Glenda Washington | YWCA Women of Excellence

Glenda Washington
Vice President of Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development
Greater Topeka Partnership

Glenda Washington, Vice President of Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development. She has 23 years of small business and procurement experience. Glenda has worked in the banking industry and worked with the Jacksonville Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Glenda received a Bachelor of Science in Workforce, Education, and Development from Southern Illinois University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Glenda is the proud mother of 5 children and many grandchildren.

TK: What inspires you? 
I am so inspired by the change that is happening in Topeka.  Individuals are speaking up and having conversations about community growth, inclusion and prosperity.  They are imagining what could be and taking ownership to make change happen.  I am inspired by citizen who believes that she has the right to look for solutions to food insecurity in her community, the business owners that looks at policy and lobbies for modifications to expedite services, and the young professionals that see Topeka in their future and wish to be a part of what makes this community great. 

TK: What advice do you have for others? 
Be a catalyst.  I believe that each of us has power of change in the palm of our hands.  That power realized could be the difference between advancing in the race or remaining at the starting gate. 

TK: What is the greatest lesson you have learned on your journey? 
To take others with you.  Nothing is achieved in a vacuum.  You need individuals to lead you, mentor you, grow with you, to lean on, to embrace you when needed and to transfer the knowledge that you have learned to….

The YWCA is on a mission to empower women at all stages in their careers. Diversity in leadership is particularly vital to our vibrant business community in the Greater Topeka Area.

The YWCA is celebrating 31 years of recognizing Women of Excellence in our community with the theme “Dare to be Powerful.” We dare to be powerful, despite whatever obstacles may present themselves along the way. 

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
- Audre Lorde

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