Meet the Team
Nikki A. Hahn
Chief Executive Officer
Nikki A. Hahn, WEDC's CEO, brings a wealth of development experience to the nonprofit sector. Ms. Hahn was previously with Volunteer New York! where she developed corporate social responsibility programming for local business leaders. In addition, she has served as the chair of the Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee, President of the Junior League of Central Westchester and the Client and Partner Development Director of The Acceleration Project. Ms. Hahn is actively involved in many community initiatives and currently serves as Vice President of the Westchester Children's Chorus Board of Directors as well as on Cure JM Foundation's Board of Directors as the Development Director and Chair. She earned both a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University. She can be contacted at (914) 948-6098, ext. 12.
Veronica Bazan
EAC Director, Director of Spanish Programming
Veronica Bazan is WEDC’s EAC Director and Director of Spanish Programming, bringing over a decade of experience since joining the organization in 2013. She specializes in advancing economic development in multicultural communities, working closely with entrepreneurs to help them access small business education, financial resources, and successfully navigate certification processes.
Her background includes small business development, teaching, and microlending. Prior to joining WEDC, she served as a bilingual analyst at Accion East and Online (now known as Ascendus), a microfinance organization, where she supported small business owners in preparing loan packages and securing financing.
Ms. Bazan holds a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, as well as a degree in education from the Instituto Superior de Formación Docente in Argentina. She can be reached at 914-948-6098, ext.14.
Terri Cotton
Director of Finance and Compliance
Terri Cotton, WEDC’s Director of Finance and Compliance, has significant experience managing accounting and compliance of sponsored funds at an ivy league University as well as at other well-known NYC non-profit organizations. Over the past two decades, Terri’s responsibilities have included the oversight and administration of the full life cycle of grants management (both pre and post award activities); internal audits; fiscal oversight of subcontractors; external reporting; serving as the organizations’ subject matter expert on compliance and grant regulations; as well as providing direction and guidance to program staff on program build and overseeing execution. Terri possesses a B.B.A. in Accounting, an M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration and is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). She can be contacted at (914) 948-6098, ext. 17.
Iris Cohello
Westchester Women's Business Center Director
Iris Cohello serves as the Westchester Women's Business Center Director of our Westchester location. Ms. Cohello brings extensive experience in entrepreneurial training, bilingual counseling, and community outreach. Prior to assuming this role, she worked closely with WEDC leading marketing and technology initiatives, facilitating workshops, and serving as lead instructor for the Entrepreneur Growth Lab at our MHV location. Prior to her work in business development, Ms. Cohello spent a decade in international aviation, an experience that shaped her cross-cultural communication skills and client-focused approach. Ms. Cohello holds a bachelor's degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and has pursued studies in Industrial Engineering. She holds certifications in life, business, sales, and purpose coaching, and has hosted a podcast on success mindset for women. She can be contacted at (914) 948-6098, ext. 19.
Lizbeth Julca
Senior Program Manager
Lizbeth Julca, WEDC's Program Assistant, joined WEDC in 2021. Lizbeth is bilingual and assists the WEDC Spanish team and their programs at the Westchester office. Prior to joining WEDC, Ms.Julca was previously a Daycare Administrative Assistant to her family business where she developed multitasking, planning, interpersonal, and time management skills. She received an A.A. in Business Administration from Westchester Community College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management from Baruch College. She can be contacted at 914-948-6098.
Mid-Hudson Office
Cynthia Marsh-Croll
Mid-Hudson Women’s Business Center Director
Cynthia Marsh-Croll is WEDC’s Mid-Hudson Women’s Business Center Director of our Poughkeepsie location. Ms. Marsh-Croll has numerous programs that provide services to businesses in Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties. Ms. Marsh-Croll is the founder of Croll Productive Synergy which has provided operation business consulting and training for over a decade as well as Program Manager for a previous Entrepreneurial Assistance Program center. She has experience in a variety of industries and working with businesses of all sizes. As a result, Cynthia has significant experience training and counseling small business owners and entrepreneurs. Ms. Marsh-Croll has a BS in Management Science as well as a Lean Office Certification through the University of Michigan. Please call 845-363-6432 for more information regarding our MHV programs.
Maureen Brivett
Business Counselor Mid-Hudson
Maureen Brivett, Business Counselor Mid-Hudson has a background in Teaching and Financial Services - Banking and Insurance. Prior to joining WEDC, Ms. Brivett worked as Branch Manager at Republic National Bank/HSBC Bank USA where she worked with Small Business Owners in the neighborhoods where the branches are located. Ms. Brivett earned a BA in Economics at York College CUNY and a Teaching Degree from Mico Teachers' College/University Jamaica W.I.
Ms. Brivett can be contacted at 845-363-6432, ext. 3.
Brianna Castro
Program Manager Mid-Hudson
Brianna Castro is the Program Manager of our Poughkeepsie location. Brianna is bilingual and assists with coordinating and running the Spanish program in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Prior to joining WEDC, Brianna worked as a Collections Specialist at Sun Community Federal Credit Union in Southern California working with credit reporting, levies, third party collection agencies, and insurance claims. Besides having experience with finance and insurance, she also utilizes aspects of her degree when working with our Spanish speaking clients. Brianna has an A.A in Behavioral Science through Imperial Valley College. Mrs. Castro can be contacted at 845-363-6432, ext. 2.
The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC), a 501(c)(3) corporation empowers entrepreneurs to build successful businesses by providing high-quality training programs, advisory services, and access to capital to generate economic growth in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.
Together, we are creating a vibrant future of entrepreneurs launching new businesses and growing established companies. Our support and services significantly increase your chance of success through our collaborative learning, powerful network, and community.
Our programs and services are available to everyone.
The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC), a 501(c)(3) corporation, has been empowering women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses since 1997 in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. Our overarching goal is to build a vibrant community of women business owners, comprised of start-up and established companies.