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WEConnect International's Maggie Berry Speaks About Helping Women Owned Businesses Get a Bigger Chunk of the Supply Chain

With over $1 trillion in annual purchasing power, WEConnect members are vital to supplier development and helping businesses win more supplier contracts

Posted: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 10:49 AM CDT

Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWire) -- 08/22/2018 --September 10, 2018, Kimberli Lewis will conduct an eye-opening interview with Maggie Berry, European Director of WEConnect International on VoiceAmerica's Leadership Beyond Borders . The interview addresses how women owned businesses can better position themselves to be awarded company and government supplier contracts.

Even with the number of women owned businesses on the rise, they are still not getting their share of supplier contracts. This interesting and thought- provoking interview with Ms. Berry will air on 11 September at 3:00 PM PT and be available to stream at that time.

WEConnect International , is a global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers around the world.

WEConnect Europe is based in London, England. Maggie Berry has been integral to the growth and expansion of its European chapter, which is part of the WEConnect International Network worldwide, and currently boasts over 1,000 women owned businesses across Europe.

WEConnect International educates, trains, assesses and connects women-owned business to elevate them to be on par with their male counterparts in the supply chain markets around the world, affording them the same opportunities to do business with multinational corporations worldwide.

In this interview on Leadership Beyond Borders, Ms Berry discusses supplier diversity programs, and the moving trend of many multinational organizations to implement, manage and support supplier diversity.

The episode discusses the legislation and lack thereof, supporting women owned businesses. Surprisingly, some legislation does exist in unexpected markets and geographies, but many corporations are considering staying ahead of the mandates. The fact is that only 1% of all supplier contracts go to woman-owned businesses and this has become a focus point for multinationals and the driving force behind change.

Kimberli Lewis, aside from hosting Leadership Beyond Borders, is the founder of the Women's Leadership Academy 2020 , and has benefited from the participation in WEConnect International and understands the opportunities and challenges.

Pulling from first-hand experience, the two women enter into a lively discussion about the challenges women owned businesses face in a traditionally male-dominated space. They both see that the tide as shifting, and present well thought out points on how to tip the scales instead of just waiting for legislation to dictate the path forward.

Ms Lewis has built a loyal listenership over the past 18 months in part due to the high-variety of informative business guests.

Leadership Beyond Borders airs every Tuesday at 3:00pm Pacific Time. The Maggie Berry episode will air on 11 September, 3 PM PT on Leadership Beyond Borders on VoiceAmerica Business Channel.