Mission
Plain and simple: Our mission is to advocate for policies that strengthen women-owned companies that do business with the federal government.
The Need
Let’s face it: The federal government’s acquisition practices are geared toward large companies competing on enormous government buying vehicles. Congress continues to require federal agencies to buy from small businesses, especially those that are underserved. Since over 90% of all women-owned businesses are small, women are considered major stakeholders in these policy actions. As federal agencies award less direct contracts in favor of large contracting vehicles, women are largely left behind.
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Our Vision
Women fought for 11 years to get the women-owned small business federal contracting program put into place. Yet, the federal government has only met its 5% goal for contracting to women twice since the goal was established in 1994. Increasing awards to women-owned businesses requires advocacy and education. The Circle provides a much-needed place where women contractors can participate in growing their federal contracting businesses, become advocates for regulatory and legislative changes and participate in a nationwide network of successful women business owners.
Expertise
Led by Ann Sullivan, founder of Madison Services Group, Inc. (MSGI) and architect of the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB) federal contracting program, the WPC champions policies that support women-owned companies in federal contracting. Elizabeth Sullivan, President of MSGI, adds legal and policy expertise with a Master of Studies in Law in Procurement and Cybersecurity from The George Washington University Law School. Together, they combine deep relationships and proven policy leadership to advocate for small and mid-sized federal contractors on Capitol Hill and within federal agencies.
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Meet The Team
Ann Sullivan
Ann Sullivan is the Founder of Madison Services Group, a woman-owned company that provides government relations and federal business
development services. Her expertise includes business development programs, government procurement, healthcare, export development, and tax issues affecting small and midsize businesses. Ann is recognized as the driving force behind implementation of the SBA's Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program and has been a featured keynote speaker and moderator on many procurement panels nationwide. She is recognized around the country for her work to make meaningful policy changes that allow small business to access the federal marketplace. Ann is part of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the HUBZone Contractors National Council. She received the Enterprising Women of the Year Award from Enterprising Women Magazine, and was honored by Professional Women in Advocacy for Excellence in a Federal Issue Campaign and Excellence in a Campaign for Women Serving Women. Ann is also the recipient of three prestigious Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. She was chosen by Small Business Trends as a Top 100 Small Business Influencer, and the Sunlight Foundation named her as one of Washington’s four “perfectly bipartisan lobbyists.”
Elizabeth Sullivan
Elizabeth Sullivan is the President of Madison Services Group. She focuses on federal procurement and small business policy. Her expertise in government contracting includes shaping federal acquisition policy on Capitol Hill and analyzing federal procurement data to position companies to win federal contracts. She holds a Masters of Studies in Law in Government Procurement and Cybersecurity at the George Washington University School of Law, and was featured in the GW Law Magazine for her role in shaping this new dual degree. Notably, Elizabeth has testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on procurement innovation and the role of small business contractors. Elizabeth recently led the formation of the Secure Supply Consortium, a group of small and midsize federal contractors that seek to provide constructive input to decision-makers who are tackling difficult supply chain security problems, such as the implementation of Section 889 and the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). They are recognized as the driving force behind changes in CMMC 2.0 that were favorable to small businesses. She has also been featured on procurement panels nationwide, including at the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) World Congress and Women Leaders in Defense and Aerospace Law conference. Elizabeth is a graduate of James Madison University and a former Teach
for America corps member in Chicago, IL.
Lin Stuart
As the Director of the Women’s Procurement Circle, Lin serves with a significant background in logistics and program experience. With a foundation as a business owner for 11 years, Lin understands the needs and challenges that women business owners face. For the past 20 years, Lin has worked with women business owners both domestically and internationally to facilitate programs and training that allow women business owners to successfully grow and thrive, particularly in the federal contracting arena.
Amy Emmett
Amy is a Director of Government Relations at Madison Services Group. Amy brings almost 15 years of business development, marketing, and advocacy experience to support clients in engaging with the Federal government, enhancing brand reputation, and executing on business goals.
Amy is an experienced professional in government relations, client development, and communications. Prior to joining MSGI, she launched the government relations function at a biopharma company, managed Congressional briefings and policy events, and oversaw advocacy strategies and vendor management. She spent over seven years at a global law firm in Washington, D.C., focusing on client engagement and supporting life sciences and health practice groups. Earlier, Amy managed marketing for a global commercial real estate firm and developed Federal contract proposals for an IT and defense contractor.
Committed to driving positive change and serving as a dedicated community volunteer in Washington, D.C., and the Capitol Hill neighborhood, she is involved with Women in Government Relations (WGR), among other groups. Amy attended The University of North Carolina, where she majored in Political Science.