Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) brought together WEV clients, elected officials, donors and local partners at its recent Community Impact in Santa Barbara.

The event at The HUB in Santa Barbara celebrated the achievements of 2024 and unveiled the WEV 2024 Impact Report.

Highlighted was WEV’s support of women entrepreneurs and a reaffirmation of its mission to advance economic equity across the Central Coast.
 
“Economic equity is about building healthy and thriving communities for everyone,” said Irene Kelly, WEV’s associate director of community engagement.

“Our clients remind us that feeling financially stable, confident and excited about the future is a shared dream we can achieve together,” Kelly said.
 
The event was presented by Bank of America, with remarks from Brenda Cervantes, vice president/businessbanker, who emphasized the bank’s commitment to advancing women’s financial empowerment.

“When women are inspired to impact their communities, we build a stronger society,” Cervantes said. “True community impact knows no bounds.”

The program featured key highlights from WEV’s work:
• Some 1,400 businesses launched or expanded by WEV clients in the past five years with $167 million in revenue and 4,000 jobs created or sustained.
• 90% of financial empowerment clients report reduced financial stress and improved budgeting confidence.
 
“We are facing real threats to programs that hold our communities together,” Kelly said in closing. “But with collective focus, aligned values, and shared purpose, we can build the future we want; and WEV will be here every step of the way.”
 
WEV thanks its 2024 sponsors, including Community Impact and Presenting Sponsor Bank of America and event sponsors: Athens Services, Banks Coaching, Chevron, La Arcada, Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co, Nicholson & Schwartz, Santa Barbara Foundation, Tileco, UCLA Health, US Bank, Ventura County Credit Union.
 
Also speaking at the event was WEV client and nurse practitioner Laura Abrignani, founder of Coastal Well Woman, who discussed her personal and entrepreneurial journey.

“WEV saw the vision, saw the need and supported me with the financial tools to build a solid business,” Abrignani said. “True independence means financial security, and that’s the key to a better future for women and families.”

To read WEV’s 2024 Impact Report, click here. For more about WEV, visit www.wevonline.org.