We cordially invite you to join us for The National Association of Women Business Owners – North Carolina Advocacy Days. Your participation will bolster support for all women business owners!

The presence of women in elective office or serving on boards pales in comparison to their representation in the U.S. population. Moreover, numerous statistics indicate that women start businesses at twice the rate of men. This trend is not only beneficial for women but also for the nation's economy, as women typically reinvest up to 90 percent of their income back into their communities. According to the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership (IOPL), the "Political Participation Composite Index" ranked North Carolina's women's political participation 35th overall in the United States in 2020. NAWBO-Greater Raleigh is committed to enhancing women-owned representation and providing information and resources through its Public Policy program and networks.

Wednesday, March 13th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Reception only $45.00

1-Ticket:  NC Advocacy Days Reception & Networking at The North Carolina Executive (Governor) Mansion, 200 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Thursday, March 14th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am

Breakfast only - $25.00

1-Ticket:  Legislative Breakfast at North Ridge Country Club, 6612 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 

Keynote Speaker:  

The Honorable Jessica Holmes, NC Auditor

Jessica N. Holmes was born and raised in eastern North Carolina in Pender County. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where she has earned distinction as a Distinguished Young Alumni and Outstanding Recent Graduate respectively. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and New York.

In November 2014, Jessica N. Holmes became the youngest Commissioner ever elected in Wake County’s history and helped to oversee a $1.1 billion dollar budget. Subsequently, she became the youngest person to ever wield the gavel as Chair after being unanimously elected by her colleagues to lead the board for two terms.

She has spent most of her legal career focusing on labor and employment law and workers’ rights and has served as an adjunct professor at the NC State University Department of Social Work in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

In August 2021, she was appointed to serve as a Deputy Commissioner in the North Carolina Industrial Commission where she fairly administered the Workers’ Compensation Act and Tort Claims Act for the State of North Carolina.

She has served on the Board of Directors of the N.C. Foundation for Public School Children, Wake County Smart Start, and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. She has earned distinctions including being among the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and an Outstanding Leadership Award from the Raleigh-Apex Branch of the NAACP.

On December 16, 2023, Jessica was sworn in as North Carolina’s State Auditor, where she works to improve government services, identify wasteful spending, and ensure programs involving public health, education, and economic growth are serving the public good. She pledges to lead this office with integrity, accountability, and a focus on transparency.