What is the Ohio Women’s Coalition?
The Ohio Women’s Coalition is a diverse, non-partisan alliance of women in business, women leaders, women business owners, and men that support the mission across Ohio who are coming together to improve the economic position for all women in our state. The OWC was created to amplify the voice of women in Ohio and to help draw attention to the unique challenges that women encounter, especially underserved women of color and women who live in underserved areas of the state, to gain access to economic opportunities in order to achieve financial stability and prosperity.
Advocacy Results for Women Businesses
Accomplishments on behalf of Women-Owned Businesses in Ohio
- Created a statutory definition of “microbusiness” in the Ohio Revised Code (2016)
- Created a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) program in the State of Ohio (2020)
- Successfully advocated for $10 million in state-backed women-owned business loans at 3% interest rate (2021) Successfully advocated for $10 million in state-backed women and minority owned business microloans at 0% interest rate (2021)
- Successfully advocated for $10 million in state-backed capital for women-owned, minority-owned, and microbusinesses, including low-interest loans at 3% and microloans at 0% (2021)
- Renewed and expanded state-backed capital from $10 million to $15 million, increasing access to affordable financing for women-owned and minority-owned businesses across Ohio (2025)
Board of Directors

Jessica Kopelwitz
President
Retreat at Willow Creek

Kathy Warnick
Treasurer
Warnick Consultants

Linda Thomas
Board of Directors
Hocking Hills Inn & Coffee Emporium

Shaune Skinner
Board of Directors
ASC Group, Inc.

Laura Sowers
Executive Director
Baileys Lodging Co.
Board Member Applications currently being accepted.
Board Member Applications currently being accepted.
