12/26/2024
WWBIC Announces Search for New President Following Wendy K. Baumann's 31 Years of "Putting Dreams to Work"
The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) announces the search for a new President/Chief Visionary Officer (CVO). After three decades, Wendy K. Baumann is stepping down on February 14, 2025.
The WWBIC Board of Directors wishes to express immense gratitude and respect for Wendy’s leadership and dedication over the past three decades.
“Wendy has been at the heart of building WWBIC from a nascent nonprofit into a leading organization within Wisconsin’s economic development ecosystem," says Kate Hill, WWBIC Board Chair. "Her passion and vision of leveling the economic playing field helped thousands of individuals from underserved communities pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We wish Wendy the very best as she pursues the next chapter of her professional journey.”
Over 30 years ago, Wendy walked into the lower level of the YWCA at 3112 Highland Blvd in Milwaukee to a converted cleaning closet to start her position as President/CVO. With one full time and one part time staff, Wendy rolled up her sleeves. She provided leadership required to ensure the achievement of WWBIC’s mission and to uphold the philosophy of serving businesses owned by women, people of color, Veterans and military spouses, and low to moderate income individuals in Wisconsin.
Wendy’s dream was to open doors of opportunity by providing underserved individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening, and expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and financial training. Wendy’s dream has now turned into the leading statewide innovative economic development corporation, known as WWBIC.
Under Wendy’s leadership, WWBIC has grown to become a diverse team of 60 dedicated professionals with six regional offices and a Veterans Business Outreach Center that serves clients in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The organization serves with a $9 million operating budget and a $25 million loan portfolio. Wendy’s vision of providing access to capital coupled with technical assistance and one on one counseling has pushed WWBIC over peers by serving almost 80,000 individuals since its inception while serving almost 5,500 unduplicated clients annually.
In over 3 decades, WWBIC has created or retained over 25,000 jobs and started, strengthened, or expanded over 12,500 businesses. To serve all individuals, WWBIC provides the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurs’ dreams no matter what the challenges. In Wendy’s tenure, WWBIC has loaned over $130 million to small business owners. Wendy’s vision is to continue the work and dream bigger to gain worldwide exposure and work.
Wendy’s credentials, experiences, and genuine care for others have been vital in obtaining the objectives set for WWBIC in developing an innovative model for business assistance programming and small business development. Wendy believed in community and serving on numerous national and local boards including Association of Enterprise Opportunity, Association of Women’s Business Centers and the Opportunity Finance Network, Chair of Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy, CDFI Coalition, SBA Microloan Program, and many more.
Wendy has been recognized for her work by being named Wisconsin’s Most Influential Business Leaders, IB Madison Power 100, Marquette’s 2024 Transformational Leaders, Association for Enterprise Opportunity’s Impact Award for Innovation, 100 Milwaukee Area 2024 Power Broker, Professional Dimension’s Sacajawea Award, and many more!
The WWBIC board is focused on working closely with Wendy, its three continuing vice presidents, and key stakeholders to ensure that WWBIC’s mission and impact continues to meet the needs of our business communities. A national search will begin to recruit another outstanding leader with the passion, vision, and dedication to serve. Please join WWBIC in thanking Wendy for her leadership, commitment, and goodness for others over 31 years. She will be greatly missed!
About WWBIC
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is a leading statewide innovative economic development corporation that is “Putting Dreams to Work” by assisting micro enterprise & small businesses. They are AERIS rated and are one of Wisconsin’s first Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). WWBIC’s primary focus is on women, people of color, lower-wealth individuals, and veterans and military connected families. They open doors of opportunity by providing direct lending and access to fair and responsible capital, quality business training, one-on-one technical business assistance and coaching to increase financial wellness.
WWBIC has fiercely championed their mission by operating in five Wisconsin regions to offer services statewide, channeling its activities through three primary lines of business: small business lending (ranging from $1,000 to $350,000); technical assistance/coaching; and entrepreneurship and financial wellness training. Since 1987, WWBIC has served over 77,000 individuals and loaned $135 million to small business owners. Their technical and capital support has created or retained over 18,000 jobs with over 9,000 businesses started, strengthened, or expanded. To learn more about WWBIC visit: www.wwbic.com.
