2023 WBE Leadership Award Winner
Donna Allie, Team Clean, Inc.
Donna embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in the mid-1980s, founding Team Clean a Commercial Janitorial Company as a means to support herself after graduating from Wilberforce University. What started as a means to make ends meet for her and her daughter quickly evolved into a passionate pursuit.
Over the course of more than 40 years, Donna has transformed Team Clean into a highly respected and prosperous institution in Philadelphia. The company, under her leadership, has secured a strong reputation and amassed a thirty million valuation. Team Clean has provided cleaning services to a wide range of prestigious locations.
Donna’s exceptional work with Team Clean and her unwavering dedication to the community have garnered her numerous awards and honors. Among the esteemed recognitions she has received are the U.S. Small Business Administration Small Businessperson of the Year award, Pennsylvania Best Women In Business award, Smart CEO Corporate Culture award for Social Responsibility, Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, the District Minority Small Business Person of the Year award, the Harriet Tubman Trailblazer Award, the National Freedom Day Community Service Award, the City of Philadelphia’s Supply, Service, and Equipment Award, t The Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Distinction Award, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Paradigm Award and the Philadelphia YMCA Honors award. These prestigious accolades underscore her remarkable achievements and contributions.
View Donna's Acceptance Speech
2022 WBE Leadership Award Winner
Kari Donovan, Precis Commissioning, Inc.
In 2014, Kari Donovan launched Precis Commissioning, Inc. (PrecisCx). The firm is a natural extension of the work she has done for the past 20 years as a mechanical engineer and capitalizes on her experience with the systems she now commissions.
Kari holds a Bachelors and Masters of Architectural Engineering from Penn State. She began designing mechanical and plumbing systems, and providing on-site commissioning before joining Precis Engineering, Inc. as their first employee. Kari quickly advanced within the company while supporting the growth of a dynamic, boutique style engineering firm. She became a Principal before seizing the opportunity to spin-off a new company, focused on Commissioning and Qualification Services.
As President, she is responsible for the operation of PrecisCx, overseeing diverse projects in pharmaceutical/biotech, R&D, healthcare, university, and commercial industries. Her experience building teams with owners, design professionals and contractors affords her the ability to consider all stakeholder concerns throughout project delivery. In 2018, the company was awarded #25 of the top 100 fastest growing independently owned business in the greater Philadelphia area in the Philly 100. Ms. Donovan is dedicated to establishing a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and support, where the highest standards of excellence are defined by their work.
Kari is a licensed Professional Engineer in 7 states, is a Certified Commissioning Authority, OSHA 30 trained, and sits on the International Board of Directors of the Building Commissioning Association.
Kari serves as Certification Committee Chair and an Envoy for WBEC East. She also serves on the WBENC Forum and was the WBENC Star for 2020. Kari has been a guest lecturer for the PSU AE Building Construction Planning and Management curriculum as well as an instructor, committee and expo member for the Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology annual event. She has rescued several German Shepherd Dogs and volunteers with two rescue groups.
PrecisCx is a WBENC certified Women’s Business Enterprise and a third party certified Woman Owned Small Business.
View Kari's Acceptance Speech
2022 WBE Leadership Award Winner
Christi Powell, 84 Lumber
Christi is a WBE (Women Business Enterprise) Lead for 84 Lumber company supporting locations in the United States and has 27 years in the Commercial & Residential Construction field working in several key roles. She currently serves as a Board of Director member including the NY Women Builders Council, the Skilled Trades Alliance, the LIBI Associate Board of Directors, and the Greenville Chamber Board of Advisors.
She loves making a difference for women in the industry and helping women and minorities feel welcome in nontraditional careers. She holds the 2021 GWBC award for the WBE Advocate of the year and a 2021 Woman of Influence Award, 2022Top Women in Building Award for HBS Dealer IL, and 2022 WBC Outstanding Women award in NY. She loves being a podcast host for Women Talk Construction and enjoys mentoring business owners and women in construction. She is also the Co-Founder of Women Confidence Builders, a National non-profit encouraging confidence in all people starting in schools up to executive level positions.
