 The Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund (WEALF) is pleased to welcome Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn to its Board of Advisors. “Shahara’s outstanding career exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit we strive to foster in the women in our program,” said Vicki Miles Weiner, WEALF founder. “We are looking forward to drawing on her considerable experience and talents as we continue to grow our nonprofit to assist women to become financially self-sufficient through their business.”
"My career has been spent working on behalf of women, children, the arts and New York City, commented, Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn. Supporting women owned small businesses strengthens the fabric of families and our city. I look forward to working with WEALF to continue its growth." Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn is a former owner and Vice Chairman of the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc., a privately held corporation and the fourth largest Coke bottler in the United States. Prior to the bottling business, she owned and operated a home care company and had a long, groundbreaking, and successful career in the home health-care field, having helped pioneer the creation of home care in New York City. She is a serial entrepreneur having started, owned, operated, and sold six different companies from 1972 to 2012. In September 2012 she sold her interest in the last company she owned to Samsung.
Shahara received Presidential appointments from both President Carter and President Clinton. General Colin Powell appointed her his first Vice Chairman of America’s Promise. In addition, she has received numerous awards and honors.
She is a founding member and serves as Vice Chairman of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and a founding member and Vice Chairman of The New 42nd Street/New Victory Theater. She also serves on the Board of Advisors of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. She is an active member of the Northside Center for Child Development’s Council of Advisors. She previously served for over 20 years as Northside’s Co-Chairman and as a Vice Chairman. She stepped down as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of The National Constitution Center where she chaired the Center’s Opening in July of 2003. She is a member of McKissick and McKissick’s Advisory Board.
Mayor Bloomberg appointed Shahara a Commissioner to the NYC Commission on Women’s Issues, where she served three 4-year terms. She was appointed a Commissioner by Mayor Bill de Blasio to his new Commission on Gender Equity and served two four-year terms. Mayor Eric Adams appointed her to his new Commission on Gender Equity upon taking office on January 1, 2022. She remains involved with various ventures and projects as well as her philanthropic activities and interests through the S. Ahmad-Llewellyn Family Foundation.
The Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund provides interest-free micro loans of up to $10,000, together with one-to-one mentoring by successful women business leaders, and access to education and a supportive community to women who do not qualify for traditional commercial loans. The organization has 501(c)(3) status through Accompany Capital, which also administers WEALF’s loans.
|
|
|
|
|
