'Company Of The Year' Named By Stamford Chamber Of Commerce

STAMFORD, CT — The Women’s Business Development Council has been named "Company of the Year" by the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and will be honored at the Chamber’s 38th annual meeting and awards ceremony on Sept. 25 at CoCreate Stamford.

"We are incredibly honored by this recognition from our hometown Chamber, here in the city where WBDC was launched nearly 30 years ago," said WBDC CEO Fran Pastore in a prepared statement. "This award is a testament to the incredible work our team does to uplift small businesses and women entrepreneurs — here in Stamford and throughout Connecticut. It is also recognition of the determined, dedicated, and inspiring women entrepreneurs that we have the privilege of working with every day."

The Chamber’s annual ceremony highlights individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Stamford’s business community.

The WBDC's mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut.

The organization says it educates, motivates, and empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.

Since 1997, WBDC says it has educated and trained over 21,700 clients in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns—helping women to launch, sustain, and scale over 16,250 businesses, create and maintain more than 40,350 jobs in Connecticut, and access over $86 million in capital.

The WBDC notes it has provided more than $19 million in grants to help fuel growth in small businesses throughout Connecticut since 2020.

The keynote speaker at this year's Chamber event will be Dan O’Keefe, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and chief innovation officer for the State of Connecticut.

Mayor Caroline Simmons will provide welcome remarks.

"Stamford continues to be the economic engine of the state attracting unique small businesses that are supported and funded by WBDC," said Stamford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Heather Cavanagh in a prepared statement.

"Businesses are faced with uncertain economic challenges daily and WBDC provides the resources, education, advocacy and tools; building businesses for today, tomorrow and the future that ensures that all businesses of all sizes have the access and opportunities to sustainably grow and thrive."

This year's Member of the Year Award will be presented to Dan Stolzenbach, general manager at the Stamford Town Center.

"He has used a strategic approach by adapting and innovating to move into the next era of retail addressing the need for diverse community space where a vast array of products and services are readily available in a centralized location," Cavanagh said of Stolzenbach. "He has redefined the mall’s purpose through repositioning resulting in a vibrant destination that supports Stamford. Dan’s enthusiasm and passion are creating partnerships and driving business through collaborations that are evident in all that he does to support the Chamber and the community."

Details about the Chamber's annual meeting and awards ceremony and ticket information are available on the Stamford Chamber’s website.