Ellen founded Synchrogenix Information Strategies Inc. in January 1986. Over the past 24 years, she has grown Synchrogenix into a multimillion-dollar global pharmaceutical services company, with customers including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol Myers Squibb, sanofi aventis, and Johnson and Johnson.

In 2008, Ellen founded Synchrogenix Philippines, Inc., Synchrogenix's first international subsidiary. In 2009, she established Synchrogenix Europe, Ltd., in London.

Synchrogenix has offices in Wilmington, Malvern, and Boston. Despite the economic downturn, Synchrogenix's sales have doubled over the past three years.

In 2006, Ellen was named Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year by the New Castle County Business Ledger. In 2007, Synchrogenix was awarded an advisory board through the prestigious ATHENA PowerLink® program. She was named Business Woman of the Year in 2008 by the Delaware Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Active in philanthropy, Ellen is a former president of the Perinatal Association of Delaware, a founding member of the Corporate Leadership Council of Catholic Relief Services, and the founding Chair of the Red Cross's Clara Barton Society. Ellen also served as Chairwoman of the Communications Committee for a diocesan campaign to raise $6 million to provide needy families with scholarships for their children to attend Catholic schools.

In 2005, Ellen founded the grassroots organization A Rose and a Prayer to advocate for ethical biotechnology in Delaware's state legislature. For her work on A Rose and a Prayer, Ellen received the Benemerenti Medal from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Also in 2006, Ellen founded the Delaware chapter of Legatus, an international organization of Catholic business leaders who strive to promote and practice their faith in their business, professional, and personal lives. Ellen continues to serve as the program chair of that organization. Ellen was recently inducted into the Order of Malta, an order dedicated to serving the poor and the sick, as a Dame.

Pat Troy-Brooks’ journey to become one of the Delaware Valley’s most successful entrepreneurs began thirteen years ago with two desks, a telephone, and a dream.

Propelled by her faith and desire to help others, Pat launched Advanced Staffing in 1996. At the time, it was one of the few minority-owned staffing companies in the Delaware Valley. Almost as soon as the doors opened, Advanced Staffing was awarded a multi-million dollar contract with a major Philadelphia-based insurance company.

In 2008, Pat faced two incredible hurdles: the declining economy and slowing of demand for staffing services, and a breast cancer diagnosis. After months of soul-searching and intense cancer treatments, Pat was blessed with two miracles: remission of the cancer, and an idea that would secure not only the future of her company, but the futures of thousands of workers across the tri-state area.

That idea became reality in early 2009, when Pat launched Advanced Staffing Training Institute(ASTI),a division of her staffing company that helps displaced workers find jobs by providing them with occupational training, career coaching, r é sum é and interview prep, and more. A Workforce Investment Act training provider and certified as a business school by the Dept. of Education, ASTI has already secured contracts on the local, state and federal levels to help Delawareans prepare for and secure jobs.

Pat was named Delaware Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Other awards include the NAACP Visionary Leadership, American Heritage Society Movers & Shakers, Strong Smart & Bold, and Enterprising Woman of the Year, and Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise Award.

Beverly Stewart, M.Ed. is the President and Director of Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. in Wilmington, Delaware. Founded in 1985, Stewart began her business as its sole employee. Now, over 24 years later, her firm employs over 90 professional, degreed tutors, offers 60+ subjects for children and adults, and has served the varied educational needs of approximately 11,500 students in the tri-state area.

Beverly’s passion for education and her vast business experience make her a leading industry expert for business and educational publications, as well as radio and television. Stewart’s insights have been featured in such national publications as Entrepreneur Magazine, The New York Times, and Consumer’s Digest. In addition, her story has been highlighted in nationally-released books including The Educational Entrepreneur: Making a Difference and What No One Ever Tells You About Financing Your Own Business.

In 2005, Stewart announced the launch of a second business venture: Beverly Stewart Consulting LLC. She offers nationwide business consulting to potential and current entrepreneurs and business owners, focusing on business start-ups as well as expansions. By providing one-on-one consulting to shape business strategies, she helps clients focus direction and gain insight into the many decisions necessary to running a successful business.

Due to her tenacity and vision, she has been recognized with numerous awards including the “Delaware Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award” in 1998, the Girls, Inc. “She Knows Where She’s Going Award” in 2001, the “Outstanding Alumni Award” by the University of Delaware, and the Debnam House “Mentor Award” in 2002, the “Business Hot Shot” honor and recognized as one of Delaware’s “35 Top Women in Business” by Delaware Today magazine in 2007, and in 2003 was named a top three finalist for the “James A. Boyle Award,” a prestigious national award honoring outstanding educational entrepreneurs. Most recently, she was honored by the Delaware Small Business Administration as the “2004 Small Businessperson of the Year.”

Stewart believes strongly in giving back to her community and takes a hands-on approach. She has personally tutored children at The Debnam House in Wilmington and served as a mentor. She has also been a volunteer reader for pre-school aged children through the Read-Aloud Delaware program.

As a founding Board Member of the now 12-year-old Wilmington Women in Business Foundation, Inc., and currently Director Emeritus, Stewart helps this charitable foundation award Fresh Start Scholarships to women seeking to improve their lifestyles and opportunities by returning to school. Finally, she is active within many organizations to further the efforts of women and educators.