BALTIMORE, Mary.
Kathryn Petty, president of White Lion Tea in Phoenix, Ariz., was honored last week as a Women’s Business Enterprise Star at a banquet seating 1,000 corporate executives.
The gathering of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) recognizes women business leaders nationally at its annual Salute to Women's Business Enterprises Summit.
“Kathryn is an outstanding leader and strategic thinker whose business is contributing to our economy and our future success,” said Pamela Prince-Eason, president and chief executive officer of WBENC.
White Lion Tea was founded in 1998 and offers boutique food, beverage and bath products including high quality, whole leaf, hand-harvested teas, as well as Honey Pearls®, Bath Pearls®, Spa Ciao®, and other gifts and amenities.
Petty was selected by WBEC - West one of WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) that process WBENC's world-class certification of WBEs.
“Kathryn illustrates the contribution and ability women business owners have made, and continue to make, to this nation,” said Dr. Pamela Williamson, executive director of WBEC – West. “Kathryn has contributed to WBEC –West becoming the fastest growing Regional Partner within WBENC by being the 2010 Vice Forum Chair and the 2011 Forum Chair. Her contribution to WBEC - West cannot be measured. The WBEC-West board and staff are honored that Kathryn is a certified WBE and even prouder to have nominated her for such a prestigious award.”
Petty, who is a certified WBE, said “because I was certified, we had the opportunity to present our tea program to a single, high-end restaurant. That single opportunity led the company to becoming a tea supplier for four large hotel and conference centers. Nine years later, this certification and our affiliation with WBENC continues to open numerous doors and provide momentum that will fuel our future growth.”
WBENC, founded in 1997, has certified 11,700 women business owners. The two-day Summit & Salute is strategic educational program sponsored by Accenture and Ernst & Young LLP showcasing thought leaders and key business trends, and providing WBEs with vital access to WBENC corporate and government members. WBENC certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands.