Women business owners are shaking up industries by redefining how to achieve business success – encouraging knowledge-sharing, leaning on their communities for support and uplifting women-owned businesses that are setting the gold standard. On November 19, Bank of America partnered with Visa to host a She’s Next event designed to support the next generation of women business leaders and ignite change.
Bank of America and Visa empower business owners to set the gold standard
March 1, 2025 | 9 minute read
Nearly 100 business owners, bankers, entrepreneurs and Visa cardholders joined Bank of America and Visa for an afternoon at The Conservatory at One Sansome in San Francisco. Host and Visa Marketing Manager Katerina Biniaris kicked off the event and highlighted the theme: Setting the Gold Standard. To welcome attendees, Visa’s North America Head of Small Business Denise Press and Bank of America's Head of Business Banking Diverse Growth Segments, Carol Lee Mitchell, shared opening remarks, highlighting the She’s Next global initiative, emphasizing the importance of women business owners within their communities, particularly those in the Bay Area, and encouraging event attendees to drive change within their respective businesses and industries.
Mitchell highlighted how crucial it is for Bank of America and Visa to form these strategic partnerships to support women entrepreneurs. These initiatives are at the core of Bank of America’s commitment to uplifting the communities it serves.
Following opening remarks, Bank of America Business Banking Pacific Northwest and Northern California Region Executive, Roger Forman held a fireside chat with Chef Dominique Crenn. As the first woman in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, owner of acclaimed San Francisco-based restaurant Atelier Crenn, a bestselling author, breast cancer survivor, community leader and proud mother of two, Chef Crenn is no stranger to setting the gold standard and shaking up industries.
During the fireside chat, Chef Crenn discussed her journey to food-industry prestige, sharing candid stories from her experience becoming a renowned chef in a male-dominated industry. She also provided tips for event attendees on how to set their own gold standard, advising them to surround themselves with good people, take charge of their futures and amplify the voices of those with smaller platforms. Chef Crenn’s fireside chat also highlighted the value of work-life balance. She emphasized the importance of taking care of yourself, saying that in order to care for others, you must first ensure your own needs are met.
Chef Crenn’s story provided inspiration and encouragement for fellow women business owners striving to reach their own business goals. Yet, beyond spreading stories of inspiration, the event sparked new opportunities for attendees to connect with one another and learn about the many resources available for women business owners.
Following a Q&A with Chef Crenn and closing remarks from Biniaris, event attendees were encouraged to participate in a meet-and-greet session and connect with local financial experts. Bank of America and Visa experts, including market executives Noel McArdell and Shveta Somalwar, spoke one-on-one with attendees, learning about their unique business needs and aspirations, and sharing valuable insights on key financial topics like access to capital and managing cash flow.
Through fostering connections and sharing invaluable resources, Bank of America and Visa together were able to provide She’s Next attendees with guidance on navigating the current business landscape and remind them that they are not alone in their pursuits for success.
Bank of America is committed to supporting clients through programs like Visa’s She’s Next. By educating business owners, investing in their businesses, providing opportunities for networking and increasing access to resources, Bank of America ensures that business owners have what they need to start, grow and scale their business.
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