Christi believes that people who are vulnerable, authentic, connected, and committed, are the ones who will make a difference, no matter what the industry. Omen and minorities feel welcome in nontraditional careers. She holds the 2021 GWBC award for the WBE Advocate of the year and a 2021 Woman of Influence Award.
View Christi's Acceptance Speech
2021 WBE Leadership Award Winner
Amanda Chevalier, Corporate Facilities of New Jersey
CFI is a commercial furniture distributor. Our goals are to make your new or refreshed space outstanding and help make the process simple so you can focus on other things!
View Amanda's Acceptance Speech
2020 WBE Leadership Award Winner
Nicole D. Galli, ND Galli Law LLC
Nicole D. Galli is the founder and Managing Member of the ND Galli Law LLC, a boutique law firm located in Philadelphia and New York that focuses on business advice and litigation, especially with regard to intellectual property protection. Nicole’s practice focuses on commercial and IP litigation, IP counseling and trade secrets. Nicole opened her firm in 2015, after a twenty-year career at two AmLaw 100 firms, a boutique intellectual property firm, and a full-service regional firm, and it has been WBENC certified since 2017.
Nicole is a frequent speaker, author and thought leader on issues impacting women attorneys and entrepreneurs, as well as on various legal topics including intellectual property strategy, trade secrets protection and litigation, trademark, copyright and patent law and litigation, commercial litigation best practices and procedural matters, and litigation financing.
Nicole has served on numerous Boards and committees for non-profits, cultural organizations, a PAC and several professional organizations. She is also the founder and President of Women Owned Law (WOL), the first national networking organization dedicated to empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs in the law. In 2018, Nicole was named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Distinction which spotlights the region's most influential businesswomen and was also selected as a 2019 Tory Burch Fellow by the Tory Burch Foundation for women’s entrepreneurship.
Nicole is a double alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania, earning her BA in 1989 and her law degree in 1992. She lives with her husband and two teenagers in Center City Philadelphia along with their exuberant Labrador Lucy and 5 (yes 5) cats.
View Nicole's Acceptance Speech
2019 WBE Leadership Award Winner
Francine Griesing, Griesing Law
Francine Friedman Griesing is the founder and Managing Member of Griesing Law, LLC, a women-owned and operated law firm based in Philadelphia with offices in Bucks County, Cincinnati and New York. Fran is a valued, strategic advisor to top executives and general counsel at the region’s and country’s largest corporations and institutions. Fran has over thirty five years of experience representing clients in complex business transactions, high stakes litigation and alternate dispute resolution matters.
After practicing at AmLaw 100 firms and as Litigation Chair for the City of Philadelphia, Fran founded Griesing Law so women could reach their potential in the male-dominated legal field. Fran is highly regarded as a trailblazing entrepreneur, selected by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Bank of America as the 2018 Woman Business Owner of the Year and by The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia as the 2018 Small Business Person of the Year.
Photo Caption:
▫ Francine Griesing, Founder and Managing Member, Griesing Law
2018 Winner
Peggy Gionta, Partner's Consulting
“Sharing this award legacy with past honorees for whom I have the deepest respect and admiration is truly humbling.
I am so grateful for the unwavering support that we’ve received from WBEC PA-DE-sNJ over the years, as well as many of our clients and mentors who have been our most crucial advocates. We would not have these successes without their support.” - Peggy Gionta
Photo Caption:
▫ Peggy Gionta, President, Partner’s Consulting
2017 Winner
Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, Commonwealth Capital Corp.
Kim joined Commonwealth in 1997 as COO and took a small equipment leasing company and turned it into an expansive company with multiple channels of distribution and revenue. After the founder’s death, Kim grew the business from a “one-man show and one-man company” to a thriving business with a staff just under 100 employees.
As a part of the company's overall business strategy, she set an annual goal of procuring 30% of our total products and services from WBEs/MBEs. Commonwealth’s primary target for all vendors is first, WBEs within WBEC. Additionally, Kim has encouraged vendors to become WBENC certified, extoling the benefits of certification.
