Kim Drumgo – EMPOWER Conference Speaker Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Geisinger Health System Presentation: Inclusive Companies and Communities The last two years has caused significant shifts in the workplace, demographically and interpersonally. Now more than ever, organizations are grappling with the effects of the “Great Resignation” and are competing for talent locally and nationally. In this session, Kim will provide insight into how companies and the communities they serve can increase resilience and aptitude for change, attract talent, grow engagement, and allow for better relationships between people from different perspectives and experiences. Bio: Kim Drumgo, MBA, is the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for Geisinger, an integrated health services organization that serves more than 3 million residents through 45 counties in central, south-central, and northeast Pennsylvania with over 24,000 employees. In her role at Geisinger, Kim provides strategic leadership and support of DEI programs across the health system. Her current focus areas include fostering inclusive cultures, talent attraction and growth, community health equity, and supplier diversity. With over 25 years of experience, Kim is recognized as a thought leader with demonstrated experience leading change initiatives in large matrixed organizations such as Anthem, AICPA, and BCBS. In the last 15 years, Kim has established multiple inaugural DEI offices and revitalized a fortune 30 DEI program to align the accountability of DEI with its 70,000 employees strategically. As an expert in the field of diversity management, Kim has been cited or featured in Becker’s Hospital Review, Chief Healthcare Executive, Profiles in Diversity Journal, Diversity Network Journal, Diversity Manager, The Journal of Accountancy, and many other publications and conferences. Kim is the past chairman of the PhD Project board and member of the Conference Board Diversity Council. She continues to serve as an advisor to many other entities focused on diversity and inclusion. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public health from UNC Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland. GET TICKETS
Brittany Cesarini – EMPOWER Conference Panelist Director of Communications, Global Health Corps Presentation: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Brittany Cesarini is the director of communications at Global Health Corps, an international nonprofit working to develop rising leaders in the U.S., East and Southern Africa, and beyond. In her role, she oversees internal communications, messaging and storytelling, branding, content creation and editorial, and digital communications. Over the past decade, she’s worked with hundreds of young leaders to find, hone, and share their voices to accelerate progress towards health equity. Brittany has also spoken and facilitated at numerous global events including Diversity Reboot 2021, Women Leaders in Global Health 2021, and New York University’s Social Innovation Symposium in 2020. Prior to her work at Global Health Corps, Brittany led communications and legislative affairs for a Bronx-based New York City Council member, focusing on key health and immigration issues in the poorest Congressional district in the U.S. She began her career working at the intersection of strategic communications and grassroots health advocacy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as the recipient of the Henry Richardson Labouisse ’26 Prize. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a double minor in gender studies and African studies from Princeton University. She has also trained in effective coaching with LifeLabs, effective management with The Management Center, and “writing to change the world” with The Op-Ed Project. Fluent in Swahili and an avid reader, writer, and hiker, Brittany currently lives in NEPA with her husband and their young son. GET TICKETS
Nicole Strauser – EMPOWER Conference Moderator Vice President, Beneficiary Fulfillment, Prudential Enabling Solutions Presentation Moderator: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Nicole Strauser, vice president, beneficiary fulfillment, has over 20 years of experience with Prudential. In her current role, Nicole is responsible for delivering final promises for group insurance, individual life insurance, annuities, and retirement customers. She has been focused on strengthening Prudential’s operational discipline and empowering associates via ideation and customer obsession to transform our customer experience. Prior to her current role, Nicole held various roles across Prudential’s retirement organization including the contact center, client services, and all back office operations from money in, money out, to complex record keeping. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marywood University. She is a Series 6, 99, and 26 registered principal. Nicole currently sits on the board for Leadership Northeast, a local non-profit focused on creating servant leaders in the community. Nicole also serves as the Prudential executive site lead for the Scranton office and the executive sponsor of the Scranton PRIDE BRG. GET TICKETS
Brooke Lipperini – EMPOWER Conference Panelist Regional Manager, Human Resources, CANPACK US Presentation: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Brooke Lipperini, SHRM-SCP, has over 15 years of professional experience in human resources, primarily in manufacturing organizations. Currently, she is the regional manager, human resources at CANPACK US, a manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans. Prior to joining CANPACK US, she was the human resources manager at The AZEK Company, a manufacturer of premium building products in Scranton. Lipperini holds a SHRM-SCP certification and has been awarded the Veterans at Work Certificate by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation. She has served on the NEPA SHRM board of directors since 2017 and currently holds the role of president elect. Brooke also serves on the board of directors of Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Brooke lives in Olyphant with her two children, fiancé, and two dogs. GET TICKETS
Chamber Announces 2022 EMPOWER NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference The Chamber is pleased to announce its 2022 EMPOWER NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference will be held on Thursday, April 28 at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Pocono Manor, PA, sponsored by Geisinger. This year, EMPOWER will be bigger and better than ever! Themed Resilient, Together, the 2022 conference will feature even MORE dynamic speakers, total of 18, who will arm attendees with information, encourage them to pursue new opportunities, and inspire them to conquer current challenges. Offering multiple tracks, this year’s conference will also offer a new interactive wellness studio, an ever-growing vendor marketplace, small group meet-ups, mini sessions and an engaging event app. Some of this year’s speakers include Katie Leonard, Ed.D., president and CEO, Johnson College; Marianne Gilmartin, Esq., shareholder, Stevens & Lee; Sarah Effertz, owner, Blu Elefante Events; Lisa Rigau, RN, certified lifestyle medicine professional, and owner, Healthy Lifestyle Management; Elika Almeida, motivational speaker and life coach; Chelsea Manganaro, owner, Nearme Yoga and Nearme Café; Karen Darby, wealth management advisor, Jacobi Capital Management; plus more. EMPOWER is the premier Women’s Leadership Conference in NEPA and highlights the ability all women have to create positive change in their communities and in their own lives – both professionally and personally – while recognizing the extraordinary power that exists when women come together to support each other. Tickets sell out every year! Get them today. Tickets, speaker bios, and more information are available at here.
