In the Spotlight: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Pennsylvania
#WomenInBusiness #PennsylvaniaEntrepreneurs #FemaleFounders #WomenInLeadership
Pennsylvania, known as the “Keystone State,” has become a hub for women-led businesses – reflecting the growing empowerment of women in entrepreneurship. From tech startups to small businesses, women entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania are driving innovation, generating economic growth, & breaking barriers. With a surge in women-led ventures over the past few years, the state is witnessing a transformation as women take on leadership roles across diverse industries.
Rising Above Challenges: How Women Entrepreneurs are Leading the Way
Despite systemic challenges, such as unequal access to capital and market visibility, these entrepreneurs are rising above the odds. Their stories are a testament to resilience, determination, and creativity. With support networks expanding and initiatives focusing on mentorship, funding, and inclusivity, the entrepreneurial ecosystem is becoming more conducive to their success.
And, the year 2024 holds even more promise, as Pennsylvania’s women entrepreneurs continue to break new ground, foster innovation, and inspire future generations of female leaders.
Let us take a look at some inspiring women entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania.
> Bethany Edwards, Co-founder & CEO, LIA Diagnostics
Bethany Edwards is the CEO of LIA Diagnostics. Together with her Cofounder, she created Lia – the first flushable and biodegradable pregnancy test. As a former creative turned technical founder and entrepreneur, she took her idea for a discreet pregnancy test and made it a reality; engineering Lia: the only FDA cleared, flushable and 100% biodegradable pregnancy test, which is the first significant innovation in the industry in over 30 years.
The Lia test received its FDA clearance in late 2017 and will be available later this year. Bethany is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Integrated Product Design program, and she is passionate about using innovative materials to create well-designed alternatives to single-use, disposable products.
> Donna Newell, Co-founder & President, NTM Engineering Inc.
Donna Newell, MS, PE, CFM is President and Cofounder of NTM Engineering, Inc. – a women-owned business that specializes in water resources, structural engineering, and course development and instruction.
She graduated from Western Beaver High School in Beaver County, Pa. Ms. Newell earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Environmental Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and holds a Professional Engineering license and is a Certified Floodplain Manager. She has a rich 25+ years of experience performing hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, bridge scour analysis, waterway permitting, and floodplain studies.
> Nicole Marquis: Founder of Marquis & Co, which includes the HipCityVeg restaurant chain
Marquis & Co. was founded in 2012 by Nicole Marquis with HipCityVeg, as a way to bring delicious vegan food to the world, by presenting it in a form that people already loved. She created a fast food-inspired menu with fresh, often local and organic ingredients that helps you treat your body well.
Rapidly expanding, this 100% plant based restaurant group has a mission – to make a delicious plant based diet convenient and accessible to the world through both fast casual and full service restaurants currently in Philadelphia and Washington DC. The uncompromising quality of their food, service, mission and team members has set a standard in the industry that we are quite proud of.
By choosing vegan ingredients and compostable materials, they are indeed, creating a new normal that’s better for the world we live in!!
> Emily Bittenbender, Founder & Managing Partner of Bittenbender Construction
Emily Bittenbender, Founder & Managing Partner of Bittenbender Construction, began her career focusing on design, construction and renovations of public buildings and spaces. Bittenbender Construction, a 100% woman-owned construction company based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As Philadelphia’s first Capital Program Director for the CPO, she was responsible for bringing private sector business practices to the city. In 2015, the Philadelphia chapter of the General Building Contractors Association named Emily Bittenbender as its new chairwoman, the first female to hold the top post in the organization’s 124-year history!!
Bittenbender Construction’s recent high-profile project was the reconstruction of Love Park. Her company was recently ranked #2 on the “The List” for Women-Owned Businesses by the Philadelphia Business Journal – based on Company Revenue in 2016.
> Anne Beiler, Founder, Aunty Anne’s Inc
Auntie Anne Beiler is a speaker, author & entrepreneur that inspires audiences with her authentic stories about nearly losing everything, finding purpose in the pain, & rising to a new level of success.
She is best known as the founder of Auntie Anne’s®, the world’s largest pretzel franchise. Having started twisting pretzels in 1987 she managed to grow a single farmers market stand into Auntie Anne’s Inc., the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise. Her story and entrepreneurial insights have been featured on many television shows including Secret Millionaire, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Good Morning America. She has also been highlighted in numerous publications such as Fortune Magazine, and Inc. Magazine.
> Jane Golden, photo credits Mural Arts Philadelphia
Philadelphia is known for its poignant, culturally-significant murals. Jane Golden, founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, has helped paint Philadelphia in a new, more expressive light while creating opportunities for local artists.
Under her direction, Mural Arts has implemented 3,800+ works of public art and developed innovative programs in – youth art education, restorative justice and behavioral health.
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