Prelude Solutions

The final stretch of WBENC 2026 brought everything the themes promised, businesses Built to Last and leaders focused on Future-Proofing.

We started the morning with a photo alongside Miss Utah Jordyn Bristol, who has just passed the baton to 2026's Erika Dalton. A huge thank you to Vicki Lam of Promo Victory for outfitting our booth with the Prelude giveaways that were a hit on the expo floor, and to Maryann Pagano of Blackhawk Data for treating us to lunch with Aleah Menefee of CDW. The expo floor was buzzing all week, packed with our favorite corporate partners and WBEs alike.

Wednesday evening took flight at the library, where Thing One, Thing Two, and Dr. Seuss set the scene for a night of pop-ups, book signings, and Famous 4th Street Cookies with our good friend Tina Phillips, capped by rooftop conversation with Janette Tomaselli of Dependable Building Services.

Before heading out Thursday, we gathered the WBEC East team and a number of WBEs from our region to celebrate.

The proudest moment of all: Cate's mentee from the Collegiate Accelerator Pitch Competition took first place. Congratulations, Titilope Olotu, Founder of PADÍ! It has been a privilege getting to know you.

PADÍ is a health technology venture developing noninvasive diagnostic menstrual products that enable early screening for common yet underdiagnosed conditions, including hormonal imbalances, infections, and anemia.

Until next year, WBENC!

Day one of the WBENC National Conference in Salt Lake City was eventful! After a rough travel start out of Philadelphia, Cate Heaman touched down just in time for the evening's "It's Not Just Dinner" event, a fitting way to kick off a day themed around Building the Foundation.

It's Not Just Dinner is a nonprofit (501c3) built on the power of MEDIC: Mentorship, Education, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community, a community of WBEs and corporate advisors committed to elevating the diverse supply chain. The evening honored three awardees in exactly that spirit.

Thank you to Brooke Foley of Clarity University for the gracious invitation. Cate loved getting to know Lisa Westgate of LNWestgate and Ingrid James of IBEX, and it was her honor to sit beside Maria Gonzalez of Supplier Diversity Consultants, who was recognized as an awardee that evening. Congratulations, Maria!

Here's to honoring legacy while building what's next.