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Simone Castillo | Advisor, Speaker, Inclusive Economy Advocate

@sim1_castillo

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I equip entrepreneurs & changemakers with 🏦 resilience tools, saving them time & money.
🚀 CEO @velvetcanaryadvises

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OOTO 🤗 #PetitPiton by @sim1_castillo

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a month ago

We were proud to host our official NGO CSW Forum 2026 Parallel Event, “Inclusive Finance & Digital Justice: Advancing Economic Power for Women & Girls,” on March 17th at CCUN 🌍✨. With over 40 leaders joining us in person, we convened voices across policy, finance, technology, and community 🤝 to expand economic opportunity for women and girls.

From insights on capital access 💸 and financial resilience to conversations on AI 🤖, policy, and ecosystem collaboration, this was more than a panel—it was a space for connection, action, and impact 🚀.

This is what we build at VCA—rooms that move ideas forward and partnerships into action 💫

@woyacentral by @sim1_castillo

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6 months ago

During this Women’s History Month 💜, the team at Velvet Canary Advisors (VCA) is incredibly proud to contribute to the global dialogue taking place during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (#CSW70) by hosting a NGO CSW Forum 2026 Parallel Event.

✨ At VCA, ecosystem building sits at the heart of our mission.

🤝 We are honored to bring together policy leaders, founders, grassroots advocates, and global development practitioners for a conversation focused on advancing economic power, inclusive finance, and digital access for women and girls.

🚀 This event reflects what VCA does best — connecting people, ideas, and opportunities to accelerate inclusive economic growth.

💡 Three key takeaways attendees can expect:

1️⃣ Actionable strategies to expand access to inclusive finance and economic opportunities for women and girls.
2️⃣ Insights from global leaders on how partnerships across sectors can accelerate economic equity.
3️⃣ Practical pathways for ecosystem collaboration that strengthen community leadership and opportunity pipelines.

🎤 Moderator & Host
Simone Castillo — President, CEO | Velvet Canary Advisors

🌟 Panelists
Stephen Blakeley — Founder | 3B IMPACT
Barbara Horne — Grassroots Organizer, Youth Advocate | Athletes United for Peace (AUP)
Dr. Sophia Romma — UN Committee Chair | NYC Bar Association
Dana L. Wilson — Founder | CHIP

📍 Location
Church Center for the United Nations
777 United Nations Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY

📅 Date: March 17, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

🎟 Register to attend:
https://tinyurl.com/vca-pe-317

We look forward to welcoming leaders committed to collaboration, innovation, and expanding opportunity for women and girls worldwide. 🌎✨

#CSW70 #NGOCSW #WomensHistoryMonth #VelvetCanaryAdvisors by @sim1_castillo

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7 months ago

🌍 NGO CSW Forum 2026 Parallel Event 🌎

During this Women’s History Month 💜, I, am honored to host this important conversation during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, #csw70

📣“Economic Power, Inclusive Finance & Digital Access: Advancing Opportunity for Women & Girls”

This session convenes leaders across sectors to explore pathways for expanding women’s economic participation through inclusive finance, digital access, and strategic partnerships.

🎤 Moderator & Host
@sim1_castillo — President, CEO | @velvetcanaryadvises

✨ Panelists
Stephen Blakeley — Founder | 3B IMPACT
Barbara Horne — Grassroots Organizer, Youth Advocate | AUP
Dr. Sophia Romma — UN Committee Chair | NYC Bar Association
Dana L. Wilson — Founder | CHIP

📍 Church Center for the United Nations
777 United Nations Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY

🗓 March 17, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

🎟 Register:
https://tinyurl.com/vca-pe-317

Join us for a powerful dialogue on advancing economic opportunity for women and girls worldwide.

#CSW70 #NGOCSW #WomensHistoryMonth EconomicEquity InclusiveFinance #VelvetCanaryAdvisors ✨ taken in Church Center for the United Nations - CCUN by @sim1_castillo

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7 months ago

#TBT “𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩” 🌱 | 𝘝𝘊𝘈 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 💫

What a powerful way to start the day! 🌅 On October 9th, a dynamic group of leaders and innovators from the medicine, film, venture backed startups, finance, human design, and creative industries gathered for our 5th VCA Connection Circle of 2025.

Together, we explored what it truly means to lead with clarity and care.

Top takeaways included:
✨ Prioritize social wellness and authentic connection
🌳 Reconnect with nature—NYC has over 1,700 parks and recreational facilities waiting for you
🤝 Leverage community to share, learn, and play
🤖 Use AI as a thought partner, co-creator, and accelerator when applied intentionally.

This was among the most invigorating and vulnerable discussions I have had the honor to facilitate-thank you to everyone who showed up with such candor, excellence, and presence 🙏🏾 @the_aya_brand @aldogs radiantxray @careeralchemist @woyacentral

Deep gratitude to @cateluzio and the @weareluminary team for hosting us in a space that truly embodies community and collaboration. 💛

𝐕𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞. ✨

@velvetcanaryadvises ✨

#VCAConnectionCircles #EmotionalWellnessMonth #VisionaryLeadership
#WomensSmallBusinessMonth #Leadership #Community #SustainableSuccess by @sim1_castillo

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a year ago

As a proud @weareluminary member since 2022, this community has given me more than a workspace—it’s given me joy, inspiration, and meaningful connections. 🤝

From co-working alongside engaging peers across sectors, to thought-provoking conferences, to motivational programming that introduces me to multi-faceted women professionals, Luminary has been a space where I’ve grown as both a leader and collaborator. 🌟

I’m excited to bring that spirit forward at our next VCA Connection Circle: Emotional Wellness for Visionary Leadership 🌱 on Thursday, October 9 | 9–11 AM at The Luminary.

