Closing out 2025, WomenVenture reflected on a year marked by bold progress, unwavering resilience, and meaningful momentum. The year brought transformative change: new entrepreneurs stepping boldly into business ownership, long‑standing clients reaching remarkable milestones, and our team expanding programs and partnerships that deepen our impact across Minnesota. We navigated challenges with creativity and purpose, always anchored by our mission to help women build sustainable futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. Now, as we step into 2026, we do so with renewed clarity and conviction. It’s in this spirit that our leadership team reflects on the year behind us—and shares their hopes for the year ahead.
“2025 marked 25 years of WomenVenture fueling women-owned businesses and local economies as the Twin Cities only Women’s Business Center. We reflect on the impact of serving thousands of women and $25 million in delivering capital to launch and grow small businesses across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Our team supports our clients and community boldly and with care. I’m proud of our team’s progress and honored to walk alongside our clients in their business journey.
As we move into 2026, our commitment is clear: maintain stability, meet entrepreneurs where they are, and continue delivering capital, coaching, and connection during a time of real uncertainty.” – LeeAnn Rasachak, Chief Executive Officer
“2025 was a galvanizing year for WomenVenture. Our team rallied around our shared organizational vision and goals and quarter by quarter made great progress towards those goals. 2026 should bring more of the same, where I anticipate we will continue to improve our customer’s experiences, to refine our service delivery, and to find innovative ways do more with the resources we are provided.” – Bill Stelle, Chief Operating Officer
“2025 was a dynamic year for the WomenVenture lending department, with our loan team disbursing $2,189,000 in capital to small business clients throughout Minnesota. 97% of these loans were to women-owned businesses, and 65% of these loans were to businesses owned by people of color. In 2026, I am personally thrilled to migrate our accounting software to a more robust system that will support the organization’s financial growth and efficiency over the next few years.” – Joanna Schnedler, Chief Financial Officer
“In 2025, our team proudly served 1,483 clients and celebrated 464 graduates from our business training programs—milestones that reflect the power of education and support in unlocking business success. From cohort-based courses and 1:1 business consulting to childcare business grants and support and resources for food and agriculture entrepreneurs, our Programs and CX team worked with unwavering commitment to care for small business owners and ensure they have trusted tools and community connections. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding access to these services and deepen our efforts to connect small business owners with the support they need—because no one should have to navigate this journey alone.” – Emily Conroy, Chief Program and Client Experience Officer
“2025 marked a chapter of new beginnings for me. Joining the WomenVenture team has been incredibly inspiring and deeply meaningful. In my first three months, the Advancement Team led an electric Women Mean Business event, raising critical funds while bringing together more than 500+ donors, community members, staff, and clients in a truly unforgettable way. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, I feel both excitement and a great sense of urgency to build on this momentum – strengthening partnerships with donors, stakeholders, community members and legislators to advance our mission and expand opportunity for the small business owners and communities we serve.” – Shannon Mattson Campbell, Chief Advancement Officer
“This past year, we made incredible strides in strengthening both our people and our systems. From enhancing employee engagement and celebrating internal growth to implementing technology that modernizes staff and client experience, 2025 set the stage for long-term success.
Looking ahead, I’m energized by plans to build automation, elevate staff training, and continuing to integrate systems that enhances both staff workflows and client outcomes.” – Addie Arnold, VP of Administration
