MEET THE WYOMING WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER TEAM
Executive Director
WENDY FANNING
Since moving to Wyoming many years ago, I have always been amazed by the strength of Wyoming women. Throughout our history, Wyoming women have led the way, broken through barriers, and played such a critical role in making Wyoming what it is today.
Joining the WWBC has been a dream come true for me as I get to focus on two things I think are vitally important: helping women achieve their dreams, and giving back to my Wyoming community.
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As we begin a new year, we are excited for what lies ahead. We will be here to support our clients and budding entrepreneurs as they navigate through these unprecedented times, to ensure that they are achieving their dreams. And we will be here to help build Wyoming’s economy. To that end, we want to acknowledge others who believe in and give to these values. I encourage you to become a member of the Wyoming Women’s Business Center’s Alliance of Exceptional Women. Join us in supporting these dreamers and doers, and in turn the Wyoming economy. Together, we can!
CONTACT WENDY:
(307) 214-0897
Business Education Director
CHRISTINE LANGLEY
Christine Langley is a seasoned business coach, entrepreneur, and real estate investor passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. With over twenty-five years of experience in the business world, Christine has honed her skills in strategic planning, leadership development, and business growth strategies.
As the Business Education Director at the Wyoming Women's Business Center (WWBC), Christine has worked with countless entrepreneurs and small business owners, guiding them through the intricacies of business planning and execution. Her hands-on approach and personalized coaching style have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor in the Wyoming business community. Before her current role, Christine served as the Chief Operating Officer at Impact307, formerly the Wyoming Technology Business Center, with the University of Wyoming. She has over fifteen years of experience working directly with Wyoming entrepreneurs.
Christine's journey as a business coach began after she successfully launched and scaled two startup family ventures. Drawing from her own experiences as a co-founder, she understands the challenges and obstacles entrepreneurs face firsthand. This deep understanding allows her to provide practical and actionable advice to her clients, helping them navigate the complexities of starting and growing a business.
In addition to her work with WWBC, Christine is actively involved in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. She is a mentor and advisor to several startup accelerators and business incubators. She is also a frequent speaker and presenter, sharing her expertise and insights with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Christine is a devoted wife and mother of two children who have pursued their own entrepreneurial ventures.
CONTACT CHRISTINE:
(307) 760-0704
Microloan Director & Technical
Assistance Business Counselor
ALEXANDRIA SMITH
As the Microloan Director, Alex Smith provides development, implantation, and oversight for the microloan program in direct support of small business owners. Alex’s years of experience in the financial industry in both banking and non-profits have been invaluable in building her understanding of the lending needs of small businesses. This understanding allows her to tailor lending options that are as unique as the businesses and owners themselves. In addition, Alex has experience in small business management and entrepreneurship herself. She understands the unique challenges and opportunities of small businesses, especially female-owned small businesses. She truly believes empowered female business owners are the key to a healthy and prosperous Wyoming economy.
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In her most recent role with the Small Business Administration, Alex was directly supporting business owners through COVID financial relief offered by the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Her ability to foster relationships with business owners allowed her to create effective solutions for a countless number of small businesses. On a personal note, Alex is a proud military spouse of over ten years with a certain knack for navigating obstacles and resilience to change. Alex’s family is originally from South Dakota, and she has spent quite a bit of time enjoying all Wyoming has to offer.
CONTACT ALEXANDRIA:
wwbcmicroloanprogram@gmail.com
(307) 343-2052
Artist Development Director
DESIREE BROTHE
Desirée has worked 8 years in Community and Economic Development via downtown revitalization, where she initiated mural programs, worked with small business owners, facilitated grant programs, and managed events. She moved on to work with the Wyoming Main Street program, where she assisted small towns throughout Wyoming who wanted to see their own communities grow via strategic planning, board development, goal setting, and community engagement.
Desirée is involved with the non-profit Arts Cheyenne, serving for 3 years as Board Chair, and more recently as the Operations Manager of the new art center, the Cheyenne Creativity Center. Desirée also serves as Public Art Coordinator, enabling the implementation of over 40 new murals throughout downtown Cheyenne. Additionally, Desirée is a member of the Cheyenne Makers+Creatives,
a group facilitating creative making events and immersive experiences in the Cheyenne Community.
In 2019, Desirée launched Magpie Creations, an art business intended to support her own creative endeavors. Focusing on painting, drawing, mixed media work, Magpie has allowed Desirée to explore creating her personal artwork in the professional realm–completing murals, commissioned work, a residency, and participating in art vendor markets along the way!
Desirée is excited to join the WWBC team, where she can share her experiences and help individuals throughout the state to set goals and reach their full potential as artists.
