed to achieving gender equity, particularly in STEM fields. This passion has now led Gabrielle to found STEMHUNTER, a next-generation job board that bridges the gap between innovative corporations and scientific, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals. With STEMHUNTER, employers can find and attract highly qualified technical talent for their roles, while job seekers can be confident that they are putting their resume in the right place. Through powerful matching, innovative search technology and messaging that matters, STEMHUNTER is an all-in-one hiring solution that makes hiring the right person fast and easy.
Gabrielle, what are you most looking forward to at the National Conference?
I am looking forward to the amazing programming done by WBENC, seeing familiar faces and meeting new connections at the business fair and, of course, the WBENCPitch competition!
Why do you recommend WBEs and other women-owned businesses attend the National Conference?
I recommend WBEs and women-owned businesses to attend the National Conference for so many reasons.
- The opportunity to network with other WBEs and corporations
- The ability to meet 1:1 with corporate members and learn about their supplier diversity efforts
- Having the chance to talk about your business to a number of organizations on the tradeshow floor
- The ability to grow your business acumen at the WBENC programming with thought leaders.
What advice would you give someone about getting involved with WBENC?
Be prepared and present. If you’ve made a sacrifice to attend the National Conference and the work in your office can wait until your trip home! Maximize your time by being present at all the fantastic opportunities to “Join Forces. Succeed Together.” It is in those moments that you unlock the true value of the WBENC network.
Gain even more insights from about Gabrielle and her journey in this WBE Star feature article.
About Tammy Cohen and InfoMart
Tammy Cohen has been pioneering background screening for more than 30 years, and today, is a nationally honored entrepreneur, a successful businesswoman, and a recognized thought leader. InfoMart, affectionately called #TheScreenMachine, started in the day of fax machines, pre-internet, and email, making the journey towards SSI and verifiable credentials quite an adventure. She has helped to lead the revolutionary transformation of screening with the emergence of DID, SSI, DLT, 4IR, and verifiable credentials, including many first-to-industry innovations and providing customers everything from criminal searches to record monitoring to random drug tests. InfoMart offers a full suite of services powered by their proprietary platform to help their customers GET THE WHOLE STORY. Everyone from startups to the Fortune 500 rely on their technology, industry-leading turnaround times, and industry experts.
Cohen is known as the Queen of Screen and was named among the “Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the US.” Within the WBENC Network, Tammy was honored in 2021 with the Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Star Award, one of 14 recognized as such.
Tammy, what tips do you have for WBEs to get the most out of their time at the National Conference & Business Fair?
The National Conference & Business Fair is not a vacation – it’s the greatest business opportunity you will have all year. Don’t let a single event pass you by. Get up early and attend the morning sessions. Stay up late and network. This is where you’re creating the relationships that will fuel your business for years to come.
Related, what advice would you share with a newly certified WBE looking to make the most out of her certification?
Get involved! WBENC runs an exceptional calendar of events, and that is where you will find success. Attend the National Conference, of course, and other meetings. Meet other WBEs. Join the webinars. Participate in pitch competitions. And, most importantly, follow through on every opportunity.
What has WBENC and the National Conference and events done for you?
WBENC has given me both a safe place to fail and a stage where I could succeed. My first roundtable was so embarrassing! I sat down with no idea of what I was supposed to do…I fumbled through the moment. I walked away feeling ashamed, flustered, and disappointed in myself.
However, after practicing at every event I could attend in the following years, a few years later, in a Perfect Pitch competition, I participated. I made it to the final five, where I received the opportunity to perform my pitch onstage in front of thousands of people. I remember standing behind the curtain thinking about how everything had come full circle.
Gain even more insights from Tammy Cohen in her WBE Stars feature article.
Each year, our dynamic and diverse network comes together to fuel opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The WBENC National Conference is the largest event of its kind for women business owners, welcoming thousands of women entrepreneurs and corporate executives ready to make connections and do business.
In 2022, WBENC is shaking up how we’ve done our National Conference in the past, with an innovative WBENC Arena filled with an Open Expo, programming, roundtables, educational sessions, and much more.
The 2022 National Conference will feature:
- The NEW and innovative WBENC Arena
- Dynamic educational programming
- Inspiring keynotes
- A pitch competition
- Meet & Greet
- Instant Match meetings
- Networking opportunities
- An unrivaled Expo of certified women-owned businesses and those who do business with them. View the Exhibitor Directory.
