AWWAC

African Women of Washington Cooperative

Non-profit organization · Washington State

Empowering Minority women to build, lead and thrive.

AWWAC supports women entrepreneurs and small businesses through training, financing, networking and the cooperative spirit of mutual aid.

Our Mission Contact Us

About Us

A cooperative born from vision and solidarity

Under the leadership of Mrs. Pétronelle Iyoli Fundi Ifa, the African Women of Washington Cooperative (AWWAC) was founded as a non-profit organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and the growth of local small and medium-sized businesses.

Our scope of action

AWWAC operates both nationally and internationally.

Our colors: purple and gold — dignity, leadership and prosperity.

Our Vision

Support performance and financial stability as the foundation of small and medium-sized businesses.
Promote the cooperative movement, facilitating the voluntary formation and democratic operation of cooperatives based on mutual aid, for overall economic improvement and financial independence.
A future in which every woman, whatever her origin or background, can live free from violence and discrimination — with justice as the cornerstone of social and economic progress.
This vision guides our efforts to create opportunities, provide support and foster development within our communities.

Our Mission

Support local small and medium-sized businesses through mentoring, training, networking and economic promotion.
Promote cultural values and ethical principles among entrepreneurs.
Support entrepreneurs and encourage the creation of new businesses.
Offer a range of services that help businesses navigate a complex and ever-changing economic environment.
Provide personalized advice, grounded in local expertise, tailored to each business's specific needs.
Assist with everything from finding funding for innovative projects to guiding the administrative steps of starting a business.

AWWAC is at the heart of many initiatives that strengthen the economic fabric — an indispensable partner for businesses.

Our Main Objectives

Equipping women with the skills, capital and networks to succeed

Skills & Training

Equip entrepreneurs with the skills they need to manage their businesses effectively, through training, hands-on workshops and regular seminars.

Staying Current

Help participants put their knowledge into practice and stay up to date with the latest trends and regulations.

Financial Resources

Mobilize financial resources to support small and medium-sized businesses owned by women entrepreneurs.

Collective Investment Fund

Build a collective investment fund among members to finance microloans.

Women Leaders

Train women leaders in fields such as finance, medicine, law, cultural studies, sociopolitics and media.

Global Trade

Establish a full trade commission to facilitate the global exchange of goods and services.

Our Services

How we support our community

Project Financing

Bringing significant added value to project financing.
Helping businesses find the right sources of funding — public grants, bank loans or private investment.
Privileged access to a broad network of funders and economic support organizations.
Guiding entrepreneurs through the entire funding application process, from business plan to final negotiation.

Community & Advocacy

Celebrating International Women's Day.
Participating in international conferences on finance, development and human rights.
Exchange meetings between community associations.
Cultural days, exhibitions and sales events for small and medium-sized businesses.
Advocacy activities and exchange trips.

Leadership

Steering Committee

DR Congo

Pétronelle Iyoli Fundi Ifa

Founder, President & CEO

Burkina Faso

Adja Phipps

Vice President & Executive Director

Cameroon

Acho Florence

Program Director

Côte d'Ivoire

Fafineth Soromou

Chief Financial Officer

Haiti

Suzen Joseph

Communications Director

Togo

K.C Yayra

Projects Director

USA

Position to be announced

Legal Advisor

Founder

Pétronelle Iyoli Fundi Ifa

Founder, President & CEO of AWWAC

"A tireless human rights defender — particularly for women and children — with more than two decades of experience in training, advocacy and psychosocial support."

Education

Degree in General Pedagogy
Graduate in Doctrinal Theology
Two years at the Faculty of Law

Awards & Certificates

Certificate of Performance for her small business, Global iFashion & Multiservices LLC, from the African Chamber of Commerce of Seattle
Business Plan Certificate — Mother Africa, USA
Counseling Certificate — Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor (PBSP), Boston, MA

Professional Experience

Founder, President & CEO — African Women of Washington Cooperative (AWWAC)
General Manager — Global iFashion & Multiservices LLC
Consultant and trainer of psychosocial support providers for survivors of sexual violence, Kalemie, Katanga, DRC (2010)
Founder and President of the NGO Women and Children Victims of Conflict for Integral Development (FEVCA-DI)

Training & Engagements

Workshop on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, representing CAFCO / Province Orientale (2008)
National Women's Workshop on the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, Kinshasa (2008)
International Pastoral Conference on Peace, Security, Resolution 1325 and sexual violence in the Great Lakes Region (2007)
National workshop on the reform of the Congolese National Police with IDASA, Kinshasa (2007)
Trainer of women candidates and voters in Kisangani and Bunia, with UNIFEM and the DRC Government (2006)
Seminar on Gender, Democracy and Human Rights with OHCHR, Goma (2006)
Counseling support for survivors of sexual violence — Amnesty International, Bukavu (2005)
Training of trainers in conflict mediation management (EISA), Kisangani (2005)
Psychological support techniques for survivors of sexual violence — CDJP, UNIFEM & OHCHR, Kisangani (2004)