GGV SPOTLIGHT
2023 MWBE Forum
Georgica Green Ventures’ first-ever MWBE Forum was successfully held on Thursday, September 14—organized by the Georgica Workforce Opportunity Committee. Nearly 70 entrepreneurs across a wide variety of industries including construction, real estate and fabrications attended the event which opened with a networking breakfast, followed by remarks and four breakout sessions hosted by industry experts.
Siela Bynoe addresses the audience during the networking breakfast.
The MWBE Forum was concepted, planned and executed by the Georgica Workforce Opportunity Committee (GWOC) with the aim to empower, educate and inform participants—Minority, Women, Veteran and Section 3 business owners and stakeholders.
Essential and engaging information was shared on how to strategically grow their businesses—guidelines for complying with New York State funded project requirements, voiding operational pitfalls and understanding construction site safety. Empire State Development hosted the highly attended How to Get MWBE Certified in New York State panel. Member of the GWOC, Siela Bynoe stated that the Forum and its hosts “create these type of opportunities where we can educate community, empower community by putting together panels who are experts in their field.” Siela Bynoe serves separately as a Nassau County Legislator.
“Diversity of age, race, income and lived experience brought by affordable housing can benefit communities—and we are proud to extend that diversity through the organizations we partner with to deliver that housing,” President of Georgica Green Ventures, Dave Gallo shared.
The Georgica Workforce Opportunity Committee intends to hold a Job Fair this Fall as a followup to the Forum, and looks forward to further engaging with MWBE business owners and stakeholders.
Panelists address the attendees at Complying with NYS Funded Project Requirements Breakout Session; Jael Ferguson (on left) Assistant Project Manager / Georgica Green Ventures LLC, Elyse Ruzow, (center) President of Ruzow & Associates, Inc and Tamilee Webb, MBA (on right) Business Analyst at Ruzow & Associates, Inc
The panel on How to Get NYS Certified was presented by speakers from Empire State Development on behalf of New York State including Doni Soro.
Special thanks to our informative speakers, The Bristal at Jericho and Encore Luxury Living for providing an excellent venue, all the Forum attendees, and the Georgica Workforce Opportunity Committee for their hard work and ongoing dedication to furthering our mission and goals.
From left; Allison Giosa, Jael Ferguson, Siela Bynoe, David Gallo, Elyse Ruzow, and Tamilee Webb, MBA.
