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HELPING YOU GROW
WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
EmpowHER: Building Bold Businesses in a Changing Economy
March 19 @ 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
$40
Maryland Women’s Business Center is proud to present EmpowHER: Building Bold Businesses in a Changing Economy, in partnership with the Universities at Shady Grove.
EmpowHER is a small business conference and resource fair that aims to provide a platform for entrepreneurs and professionals to come together and exchange ideas, network, build community, and share strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve success in today’s business landscape.
Thursday, March 19, 2026
9:00am – 1:30pm
The Universities at Shady Grove – Building II
$40
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
MWBC is offering 20 free tickets to federal workers impacted by staffing changes in 2025/2026. If you are interested in claiming one of these tickets, please fill out this form.
Your ticket to EmpowHER 2026 includes:
A Content-Filled Agenda
Learn from a dynamic group of industry professionals as they share their expertise and advice on how to adapt and thrive when faced with new challenges.
- 9:00am – Networking
- 9:30am – Welcome
- 9:40am – Opening Remarks | Monique Ashton, Mayor – City of Rockville
- 9:50am – Keynote | Margarita Womack, Founder – Latin Goodness, LLC/MasPanadas
- 10:15am – Panel Discussion | Building Bold: Founders on Risk, Change, and What it Takes | Aisha Khadar, CEO – Sha’s Organic Skin Care & Medspa; Nurith Berstein, President – Next Level Rentals & Realty; Mercedita Roxas-Murray, CEO – Montage Marketing
- 11:00am – Founders Rising Business Pitch Competition powered by NEXT/My NEXT Raise | Supported by Montgomery County Business Center and Shulman Rogers
- 12:00pm – Workshop | Building Your Digital Home: Website Basics for Businesses led by Margaret Doan, Managing Partner – PIXLink Studio
- 12:45pm – Pitch competition awards
- 1:00pm – Networking
Networking Opportunities
Engage with entrepreneurs at every stage of business and build invaluable connections.
An Exhibitor Hall with Dozens of Local Vendors and Partners
Discover, support, and network with local businesses and resource partners as they showcase their products and services to help your business.
- Capital Bank
- City of Frederick Department of Economic Development
- City of Rockville Procurement Department
- Farallon Bookkeeping
- FSC First
- Frederick County Office of Economic Development
- Interfaith Works
- Labor Credit Union
- Lafayette Federal Credit Union
- Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission
- Montgomery County Business Center
- Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services
- Montgomery County Office of Procurement
- Montgomery County Black Collective
- M&T Bank
- Nazareth Bonifacino Law
- Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
- Rohner Consulting
- The Universities at Shady Grove
- U.S. General Services Administration – Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
- Verizon Digital Ready
- Women Business Owners of Montgomery County
Interested in getting exposure at EmpowHER? Complete the sponsorship application form.
Keynote: Margarita Womack, CEO – Latin Goodness Foods, LLC/MasPanadas
Ph.D. scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Margarita Womack, is the award winning founder of MasPanadas and a champion of Maryland’s manufacturing sector.
Building Bold: Founders on Risk, Change, and What it Takes
Learn from experienced founders as they share real-world insights on taking risks, navigating change, and building businesses that last. Featuring Aisha Khadar of Sha’s Organic Skin Care & Medspa, Nurith Berstein of Next Level Rentals & Realty, and Mercedita Roxas-Murray of Montage Marketing.
Founders Rising Business Pitch Competition powered by NEXT/My NEXT Raise
MWBC’s Founders Rising, an 8-week capacity-building program, helped twenty displaced federal workers develop sustainable business plans and launch their businesses. At EmpowHER 2026, six Founders Rising graduates will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience for a chance to win over $6,000 in cash prizes. With the support of the Montgomery County Business Center and Shulman Rogers, these entrepreneurs are building their second act through business ownership.
Cheer on and vote for one of the following participants:
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- Minal Amin – Feenix Collaborative
- Mia Bailey – So Respond
- Stefany Holguin – Salt Perspectives
- Garine Isassi – Love, Books & Music
- Paula Malozowski – Vertaz Human Strategies
- Bridget Williams-Simmons – Convergent Point Strategies
Building Your Digital Home: Website Basics for Businesses
Perfect for entrepreneurs starting fresh or updating their site! Learn the essentials every business website needs to attract customers:
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- Key pages every site should have
- Clear, conversion-friendly structure
- Simple tips to look polished and professional
Donation Drive
We are partnering with Interfaith Works in Rockville, MD to collect donations of new/gently used business attire for job interviews, and laundry detergent to maintain their clothing. Interfaith Works aims to provide vital services and essential needs to Montgomery County residents below the Federal poverty line.
MWBC Shop Local
Learn about MWBC’s retail incubator program and explore and purchase products from our current cohort of vendors.
MWBC Counselors
Explore the services and resources offered by the Maryland Women’s Business Center, meet our business consultant team, and learn how to schedule a FREE counseling session.
Light Refreshments
Enjoy coffee and light breakfast refreshments included in your ticket to EmpowHER.
Parking Included
Parking is included in the ticket fee. The parking validation received at the event is ONLY valid for the Traville Gateway Garage and WILL NOT be redeemable at any other garages/lots. To get to the Traville Gateway Garage, enter the following address into your GPS: 9638 Gudelsky Dr, Rockville, MD 20850
If you enter Universities at Shady Grove into your GPS, it will take you to the campus main entrance. Follow the signage around the campus to get to the Traville Gateway Garage. The easiest way to access the Traville Gateway Garage is from Darnestown Rd.
In partnership with:
Thank you to our Sponsors:
MWBC’s EmpowHER is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. View MWBC’s Funding Disclosure.
