Recently we have been asked several times how WE Forum got started, who leads it now, and how programs are chosen...so here is the quick story!

In Fall of 2018 Christine Beech was serving as the Executive Director for the Kabara Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She reached out to Heather Holmes of the Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc (RAEDI) and asked what she thought about starting a free venue for women to gather, discuss, and learn about issues around business and entrepreneurship. The two ended up deciding to do a trial run at the Rochester Campus of Saint Mary’s in January of 2019 and so many women showed up they decided to keep it going!

Five years later, we have hosted monthly events year in and year out. Heather moved on after the first two years, but RAEDI and Saint Mary's University have remained strong partners, while Collider, Copiavia, Elocina, Rochester Women’s Magazine, and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce have also joined on as partners in this venture.

As we enter our 6th year, Christine is now handing off the leadership of the WE Forum to Tawonda Burks who is the owner and publisher of the Rochester Women’s Magazine and leader of Elocina. This handoff is an exciting point in the history of the WE Forum, as it marks an opportunity to build on the past success and ensure continued relevancy and support for our local women in business.

HOW WE CHOOSE PROGRAMMING

In addition to our sponsors, we have a core group of entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders who help craft a calendar of events each year.

Our sponsors allow us to have spaces to meet, registration platforms, food and drinks at our events, advertisement, a website and more so we can host free events. We are grateful for their investment in women entrepreneurs.

This journey is a true testament to the fact that we never go far if we go alone! If you have any questions about a WE Forum event, please reach out to Tawonda at weforumrochmn@gmail.com