Fran Pastore is a pioneer in the women’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As the Founder and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council, the leading organization championing female entrepreneurship, Fran is a globally recognized expert on the issue of women’s economic equality and entrepreneurship.

Domestically, for over two decades, Fran has been instrumental in the passage of legislation benefiting women entrepreneurs, providing numerous testimonies before the U.S. Congress. She has served on the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)— an independent source of counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)—and is an active strategic advisor on the Board of Directors of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). She is a member of the Board of Visitors for the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology (WCBT) at Sacred Heart University. Most recently, Fran was appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the State of Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority Board of Directors.

Globally, in partnership with the US Department of State, The Business Council for Peace and the University of Connecticut, Fran’s influence has been exemplified through her direct work with women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Costa Rica and Turkey.

“Fran Pastore: When women-owned businesses thrive, there is no ceiling” – Westfield & Fairfield County Business Journals
“Fran Pastore, CEO & Founder, Women’s Business Development Council“ – New Haven Biz
“$400K In Grants To Support Women-Owned Businesses In Connecticut” – Patch
“Women’s Business Development Council holds virtual event for Women-Owned Business Day” – WTNH
“Lieutenant governor visits Waterford woman-owned business awarded grant” – The Day
“Lamont Team Touts Diversity, Outreach to Private Sector” – CTSNewsJunkie
“Women’s business council aims to raise $1M+ for expanded grant program” – Stamford Advocate
“Capitalizing on opportunities for small businesses” – Stamford Advocate
“Fran Pastore op-ed: Empowering our daughters to build a better workplace” – Stamford Advocate
“Fran Pastore: When women-owned businesses thrive, there is no ceiling” – Women’s Business Development Councis