We know evenings are often filled with family, parental pick-up, or other commitments—so this morning meetup is designed to give you space to invest in yourself before the day takes over.

During this gathering, we’ll explore:
✨ Redefining Success – moving beyond grind culture to embrace leadership rooted in well-being
✨ Wellness as Strategy – practical tools to reduce burnout and lead with clarity
✨ Connected Leadership – building more inclusive, authentic, and human leadership spaces

💫 Luminary members are warmly welcome, and there are also spots available for non-Luminary members who want to join this important conversation.

📅 RSVP here: https://luminary-legacy.us.hivebrite.com/networks/events/141305 or at the 🔗 in bio ⬆️

Because wellness isn’t optional—it’s strategic. 💡

@perfectpitchgroup @joyful.latina @techwalk.co @woyacentral @travelbydesign @snarkqueen @poderhealing @moodie__vibes @the_aya_brand @mslindalopes taken in Luminary by @sim1_castillo

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✨ #TBT Last Wednesday, we gathered at the September 2025 VCA Connection Circle: “Financial Agility for Founders” — and the room was buzzing with energy.

💥From serial entrepreneurs to professionals in jewelry, HR, fashion, startups, tax law, and finance (CPAs & JDs), this circle brought together diverse leaders with one shared goal: building stronger businesses and communities.

Top takeaways:
💡 Financial agility isn’t just numbers — it’s freedom, vision, and power.
💡 Founders and executives must constantly monitor cash flow, operational efficiency, and capital readiness to lead with confidence.
💡 Relationships with CPAs, lawyers, and bankers are not optional — they’re foundational for resilience and growth.

We closed with what makes VCA circles so special — collaboration, reciprocity, and clarity.

🚀 Attendees left with new connections, practical insights, and next steps to strengthen their financial journey.

💼 This is how we move ideas, capital, and community forward — together.

@velvetcanaryadvises
#VCAConnectionCircle #FinancialAgility #BoldBusiness #AlignedDecisions #CommunityCapital by @sim1_castillo

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a year ago

⏳ Just 2 days away!

“Financial Agility for Founders” is happening this Wednesday, Sept 10 | 6–8 PM at Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails, NYC. 💼✨

💰This is where founders, funders, executives & ecosystem builders align on the money strategies that fuel growth, vision & impact.

🚀 Spots are LIMITED — don’t wait.

🎟 Lock in your spot now → https://tinyurl.com/fin-agility or at the link in bio ⬆️

Let’s close the gap, spark bold convos, and move ideas + capital forward — together. 🙌

#VCAConnectionCircle #FinancialAgility #AlignedDecisions #BoldBusiness taken in HandCraft Kitchen & Cocktails by @sim1_castillo

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a year ago

💡 Financial Agility for Founders isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the difference between scaling sustainably and burning out.

At our VCA Connection Circles, we’ve seen the impact first-hand:
✨ Founders walked away with sharper strategies to manage cash flow.
✨ Builders gained frameworks to make confident financial decisions.
✨ Partners deepened connections that sparked new collaborations.

On September 10th, we’re bringing the community together for an evening of bold conversations, clarity, and connection.

📍 Financial Agility for Founders
🗓 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 6–8 PM
📍 Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails | 367 Third Avenue, NY, NY 10016

Join fellow founders, builders, and ecosystem partners to unlock the money moves that fuel lasting success.

🎟 RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gu9WvUvD or at the link in bio ⬆️

#FinancialAgility #VCAConnectionCircle #StartupSuperstars #SmallBizSuccess taken in HandCraft Kitchen & Cocktails by @sim1_castillo

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a year ago

💡 Big ideas grow in the right soil — and with the right circle.

🗓️ On Sept 10, join founders + builders for “Financial Agility for Founders”.

🌍 Build community.
💸 Sharpen your financial strategy.
✨ Make your next power move.

🎟️ Secure your seat: https://tinyurl.com/fin-agility or at the link in bio ⬆️ by @sim1_castillo

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a year ago

#FBF 🌟 Thrilled to have spent August 6–7 at @weareluminary’s Black Business Month Experience.

As a proud Luminary member 💡, I loved how intentionally the event brought together Black women business owners, thought leaders, corporate executives and their allies.

The conversations, connections, and energy made it one of the true highlights of my month 📅.

I also enjoyed bumping into fellow members and discovering local vendors whose products were clearly made with care and built to last 🛍️.

Big thanks to @cateluzio the Luminary team for such a powerful gathering 🖤.

@oneplusoneaccounting @sharistea @real_resilience_ @the_aya_brand @layramarz

#BlackBusinessMonth #Luminary #Entrepreneurship #Leadership by @sim1_castillo

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💡 Invest in Yourself, Your Network & Your Financial Agility!

Join @velvetcanaryadvises for Financial Agility for Founders on Tuesday, September 10 | 6–8 PM.

📍 Location: Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails, NYC | 367 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016

📩 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/evgUW5bg or at the link in bio ⬆️

This is your chance to:
✨ Strengthen your financial agility and growth strategies
🤝 Connect with like-minded founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders
💼 Align with collaborators who can help you reach your next milestone

A room full of strategy, synergy, and bold moves awaits. Invest in yourself, your network, and your next big step!

Seats are limited, your voice belongs in this circle.

#VCAConnectionCircle #FinancialAgility #Startups #SmallBizSuccess #Networking #Founders by @sim1_castillo

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