GW Business welcomed the sixth cohort of its Executive Leadership Education Venture Advancing Talented Entrepreneurs (ELEVATE) training program, continuing its mission to strengthen Washington, D.C.'s small business community through executive education, mentorship and experiential learning.
ELEVATE Cohort VI brought together a dynamic and diverse group of entrepreneurs representing industries including healthcare, consulting, food innovation, real estate and the creative economy. Together, the cohort reflects the strength, resilience and ambition of the District's small business ecosystem, with each participant bringing a unique vision for growth and impact.
Students Bring Classroom Learning to Local Businesses
This semester, ELEVATE participants partnered with approximately 80 undergraduate students at the GW School of Business through an experiential consulting initiative that transformed classroom learning into real-world impact.
Under the leadership of Ayman El Tarabishy, teaching professor and ELEVATE program director, students enrolled in two entrepreneurship courses worked directly with 15 local small businesses on projects focused on strategy, operations and business growth. Throughout the semester, student teams collaborated with business owners to analyze real challenges faced by entrepreneurs and develop practical recommendations tailored to each company's goals.
The semester culminated at the GW School of Business, where student teams presented their findings directly to participating CEOs. The presentations offered actionable strategies that business owners can implement immediately.
The partnership exemplifies the School of Business's commitment to experiential learning while extending meaningful support to D.C.-area entrepreneurs. By connecting students with local business leaders, ELEVATE creates mutual value—providing participants with fresh perspectives and practical solutions while preparing the next generation of business leaders through hands-on consulting experience.
About ELEVATE
The Executive Leadership Education Venture Advancing Talented Entrepreneurs (ELEVATE) program is a partnership between The Coalition (formerly CNHED), the GW School of Business and its Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CFEE). Through this three-month executive education experience, small business owners from Washington, D.C. and the surrounding metropolitan area gain the knowledge, skills and resources needed to more effectively manage and grow their businesses.
As the only executive-level business education program for small businesses in the District backed by a university partner, ELEVATE provides participants with direct access to the expertise of GW Business faculty and a collaborative network of fellow entrepreneurs. Under the leadership of Evette Banfield, the program is further enriched by CFEE's Kathy Korman Frey, whose expertise in entrepreneurial leadership helps participants refine business strategy, strengthen operations and compete more effectively across private, institutional and government markets.