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Firm Note · August 27, 2026 · 2 min read

24 Hour Search Is Now WBENC Certified

24 Hour Search LLC is certified as a Women's Business Enterprise through WBENC.

24 Hour Search LLC is certified as a Women's Business Enterprise by WBEC Metro NY, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). WBENC Certification is the gold standard for women-owned business certification in the United States.

Women hold approximately 38% of commercial real estate industry roles but only about 9% of C-suite positions, according to CREW Network's 2025 Benchmark Study, conducted in partnership with the MIT Center for Real Estate.

Women make up a small share of leadership in commercial real estate. I've spent my whole career inside that gap. Being certified as a woman-owned business in an industry that has underrepresented women since its inception means a lot to me, and I'm proud to have built this firm on my own name.

Kristin Taylor, Founder and Managing Member

What certification means

The WBENC standard implemented by WBEC Metro NY is a meticulous process, including an in-depth review of the business and a site inspection. It confirms the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women, with the appropriate structure and strategic business planning in place.

By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs, which in turn empowers women as leaders and helps build a more diverse, balanced, and sustainable economy.

WBENC Certification, combined with professional development and engagement in the WBENC network, provides opportunities year-round, virtually and in person, for women-owned businesses to grow through events, programming, and connections with major corporations and other WBEs.

24 Hour Search LLC is a boutique executive search firm based in Fishkill, New York, specializing in commercial real estate and professional services placements. The firm runs retained methodology with no retainer, led personally by Founder and Managing Member Kristin Taylor. Learn more about how we work or get in touch.

About WBENC

Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation's leader in women's business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 18,000 certified Women's Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and more than 500 Corporate Members, most of which are Fortune 500 companies. For more information, visit wbenc.org and buywomenowned.com.

Kristin Taylor Connelly

Kristin Taylor Connelly

Founder, 24 Hour Search

Kristin Taylor Connelly is the Founder and Managing Member of 24 Hour Search, an executive search and talent advisory firm serving commercial real estate, professional services, and growth-oriented owners and operators. She partners with leadership teams on Director-through-C-suite hiring, with a focus on reducing the risk of a high-stakes leadership hire.

LinkedInkristin@24hoursearch.com

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