Photo Caption:
▫ Kim Springsteen-Abbott, CEO, Commonwealth Capital Corp.
2016 Winner
Vivian Isaak, Magnum Group, Inc.
“The best piece of business advice I received: What will I know a year from now that I wish I knew today.” - Vivian Isaak
Photo Caption (left to right):
▫ Nominators - Mary Fox Donnelly, Encompass Elements
▫ Awardee - Vivian Isaak, Magnum Group, Inc.
▫ Peggy Del Fabbro, M. Davis & Sons, Inc.
▫ L. Jay Burks, Comcast Corporation
2015 Winner
Mary Fox Donnelly, Encompass Elements
“Be patient and persistent. Life is not so much what you accomplish as what you overcome.” – Robin Roberts
“The WBEC is an amazing community. It is an honor working with a superb network of highly professional women who share a common goal of helping women business owners be successful.” - Mary Fox Donnelly
Photo Caption (left to right):
▫ Nominator - Vivian Isaak, Magnum Group, Inc.
▫ Nominator - Cindy Towers, JURISolutions, Inc.
▫ Awardee - Mary Fox Donnelly, Encompass Elements
▫ Nominator - Peggy Del Fabbro, M. Davis & Sons, Inc.
▫ Nominator - Kathie O'Donnell, Corporate Distribution Ltd.
2014 Winner
Peggy Del Fabbro, M. Davis & Sons, Inc.
“Being awarded the 2014 WBEC PA-DE-sNJ WBE Leadership award is a tremendous honor. I know that I wouldn't be accepting this award without the efforts of the entire M. Davis team. Getting WBENC certified was one of the best things I've ever done and I truly believe that.” - Peggy Del Fabbro
Photo Caption:
▫ Peggy Del Fabbro, CEO, M. Davis & Sons, Inc.
2013 Winner
Katrin Hillner, PC Network, Inc.
“I want to thank Geri Swift for her leadership of our regional council WBEC of PA-DE-sNJ. I am grateful for this recognition and am thrilled to be part of such a vibrant community of WBE and Supplier Diversity leaders. Every day we inspire each other to make a positive difference in our respective market segments.” - Katrin Hillner
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▫ Katrin Hillner, President and CEO, PC Network, Inc.
2012 Winner
Mary Jo Gaumer, Cablelinks, Inc.
“Everyone in this room shares this award with me. Each and every day we open our eyes, put our feet on the ground and lead! Whether it is through work or our personal life, our ability to direct people to success is the ultimate satisfaction. I cannot express how much I appreciate the honor of being recognized by such a wonderful group of women business owners, I thank you.” - Mary Jo Gaumer
Photo Caption (left to right):
▫ Nominator - Cynthia Funaro Towers, Esq., President and CEO, JuriSolutions Inc
▫ Awardee - Mary Jo Gaumer, President and CEO, CableLinks, Inc.
2011 Winner
Cynthia Towers, JuriStaff Inc.
“I am very fortunate to be a part of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council and grateful to be recognized with this year’s WBE Leadership Award. It’s a privilege to be surrounded by so many amazing women business leaders and dedicated corporate partners who share an unyielding commitment to the advancement and growth of women-owned businesses. Leadership in this organization is contagious and I thank everyone associated with WBEC for their mentoring and example.” - Cindy Towers
Photo Caption (left to right):
▫ Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC
▫ George Ehrgott, Chair of WBEC
▫ Awardee - Cindy Towers, WBE Leadership Award Winner, President & CEO, JuriStaff Inc.
▫ Michele M. McHenry, President, Laser Lab, Inc.
2010 Winner
Michele McHenry, Laser Lab
“Make every moment matter! I believe that life is all about relationships and leadership is about helping as many people you can, be the best they can be, by helping them develop their gifts and talents to the best of their ability.“ - Michele M. McHenry, Laser Lab, Inc.
Photo Caption (left to right):
▫ Awardee - Michele McHenry, Laser Lab, Inc.
▫ Nominator - Judith Zimmermann, Artcraft Promotional Concepts