About Us
The American Business Women’s Association is the place where professional women come to grow, in their careers, their confidence, and their lives. Unlike organizations built for a single industry or exclusive tier of leadership, ABWA welcomes women at every stage of their professional journey: the ambitious middle manager eyeing the corner office, the entrepreneur building something bold from the ground up, and everyone in between. We exist to accelerate what’s already in you – connecting you with a diverse, cross-industry community of women who genuinely invest in each other’s advancement, while giving you the tools, education, and recognition to rise faster than you would alone.
ABWA’s Mission Statement
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
History of ABWA
Women have always worked, whether it was in the home or in the business sector. During the height of WWII, women were not only encouraged to enter the workforce, they were deluged with propaganda to join the workforce because it was their patriotic duty. When the war was over, many women lost their jobs, and were reminded that their first responsibility was to their home and their family.
On September 22, 1949, Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, Frances Stuckey and Mr. Hilary Bufton Jr. met in a coffee shop in downtown Kansas City to incorporate the American Business Women’s Association at a time when it was considered socially unacceptable for women to pursue a full-time career, have a girls night out or even join an association.
A statement made by Mr. Bufton in the early 50s summarizes ABWA’s impact on societal norms: “In many ways, the first generation of ABWA members were the breaking tradition…Without even knowing it, I guess they were paving the way for today’s women.”
While women’s opportunities and pay in the business sector have evolved, there is still work to be done. Breaking barriers for women and on behalf of women is nothing new in ABWA. We’ve been doing so since 1949!
Executive Director
Elizabeth Johnson, CAE
Elizabeth Johnson, CAE, is a seasoned and mission-driven association executive with more than 15 years of experience supporting some of the nation’s prestigious trade associations. Her expertise spans membership strategy, sponsorship development, and revenue-generating initiatives that drive organizational growth and member value.
As Executive Director of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), Elizabeth leads national programs that empower women to achieve their personal and professional best through education, networking, and advancing opportunities for women in business across the country.
Elizabeth began her career with Marriott Global Sales at the company’s headquarters in Bethesda , MD, where she sourced large-scale citywide conventions for major association clients. She later supported meeting planners in placing events in charming Old Town Alexandria, VA, before joining a start-up specializing in association membership and sponsorship sales. As the company’s first hire in 2010, she helped grow the team from two to nearly 30, providing consulting and strategic support to a wide range of association partners.
Elizabeth earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential — the highest certification in the association management profession – and is recognized for her collaborative, values-driven leadership style.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys beach getaways, trying, new recipes, and spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their two children, Summer and Miller.
2025-2026
National Board Of Directors & SBMEF Trustees
The National Board of Directors is a volunteer board that governs the national bylaws on behalf of the members of the American Business Women’s Association. The National Board of Directors also serve as trustees for the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund (SBMEF). Aside from fiduciary responsibilities, the Trustees determine the value and the eligibility criteria for each scholarship as well as the selection of the scholarship recipients.
Barbara Pedersen
National President
Member of the Heart of the Piedmont Chapter
Greensboro, NC
Dr. Tracey G. Jackson
Dr. Deboarah Johnson-Blake
Leslie Mcmillin
American Business Woman and Top Ten Business Women of ABWA
Class of 2026 American Business Woman and the Top Ten Business Women of ABWA
As a leading organization for working women, the American Business Women’s Association takes recognition to a national level with the prestigious Top Ten Business Women of ABWA program.
Both the Top Ten Women of the Year and the American Business Women of the Year are annual recognition programs developed and hosted by ABWA, honoring members for their excellence in career achievement, education, leadership and community involvement.
2026 American Business Woman
J Franco was selected as the 2026 American Business Woman at the ABWA National Women’s Leadership Conference, in November of 2025.
J is a digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience in the industry and a double master’s graduate from USC Annenberg, the #1 communications school in the nation. She is the CEO and Founder of Franco Innovative Media & Marketing, a prestigious award winning boutique digital marketing agency based in Houston, TX, with a focus on providing unparalleled white glove services.
J leads a team of 8 innovators in delivering exceptional hands-on support to my clients. Her expertise and dedication set her agency apart in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. As a founder of CreateHer™ Society J uses her digital marketing expertise & experience to coach female business owners, consultants, service providers, & coaches by helping them build a profitable online business.
