Buffalo, NY – The Women's Business Center (WBC) at Canisius University will host its 8th Annual Ignite Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Science Hall. The event celebrates women entrepreneurs in Western New York while providing powerful networking opportunities and recognizing outstanding business leaders.
"Every aspect of the Ignite Awards is designed to create meaningful connections and spark conversations that lead to real business growth,” says Justine Duquette, director of the WBC. “The event not only supports the extraordinary achievements of women entrepreneurs in our region but also creates a powerful ecosystem of support that continues long after the ceremony ends.”
The Ignite Awards features a carefully structured networking format that connects small business owners with representatives from mid-size and large companies, facilitates business-building discussions through curated table assignments, and provides entrepreneurs with professional services and resources critical to business success. Additionally, the event will recognize five distinguished women entrepreneurs for their contributions to the business community and their leadership roles. This year’s honorees are:
• Vanessa Cervantes founder of J&V AgroTech Innovations;
• Annette Pinder president and publisher of Buffalo Healthy Living Magazine;
• Kim Marie McKernan founder of Inspired Outcomes Now;
• Kristi Mora founder and owner of Bella Kids; and
• Andrea Holland owner and principal of Holland Communications LLC.
Since its establishment in 2003 with a five-year, $750,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WBC has been an invaluable resource for thousands of women entrepreneurs across the eight counties of Western New York. Based at Canisius University's Science Hall, the center offers free business counseling, legal resources and a robust selection of business education programs, in addition to entrepreneur networking events.
In the past year alone, the Women’s Business Center served more than 300 women entrepreneurs, supported nine business launches, and helped secure more than $200,000 in business financing. Additionally, the WBC supported women-owned businesses that collectively grossed over $20,000,000 in revenue.
For more information about the Women’s Business Center or to purchase tickets to the Ignite Awards, click here.
Canisius University is a private, Catholic, Jesuit university in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1870, it is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States and the premier private university in Western New York. Through its seven schools and colleges, Canisius offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and programs, 65 master's programs, and a variety of professional degrees.
