Women's Entrepreneurship
Annual Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
Annual Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
Lead Forward 2026 – Navigating Change, Unlocking Opportunity, Leading with Influence
Each year West Chester University is proud to celebrate women entrepreneurship. The Cottrell Center hosts various activities and workshops to support entrepreneurs, including the annual WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. This signature event provides an opportunity to make new connections and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an entrepreneur. This conference is open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
This year marks the 13th Anniversary of the WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. The theme of this year's conference is Lead Forward 2026 – Navigating Change, Unlocking Opportunity, Leading with Influence.
This year the Chamber Alliance of Chester County is partnering with WCU to develop the programming for this year's conference. Conference participants will attend two breakout sessions.
This year’s keynote speaker is Fotini Iconomopoulos. There will also be a Fireside Chat with Joyel Crawford and Laura Manion
The conference is co-hosted by The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and The Chamber Alliance of Chester County. The presenting sponsor of the conference is Citadel Credit Union and gold sponsor is Enterprise Mobility.
Speakers
Fotini Iconomopoulos
Keynote Speaker • Negotiation & Communication Expert
Fotini Iconomopoulos, CSP, is a globally recognized negotiation and communication expert, bestselling author, and keynote speaker who helps leaders navigate difficult conversations, build confidence, and turn workplace challenges into opportunities for greater impact. Ranked among the Top 15 Negotiation Experts worldwide by Global Gurus in 2026, Fotini brings more than two decades of experience in negotiation and leadership, advising organizations across more than 170 industries and six continents.
She is the bestselling author of Say Less, Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want, and her expertise has been featured by Harvard Business Review, Forbes, CNN, and CNBC. Fotini also teaches MBA-level negotiation at York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Known for her practical, engaging approach, Fotini empowers leaders—particularly women—to communicate with confidence, influence effectively, and turn challenging moments into opportunities for growth and success.
Joyel Crawford
Joyel Crawford, MBA, CPCC, MJSC, PHR is an award-winning leadership development consultant, executive coach, keynote and TEDx speaker, and bestselling author who inspires people to recognize their value, use their voice, and confidently pursue what’s next.
As the founder and CEO of Crawford Leadership Strategies, Joyel draws on more than two decades of experience in leadership and career development to help professionals navigate change, embrace new opportunities, and lead with greater confidence and influence. Her clients have included organizations such as the U.S. Senate, NASA JPL, The New York Times, ESPN, and Intuit.
Known as the Fairygodmentor®, Joyel brings an authentic, energetic, and empowering perspective to leadership. She is the bestselling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career, a powerful call to action for professionals to speak up, advocate for themselves, and take courageous steps toward the careers and lives they envision.
Joyel’s message is especially timely for women navigating a rapidly changing world: you don’t have to wait for the perfect opportunity—you can use your voice, build your influence, and create your own path forward. Her passion for helping women recognize their power and lead with purpose makes her an inspiring addition to the 2026 WCU Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference.
2026 BREAKOUT SESSIONS Register to attend the Conference
Presenting Sponsor
2025 Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference
Each year West Chester University is proud to celebrate women entrepreneurship. The Cottrell Center hosts various activities and workshops to support entrepreneurs, including the annual WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. This signature event provides an opportunity to make new connections and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an entrepreneur. This conference is open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public
This year marks the 12th Anniversary of the WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. The theme of this year's conference is The Power of Your Path: Thriving Through Every Age & Stage.
This year the Chamber Alliance of Chester County is partnering with WCU to develop the programming for this year's conference. They are organizing a series of breakout sessions (details to follow soon).
This year’s keynote speaker is Sandy Joy Weston, a trailblazing female entrepreneur, proud WCU alumna and TEDx Speaker. The featured closing speaker is Kim Wright, proud owner and operator of several Nothing Bundt Cake locations.
The conference is co-hosted by The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties in partnership with The Chamber Alliance of Chester County. The presenting sponsor of the conference is Citadel Credit Union and gold sponsor is SEI.
This event will be held in-person at the Sykes Student Union Center West Chester University Campus, 110 Rosedale Avenue on Friday, October 17th 7:45am-1:30pm.
