As I write this, it is less than 24 hours before the opening of the greatest event in Central New York for women in entrepreneurship -- and maybe even life in general – the 11th Annual WISE Symposium!

When I think of the day we will be experiencing, I am totally energized by every single one of the 1,000 women who will be in the room! Think of the Oncenter (the entire complex) filled with anyone
from our powerful, local women leaders to women with just the tiniest idea of owning a small life-style business to those in corporate America making the changes needed at the Board room level. I think we
could agree the common thread in the room would be Entrepreneurial Greatness!

After 11 years of the WISE Symposium and 7 years of the WISE Women’s Business Center, the WISE brand has built itself to be not only an established powerhouse of educational opportunity and
networking genius but a big collaborator in Central New York. So many organizations are behind us/ with us/asking us to grow and build even bigger dreams with them.

The Women’s Fund of Central New York is no different. Our connection this year with the Women’s Fund Kick Start program – implemented here at the WISE Women’s Business Center is a great example.
Every woman helped by the Women’s Fund grant has been touched by women in tomorrow’s “Big Room.” Just like WISE, the Women’s Fund grant recipients could fill a room! That room would be full of
energy just like WISE and would have as its common thread Personal Opportunity!

Thanks to the Women’s Fund, women in our Central New York community are gifted to dream, believe, pursue!

Submitted by Joanne Lenweaver

Directior of WISE and Women’s Fund of CNY Governance Council
member