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Hi !
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Wellness—of mind, body, spirit and community—is essential. Supporting mental health is not just personal; it’s foundational to strong, inclusive workplaces and resilient communities.
We celebrated Mother’s Day, honoring the strength, love, and care of mothers and caregivers who shape our lives and communities every day. Let's remember to check in on the mental health of the caregivers we know. They carry a lot on their shoulders often without stopping to care for themselves. To all of the caregivers, we see you, appreciate you, and honor you.
On Memorial Day, we will pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Whether the fight is on the battlefield, in the workplace, or in the courtroom, summoning the courage to raise your hand to take action, despite any fear or doubt you might feel, is the first step. What better way to honor those who died for freedom than to live a life that creates freedom for others.
Thank you for standing with us on a journey rooted in remembrance, compassion, and collective care. Together we can make a difference.
- Jill & the IFEL Team
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Upcoming IFEL Events |
Encorepalooza: Conscious Collisions Summit Now On-demand
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We’re excited to announce that Conscious Collisions Summit 2025 isn’t over yet! Due to overwhelming interest, we've made the sessions accessible on-demand so you can watch through June 15. That means you can get access to the most inspiring moments from the Summit, on-demand, at your convenience.
Event Details:
From standout keynotes to thought-provoking panels, Encorepalooza brings it all back with 24/7 access. IFELConnect also gives you access to live chats, Q&As, and a platform to connect with other Summit attendees. Whether you’re re-watching or seeing it for the first time, this is your opportunity to dive deeper, learn more, and join with others to take action. #NowIsTheTime #ThePowerofWe
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| Register for Conscious Collisions Summit 2025 On-Demand
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Take Action |
Just Her Rideshare Is Fundraising on WeFunder to Make Rides Safer for Women
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We’re proud to share that Just Her Rideshare, founded by our very own Kimberly Evans, has officially launched its WeFunder
campaign.
Just Her isn’t just a rideshare company — it’s a movement created by women, for women, providing safe, community-driven transportation and transforming the rideshare industry.
📈 150% YoY ride growth 🌎 15,000+ riders and drivers 📍 7 cities and growing fast
This is an opportunity to invest in a woman-led company making real impact, on a mission to create safer rides and more equitable transportation.
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| Learn more about Kimberly's crowdfunding campaign
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Note: This is for informational purposes only. IFEL is not an investment advisor. Be sure to read all information regarding any investment opportunity and decide for yourself along with your professional advisors what is right for you.
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Spotlight |
Simone's Journey with IFEL
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When Simone, founder of SC Creative Group, attended her first IFEL event in August 2022, she walked away inspired—and immediately reached out to ask how she could give back. Since then, she’s become a vital part of the community, dedicating countless hours to uplifting fellow entrepreneurs through mentorship and support. By May 2023, she took the stage as a speaker, turning her inspiration
into action. Simone’s story is proof of what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. Discover what drives her—and how one moment can lead to lasting impact.
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| Check out Simone's "why"
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Nutriswell Gets and Gives
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Dr. Marcia Brown launched Nutriswell to fill a critical gap in women’s health—especially around menopause. Backed by her PhD in integrative and functional nutrition, she blends science with culturally rooted care to help women thrive through every life stage. With IFEL’s support and community, Nutriswell has grown from a vision into a trusted wellness resource. “IFEL gave me the confidence and tools to
grow as a founder,” says Dr. Brown. Today, Nutriswell empowers individuals and families with personalized guidance, proving that health is most powerful when it's rooted in culture, science, and care.
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| Learn more about Nutriswell
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IFEL In the Ecosystem |
A Force for Change
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We are proud to celebrate IFEL CEO Jill Johnson, a fearless, mission-driven leader redefining the narrative about inclusion within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With bold honesty, unwavering action, and a heart for impact. In City Magazine shares an insiders view into the side of Jill that isn't regularly on public display and shares a few of the lessons she's learned in
life.
