The Santa Cruz Chamber Women In Business community is dedicated to helping women thrive professionally and personally. Its education programs and supportive network create opportunities for women to work together to increase local economic vitality and improve the quality of life in Santa Cruz County. Focused on women's issues and needs, the Women in Business Committee plans, organizes, coordinates, and implements the Chamber's highly successful quarterly Women in Business luncheons as well as the annual Womens' Leadership Conference and monthly Caffeineighted events. These events are filled with exceptional networking opportunities and provides the attendees an opportunity to hear insightful, relevant speakers.

Vision
The Women in Business community (WiB) of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce brings together people committed to the economic vitality of the Santa Cruz area in an environment of mutual support, learning, and collective action.
WiB is dedicated to supporting economic opportunities for women of all ages and advocates for gender equity especially in business and government. WiB seeks to be a resource for young women new to business, working women looking to increase their skills or grow their businesses, and retired women looking to share their knowledge.

WiB encourages value-centered leadership and management practices, environments of  cooperative competition,  and triple bottom line (put in what this means) strategies that reinforce a broad definition of success that includes the employees, the organization, and the community.

Activities
• Quarterly Luncheon (March, June, September, December): These quarterly luncheons are a great opportunity to hear a presentation and connect with other women.
• Caffeineighted (First Thursday of each month): Women in Business hosts this small-meeting networking series. Caffeineighted is designed to create a more intimate atmosphere and an opportunity for teaching and learning. Limited to 35 participants, the sessions also include introductions and conversation.
• Leadership Forum (September): This one-day conference, includes outstanding speakers, networking opportunities, lunch, and a hands-on working session.
• Community of Interest: This supportive virtual community includes a Women In Business Facebook Page and Women In Business Forum.

Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Scholarships
WiB invites women to apply for four scholarships that are awarded to Santa Cruz residents planning to attend a college or university. Two scholarships of $750.00 each are awarded to women pursuing a business career: one scholarship is awarded to a high school senior and one to a woman entering or re-entering a college or university after a five-year break. Two Cathy Schlumbrecht Cruzin’ Courses Scholarships of $1000 are awarded to women for study in any discipline.

Download the Women In Business Scholarship Application