NAWBO-LA Online Newsletter
April 2008 Issue
NAWBO-LA Strengthens Connection With National
Local leader Cynthia McClain-Hill set to become NAWBO National president for 2008-09
 As former NAWBO-LA president and active member, Cynthia McClain-Hill prepares for her installation as NAWBO National president at the 2008 Women’s Business Conference in June in Phoenix. She looks forward to the LA chapter’s ability to leverage its strengths to amplify its policy impact at the local, state and national levels.
During her National presidency, McClain-Hill, managing partner of Strategic Counsel PLC, anticipates putting more resources into supporting public policy at the state level (vs. just the national level), which “will build a much more potent platform from which to pursue national policies.”
She noted that many issues that affect NAWBO members and other women business owners – such as health care reform, immigration, business taxes, education and environmental policies – are being championed more and more aggressively by states, and putting resources at that level will have “a direct impact on the effectiveness of local chapters to the extent that National is partnering with local chapters and women in local markets.”
Growth, Inspiration and Encouragement
McClain-Hill encourages NAWBO-LA members – who actually join the National organization when they become part of NAWBO – to gain additional “opportunities for growth, for inspiration and for encouragement” by attending the National conference. It will take place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix from June 12-14, 2008.
Besides providing the opportunity to broaden professional and personal relationships on a national level, the conference – with a theme of “Together: Rising” – will offer a content-rich agenda, with educational sessions on leadership, business planning, global business development, branding and marketing; and advocacy sessions on health care, immigration and procurement. The event also will celebrate women business owners’ rising tide of entrepreneurship, as they increasingly shape the larger business environment and build greater success for themselves.
Greater LA Influence and Impact
Current NAWBO-LA President Laura Yamanaka, who will serve as a board member for NAWBO National in 2008-09, noted, “NAWBO-LA has made great strides at the local level, and now with the election of Cynthia McClain-Hill as president of NAWBO National, LA’s influence and impact will be extended to the national level with the support of LA membership.
“I know many members focus only on the local benefits of the NAWBO relationship, but a great way to explore one of NAWBO’s benefits on a national basis is to attend the Women’s Business Conference,” Yamanaka also said. “We will have a great opportunity to meet women business owners and sponsors from all over the country, learn from interesting speakers and take a break from our day-to-day businesses.”
Added McClain-Hill, who will host Los Angeles colleagues and friends at a conference president’s reception, “It’s important to take time to step back and to really replenish ourselves as entrepreneurs. To do that in an environment where you’re being supported and inspired by others who share your life experience is very powerful. There are very few opportunities to have these kinds of ‘takeaways.’ We all will have an excellent time!”
As she prepares to take on an important new role, McClain-Hill also reflects on her commitment to NAWBO both on the national and local levels: “NAWBO has been a tremendous resource to me as a business owner. The relationships that I’ve established and the information that I’ve gained have played a significant role in my development as an entrepreneur. I believe equally in the power of women and, in particular, entrepreneurs to change the world. I’m very committed to giving back to this organization in a way that helps it to reach and to support more women.”
For additional information on the resources available through NAWBO National, visit www.nawbo.org. To learn more about and to register for the 2008 Women’s Business Conference, log onto www.nawbo.org/section_70.cfm.
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