About The Founder

About the Founder

Tonya McNeal-Weary

Executive Director & Founder

Tonya McNeal-Weary formed Michigan Association for Female Entrepreneurs in 2003 with the goal of helping women entrepreneurs gain access to business opportunities, and to encourage women to maximize those opportunities and overcome the challenges facing women business owners today.

Tonya is an accomplished entrepreneur, having started several successful companies throughout Michigan. Tonya is a Certified Entrepreneurship Teacher, a designation awarded by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Tonya has traveled the globe to support women's initiatives and to support women in business worldwide. She is committed to strengthening the community by working in partnership with other organizations that support women in business, careers, education, and leadership.

Tonya has earned numerous awards including the Entrepreneurs of Distinction Award (Corp! Magazine), Women Making A Powerful Difference Award (Ebony Magazine), AXA Achievement Award (National Association of Women MBAs), Paul S. Mills Award (Foundation for Financial Service Professionals), National Collegiate Minority Leadership Award, National Collegiate Business Award, National Leadership Award, and the Entrepreneurship 101 Award for her outstanding leadership in the field of business creativity and entrepreneurship.

Tonya as been featured in several media outlets including Corp! Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Focus On Small Business Magazine (Small Business Association of Michigan), Michigan Chronicle, Michigan Citizens, Crain’s Detroit Business, Motor City Review, Dr. Jimmy Womack Show (WGPR 107.5 FM), and Entrepreneurs of Detroit Radio 1400 AM.

Tonya holds an MBA in International Business from Walsh College and a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Davenport University. Read more about Tonya McNeal-Weary.