Tag Archives: Womens Business Center

California Capital Meets With Delegation of Kosovo National Assembly Members to Discuss Women’s Economic Participation

May 17, 2022 | This morning, California Capital Financial Development Corporation met a delegation of representatives from the National Assembly of Kosovo for a conversation on expansion of women’s economic participation and business development models. The delegation, whose trip was made possible through the Open World program of the Congressional Office for International Leadership and Global Ties Sacramento, consisted of Members of Parliament Ms. Tinka Kurti and Mr. Enis Kervan. Representatives of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) and Lending Center provided insight into how California Capital addresses pressing local and universal business issues.

“Supporting microbusinesses can look different across cultures,” explains Deborah Lowe Muramoto, President of California Capital. “But we learned that the need for more people–particularly women and ethnic minorities–to successfully enter the workforce is common between Kosovo and California.”

In-Depth Discussion

With the issue areas of particular importance to the visiting Members of Parliament including gender equality, microbusiness, and minority rights, the conversation focused on how California Capital’s technical assistance and lending programs are designed to serve and grow women- and minority-owned businesses.

Knowledge sharing included best practices for reaching specific communities with resources, and WBC Director, Sophia Kanaan, provided insight into specific programs–such as Licensed to Care–that provide culturally competent training to empower women to open and operate businesses. For their part, the representatives of the delegation, who were joined by a bicultural/lingual facilitator and an interpreter, shared context of the types of businesses that women in Kosovo typically own, and the ways in which the government supports microbusinesses in the country.

“We were honored to host this meeting with representatives from the National Assembly of Kosovo,” says Lowe Muramoto. “Any opportunity to share information and learn from others is one we are grateful to accept.”

Creating Global Ties

It is clear that, while systems and economies may differ, entrepreneurship is an important area of opportunity for populations around the world, and conversations like today’s are crucial to expanding the positive impact of business ownership.

More than 30,000 current and future leaders from post-Soviet era countries have participated in the Open World program. Open World offers one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs to promote mutually beneficial options for depolarized engagement between future national leaders. It is a unique but no less powerful tool for Congress to engage legislatures in critical regions of the world.

Global Ties Sacramento, a Division of World Trade Center Northern California

Global Ties Sacramento influences positive global change and fosters mutual understanding through the facilitation of professional, cultural, and educational exchanges. Connecting international leaders with the Greater Sacramento Region, they provide opportunities for people from around the globe to engage in meaningful dialogue, build relationships, and create a more peaceful world. Global Ties Sacramento is a division of World Trade Center Northern California, and a member of the Global Ties U.S. network. Global Ties Sacramento is the only organization of its kind in the Greater Sacramento and Central Valley regions. On an annual basis, Global Ties Sacramento hosts over 400 international visitors, contributing over $550,000 to the local economy through hotel stays, dining expenditures, and participation in cultural activities. In addition to the economic impact, their work expands cultural fluency, showcases global perspectives, breaks down barriers, and provides citizen diplomats the opportunity to shape and advance foreign policy goals.

COIL, a Support Agency of the Congress

Founded in 1999 by Congress, the Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly known as the Open World Leadership Center) maintains a vast network of more than 30,000 alumni in strategic countries including Russia, Ukraine, and others in the Balkans, Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It’s Open World program supports legislative diplomacy efforts for Members of Congress by conducting exchanges that establish authentic communication and enduring relations that are maintained through its extensive alumni network. Program participants are provided with exposure to the work of Congress, American politics, accountable governance, and volunteerism while being home hosted by American families. To learn more about the Open World program, please visit https://www.openworld.gov/.

Association of Women’s Business Centers Annual Meeting: California Capital Business Counselor Charles Thomas Wins Advisor of the Year, WBC Director Sophia Kanaan Joins National Board of Directors

September 16, 2021 | Yesterday morning marked two significant achievements for the California Capital Women’s Business Center (WBC). During the annual meeting of the Association of Women’s Business Centers, Sophia Kanaan, Director of California Capital’s WBC, was inducted into the association’s Board of Directors, and Charles Thomas was announced as the winner of the Advisor of the Year award.

Sophia holds a Masters in Public Policy from McGeorge School of Law.

The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) is the leading non-profit that sustains the national network of Women’sBusiness Centers, bringing together more than 100 WBCs across the country. As a newly inaugurated board member, Sophia joins not only the largest, but the most diverse Board of Directors in the organization’s history. This new position will allow Sophia to build on her passion for connecting small businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship crucial to their success, and to take her leadership to the national level.

Charles Thomas began working at California Capital in February of 2015.

Charles Thomas was named as the 2021 Advisor of the Year for his years of work helping hundreds of entrepreneurs and small businesses at various levels of maturity to achieve and surpass their goals. In her nomination statement, Sophia Kanaan noted that Charles’s determined service to his clients is grounded in his philosophy of the Three Ps: positivity, purposeful action, and paying it forward. Charles first began peer-to-peer mentorship as a teenager, volunteering as a peer counselor for elementary and middle school students in under-resourced communities, and has maintained his mission to uplift individuals from all walks of life. Eight other highly impactful business advisors were nominated from across the country, which speaks to the depth of expertise represented in the organizations that comprise the AWBC. 

The accolades received, as well as our accomplishments and commitment to small businesses are a testament to our WBC Director, Sophia Kanaan and her leadership,” says Deborah Lowe Muramoto, President and CEO of California Capital. “We just celebrated her sixth anniversary with California Capital, and I am so proud to congratulate her.” 

 “And, a very well deserved congratulations to Charles Thomas, our WBC Business Counselor,” Deborah continues.  “Thank you Charles for your true commitment to helping small businesses turn their dream of business ownership into a reality.” 

These achievements are a testament to the commitment that the California Capital WBC team makes on a daily basis to continue providing excellent guidance and service to California’s ambitious and hard-working small business community. 

Congratulations, Sophia and Charles!

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