PRSA Greater Connecticut's
2021 Beacon Award
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Nov. 16, 2021) - The Public Relations Society of America Greater Connecticut Chapter (PRSA CT) today announced that Fran Pastore, CEO and founder of the Women’s Business Development Council, is the recipient of the organization’s 2021 Beacon Award for her outstanding efforts for almost 25 years as the voice for women entrepreneurs throughout the state.
The PRSA CT Beacon Award honors an executive who is champion for the value of communications and public relations to enhance the important connection between their organization and its customers, clients, employees and communities but is not a communications professional themselves.
Based in Stamford, the WBDC has educated and trained more than 18,000 clients since 1997 —helping women to launch and scale over 6,500 businesses, create, and maintain over 8,750 jobs in Connecticut, and access more than $21.3 in capital. WBDC is the only agency in Connecticut reflective of the statewide demographic makeup offering comprehensive micro-enterprise training, with services ranging from financial education, entrepreneurial development, and access to capital programs.
“Fran’s passionate advocacy for female entrepreneurs and her skills as an exceptional communicator have ignited creativity, innovation, and support for women-owned businesses across Connecticut,” said PRSA CT President Alison Skratt.
Some of her many accomplishments include:
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Creating the WBDC Equity Match Grant Program to provide small business owners with the capital they needed to survive and thrive during and after the pandemic.
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Facilitating and moderating statewide and community communication efforts, including dozens of town hall forums to keep business owners informed of relevant state and federal updates, especially critical in the constantly changing environment during the early days of the pandemic.
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Launching “Courageous Conversations with Fran Pastore,” the WBDC podcast dedicated to inspiring and informing women entrepreneurs.
About PRSA Greater Connecticut:
The chapter is one of more than 100 that are part of the national Public Relations Society of America. PRSA Greater Connecticut was formed to advance the public relations profession and to support the public relations practitioner. Nearly 100 members strong and growing, the chapters represent a diverse group of mid to senior-level professionals who are committed to enhancing the practice of public relations in the state. Professionals in the chapter represent agencies, independent consultants, business and industry, government, hospitals and healthcare organizations, professional associations, education, and nonprofit organizations. To learn more about the chapter, membership and its upcoming events, visit prsact.org and follow the PRSA Greater Connecticut on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Contact: admin@prsact.org