Carol Malysz was honored this month, at the annual meeting of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, as the group’s 2006 Canon Businesswoman of the Year. The winner is chosen for her exemplary business leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. Malysz has an MBA in entrepreneurship from Babson College and is a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership. She is the director and founder of the Center for Women & Enterprise in Providence and founder of the EWGA’s Rhode Island chapter.
PBN: Why do you think you were recognized by the EWGA?
MALYSZ: My work at the Center for Women & Enterprise and as the founder of EWGA Rhode Island reflects my passion for helping women advance through business and golf. Over the past year, we served as the state EWGA host for the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open [in Newport], held a kickoff event for 100 women, created four golf leagues, developed nine golf clinics, participated in two golf expos, and recruited more than 75 members to our organization.
PBN: How has the CWE changed since you started the Rhode Island chapter?
MALYSZ: We have expanded our services from just business training and counseling to loan packaging, legal, accounting, marketing, contract procurement and technology assistance. We also have become bilingual, as an organization [offering] services in Spanish.
PBN: Why is it important to advocate for women in business?
MALYSZ: Women-owned businesses are growing at two times the rate of all firms and have been doing so for the past two decades. Part of the explanation for this dramatic growth is that women are turning to business ownership as a source of professional and financial opportunity that is not readily available to them in other settings.
PBN: What do you see in the CWE’s future?
MALYSZ: For the next five years, I would like to see our organization expand our visibility, enhance our program and service capabilities, and increase our depth of expertise to create an even greater entrepreneurial impact in the state’s economy.