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| Read the In City article
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IFEL Attends the Golden Seeds Summit
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Jill and Stephanie attended the Golden Seeds Summit in New York City as part of our continued work to cultivate relationships and build bridges across the investor community. We saw many old friends and made new ones. Pipeline Angels community member Lorine Pendleton was a featured panelist talking about investing in women's sports. Anyone who has an interest in that growing
field should get to know her.
From insightful sessions to member-hosted dinners, IFEL was honored to be part of this inspiring event shaping the future of inclusive entrepreneurship.
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| Learn more about Golden Seeds
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Supporting LILLY: A Story That Sparked a Movement
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LILLY is a powerful and inspiring true story of justice, resilience, and one woman’s fight for equal pay. Starring Patricia Clarkson and directed by Rachel Feldman, the film follows Lilly Ledbetter’s journey from tire factory supervisor to a national symbol for fairness—challenging discrimination all the way to the Supreme Court and beyond. Jill attended to support Pipeline
Angels community member Jocelyn Moore who was a panelist. It was a treat to see Golden Seeds friend Loretta McCarthy in the house as well.
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| Learn more about Lilly and get your ticket
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Meet Up at the Wealth Catalyst Summit
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Jill recently attended the Wealth Catalyst Summit. She joined Janine Firpo of Invest for Better, Pipeline Angels member Judy Curry, and Marcia Dawood Author of Doing Good While Doing Well. Thanks Marcia for inviting Jill as your +1. 💙
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Stephanie Speaks at Total Impact Summit
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Big congratulations to our very own Stephanie Fowler, who was a panelist at the Total Impact Summit in Philadelphia! This premier event brings together leaders in impact investing and social innovation to colloborate on solutions that can increase impact in the Philadelphia region. We are proud to have Stephanie representing IFEL and contributing her voice to important
conversations.
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| Learn more about the Total Impact Summit
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Wins |
Welcome to Our Newest Pipeline Angels Community Members
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Congratulations are in order! 🎓 The Pipeline Angels Signature Angel Investing Fall 2024 Cohort completed training and closed investments in three incredible ventures: Kushae, Voiceblocks and Productions.com. Welcome to the IFEL Investor Community!
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| Learn more about Pipeline Angels
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Kin Apparel Gets a Shout Out as a Brand to Shop for the Cowboy Carter Tour
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Congratulations to KIN Apparel on the shout out from Essence as a brand to shop to make a wardrobe statement at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter
Tour. Kin Apparel was a featured company at Creating Conscious Collisions Philadelphia in 2024.
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| Learn about other great brands
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Share with the Entrepreneurs in Your Network
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Ask the Expert: Manage Your Business Finances with Confidence
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📅 Wednesday, May 28 🕒 3:00–4:00 PM EDT 💻 Online
Learn how to:
✅ Streamline record-keeping ✅ Manage cash flow ✅ Automate payments ✅ Use reports for smarter decisions
Perfect for startups and seasoned business owners alike! |
| Learn more and register
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Amazon Business is giving away over $250,000 in grants to help small businesses scale and succeed. If you’re an eligible U.S. business (or know someone who is), this is an opportunity to win funding, resources, and exclusive perks to power business growth. |
| Learn more and apply
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The 2025 Cartier Women’s Initiative is now open for applications! This global program supports women impact entrepreneurs with up to $100,000 in funding, world-class training, and access to an international community of changemakers. Applications close June 24.
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| Learn more and apply
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Keep Learning |
Did you know...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a national movement to raise awareness, fight stigma, and support mental well-being. Taking just 10 minutes a day to unplug and breathe can significantly reduce stress and improve focus. Read more >>
National Small Business Week is celebrated in early May! Small businesses make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly half of the country’s workforce. Supporting them supports your community! Read more >>
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Copyright (C) 2025 Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. All rights reserved.
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership is a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at www.weareifel.org. You are receiving this information because you requested information about or enrolled in a program of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Our primary mode of communication will be through email. If you choose to unsubscribe, you will not receive the information that you need for the program in which you enrolled. If you no longer wish to receive information from us however, you may use this link to
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Our mailing address is: Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership 550 Broad Street Newark, NJ 07102-4539 USA
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