Kudos to our Heroes

In celebration of KC-CWBO's 5th Anniversary, the "Kudos to our Heroes" event honored those who have mentored, advised, or inspired Kansas City's outstanding women entrepreneurs. Not only did KC-CWBO give recognition, the women business owners took to the stage to tell their story of inspiration and give public thanks to their own mentors. The press release appears below:  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Council of Women Business Owners Recognizes Outstanding Area Women in Business

Kansas City, MO (Nov. 21, 2006) The Kansas City Council of Women Business Owners, an organization founded to specifically meet the needs of women who own larger established businesses in the metro Kansas City area, recently honored four outstanding women in business during their 5th anniversary celebration event, Kudos to Our Heroes, on Friday evening Nov. 10, according to Becky Wilson, head of media relations and events for the organizations.

Nancy Zurbuchen, organization director, presented Kudos awards to KC-CWBO founding member, Rosie Biondo, Mark One Electric, for her leadership in both the construction and business community. Attorney, Denise Farris, was recognized for her involvement and leadership in public policy issues for women in business. Also honored were Jeanette Prenger, ECCO Select, for her advocacy for women and minorities in business, and Joy Wheeler, FirstGuard Health Plan, for her continued support of women entrepreneurs. KC-CWBO director, Nancy Zurbuchen, was surprised with a Kudos award for her five-year record of leadership and achievements of the organization both locally and nationally.   

During the evening, four guests gave Kudos awards to their heroes in business, individuals that have mentored, advised and inspired them. Judy Hohn, Serenity the Rejuvenating Day Spa, thanked Paul M. Smith, Jr., Loretta Nichols, LJS Graphics, honored, Jay Nichols; and Denise Farris, Farris Law Firm, gave praise Alan Farris. Nancy Zurbuchen, Motional MultiMedia, thanked Loretta Nichols for being a role model to women in the area business community. 

The Kansas City Council of Women Business Owners (KC-CWBO) is an award-winning not-for-profit business organization established in 2001 to specifically meet the needs of women who own larger established businesses in the metro Kansas City area. The stated purpose of the organization is to capitalize on our members’ influence, contacts, and knowledge in a brain trust that identifies and solves business-related problems and establishes a more advantageous business climate for women business owners.

Under the leadership of Nancy Zurbuchen, KC-CWBO has created and implemented solutions to issues that effect women business owners, not just the KC-CWBO members. KC-CWBO assisted in the creation of the new Kansas City “Fairness in City Contracts Board” and forged the agreement with the State of Missouri to accept “third party certification” for women business owners.

KC-CWBO advocates for public policy issues that benefit women business owners. Other KC-CWBO objectives include aiding members in the certification process, assisting in placement of women business owners on corporate boards, and establishing relationships with corporations that seek to do business with women business owners.   

The telephone number for KC-CWBO is (816) 452-4700, and on the web at www.kc-cwbo.org.

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 Thank you to our event co-chairs, Jeanette Prenger of ECCO Select and Rosie Privitera-Biondo of Mark One Electric. Thank you to our sponsor, Commerce Bank.