Empowering women entrepreneurs with insightful keynotes and dynamic speakers.

Ind. (Feb 10, 2025) — The Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), a program of the Indy Chamber, is thrilled to announce the keynote speaker and an exceptional lineup of speakers for the 2025 Women in Business Retreat presented by Hirons. This premier event will bring together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals for a day of inspiration, networking, and actionable insights.

Tammy Butler Robinson, CEO of Engaging Solutions, will be the keynote speaker, sharing her powerful journey of leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. With a background spanning state government, urban planning, and business development, Robinson has built a legacy of breaking barriers and opening doors for women and underrepresented communities.

“The retreat is about empowering women with the resources, connections, and inspiration to build and grow their businesses,” said Melanie Raney, CIWBC board chair and Senior Manager of M&A and Business Development at AES Indiana. “Tammy Butler Robinson’s story embodies the perseverance and excellence that define women in business today.”

The event will also feature engaging sessions with an impressive slate of speakers, including:

“The CIWBC is committed to providing entrepreneurs and professionals with the tools and support they need to succeed,” said Stephanie James, Director of the CIWBC. “This retreat is an opportunity to learn from and connect with some of our community’s most accomplished leaders.”

The 2025 Women in Business Retreat will take place on April 24 at the Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, gain valuable business insights, and expand their professional networks.

Tickets are available now here or at IndyChamber.com.

Ten years ago, self-proclaimed child advocate and foster parent Antoinette Williams founded a daycare in her own home: Precious Moments Early Childhood Education Academy. The center serves working parents on Indy’s southeast side in it’s new location at House of God Ministries.

Today, Antoinette Williams serves as the facility Director as well as the Education and Curriculum Coordinator, using her new role to enhance the educational quality of the growing facility which provides day care, preschool and after school care to children 6 weeks old to 12 years of age. Since the facility serves as an important resource for working parents, Antoinette reached out to United Way to receive an expansion grant that would allow her to expand the facility from holding 21 children to 88 children.

Through United Way’s childcare business coaching partnership with Business Ownership Initiative (BOI), Antoinette was connected to the many resources that BOI offers entrepreneurs and childcare center administrators. Specifically, Antoinette received one-on-one coaching to help with financial forecasting and budgeting that would prepare her for the facility’s expansion.

According to Antoinette, “Indy really does need BOI because this is a great place for small businesses. There’s a lot of opportunity, but in that opportunity there’s a lot to learn. As a business owner, you may not know all the ins and outs of business operation, but you may know childcare. BOI helps you set that firm platform that will allow you to achieve in the long term.”

The Indy Chamber knows that businesses like Precious Moments Early Childhood Education Academy are an important resource for families in Indy’s urban core. Quality and affordable childcare is a basic step towards a more inclusive economy – helping families of all socioeconomic backgrounds prepare for success in school and life. The Huntington Bank Foundation recently awarded BOI a $25,000 planning grant for a new project called “The Village”. The Village will create a plan to makes quality, home-based child care accessible and available in low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods in Marion County with emphasis on partnerships with anchor institutions.  Learn more about the The Village here.

To learn more about BOI’s on-one-on business coaching, visit Indychamber.com/coaching.