Aventi CEO Sworn In as President of the NAWBO Columbus Foundation Board

Aventi Enterprises CEO steps into leadership role supporting the advancement and development of women business owners in Central Ohio.

From left to right: Deonna Barnett, CEO & Director of Consulting at Aventi Enterprises; Miglena Kotevski, VP & Program Manager at Huntington Bank; Sharon DeLay, CEO & Owner of GO HR; Not Pictured: Michelle Casper, Founder & Owner of The Retail Law Group

COLUMBUS,OH - On August 6, 2026, Deonna Barnett, CEO & Director of Consulting of Aventi Enterprises, was officially sworn in as President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Columbus Foundation Board in Columbus, OH.

The NAWBO Columbus Foundation is a sister organization to NAWBO Columbus and plays

an important role in supporting educational programs, research, and grant-making initiatives for women businesses in central Ohio. Joining her on the Board is Sharon DeLay, CEO & Owner of GO HR (Board Vice President); Miglena Kotevski, VP & Program Manager at Huntington Bank (Board Treasurer); and Michelle Casper, Founder & Owner of The Retail Law Group (Board Secretary).

For Deonna, the appointment is a continuation of her commitment to helping business owners build stronger companies and gain greater access to opportunities.

“I am honored to serve as President of the NAWBO Columbus Foundation Board,” Deonna said. “Women entrepreneurs make an incredible contribution to our economy and our communities. I look forward to working alongside our Board to strengthen the resources, relationships, and opportunities available to women business owners throughout Central Ohio.”

A Commitment to Small Business Growth

Deonna has spent years working within the small business ecosystem, helping entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, pursue contracting opportunities, access resources, and position their companies for sustainable growth.

Her work in the Columbus, OH business community has also earned recognition, including being named the 2024 Small Business Leader by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Serving as the Foundation's Board President provides another avenue for Deonna to contribute to an entrepreneurial ecosystem that has been an important part of her own leadership journey.

Deonna's appointment comes at a time when women-owned businesses continue to represent an important and growing part of the entrepreneurial landscape. Yet access to capital, contracts, relationships, technical assistance, and growth opportunities remain critical issues for women-owned businesses. Organizations such as the NAWBO Columbus Foundation can play an important role in helping close those gaps by bringing together entrepreneurs, corporations, community partners, and resources around a shared commitment to business growth.

For more information about NAWBO Columbus and the NAWBO Columbus Foundation, visit www.nawbocbus.org.