(Saipan, MP) Women entrepreneurs and small business owners will have an opportunity to strengthen their business knowledge and disaster preparedness through the upcoming Women’s Entrepreneurship Project small business training program hosted by the CNMI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at the Northern Marianas College. Now in its sixth cohort, this year’s program is designed to equip women and their businesses with practical information and resources to help them navigate financial challenges, protect business assets, and build more resilient enterprises against disasters including firming up their digital security against cyber crime. Following recent natural disaster events and more frequent cyber breaches in the Marianas, the training summit comes at an opportune time.
Featured Expert Presenters and Topics
Think Before You Click: Business Essentials for Shoring Up Cyber Security Preparedness; Presented By: Herman M. Kintol, Owner & Managing Partner, KRS Cyberworx, LLC.
This session will highlight no-cost measures business owners can immediately implement to reduce cyber security risks. Discussions will include recognizing phishing attempts, strengthening passwords and multifactor authentication, securing business devices and networks, protecting sensitive customer information, and developing an action plan for responding to potential cyber incidents. Participants will learn how to recognize common cyber threats, identify security gap vulnerabilities and develop and implement a plan of action with multiple strategic tools to protect their network and data in this session designed to arm business owners with no-cost to affordable and accessible resources to prevent cyber breaches, mitigating financial risk and loss.
Presenter Herman M. Kintol is an information technology and cyber security professional with over 16 years of progressive experience directing multi-site network operations, enterprise cybersecurity initiatives, and mid- to large-scale IT network solution builds across the CNMI. Previously serving as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) under the Office of the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), Kintol is now a small business owner, leading cross-functional teams to modernize public and private sector IT systems. Kintol is an expert in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compliance frameworks, IT network optimization design and deployment and risk mitigation, and is certified across the following globally recognized organizations: ISC2, CompTIA, CISCO and Pearson Certiport where he holds the following professional certifications: CISSP, A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, CCNP, CCNA Security & IT Specialist.
Building Financial Resilience: Assembling Your Financial Recovery Toolkit; Presented By: Tina Azarvand, Esq., LL.M., Managing Partner, Azarvand Tax Law
Participants who attend this session will learn how to build financial resilience pre-disaster by taking recommended steps towards assembling a financial recovery toolkit. Attendees will explore potential tax deductions, credits, and other tax relief provisions that may be available to eligible businesses affected by disasters. Participants will learn about best practices related to documentation and recordkeeping considerations, available resources and the importance of consulting qualified tax professionals to determine which provisions may apply to their circumstances.
Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, and now a resident of Saipan, Tina Azarvand is the Managing Partner of
Azarvand Tax Law, a firm founded on transparency, accessibility, and strong client relationships. Her team provides multilingual tax law services in English, Tagalog, Spanish and French, ensuring clients can navigate complex financial matters with clarity and confidence. Azarvand has been recognized nationally for her excellence and community service—earning the Super Lawyers Rising Star honor and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch distinction for four consecutive years, as well as the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Young Volunteer of the Year Award in 2022. With extensive experience as both a tax attorney and tax manager, she brings a comprehensive understanding of business taxation and federal compliance that bridges the gap between law and accounting.
Building Operational Resilience: Improving Strategic Disaster Preparedness & Recovery; Presented By: James “Jim” Arenovski, Owner, Island Training Solutions
This session will equip businesses with tools to strengthen operations long-term and prepare for future disasters. Participants will learn about cash flow management and utilizing loan funds strategically for quicker business response and recovery. Rebuilding customer bases, business continuity and planning will be covered lending to emergency preparedness and the development of a business recovery roadmap to help businesses rebound despite challenges following a disaster.
Trainer James “Jim” Arenovski is the owner and president of Island Training Solutions, Prime Group Inc., and Delta Management Corporation. With over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, he has led multiple award-winning companies across the CNMI and Guam, including Shell-branded gas stations, Delta Auto Parts, and Church’s Chicken Guam. Jim founded Island Training Solutions in 2006 to advance workforce certification, credentialing and professional development in the CNMI.
Program Details
- Event: Women’s Entrepreneurship Project Cohort #6 Summit: Building Beyond Recovery
- Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
- Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Location: Kevin’s, Aqua Resort Club
- Cost: No-cost Training Fee applied; however, participants must be a registered CNMI SBDC client; contact us on how to register to become a client or if over-the-phone assistance is needed
The event will begin promptly at 8:40 AM with a ten-minute registration lead time. Participants are asked to arrive on time to avoid disruption of presenting speakers. Temperatures may vary; attendees are encouraged to bring a light sweater for comfort. Interested individuals may register at https://marianas.
Women entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners and small business representatives are encouraged to participate. Attendees must complete all (7) sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion. To ensure an optimum learning environment, this summit has been designated as an age 18 or older event.
The training program provides an opportunity for participants to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, learn about business support resources, and gain practical insights they can apply to their operations. “Women entrepreneurs are essential contributors to economic growth and community resilience,” said Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol, Network Director of the CNMI SBDC. “By providing access to relevant training and knowledgeable presenters, we aim to empower women business owners with information they can use to make informed decisions, safeguard their businesses and prepare for unexpected challenges.”
About the CNMI Small Business Development Center Network
The CNMI SBDC Network is hosted by the Northern Marianas College, and supports entrepreneurship and small business development by providing educational opportunities, training, technical assistance, and access to resources that help businesses start, grow and succeed. Through initiatives such as this program, the organization works to strengthen business capacity and promote economic opportunity in the Commonwealth. Follow us on social media to learn more, and stay up to date on upcoming events and opportunities on Instagram @cnmisbdc or Facebook @CNMI Small Business Development Center. Updates can also be found on our website at www.cnmisbdc.com.