Central Indiana Women’s Business Center Earns National Women’s Business Center of Excellence Designation
Recognition affirms CIWBC’s impact supporting women entrepreneurs across Central Indiana during Women’s History Month
INDIANAPOLIS. The Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), a program of the Indy Chamber, has successfully graduated from a six-month national program and renewed its two-year designation as a Women’s Business Center of Excellence through the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC). The designation recognizes CIWBC’s commitment to operational excellence, strategic leadership, and measurable impact in advancing women-owned businesses across Central Indiana.
The National Women’s Business Center of Excellence designation honors organizations that demonstrate strong alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the Women’s Business Center network while achieving meaningful outcomes for women entrepreneurs. CIWBC completed the rigorous program alongside peers from across the country, reinforcing its role as a trusted resource within the national WBC ecosystem.
“Becoming a Women’s Business Center of Excellence is an incredible achievement,” said Klassi Duncan, AWBC Board Chair and Vice President of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Urban League of Louisiana. “The work that these graduates have put into the process demonstrates not only their commitment to improving their center’s operations, but also their dedication to achieving even more impactful outcomes for the women-owned businesses they serve.”
Over the course of six milestone assignments, participating Women’s Business Centers partnered with peer organizations to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement across strategic planning, service delivery, continuous improvement, and collaborative relationships. The program emphasizes the importance of strong leadership, engaged volunteers, and supportive funders — all of which play a critical role in sustaining long-term impact.
“This designation affirms the strength of CIWBC’s programs and the dedication of our team and partners,” said Rebekah Payne, CPA – Partner, Cherry Bekaert, Board Chair, CIWBC. “It reflects our continued commitment to meeting women entrepreneurs where they are and providing the tools, guidance, and connections needed to start, grow, and scale their businesses.”
The National Women’s Business Center of Excellence graduation and closing ceremony took place in December 2025. CIWBC’s renewed designation is effective for a two-year period and positions the Center to continue expanding its reach and impact across the region.
For more information about CIWBC programs and resources, visit Central Indiana Women’s Business Center – Indy Chamber. The CIWBC will host its 12th Annual Women in Business Retreat on Apr. 23, 2026.
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About the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center
The Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), a program of the Indy Chamber, supports women entrepreneurs through education, advising, and access to resources that help businesses start, grow, and scale. CIWBC is committed to fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that strengthens women-owned businesses and advances economic opportunity across Central Indiana.
About the Association of Women’s Business Centers
The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1998 to support and advocate for the national network of Women’s Business Centers. AWBC sustains a network of more than 152 WBCs across the United States and Puerto Rico, advancing economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for women through training, mentoring, counseling, and access to capital.