2025 Conference Speakers 2025 Breakout Sessions Register to attend the Conference
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Partner
2024 Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference
Each year West Chester University is proud to celebrate women entrepreneurship. The Cottrell Center hosts various activities and workshops to support entrepreneurs, including the annual WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. This signature event provides an opportunity to make new connections and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an entrepreneur. This conference is open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
This year marks the 11th Anniversary of the WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. The theme of this year's conference is Empowerment Through Collaboration: Creating Space for Women Everywhere.
This year the Chamber Alliance of Chester County is partnering with WCU to develop the programming for this year's conference. They have organized a series of four breakout sessions on the following topics: Talent Engagement, Brand Storytelling, Managing Stress/Burnout and Effective Communication.
2024 WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference Breakout Sessions Conference Speakers
This year's keynote speaker is Gina Schaeffer, Co-Founder and Former CEO Logan Hardware and author, “Recovery Hardware”. The featured closing speaker is Cherri Gregg, Public Media Host, Lawyer and Entrepreneur.
The conference is co-hosted by The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties in partnership with The Chamber Alliance of Chester County. The presenting sponsor of the conference is Citadel Credit Union.
This event will be held in-person at the Sykes Student Union Center West Chester University Campus, 110 Rosedale Avenue on Friday, October 18th 7:45am-1:30pm.
Presenting Sponsor
Partner
Below is an archive of each conference, in which the promotional material, contact information of speakers & panelists, and additional information can be found.
2023 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the WCU Women's Entrepreneurship Conference. The theme of this year's conference is “Embrace the Past to Shape Your Future”. An Educational Conference focused on how to face challenges, seize opportunities, find support and achieve success.
The conference is co-hosted by The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and SCORE of Chester and Delaware County. The conference is sponsored by Citadel, The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry and Stefano Slack, Ltd. Thank you to our partners: The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, The Chester County Chamber of Commerce and the WCU student organization Women in Business.
This event will be held in-person at the Science, Engineering & Commons Center (SECC) University Avenue, West Chester University Campus on Friday, October 20th 8:00am-1:00pm.
2022 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
The theme of the 2022 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference is "Driving Success and Being Your Best". An Educational Conference focused on how to face challenges, seize opportunities, find support and grow your business.
The conference is sponsored by Citadel and QVC. Thank you to our partners: Chester County Women's Business Connection; i2n, an initiative of The Chester County Economic Development Center and The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to our co-host: SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties.
This event will be held in-person at the West Chester University Foundation on Friday, October 21st 8:00am-1:00pm.
Speakers, Panelists, and Moderators
2021 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
The theme of the 2021 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference is focused on how to seize opportunities, face challenges, find support, and continue to grow your business.
The conference is sponsored by BB&T Now Truist, and QVC. Thank you to our partners: WCU Foundation, and Chester County Fund for Women & Girls. Thank you to our co-hosts: SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties, and Women's Business Connection.
This event will be held in-person at the West Chester University Foundation on Friday, October 22nd 8:00am-1:00pm.
Speakers, Panelists, and Moderators
2020 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
The theme of the 2020 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference focused on seizing opportunities during difficult times.
The conference was sponsored by BB&T Now Truist. Thank you to our partners: WCU Foundation, and Chester County Fund for Women & Girls. Thank you to our co-hosts: SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties, and Women's Business Connection.
View the Virtual Event Platform
2019 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference
The theme of the 2019 Women's Entrepreneurship Conference focused on the unique joys and challenges of women entrepreneurs.
The conference was sponsored by QVC, and Bryn Mawr Trust. Thank you to our partners: WCU Foundation, and Chester County Economic Development Council. Thank you to our co-hosts: SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties, and Women's Business Connection.
Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
- Tools and Resources for Women Starting a Business
- SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
- Women's Opportunity Resource Center WORC
- Women's Business Enterprise Council
- Athena International
- Golden Seeds Angel Group
- Business Ownership Guide for Female Entrepreneurs
- Single Parents Planning To Start A Business
- Ultimate Leadership Guide for Women In Edtech