This week, “Saturday Mornings Show” host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys sit down with Minnie Venkatachalam, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at WEConnect International, a global non-profit dedicated to driving money into the hands of women business owners. With over 180 member buyers representing more than US$4 trillion in annual purchasing power, WEConnect is reshaping the global supply chain by connecting certified women-owned businesses with large corporates, multilateral institutions, and government buyers.

Minnie shares how WEConnect identifies, educates, and certifies businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, managed, and controlled—helping them compete in the global marketplace. From capability-building workshops to matchmaking sessions and inclusive sourcing programmes, WEConnect is creating real pathways for women entrepreneurs to scale and thrive.

We explore how this network of 20,000+ women-owned businesses is transforming procurement practices across Asia-Pacific, and why supplier diversity is not just good ethics—it’s smart economics.