Dr. Janis Shinkawa, Medical Director and Founding Partner of Ventura-based Ohana Pet Hospital, has been installed as Chair of the 2024-2025 NAWBO National Board of Directors by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Amber Wallace, President and CEO of Santa Barbara-based Dowitcher Designs Inc., was also installed as a Director.
NAWBO represents 13 million women business owners across America, encompassing diverse business sizes, sectors, communities served, stages of development, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, geographic areas, and political perspectives influencing policy views.
Locally, NAWBO members are both business leaders and community servants dedicated to positive local impact. Nationally, NAWBO advocates for women business owners, informing lawmakers about their challenges and proposing solutions through the leadership of the NAWBO National Board.
“NAWBO remains steadfast in our commitment to advocacy, leadership, and education,” said Dr. Janis Shinkawa, NAWBO National Board Chair. “Our organization understands that when women succeed, economies thrive. With a focus on microbusiness owners, who comprise over 90% of NAWBO’s women-owned businesses, we aim to provide resources that foster growth and enhance wealth in underserved populations.”
Dr. Janis Shinkawa founded Ohana Pet Hospital in 2012 and has since expanded with partnerships in three veterinary startups across Ventura County. She also launched VETLevelUP, a startup software company serving the veterinary industry, and initiated Ventura College’s Associate’s Degree program in Veterinary Technology.
Amber Wallace leads Dowitcher Designs Inc., an award-winning marketing agency specializing in supporting purpose-driven organizations and public agencies. She brings extensive experience in marketing and digital technologies from her tenure teaching at UC Santa Barbara and serving on various boards.
“NAWBO began in a humble office in DC and has evolved into a nationwide organization supporting women business owners in diverse urban and rural settings,” noted Amber Wallace, NAWBO National Board Member. “I am honored to contribute to NAWBO’s ongoing mission as we prepare for our 50th anniversary celebration in 2025.”
The 2024-2025 NAWBO Board of Directors includes Dr. Janis Shinkawa as Chair, Lisa Coppola as Immediate Past Chair, Megan Patton as Chair Elect, Thresette Briggs as Treasurer, Lesa Seibert as Secretary, and members Sandra Clitter, Krista Martinez, Victoria Stevenson, Amber Wallace, and Brenda Harris as Chair of the Presidents Assembly Steering Committee.
NAWBO conducted the board installation in June ahead of their NAWBO Days national event in Washington, D.C. Plans are underway for the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for June 5-8, 2025. For more information, visit www.nawbo.org.
