Women's Business Development Council
Ilana Polak, LCSW, currently serves as the Program Supervisor at BHcare, overseeing the SAFE Family Recovery Program to support parents dealing with substance use issues in collaboration with the CT Department of Children and Families. Previously, Polak worked as a Social Worker for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, providing services to diverse student populations, and spent over fifteen years in various roles within social services, including positions at The Women's Business Development Council, Youth Guidance, and Congreso de Latinos Unidos. Polak holds a Master's in Social Work with a specialization in Child Well-Being and Child Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania, where a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work is currently being pursued. Academic credentials also include a Bachelor's in Sociology from Ithaca College and international educational experiences in Australia.
Women's Business Development Council
Founded in 1997 as a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is one of over 120 SBA supported women’s business centers nationwide. WBDC helps clients increase productivity, maximize preparation, earn money, and continue to achieve their personal and professional business dreams. •WBDC’s small business training and counseling educates, empowers and guides the aspiring, emerging and established entrepreneur throughout their small business venture. •Financial coaching is tailored to individual needs and goals for the purpose of creating a stable financial future and improved quality of life. Components of the program include: Budget Coaching, Seminars and Long-term Financial Coaching addressing credit related issues, increasing personal wealth and saving for long-term goals. •Workshops and one-on-one career coaching and counseling for those who are unemployed or who are willing to explore other professional avenues in order to reach their career goals. Women and men enrolled in WBDC programs become more effective employers and employees with the potential to grow their business, advance their career and increase their income