Record Number of Contracts Signed Between Corporate Supporters and Certified Women-Owned Businesses

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year's Annual Breakthrough Breakfast for Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) – held by the Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO) at the Pierre Hotel Friday, September 14 – recognized the more than 18,400 contracts signed between New York region WBEs and WPEO Corporate supporters, as well as between WBEs.

The contracts were measured as part of the Done Deals™ Challenge, a WPEO program which tracks how successful WPEO-certified WBEs are in accessing contracting opportunities with Fortune 1000 companies (WPEO sponsors). In turn, corporations benefit by reaching their goal in supplier diversity initiatives, and both WBEs and corporations that take part in the Challenge receive recognition. 

The WPEO honored the following Done Deals™ Awards winners:

• Corporate Leadership Award :: AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company;
• Corporate Leadership Award :: Pfizer, Inc;
• WBE Partnership Award :: cSubs | Subscriptions Simplified.;
• WBE Leadership Award :: CorAnet Corp..;
• Access NYC Award:: CorAnet Corp;
• Access New York State Award :: Mrs. Paper;­­
• Access New Jersey Award:: CQ Fluency

"The overwhelming success of the Done Deals™ program highlights the substantial business value certification brings to women owned enterprises," said WPEO President and Founder Marsha Firestone, Ph.D. "Through certification, WBEs are able to strengthen their relationships with Fortune 1000 companies, expand business opportunities, and, ultimately, increase revenues. The program opens new doors for all parties involved."

WPEO Board Chair Eliseo Rojas, Vice President of Global Sourcing & Procurement for The Interpublic Group of Companies, offered similar praise for the program. "We are thrilled about the success of the Done Deals™ program and that a record number of our corporate members and WBE firms signed contracts with WPEO-certified WBEs.  This is a testament of the value that certified WBEs bring to corporations and their bottom line, especially during these challenging economic times."

About the WPEO:

The Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO) is a regional affiliate of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation's premier third party certification organization for women owned businesses. The mission of the WPEO is to create increased access to business opportunities for WBEs. Its programs develop skills and knowledge for WBEs, advocate in the public and private sectors, foster relationships between WBEs, corporations and the government, and provide certification services. WPEO provides full service third party certification to women entrepreneurs in the New York, Northern New Jersey (including Princeton and points North), Southern Connecticut and the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas.  WPEO is incorporated in the state of New York and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information see the website at http://www.wpeo.us/ or call (212) 688-4114.  

Contact:
Jen Kalaidis
Women Presidents' Educational Organization
212-688-4114
[email protected]

SOURCE Women Presidents' Educational Organization