2022 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Announced The Chamber is pleased to announce Maria Montoro Edwards, Ph.D., president & CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc., as the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Dr. Montoro Edwards embodies these characteristics whole-heartedly. For more than 25 years Dr. Montoro Edwards has made significant strides as a non-profit and education leader, including success in securing, implementing, and stewarding public and private funding. In 2018, she was instrumental in connecting community partners and securing funding for Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) program in support of neonatal abstinence syndrome – which has served more than 100 expectant and new mothers across the region. At her current role as president of Maternal and Family Health Services, she is unafraid to meet the needs of the community’s most underserved members through innovation. She is currently working to bring new care models to our region for pregnancy and depression. She leads with a focus on equity and inclusion as the organization meets changing community needs and is connecting with staff and community members to find new opportunities to have a positive impact on women, children, and families. Dr. Montoro Edwards has been involved with more than 25 organizations locally for over 15 years. Currently, she serves on the boards for the Community Intervention Center, NEPA Rainbow Alliance, and Northeast Pennsylvania Nonprofit Community Assistance Center. She was also among those honored at the 2021 IHM Sisters Celebration for her work in the community and is the 2021 recipient of the Women in Philanthropy Margaretta Belin Chamberlin award. “Dr. Montoro Edwards is no doubt making positive and inspiring advances in the local non-profit sector and to the care of individuals in our community who need it most,” says Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “We commend her for the work she has done so far and congratulate her as the 2022 recipient of this prestigious award.” The ATHENA Award will be presented to Dr. Montoro Edwards at the Chamber’s International Women’s Day Luncheon on March 8, held at Marywood University and sponsored by Honesdale National Bank. Tickets can be purchased here. The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient. The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank.
Jackie Kerekes – EMPOWER Wellness Presenter Owner, The Training Loft Wellness Presentation: POUND Pound is a fun, energizing workout developed through playing the drums. We use light-weight drumsticks to make some noise with a cardio jam session. This workout has you sweating while moving to the beat of energy-filled music. Whatever your fitness level is, join us! We sit, stand, and get on the floor to rock out and burn yours legs, arms, and abs. Bio: Jackie Kerekes is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer and NASM certified fitness nutrition specialist. She is also group fitness certified through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America and has taught many different classes throughout the area. Her specialties include strength training, core strength, HIIT, Fit Factor, and Pound. Jackie has a life-long passion for fitness and nutrition and loves coaching individual clients and embracing positive results with them. Jackie’s personal training boutique, The Training Loft, located in Clarks Summit, offers one-on-one personal training, small group training, nutrition coaching, and some group classes. Recently relocating her studio and adding a smoothie bar that is open to the public, Jackie is excited to offer healthy, delicious options for a meal or snack on the go! Jackie believes fitness and nutrition fits into everyone’s life, no matter how busy. Exercise in some form every day helps the mind, as well as the body! Whatever your age or gender, there is a fit for you! As a proud mom to four amazing kids, Jackie has the drive and energy to pursue her dream of sharing a passion for fitness, nutrition, and wellness with the community. GET TICKETS
Applications Open for Leadership Collegiate Program APPLY Leadership Lackawanna, the premier community leadership and professional development affiliate of the Chamber, has opened applications for its Leadership Collegiate program. The program is open to students currently enrolled in a trade school, college, or university anywhere in the United States. The courses will be offered March 7 through April 18 and participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are six mandatory, one-hour Zoom meetings throughout the course. This 6-week virtual program, consisting of online modules, will provide current and aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience – complete with a variety of personal and professional development skills that are ideal for building a solid resume and honing leadership, interview, and career readiness skills. In addition, the opportunity to connect with students from around the state and build connections via a private LinkedIn group will be plentiful. This program is co-facilitated by Leadership Lackawanna executive director, Nicole Morristell and 68 Rising leadership consultant, Dr. Matthew Sowcik. Cost for Leadership Collegiate is $300 per person with payment plans and scholarships available. Applications close on February 25. Apply at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com.
