The Women’s Entrepreneurship Institute (WEI) Launches to Unlock Trillions in Untapped Economic Growth

Washington, DC — November 19, 2025 — The Women’s Entrepreneurship Institute (WEI) officially launches with a bold mission: to break down barriers that have long kept women entrepreneurs from
reaching their full potential, while delivering new data-driven insights that reimagine how capital, government, and business support women in the economy.

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Women-owned businesses already contribute $3.3 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. Yet with full participation, research shows that figure could rise by trillions. This is a staggering opportunity hiding in
plain sight. Closing this gap is not only a matter of equity; it is one of the most significant drivers of future U.S. economic growth.

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Despite this potential, there has never been a nonpartisan, nonprofit hub dedicated solely to unlocking women’s entrepreneurship through research, resources, and cross-sector collaboration. WEI fills that gap.

“The entrepreneurial potential of women in the U.S. is limitless, but it has been held back by fragmented information, outdated practices, and a lack of networks that create confidence and access,” said Sima
Ladjevardian, Co-Founder, President, and Board Chair of WEI. “WEI was created to change that with data, strategy, and solutions that not only help women succeed, but also unlock trillions of dollars of value for our economy.”

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A Leadership Team with Proven Impact:

The Institute was founded by three leaders with decades of combined experience in government, business, law, and philanthropy. Together, they bring unmatched expertise in building systems, shaping policy, and driving equity.
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Sima Ladjevardian (Co-Founder, President, and Board Chair)

A lawyer, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor, Ms. Ladjevardian brings decades of leadership spanningthe private, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. She has managed her own law practice, co-owned andadvised businesses in manufacturing, construction, and investment, and served as Regional Director forthe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As former Chair of the National Women's BusinessCouncil, she championed initiatives to expand capital access and business ownership for womenentrepreneurs nationwide. Fluent in French, Farsi, and Spanish, she is known as a skilled convener andconnector who mobilizes cross-sector partnerships for systemic change.

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Erin Hustings (Co-Founder and Secretary, Managing Director)

An equity, opportunity, and civil rights policy strategist, Ms. Hustings has spent two decades advancinginclusion through immigration policy, voting rights, workplace development, and education. She helpeddraft and secure votes on landmark federal legislation including the Voting Rights Advancement Act andthe Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. A lawyer and advocate,she has provided pro bono counsel to immigrants seeking humanitarian protection and co-founded theDC Detention Visitation Network. Erin's career reflects a consistent commitment to ensuring access,opportunity, and agency for underrepresented communities.

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Tené Dolphin (Co-Founder, Treasurer, and Senior Strategic Advisor)

Ms. Dolphin has dedicated her career to creating opportunities through impactful policies and programsat both local and national levels. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the NationalWomen's Business Council, where she championed initiatives that empower women entrepreneurs anddrive economic growth. Her leadership includes directing Wells Fargo's Small Business GrowthPhilanthropy strategy, serving as Birmingham's first Director of the Office of Business Diversity andOpportunity, and holding senior roles with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the EconomicDevelopment Administration under President Barack Obama. A proud Howard University graduate, shehas built systems from the ground up, revitalized organizations, and fostered inclusive ecosystems thatdrive sustainable growth.

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In addition to its founding team, WEI is guided by a distinguished Board of Directors and AdvisoryCouncil made up of nationally and internationally recognized leaders in women's entrepreneurship,economic policy, and education. Their expertise spans global trade, academic leadership, supply chaindevelopment, capital access, and corporate strategy, and ensures that WEI's work is informed by thehighest levels of experience, influence, and impact across sectors.

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WEI's Core Priorities:

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The timing is urgent. With shifts in the labor market, rapid technological change, and an uncertaineconomic climate, WEI's leaders argue that unlocking women's entrepreneurial capacity is not just theright thing to do. It is a trillion-dollar opportunity to build long-term stability and prosperity.

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About WEI:

The Women's Entrepreneurship Institute (WEI) is a national initiative dedicated to advancing women'sentrepreneurship through groundbreaking research, collaboration, and investment. By connecting data,policy, and practice, WEI is creating the conditions for women entrepreneurs to thrive, fuelinginnovation, jobs, and inclusive economic growth across the United States.

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Media Contact:
Tene Dolphin
Cofounder and Senior Advisor
tene@weiimpact.org
www.weiimpact.org

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