WESST Blog

On December 5, 2024, we gathered with friends from far and wide to celebrate the retirement of WESST’s President of 33 years, Agnes Noonan. Agnes is a visionary nonprofit leader in our community and a trailblazer for women and all New Mexicans who want to start and grow a small business. The WESST Enterprise Center was filled with people who have been inspired and impacted by Agnes’s leadership.

 

We were thrilled to welcome many community leaders and friends of WESST and Agnes who shared stories and well wishes at the retirement celebration, including the Honorable Tim Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque, Sally Adams, Diane Barrett, Beverly & Perry Bendicksen, and Cheryl Hardt. Studio at WESST Manager, Tom Ragan, produced a moving video with recorded messages from the WESST team, community partners, friends, and family. Click here to watch the recorded video of the remarks.

 

Board Chair, Cheryl Hardt, announced Lindsey Kay as WESSTs new President, starting on January 1, 2025. Click here to read the Press Release.

 

Beverly and Perry Bendicksen, longtime WESST donors and board members, announced the Agnes Noonan Visionary Fund. We set a goal to raise $200,000 to honor and celebrate Agnes’s impact. Proceeds from the Agnes Noonan Visionary Fund will be used to support WESST’s consulting, training, lending, and incubation programs that help historically underserved entrepreneurs across New Mexico. Click here to learn more about Agnes’s legacy and support the Agnes Noonan Visionary Fund! We are deeply grateful to our generous donors who have helped us reach 88% of our fundraising goal (as of 12/20/2024).

 

We wish Agnes the best in her retirement!

 

Modrall Sperling generously sponsored the event, which was catered by WESST client, Slate Street. Thank you to Nexus Brewery who generously provided beverages!