Norcal PTAC Celebrates Women's History Month
The number of women in the workforce has steadily increased over the last decade and now makes up about 50% of the labor force in the U.S. Most common occupations for women include teachers, medical technicians, administrative assistants, beauty and nutrition consultants, and various managerial and customer service positions.
Women have also taken on business ownership by storm with more than 11.6 million firms currently owned by women, with about 50% of those owned by women of color. Women-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment (twice the rate of all other businesses) and often start as part-time entrepreneurship, exhibiting creativity and resourcefulness in light of lack of access to capital.
We’d like to wrap up Women’s History Month with a special thank you to the women on our team!
See information below and visit Our Team page to view full bios.
Kristina Kunkel
Program Director
Joined PTAC in 2014
Favorite part of the job: Hearing success stories! It is incredible to watch the progression of a business from knowing very little about government contracting, to winning their first award. Our clients never cease to amaze and inspire me.
A woman who inspired me: My great-grandmother Una Mae Adkins, born in 1926. She was the oldest of nine children, did not graduate high school, and had my grandfather at 16 years old. But that didn’t stop her from a 45-year career starting as a waitress and working her way up to Comptroller of a manufacturing company. She was never afraid to speak her mind, and endlessly fought for women to have a seat at the table until she passed in 2006. Her fighting spirit motivates me to this day to embrace challenges and never give up.
Taylor Bowes
Assistant Program Director
Joined PTAC in 2017
Favorite part of the job: Working together with partner agencies throughout CA and the US to support small businesses in their growth and well being.
A woman who inspired me: Rosalind Franklin, a chemist and X-ray crystallographer whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, and viruses. Her work led to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA.
Christina Jones
Sr./ Lead Procurement Specialist
Joined PTAC in 2016
Favorite part of the job: Counseling the clients, learning about their goals, assisting them in accomplishing them, and being their cheerleader along the way.
A woman who inspired me: Bozoma St John. Instrumental in advancing the brand of several large companies including Apple, Pepsi, and Netflix, for example. A true Rockstar in business, leadership, and philanthropy all while staying true to herself.
Liz Brazil
Procurement Specialist
Joined PTAC in 2019
Favorite part of the job: My favorite part is working with clients and helping them succeed in government contracting. I love getting to know them and finding out what their business needs are, learning they got started, their passion, and their mission. There is always a story behind every business.
A woman who inspired me: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice who spent much of her legal career as an advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. She helped co-found the ACLU Women’s Rights Project, which focused solely on gender and financial equality.
Nanci Pigeon
Procurement Specialist
Joined PTAC in 2019
Favorite part of the job: Meeting individually with clients and developing a plan that fits their goals for government contracting and watching them succeed.
A woman who inspired me: I don’t have a single woman who has inspired me. I’m inspired by any woman who aspires, dreams, overcomes and reaches their goals in life.
Mary Jo Juarez
Procurement Specialist
Joined PTAC in 2018
Favorite part of the job: I love talking with the clients and being able to help them move forward. They are incredible, brave, people and inspire me daily to be better in my own life. I am so grateful we were able to continue our “business as usual” during COVID.
A woman who inspired me: Oprah Winfrey, she rose from a very difficult childhood, found her voice, and continues to bring everyday people who might be hidden from mainstream media but are making a difference to us through various media outlets. She also started a school in Africa and continues to challenge stereotypes and mindsets that no longer work.
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