Elizabeth A. Vazquez is the President, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International, a global non-profit that educates and connects women-owned businesses to large buyers around the world. She is a world leader in small businesses, impact sourcing, and global value chains and is a 2026 Forbes EQ Contributor, 2023 Forbes 50 Over 50 Impact Changemaker, and 2024 Finance Leaders Fellow of the Aspen Institute, and a 2024 World Commerce & Contracting Inspiring Women Awardee.

As the head of WEConnect International, Ms. Vazquez is responsible for mission delivery and measurable global impact at scale. WEConnect International identifies, educates, registers, and certifies women’s business enterprises that are at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more women, and then connects them with member buyers. The WEConnect International WECommunity supports and promotes women-owned businesses based in over 135 countries, including local support and certification in over 65 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The organization also helps to develop the capacity of large buyers to source more products and services from underutilized suppliers, including women-owned businesses globally.

Ms. Vazquez is the co-author of the book, “Buying for Impact: How to Buy from Women and Change Our World.” She “rang the bell” at the New York Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in support of women business owners around the world, and was an annual Business20 and Women20 Representative to advance G20 commitments and a U.S. Delegation Member and speaker at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings. She is a member of the Procter & Gamble Supplier Citizenship Council and served as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment.