Past Cohorts

​After launching in fall 2019, WEI's ​Business Accelerator Program has already held five cohorts. Our founders have scaled companies across a variety of industries — finance, education, media, technology, food science and more.

First Cohort

• Elizabeth Ames-Wollek (MBA ’15) and Melissa Ames
  Company: EarlyVention
• Margaret Bamgbose
• Parker English
• Michelle Frame
  Company: Victus Ars
• Elise Gelwicks
  Company: InternView
• Ariana Lee (BA ’19)
• Jennifer Spraggins (MBA ’18)
  Company: Tease Lush
• Soumaya Yacoub
  Company: PetitCalm
• Nika Vaughn
  Company: Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists
• Nora Wall
  Company: PolyMath

Second Cohort

• Auriel Banister
  Company: Bani’s Beets
• Jessie Crawford
  Company: Aged & Infused
• Victoria Hilton
  Company: Stepping Stones Nursery School & Preschool
• Ashely Kirkwood
  Company: Mobile General Counsel
• Afenya Pongo Montgomery
  Company: iCAN Collective
• Alicia Ponce
  Company: APMonarch
• Morgan (Freitag) Strahan
  Company: Rekroot

Third Cohort

• Abby Alley
  Company: ABBY ALLEY
• Catalina Bentz
  Company: Catan Pisco
• Kourtney Greenlee
  Company: Authentic Legacy
• Ashley Wallace
  Company: Le'Flair Hair
• Jacqueline S. Ruiz
  Company: Fig Factor Media
• Sherri Southall
  Company: Sunshine Brokers
• Cera Stan
  Company: Stan Mansion
• Deb Tauber
  Company: Innovative SimSolutions
• Annie Warshaw and Jill Carey
  Company: Mission Propelle
• Chiquita White
  Company: Kiwi's Boutique

Fourth Cohort

• Oni Aningo (BUS ’03)
  Company: Global Group Media
• Anna Alexopoulos
  Company: One Oak Street
• Aisha Crump
  Company: Botanika Beauty
• Nicolette Downs
  Company: Big Shoulders Yoga
  
• Melissa English and Anne E Coleman
  Company: Living Room Realty
• Ravi Hansra
  Company: Hansra Consulting
• Andrea Herrera
  Company: Boxperience
• Ari Krzyzek
  Company: Chykalophia Group
• Yuliia Khyzhniak
  Company: TechSkillAcademy
• Svetlana Matchenia
  Company: TechSkillAcademy
• Anastasiya Motalava
  Company: TechSkillAcademy
• Tara Robertson
  Company: Pup Stars
• Marisa Schulz
  Company: All Together Studio
• Rachae​l Smith
  Company: All Together Studio
• Deborah Siegel-Acevedo
  Company: Girl Meets Voice, Inc.
• Claudette Soto
  Company: Baso, Ltd.

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Cohort

• Robin Beaman
  Company: Beaman Incorporated
• Elsie Cardell
  Company: Results Sales Marketing
• Sheila Coates
  Company: BYOB (Be Your Own Brand)
• Cecelia Harrison
  Company: ReveNewCycle Management
• Nichole Jackson
  Company: Bronzeville Wingz
• Larvetta Loftin
  Company: L3 Agency
• Pam Redwood
  Company: SMG Speakers
• Toi Salter
  Company: Salter Financial Management