The Coalition brings together diverse stakeholders to provide a strong, collective voice to advocate in Congress and federal agencies for policies that will strengthen businesses owned by women veterans. This voice is welcomed by Members of Congress as they strive to put into place policies helpful to women veterans. While federal actions are designed to be helpful to all veterans, women carry an important and respected voice on behalf of those who have served.
To provide a strong, collective voice to advocate in Congress and federal agencies for policies that will strengthen businesses owned by women veterans.
Currently two million women veterans live in the United States and comprise nearly 20% of serving military personnel and 10% of the veteran population. By 2040, the women veteran population is projected to grow to 18%. As the number of women serving in the military has increased, so has the number of women veterans who start businesses. As of 2012, 400,000 veteran women-owned businesses accounted for 3.9% of all women-owned firms in the U.S. As you know, they contribute greatly to the economy bringing in $17.9 billion in receipts.
Laurie Sayles is an accomplished, cultured and disciplined executive that is an influencer in her community, personally and professionally. The energetic and motivating Chicago native has an early career as a professional model before her service as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which has infused various teachings into her lifestyle and profession.
Subsequent to her military career, Laurie Sayles began a civilian career within the non-profit and corporate arenas for over 20 years and diligently worked her way up the ranks by acquiring leadership positions. As a Program / Project Manager she earned the respect of her peer, staff and stakeholders.
Laurie acquired great knowledge in contracting with the government as she managed up to 128 staff nationally within 8 agencies totaling up to $11.5 million in contracts for a Women, HUBZone, 8(a) small business in Washington, DC. After experiencing major success in her corporate position, she inevitably established her liberating career in Federal Government Contracting.
In 2012 Laurie Sayles founded CivilityMS consulting firm where she is the President & CEO, which is a certified Small Disadvantaged, Service-Disabled Veteran, Woman Owned Business that is offering professional services to the Federal, State, Local and Commercial entities in the areas of: Administrative, Human Resources, Acquisition Services, Grants Management, Training, and Investigations.
Laurie earned her B.S. in Social Science with a Minor in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, along with a Business Project Management Certification from University of Maryland University Campus (UMUC). She is a scholar with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program with Babson Instructors at John Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Laurie Sayles currently resides in the Washington, DC metro area and is a Speaker who serves the community in many aspects
Ann Sullivan is the Founder & Strategic Advisor of Madison Services Group, a woman-owned company that provides government relations and federal business development services.
She brings many years of government relations experience in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, serving in key advisory roles. Ms. Sullivan works with the United States Congress and the Administration to garner national attention for the small business community. Her expertise includes government procurement, business development programs healthcare and tax issues affecting small businesses.
MSGI specializes in outreach to the small business community with an emphasis on women-owned and minority businesses. She is recognized as the driving force behind implementation of the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program and has been a featured keynote speaker and moderator on many procurement panels nationwide.
Ms. Sullivan is part of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and also serves on their GovConNet Council. Ann is the recipient of three prestigious Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, receiving the top honor in the categories of Lifetime Achievement—Business, Woman of the Year—Business Services, and Communications or PR Campaign of the Year—Public Affairs. She received the Enterprising Women of the Year Award from Enterprising Women Magazine and was honored by Professional Women in Advocacy for Excellence in a Federal Issue Campaign.
Elizabeth Sullivan is President of Government Relations at Madison Services Group focusing on small business and federal procurement policy.
Her expertise in government contracting includes shaping federal acquisition policy on Capitol Hill and analyzing federal procurement data to position companies to win federal contracts. Notably, she has testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on procurement innovation and the role of small and midsize contractors. She has also been featured on panels including at the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) World Congress and Women Leaders in Defense and Aerospace Law conference.
Elizabeth holds a Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) in Government Procurement and Cybersecurity from the George Washington University School of Law, and was recently featured in the GW Law Magazine for her role in shaping this new dual degree. She is a graduate of James Madison University, and prior to joining Madison Services Group, Elizabeth was a Teach for America corps member in Chicago, IL.