Philanthropic Events

A Fundraiser for a Worthy Cause

On Friday, July 22nd, 2022, WBG Connects invited members and non-members to attend a networking wine tasting fundraiser to benefit RIA Inc., a 501c (3) non-profit organization based in Framingham MA. Ria Inc. fights for women who are victims of sexual exploitation, trafficking, and prostitution. Their goal is to increase resiliency, self-worth, and self-reliance in the people they serve.

We had professional women joining our event from many fields who were given an opportunity to expand their networks and enjoy tastings of white wine, generously donated by Jay Essigian with J.Lohr.

A special thank you to Asia Rossow, Store Manager at St. John Knits on Boylston Street in Boston, for providing such a stunning venue.

Our attendees also had a chance to meet the ladies behind RIA in person: Founder & Executive Director Heather Wightman and Development Strategist Chantha Carter.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this fantastic event! We hope to continue flexing our philanthropic arm and raising awareness for local non-profit organizations in the future.

To learn more about RIA Inc., visit their website here.

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Left to Right:
Janika LeMaitre, Certified Consultant at The Better Professional & President at WBG Connects
Brenda Ruping, Assistant Property Manager at Gilbane Development
Left to Right:
Darcy Bento, Owner & Broker at Bento Real Estate
Chantha Carter, Development Strategist at RIA Inc.
Konnie Chen, Product Launch Manager at Teledyne FLIR
Asia Rossow, Store Manager at St. John Knits making her speech and drawing the winners.
Members and non-members mingling.
Maria DiLorenzo, Personal Stylist & Owner at MFD Style, winner of the St. John hobo tote.
Left to Right:
Konnie Chen, Product Launch Manager at Teledyne FLIR
Heather Wightman, Executive Director and Founder at RIA Inc.
Sasha Yablonovsky, Co-CEO at LoanSpark
Chantha Carter, Development Strategist with RIA Inc.
Janika LeMaitre, Certified Consultant at The Better Professional & President at WBG Connects
What is WBG?
Women’s Business Group Connects is a women’s networking group with a mission to build relationships and support women with their professional goals.
 
Our vision is to create an exclusively female-driven networking environment in the Greater Boston area, welcoming entrepreneurs from all industries.
Originally a Wellesley Chamber of Commerce subsidiary, WBG Connects was founded more than 20-years ago, providing an opportunity for ladies to meet like-minded professionals and make referrals in a non-pressured environment.
 
If you are looking to network with entrepreneurial women who are well connected and understand the value of a supportive networking organization, please consider reaching out now to discuss if this is the right group for you.