For 27 years, the National Association of Women Business Owners Indianapolis Chapter (NAWBO Indy) has been a beacon of support, resilience and community for women entrepreneurs across Central Indiana.
And for much of that journey, Executive Director Lee Ann Richardson has been its steady hand and guiding heart.
Richardson’s leadership has never been about the spotlight — it’s been about service. She has spent years behind the scenes building systems, forging connections and quietly empowering generations of women to step into their power. When asked to reflect on her tenure, she doesn’t boast about accomplishments. Instead, she talks about the feeling in the room at NAWBO Indy’s Visionary Luncheons.
“There’s nothing like the energy in that space,” she said. “To see it filled with powerful, purpose-driven women and influential leaders — it’s incredibly inspiring.”
These events, which have become a signature of NAWBO Indy’s programming, symbolize what Richardson has worked to cultivate: a space where women show up for each other, elevate one another and leave transformed.
But Richardson’s influence extends far beyond the events themselves. Under her leadership, NAWBO Indy has grown into one of the country’s largest and most influential chapters. She has helped shape and expand meaningful partnerships with corporations and community organizations that believe in NAWBO’s mission. These relationships have become a critical extension of the support women entrepreneurs need, offering everything from financial guidance to access to new markets and business development opportunities.
At the core of her impact is a relentless commitment to women at every stage of business. Whether mentoring a first-time founder or ensuring seasoned business owners have the tools to scale, Richardson has made it her mission to uplift others. She’s helped foster a culture where women aren’t just networking — they’re growing, learning, and thriving.
Perhaps most powerful of all is the community she has helped build. From the early days of a small group of trailblazing women in 1997 to a thriving network of hundreds today, NAWBO Indy has become a space where women feel seen, heard, and valued.
Richardson’s pride in that growth is evident.
“Knowing I played a role in creating a space where women feel empowered and supported — that’s the part I carry with me,” she said.
Over the decades, the organization has navigated change and challenges — from the early momentum of the 2000s to the unprecedented uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, NAWBO Indy has continued to evolve and respond, offering virtual programming, innovative support and an unshakable sense of community.
Today, as NAWBO Indy celebrates 27 years of impact, Richardson remains forward-focused. She envisions an organization that continues to grow in strength and diversity, where more women of color are elevated into leadership, where programs reflect the fast-changing landscape of technology and entrepreneurship, and where partnerships open doors that women have long found closed.
She also imagines a future where NAWBO Indy becomes a national model for supporting and resourcing women entrepreneurs — not only through mentorship and education but also through real financial empowerment, community investment, and policy advocacy. While she’s quick to credit the incredible women she’s worked alongside, there’s no doubt her vision and quiet persistence have been a driving force behind much of NAWBO Indy’s progress.
The upcoming launch of the NAWBO Indy Boss Ladies Magazine is a natural extension of her leadership: a bold platform that brings visibility to the women who lift up, speak up and show up for one another every day. It reflects everything she’s worked to build — a community that is both legacy and launchpad.
As the organization turns toward the next 27 years, Richardson’s example reminds us that true leadership is more than titles or tenures. It’s about cultivating spaces where others can shine. And in doing that, she’s helped build a legacy that will continue to empower women for generations to come.
Because when women support women, entire communities rise.
This article is part of an editorial series in partnership with Polished Strategic Communications and the Indianapolis Recorder, celebrating the launch of NAWBO Indy Boss Ladies Magazine. Polished Strategic Communications, a woman-owned agency dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in business, education and community, writes and produces the series.
