Janice Greene grew up in Everett , Washington , her early life shaped in large part by racial discrimination . She lived in a white neighborhood where homeowners created a petition to try to keep her family out . She was the only black student in her class until high school and learned at a young age how to adapt to her surroundings in order to survive . Greene also determined that she would have to work harder and smarter than those around her to succeed . A strong support network of family and friends gave her the courage to do so .
Janice Greene — President & CEO , WBEC — PACIFIC
After graduating from high school , Greene found a job bundling wires at Boeing ’ s Everett plant . She recognized that there were opportunities to advance within the company , but didn ’ t know how to take advantage of them . When she asked , she was told she needed to get an associate ’ s degree , and so she did . She shifted roles and subsequently earned her bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degrees , earning promotions in the factory while overcoming many obstacles related to being black and female in the workplace . Working harder and smarter and adapting to her environment brought her success , albeit hard earned .
Janice ’ s drive kept her pushing forward and she eventually moved into Human Resources , earned her PhD , and joined Boeing ’ s Supplier Management and Supplier Diversity team . There she had the opportunity to work directly with diverse-owned businesses that were part of Boeing ’ s supply chain and found her passion , advocating for veteran , minority , women and women-of-color owned companies that faced many of the same challenges she had overcome growing up and throughout her career .
WBEC
Greene retired from Boeing after 39 years but “ re-fired ” as the executive director of the Pacific Chapter of the Women ’ s Business Enterprise Council ( WBEC ) in 2017 . The Women ’ s Business Enterprise National Council ( WBENC ) was founded in 1997 to develop a nationwide standard for women-owned business certification . Since then , the organization has grown to become the United States ’ largest third-party certifier of businesses owned , controlled , and operated by women . Its mission is to fuel economic growth by identifying , certifying , and facilitating the development of women-owned businesses around the world . The Pacific Chapter , founded in 2000 , serves Alaska , Idaho , Montana , Northern California , Oregon and Washington . It is one of 14 regional chapters across the country .
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