The National Association of Women Business Owners – Los Angeles (NAWBO-LA) is one of the organization's leading and most innovative chapters since its beginnings in 1979. The mission of NAWBO-LA is to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power by: strengthening the wealth creating capacity of our members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community; creating innovative and effective changes in the business culture; building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers. Founded in 2000, the NAWBO-LA Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax exempt charitable organization dedicated to accelerating initiatives and research that promote the entrepreneurship of women worldwide. We accomplish this by supporting initiatives that propel women entrepreneurs into positions of leadership and power; disseminating knowledge and building entrepreneurial capacity through research and education; and working with the community to build a legacy for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Together, NAWBO-LA and the NAWBO-LA Foundation work closely to ensure that women business owners are recognized as a public policy voice to be reckoned with, a formidable economic force, and as effective agents for change in the dynamic business environment that is Southern California.