Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/07/2018 -- Kimberli Lewis conducts an eye-opening interview with Maggie Berry on VoiceAmerica's Leadership Beyond Borders about increasing the number of women owned businesses and how they can better position themselves to be awarded company and government supplier contracts. This interesting and thought- provoking interview with Ms. Berry will air on 31 July at 3:00 PT and be made available to stream after the initial air date.

Maggie Berry is the European Executive Director for WeConnect International , the global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers around the world. WeConnect Europe is based in London, England.

Ms Berry has been integral to the growth and expansion of its branch which is part of the WeConnect International Network worldwide, and currently boasts over 1,000 women owned businesses across Europe.

WeConnect International educates, trains, assesses and connects women-owned business to elevate them to be on par with their male counterparts around the world, affording them the same opportunities to do business with multinational corporations worldwide.

In this interview on Leadership Beyond Borders, Ms Berry discusses supplier diversity programs, and the moving trend of many multinational organizations to implement, manage and support supplier diversity. The episode discusses the legislation and lack thereof surrounding women owned businesses. Surprisingly, legislation exists in unexpected places, and many corporations are considering staying ahead of the mandates. The fact that only 1% of contracts go to a woman-owned business and this has become a focus point for multinationals and the driving force behind WeConnect.

Kimberli Lewis , aside from hosting Leadership Beyond Borders is the director of and founder of the Women's Leadership Academy 2020 , which has benefited from the participation in WeConnect International.

Pulling from first-hand experience, the two women enter into a lively discussion on the salient points and challenges of women owned business in a traditionally male-dominated space. They both see the tide as shifting, and present well thought out points on how to tip the scales instead of just waiting for legislation to dictate the path forward.

Ms Lewis has built a loyal listenership on over the past 18 months in part due to the high-variety of informative business guests.

Leadership Beyond Borders airs every Tuesday at 3:00pm Pacific Time. The Maggie Berry episode will air on 31 July Leadership Beyond Borders on VoiceAmerica Business Channel.