REI Oklahoma announced that Dr. Barbara Rackley, REI Women’s Business Center Program Manager, has been chosen to serve on the board of directors of the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC). The AWBC is a national not for profit 501(c)(3) organization representing women business owners through a network of women’s business centers.
Dr. Rackley has been with REI Women’s Business Center (REI WBC) since it opened in 2001, assisting clients who are looking to start or expand their business. Currently, REI WBC has helped more than 20,000 entrepreneurs by providing quality training, business counseling, and technical assistance.
“The AWBC is a great organization representing Women’s Business Centers and their clients,” said Dr. Rackley. “Through this board I’m honored to be given the opportunity to represent even more women business owners.”
According to Marsha Bailey, Chair of the AWBC board, “There are over 100 Women’s Business Centers (WBC) in the United States partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The AWBC board of directors is now represented by WBCs in 12 states. This is unprecedented in the history of the AWBC and the collective knowledge of these WBC executives represents hundreds of years of experience in the industry.”
Founded in 1998, the AWBC supports entrepreneurial development among women as a way to achieve economic self-sufficiency, create wealth and participate in economic development through education, training, mentoring, business development and financing opportunities.
The mission of REI Women’s Business Center is to assist Oklahoma’s enterprising women wanting to explore the opportunities of starting or expanding a business. For additional information visit www.reiwbc.org.