Simantel Earns Women's Business Enterprise Certification
SEPTEMBER 2010—Simantel Group, Ltd., recently achieved certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Washington, D.C.-based Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). 
This prestigious certification validates that a business is 51 percent owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women. It will allow Simantel to continue to evolve to meet the needs of our clients.
According to WBENC, corporations and government agencies can demonstrate their commitment to supplier diversity programs by including women-owned businesses among their vendors.
“Many of our corporate clients have supplier diversity programs, and this certification allows them to continue their relationship with us while meeting internal diversity goals,” said Susie Ketterer, Principal. “It gives our current clients one more reason to work with us, and it will help us pursue new business in the corporate, government and education markets.”
Simantel was founded 30 years ago as a design boutique and has grown into a full-service marketing communications firm. Two long-time employees, Ketterer and Kevin McConaghy, purchased the business from founder Jim Simantel in 2003. Executive Creative Director Maggie Whalen became part owner in 2009, pushing Simantel past the 51 percent female ownership required for Women’s Business Enterprise certification.
“We began as a design shop, but over time we’ve added capabilities such as research, strategy, training and development, branded products and digital media because we saw in them better ways to serve our clients,” Susie said. “Our vision is for this company to endure for generations, and that means we must always be changing and growing.”
Whalen has been a key part of that growth since joining Simantel in 2000. She started as business development director, responsible for building and diversifying Simantel’s client base, and now oversees the firm’s creative department.
“Maggie has a tremendous understanding of strategy and a true passion for creative solutions—a rare combination that has served our business well,” Susie said. “Extending ownership to her is a reflection of how much our company and our clients value her talents.”
WBENC’s national standard of certification entails a meticulous process, including an in-depth review and site inspection of the business.
For more information, visit www.WBENC.org.
