WBC Overview

The WBC has been serving the DFW small business community since 2018 with consultations and training for entrepreneurs at all stages of their business.

We are here to help you during this challenging time. Our team is dedicated to supporting women and minorities with entrepreneurial education, counseling, and access to capital to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The LiftFund Dallas/Ft. Worth Women’s Business Center is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Our Impact

The WBC has helped hundreds of local entrepreneurs with the financial and educational services they need to launch and grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute to the local economy. Click here to download our 2020 WBC Impact Report.



We rely on donors and volunteers who are passionate about entrepreneurship to help us reach our goals. If you are interested in getting involved with the WBC, please click the link below.

Staff

Director

Maria Hall

Maria Hall is the Director of the LiftFund Dallas Ft Worth Women’s Business Center.  In this capacity, she provides support and guidance to entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow their businesses and connect them to additional business and financial resources in their community.  

A business veteran with more than 30 years’ experience, Maria has extensive experience in economic development focusing on small business development and finance. She is a former Business Development Officer for LiftFund and served as a business advisor at the UH SBDC where her areas of expertise were strategic planning, sales, financial analysis, and leadership management.  She has started two businesses, including an insurance agency, and has worked as a consultant, business coach, trainer, and a chamber executive. A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing, she is a Professional Path Certified Coach, Licensed Trainer, and a Certified Startup Expert-Top 6 Business Coach. Maria lives in Euless, Texas with her husband Michael and puppy, Coco.  She is a proud Abuela to Madeline, enjoys reading business books, yoga, and everything beach.

Adele Foster-Glenn

Business Advisor

Adele J. Foster-Glenn serves as a Business Advisor with the LiftFund’s DFW Women Business Center. Adele coaches and encourages small business owners and start-ups by providing her knowledge, experience and resources to aide them in starting and growing successful businesses.

Adele is a former Business Advisor with NJ/DFW Small Business Development Centers, she was also a trainer and business advisor with the PLAN Fund and an instructor of “How To Start A Small Business” with Dallas County Community College, Collin County Community College, Kean University, Essex County College and Paterson County Community College.  As a passionate business owner, she has assisted over 5K entrepreneurs in starting and growing a business.

Melissa Hernandez

Business Advisor

Melissa Hernandez has been a noteworthy leader in both corporate and non-profit environments for over 20 years. She is proficient at administering and managing projects and has assisted a wide variety of organizations including AVANCE Houston, Jewish Community Center of Dallas, and SER Jobs for Progress National.

Strengthening her understanding of small business operations and the struggles of entrepreneurs, Melissa is a small business owner herself. Her business, Beaux
Boudin is a family-owned, family-operated Cajun and creole food stand and online
shop offering fresh frozen products and made-to-order dishes.

Linc Liberto

Business Advisor

Born in Cleburne, TX, and raised in the small neighboring community of Keene, TX.

I have one 26-year-old son, Linc Anthony Liberto II.

I enjoy fishing, boating, the beach, basically anything to do with water, and of course golf.

I am a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington where I received a BBA, with a Major in Marketing, and a Minor in Finance. Upon graduation, I began my career in banking with JPMorgan Chase as Vice President of Business Banking later becoming Vice President of Commercial Banking. Upon retirement, I spent several years building, developing, and operating multi-family rental real estate with my family. I decided to take retirement a bit more seriously and took up traveling the country, by car, boat, planes, and even a motorcycle.

Two years ago, I created my own professional business consulting firm specifically targeting small businesses impacted by Covid. This became a significant life passion for me both personally and professionally which lead me to where I am now. I am currently working with the DFW WBC LiftFund as a Business Advisor supporting women entrepreneurs in achieving their business goals and realizing their professional dreams.

Advisory Board

Sheka Hart

Hanmi Bank
Chair

Elizabeth Guillen

Influencer Network, LLC

Cindi Pedraza Puente

CocoAndré Chocolateir

Darlena Kelly

SimiDigi.com
Vice Chair

Tiffany Jones-Lewis

TJL Collection, LLC

Karen Riley

PNC Bank

Marilyn Kibler-Colon

MKC & Associates
Secretary

Shirley Williams

Willie B. Media, LLC

Pat Alva-Kraker

Majestic Coaching Group
Past Chair

Dr. Elizabeth Muniz

UNT School of Business

Emily Zoog

Veritex CommunityBank