Mental Health Director
RACHEL TRUETT,
MA, PPC, NCC
Rachel is originally from rural, eastern Kentucky. Her professional experiences in counseling, small business management, and entrepreneurship have manifested in various locales such as Oklahoma, Alaska, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, South Korea, and Wyoming.
Concurrently, Rachel is also utilizing her role as counselor for a private practice that provides services to active duty military members and their families as a way to give back to the military community that she has been part of for the past 17 years.
Rachel possesses a heart for service and advocating for many underserved and minority populations. She knows the challenges of many cultures and backgrounds because she has seen them from unique perspectives. Rachel is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She holds the National Counselor Certification (NCC) and the Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC) licensure for the state of Wyoming.
It is her goal to support women entrepreneurs to thrive in their business ventures while prioritizing mental health and well-being through personalized support that has been tailored to meet individual needs.
Marketing Coordinator
SHANNON MARSHALL
Shannon is a positive, detail-oriented individual who is passionate about crafting messages to speak to, connect with, and motivate people through the world of marketing. She comes to the WWBC with experience marketing for small businesses, as well as non-profit organizations, understanding how important, and how far, the art of good marketing can take a business. Her degree in Cinema Production from Point Park University brings a unique approach to her marketing skills and work style, as she approaches everything as a story-telling process.
In her most recent role as the Director of Marketing & Programming for a non-profit organization in Ohio, Shannon used her expertise to establish and maintain several social media channels, her design knowledge to create brand specific graphics, and her personable nature to establish and maintain good working relationships with her coworkers and surrounding individuals.
She looks forward to sharing these skills and growing plenty more while learning from the outstanding professionals at the WWBC. Shannon is over the moon excited to be a part of this team, helping to make dreams come true across the state of Wyoming!
CONTACT SHANNON:
CONTACT RACHEL:
(307) 314-9146
CONTACT DESIREE:
Outreach Coordinator
SADIE CLARENDON
Sadie grew up on a ranch near Sheridan, Wyoming, immersed in the DIY ethic of a small, family-run trade. After receiving BAs in English & Philosophy from Southwestern University in 2015, she apprenticed as a production potter for Piney Creek Pottery, a woman-owned business in northern Wyoming.
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Upon completing a post-baccalaureate from Utah State University in ceramics, Sadie worked in education departments at nonprofit organizations including the Archie Bray Foundation and Laramie Plains Civic Center, where she organized classes and events, wrote promotional and educational material, and helped students and teachers achieve their goals. Most recently, she left an administrative position at the University of Wyoming to work for WWBC, where she hopes to continue strengthening businesses, partnerships, and communities in her home state.
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Sadie brings attention to detail, creativity, and charismatic interpersonal skills to the position, and passion for the success of the resilient folks of the West. She currently teaches ceramic courses at Siren Studios in the Laramie Plains Civic Center, where she also maintains a private studio practice and small arts business.
CONTACT SADIE:
(307) 460-3943
Business Education Instructor
LUCY BEATO
Lucy graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Literature and a Master's in Multicultural Education. She has taught young minority women and adults for over a decade. Moreover, she is an entrepreneur who has successfully managed her own business for the last fourteen years.
As a certified life coach, she has been training and coaching women one-on-one and through seminars. Her mission is to help women tap into their full potential, find direction and achieve their goals.
With her extensive experience as an educator and entrepreneur, Lucy is excited to work with WWBC clients and share her knowledge, inspiring and guiding minority women entrepreneurs in achieving their professional goals.
CONTACT LUCY:
(307) 215-9679
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Client Coordinator
ERIN STEWART
Erin has worked in client services and communications roles for over 15 years. She finds every individual’s story fascinating and cherishes the relationships she cultivates with clients. As an English major with a special focus in communications, Erin brings intimate attention, enthusiastic interest, and inclusive guidance to all new clients who sign up for services here at the WWBC.
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Through her work as an artist and nature enthusiast, Erin has both assisted and taught college courses in ceramics, and co-owns Sage Hill Artisans, a pottery collective where she and her life partner sell hand-thrown and hand-painted pottery inspired by the natural world. As both an artist and a business owner, she brings a level of understanding and connection to every client’s welcome meeting.
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As a naturalist, Erin holds a seat on the board of directors for Trust For Wildlife, an 501(c)3 environmental conservation group partnering with environmental organizations across the country to help reverse habitat loss for migratory birds. In her free time she enjoys long walks on a nature sanctuary she oversees surrounding her homestead, and provides for hundreds of songbirds that take refuge there.
CONTACT ERIN:
(307) 314-9871