Pamela Prince‑Eason Piney Flats, Tennessee Obituary – The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Pamela Prince‑Eason, its President and Chief Executive Officer, who died early this morning at her home in Piney Flats, Tennessee. A longtime resident of Kingsport, TN, Pamela’s unexpected death has sent shockwaves through the supplier diversity and women’s business communities across the nation.
A National Advocate and Leader
Pamela Prince‑Eason assumed leadership of WBENC in April 2011, becoming the driving force behind its mission to advance women-owned businesses. Under her stewardship, WBENC became the premier authority for certifying and advocating for women business owners. According to WBENC’s timeline, she led transformative programs and partnerships that expanded national recognition and corporate support for female entrepreneurs (etsualumni.org).
During her tenure, Pamela served as a key advisor to government agencies and corporate entities on supplier diversity and inclusion. Her strategic contributions shaped policies and business practices ensuring that women-owned businesses gain equitable access to procurement opportunities. She often spoke at White House forums and industry summits, underscoring her role as both an advocate and policymaker.
A Grounded Tennessee Native
Born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, Pamela Prince‑Eason retained a deep connection to her hometown and the Appalachian region. She was a graduate of East Tennessee State University, where she began shaping her vision of community-driven leadership. Alumni records credit her with fostering lifelong mentorship networks that benefited both her and her mentees .
Living in Piney Flats, Pamela cultivated a life grounded in family and service. According to her close circle, she valued small-town roots and carried that sense of community into every boardroom, conference, and meeting she attended.
A Legacy of Impact and Empowerment
Her colleagues and mentees consistently described Pamela as “a force of nature,” whose professional influence was matched only by her personal generosity. Shakira Brown, a WBENC colleague, shared: “Pam was more than a leader—she was a trailblazer, a tireless advocate, and a friend to so many of us in the supplier diversity space. Her legacy and impact will forever shape this work and the lives it touches.”
One of her longtime colleagues, John M. Eason, reflected,
“It is with a heavy heart and a crushed spirit that I must say goodbye to my Best Friend, Soulmate, and Reason to get up in the mornings. … You will and are missed by the many MANY lives you impacted in your short time on this earth.”
Her support extended far beyond formal roles. She was known for showing up unannounced when others needed guidance—often impacting lives before people even realized they needed it. Licia shared she was “in awe” of Pamela from their first meeting and felt eternally grateful to have been one of many whose life she transformed.
National and Local Mourning
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) community also released a statement mourning “the loss of an impactful leader who elevated the supplier diversity sector.” Local organizations in East Tennessee, including the Women’s Business Center of Tri-Cities, have announced plans to host virtual and in-person memorials to pay tribute to her service in the region.
Survived by Family and Community
Pamela leaves behind her immediate family, including her beloved father, whose memory she honored throughout her life. She is remembered by siblings, extended family, and countless friends and colleagues. The entire WBENC Board of Directors extends its “deepest condolences to her family, the WBENC team, and everyone who had the honor of knowing her,” as noted by WBENC President Shakira Brown .
Honoring a Trailblazer’s Memory
Pamela Prince‑Eason’s legacy will live on through the countless women entrepreneurs whose businesses she helped flourish, the policies she shaped, and the network of support she built. Her life demonstrated that leadership grounded in compassion and humility can move industries, communities, and individual lives.
WBENC has announced that they will share details shortly about a commemorative event in Pamela’s honor. Memorial contributions are being directed through WBENC’s legacy fund, established earlier this year to mentor emerging women business leaders.
Pamela Prince‑Eason’s sudden departure has left a gap in the supplier diversity field that will be deeply felt. In honoring her memory, organizations across the country will continue the path she carved—a path marked by opportunity, inclusion, and unwavering support for women entrepreneurs.
Rest in peace, Pamela Prince‑Eason
