How Women-Owned Businesses Lead Pasadena’s Post-Fire Economic Rebuild with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director at Pasadena Women's Business Center Episode 165

A year after the devastating Los Angeles fires in January 2025, Lizzy Okoro Davidson returns to the podcast to share how the Pasadena Women’s Business Center has become a key leader in rebuilding efforts—championing strategies rooted in equity, tactical support, and economic opportunity for women entrepreneurs. 

Together, our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of the Economic and Workforce Development Department at Pasadena City College explores how we continue to rebuild a year later and the realities of what those efforts require ongoingly. Lizzy shares how programs at the WBC created innovative accelerators that were responsive and specific to different women-owned sectors, like beauty professionals and how the formula to relief and support-success is to listen with intent and build the solutions needed in real time.

They also discuss the importance of community, challenges unique to women-owned businesses, and the broader economic impact when women are given resources to thrive.

You’ll Learn:

• How recovery from natural disasters is a long-term process, and why continued support for affected small businesses remains crucial

• Why women-owned businesses are uniquely resilient and have a higher success rate, making their recovery critical to community health

• How the Women’s Business Center (WBC) is tackling these challenges through targeted accelerators, one-on-one advising, and specialized bootcamps

• How diversifying income streams can be a disaster-prone strategy and how government contracts and certifications can unlock new revenue opportunities for women-owned businesses

About the guest:

Lizzy Okoro Davidson is an LA-based entrepreneur, consultant, and public speaker who serves as the Director of the Women’s Business Center at Pasadena City College. With over a decade of experience in media, consulting, and public speaking, Lizzy has worked with leading brands such as Nike and Adidas. Before working with the Women’s Business Center, she founded Bunch Magazine in 2011. She has experience managing a team of 100+ creatives including writers, photographers, stylists and art directors in a dozen countries over the course of six years. Throughout her career, Lizzy has been dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Engage with us:

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 More from Lizzy Okoro Davidson & Pasadena Women’s Business Center:

Visit: Pasadena Women’s Business Center

LinkedIn: @lizzyokoro

The Grant Program mentioned in this episode was funded by 11:11 Media Impact and GoFundMe.org, in partnership with the Pasadena Women’s Business Center with support from the Pasadena City College Foundation. Click to learn more

 Want to partner with us or be a guest on the podcast? Contact our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo directly: [e-mail] 

 Find the transcript of this episode HERE

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