SHE:DC MICRO-GRANT HAPPY HOUR

Join us as we toast, taste and shop goods from women business owners.

+ Meet and shop from our 6 Finalists. Cast your vote on who should take home the $1000 grants.

Enjoy delicious food and drink from Shop Made makers!

+Wine tastings from Shop Made in VA and Shop Made in Maryland

+Food/Dessert tastings

AGENDA

5-6:15PM Toasting + Tasting + Shopping

6:15PM- 3 Minute Flash Talks from Makers- Learn how this money could impact their business

6:30-7:15PM- Vote + more Shopping + Tasting+ Toasting!

7:15PM- Award Announced

*Votes can be taken beginning at 5PM. (Each ticket email gets 1 vote

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MICROGRANT FINALISTS

TBD

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SHE:DC MICROGRANT JUDGES

ROBYN SEGAL, CEO Peltrie Place

Program Director, Women’s Business Center

MARISELA RODELA Program Director for the Office of Women’s Initiatives

Marisela Rodela is the Program Director for the Office of Women’s Initiatives (OWI) at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif). The OWI builds on Wacif's history of empowering women entrepreneurs in the DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV) region by providing equitable access to capital, knowledge, and professional business networks, working to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship while fostering inclusive economic spaces.

Marisela is a passionate and experienced community and program specialist with a demonstrated history of working in public health, the food & beverage industry, and the DC local small business community. Throughout her career and as a business owner for over a decade, she has played a central role in facilitating strategic and organizational development and systems development and implementation for both for- and non-profit organizations. As a longtime resident of Washington, DC, Marisela is proud to have played key leadership roles in DC Brau Brewing (2009 – 2022) and the District of Columbia’s Brewers Guild (2012 – 2021); both organizations contribute immeasurably to the sustainability and growth of DC’s local economy and community. She currently sits on the boards of the Heurich House Museum, Craft x EDU, SMYAL’s Fall Brunch Coordinating Committee, is Co-Chair of The Coalitions Small Business Technical Assistance Working Group, and the DC Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Sub-committee.

Prior to her work in DC’s local business community, Marisela served as a public health community organizer, public policy analyst and advocate, and manager of programs focusing on health behavior and education. She worked with various organizations, both governmental and community-based, to develop, implement, and sustain partnerships and programs in the areas of adolescent sexual and reproductive health, mental health wellness, and violence prevention. She is also an experienced and trained meeting facilitator. Marisela earned both a Master of Social Work degree and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Psychology and Philosophy from Trinity University located in Northeast Washington, DC.

Marisela lives in Ward 5 with her husband, dog, and cats. In her personal time, she regularly volunteers in the community, supports and shops at local DMV-based businesses, is a dedicated yoga practitioner, and loves traveling and exploring local food & beverage ecosystems.

ANGELA RAKIS

Angela Rakis is an experienced executive recognized for leadership, innovation, creativity and driving results. She is the founder of Favorite Daughter LLC, a consultancy focused on small and independent organizations in the food, consumer goods, hospitality, non-profit and retail sectors.

Angela has led a diverse career – starting as an account manager working with advertising agencies in New York City, building a foundation in strategic planning while working on national brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Denny’s and Jaguar Cars.

She followed her passion for food enrolling in The French Culinary Institute (International Culinary Center) in New York City earning her certification in Pastry Arts. While attending school, she learned the details of small business by working in the best cheesecake shop in New York City, Eileen’s Special Cheesecake.

Angela joined Whole Foods Market as head of marketing – this served as a training ground for retail execution, exceptional service and strong leadership. She established herself as a marketplace strategist and connector in the industry.

After 10 years at Whole Foods, she was ready for a new challenge. Intrigued by an opportunity to see the retail business from a fresh perspective, she took a role with EDENS Realty. As Vice President of Marketing, she represented the company’s vast real estate portfolio, and served the mission of enriching communities. From nurturing independent businesses to creating engaging experiences for visitors, her team crafted vibrant places to gather and engage.

Angela offers a wealth of strategic planning skills and exceptional knowledge in the retail and hospitality space. She is often referred to as the Small Business Whisperer! Her varied professional background ensures a unique and valuable perspective on operations, consumer behavior, customer trends and business strategy.

DANIELLE VOGEL

Danielle Vogel joined the faculty at American University’s Kogod School of Business in 2022. Her classes focus on the intersection between entrepreneurship and sustainability. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, where she helps run the AU Business Incubator. Prior to joining the faculty, she founded and operated a climate change motivated grocery store called Glen's Garden Market in Dupont Circle. Glen’s was beloved locally and recognized nationally as a leader in sustainability and innovation. She sold the business in 2021.

Through Glen’s, Danielle helped to launch over 90 local food businesses, of which more than 50 were woman-owned and nearly 25 were founded by people of color. She also founded a pitch competition called AccelerateHERdc to identify, incubate and accelerate lady-led local businesses, which were making significant and actionable sustainability commitments. Before founding Glen's, Danielle worked to pass comprehensive climate legislation as a staff to both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate. She also served as a Trial Attorney within the Environmental Enforcement Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition to teaching at the Kogod School of business, Danielle also teaches at the Washington College of Law. She earned her BA from Tufts University and her JD from the Washington College of Law.

ALLY MUMM

Ally Mumm is the co-founder of USAN USAN, an organization dedicated to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem where artists, culinary creators and creative entrepreneurs stand at the center of innovation and prosperity. Its primary initiatives are Umbrella Art Fair and REDEYE Night Market.

In addition to her work with USAN USAN, Ally is the co-founder of The Good Neighbor, a brand strategy consultancy. Previously, she has served as the Head of Retail Marketing for Framebridge and led marketing efforts at EDENS and the Union Market District. She got her start in Marketing and Publishing for brands including West Elm, Designers Guild and Conde Nast in Washington, DC and London, where she grew up.

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