Bpeace Empowers Business Leaders to build thriving communities
Our mission
We support business leaders in challenging environments by connecting them with volunteer experts to foster sustainable growth, generate jobs, and uplift communities.
With particular focus on women, minorities, and underserved groups, we aim to expand economic opportunities and transform thousands of lives.
Over 20 years of Business expertise forging resilientand peaceful communities
Bpeace's story
After the tumultuous aftermath of 9/11, Bpeace co-founder and former CEO Toni Maloney found herself at a United Nations Symposium in Geneva, surrounded by 700 women all asking themselves, “What could they do as women to broker peace?”
Inspired by the idea that business could contribute to global harmony, Toni and five colleagues from New York City founded Bpeace (The Business Council for Peace). Their mission: empower women business owners in conflict-ridden and developing regions to grow their enterprises.
Initially focusing on countries like Afghanistan and Rwanda, where women lacked voice and opportunity, Bpeace provided skills, mentorship, and resources to help women succeed as business leaders. By fostering economic independence and wealth creation, Bpeace aimed to catalyze lasting community change and, ultimately, contribute to peace.
Bpeace was founded in Geneva during the U.N. Global Peace Initiative of Women when five women came together after the tragedy of 9/11. They envisioned Bpeace as a solution to foster a more peaceful world.
Bpeace started in Afghanistan and Rwanda, supporting women-led businesses. Over 10 years, we partnered Afghan and Rwandan businesswomen with U.S. companies. Bpeace earned support from Secretary of State John Kerry, and former CEO Tony Maloney received The Andrew Goodman Foundation Hidden Heroes Award. The Clinton Global Initiative also invited Bpeace to its annual meeting.
Bpeace expands to El Salvador with a seed grant from the Citi Foundation. Since then, Bpeace has developed numerous programs to boost the growth of small and medium-sized businesses and to enhance women business leaders' leadership skills.
Bpeace launched in Guatemala with a grant from the State Department. Since then, we’ve rolled out numerous programs to boost small businesses and have partnered with major local corporations that support our mission.
In partnership with SPARK, Bpeace launches a program in Lebanon focused on upskilling 20 business-oriented Syrian refugee women. These women studied with scholarships provided by SPARK and benefited from enhanced job opportunities in fragile states.
After the COVID-19 crisis, Bpeace entered the U.S. market to support Black-owned and diverse businesses heavily impacted by the pandemic. Since then, we have developed programs focused on minorities, diversity, and veteran-owned American businesses.
Bpeace marks 20 years of impact with a remarkable event bringing together business leaders, volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters for an evening of celebration and fundraising, setting the stage for the next 20 years of success.
Our team
Diverse perspective, unified purpose
We value diversity and representation in our team, Executive Council, and Board of Directors. We bring together local cultural expertise, global business acumen, and passion for sustainable change.
