Liz Aakhus was initially volunteering for another Oakland-based organization teaching refugee kids English. While helping this family acclimate and access other social services, Liz discovered C.E.O. Women. She attended an informational session and was immediately impressed by the practical training that C.E.O. Women provides low-income immigrant and refugee women.

Liz soon became a Volunteer Technical Assistance Provider where she was matched with recent graduates requiring her assistance in various business-related ways. She helped one graduate create an Excel database while assisting another graduate with creating business cards for networking

Liz loved working with C.E.O. Women graduates and began volunteering as a Business Coach and was matched with Sunny Suppa, owner of 5ft2in (www.5ft2in.com). Within three months, Liz assisted Sunny in creating a website to not only promote her business but to sell her pants for petite women.

Even after completing this additional volunteer commitment, Liz continues to be actively involved with C.E.O. Women. Just this past December, Liz attended Storefront Presentations, where client presented the businesses they were launching and networked with guests. Masami Suruki, a C.E.O. Women graduate and business owner, was also there as a guest and told Liz her story of becoming a client and opening her own business.

Liz gives a C.E.O. Women client feedback on her business plan portfolio at the Storefront Presentations.

When asked what keeps her involved, Liz replied, "The women that I work with keep me involved. Working with Sunny made me realize that even if I don't have the technical skills to answer her questions that I can still provide her with critical feedback she needs to move to the next level...It's a breath of fresh air meeting these women. I get so much out of working with C.E.O. Women graduates and am so grateful I get to work with them in starting and expanding their businesses."