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CSBDF, WWBC host Forward Together: The Annual Conference & Awards in Henderson County, highlight small business resilience, success in NC

Flat Rock, N.C. – Aug. 26, 2026 – Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF) and the Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC), a program of CSBDF, hosted Forward Together: The Annual Conference & Awards from CSBDF & WWBC at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock Wednesday.


The annual event served as a celebration of North Carolina’s small business ecosystem, offered insightful learning opportunities and networking availability for entrepreneurs, and featured the awarding of CSBDF’s and the WWBC’s annual awards to small businesses, community organizations, and policymakers.


“We were honored to bring together our state’s small business community for this annual celebration and showcase of CSBDF’s work, the WWBC’s work, and the strength of our small business ecosystem,” said CSBDF President and CEO Kevin Dick. “We’d like to thank our generous hosts Blue Ridge Community College, all our sponsors, and all our speakers for helping lift up this great event.”


During the event, CSBDF and the WWBC presented small business owners, fellow community organizations, and policymakers with the following small business awards:


  • 2026 CSBDF Legacy Award

    • Donna Gambrell

    • Former President and CEO, Appalachian Community Capital

  • 2026 Torchbearer of the Year

    • Mountain BizWorks

    • Accepted by Matt Raker, Executive Director

  • 2026 Community Activator of the Year 

    • Jesse Fripp

    • Chief Strategy Officer, Appalachian Community Capital

  • 2026 Change Agent of the Year

    • Luis Moreno-Silva

    • Owner, Luis Moreno-Silva Landscape

  • 2026 Innovator of the Year

    • Lori Theriault

    • Owner, Crazy Green Studios

  • 2026 Small Business Policy Champion

    • The Honorable Elaine Marshall

    • N.C. Secretary of State

  • 2026 Small Business Policy Champion

    • Kristin Walker

    • State Budget Director, N.C. Office of State Budget and Management



Dr. Patricia Mitchell, CEcD – MPA Program Director and Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Appalachian State University – served as the keynote speaker for the event, delivering a keynote address on the resiliency of small businesses in Western North Carolina. 



The event featured two small business resource panels. The WNC Ecosystem Panel was moderated by CSBDF Board Member and Owner of Fox Management Consulting Enterprises, LLC Dr. Joseph Fox and featured Mountain BizWorks Strategic Partnership Manager Christine Laucher, Partner Community Capital Chief Lending Officer Erika McGilley, InvestAppalachia Strategic Communications Manager Lauren Sowers, and WWBC Director Zurilma Anuel. 


The Sparks of Innovation Panel was moderated by Wells Fargo Senior VP and Market Executive Hunter Shull and featured Guilford County Small Business Enterprise Development Director Shaunne Thomas, City of Durham Director of Economic and Workforce Development Joshua Gunn, CSBDF Director of Development and Strategy Amanda Sorrells, and CSBDF Business Solutions Officer Vanesa Murcia. 



During the program, CSBDF also recognized the distinguished service of outgoing Board members Bobby Robinson, Rodrick Banks, Larry Garcia, and Tiffany Hall-McNeill. Additionally, CSBDF has announced its new Board Officers: Huntley Garriott as Board Chair, Jeff Marshall as Board Vice Chair, Lori O'Keefe as Board Secretary, and Stephen Dille as Board Treasurer.


Fifth Third Bank served as the Platinum Sponsor of the event. For more information on sponsors, awards, and awardees, visit carolinasmallbusiness.org/forward-together-2026-awards.


About Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF)  

Founded in 1990, Carolina Small Business Development Fund is a nonprofit and U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that fosters economic development in underserved communities through access to capital, technical assistance, and policy research to light the way for small businesses. Since 2010, CSBDF has contributed more than $133 million through more than 3,370 loans and grants to dedicated small businesses across North Carolina, helping to create or retain more than 6,110 full-time jobs.   


For more information visit carolinasmallbusiness.org.


About Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC)

Since 2014, the Western Women’s Business Center has endeavored to uplift and support small business owners in a 22-county region in Western North Carolina. By providing group trainings and workshops, access to capital, and one-on-one business coaching, the WWBC plays a crucial role in the region’s small business ecosystem. The WWBC is a program of Carolina Small Business Development Fund.


For more information visit wwbcnc.org.


FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES 

Alec Sawyer

Marketing & Communications Manager, CSBDF


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