Business Magazine March 2023

The role of women in top management and leadership positions has evolved. Today, women leaders have become rock stars, especially in areas of business, education and entrepreneurship — a vital part of the economy.

Prior to taking the helm at Mercyhurst, Getz was the dean at the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University Maryland, dean at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago, and senior associate dean for Academic Affairs at the Kogod School of Business at American University. She earned her doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, master of business administration from Gannon University and bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University.

Getz has been a speaker for the Department of State International Visitors Program, the Washington Board of Trade, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Baltimore Better Business Bureau, Baltimore County Catholic Business Network, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the Chicago Tribune’s Trib U, the Hank Center for Catholic Intellectual Heritage, American University Beirut, Fundació Dom Cabral (Belo Horizonte, Brazil), Kiwanis Club of Erie, and many other organizations. She is former associate editor for the journal Business & Society and past president of the International Association for Business and Society. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including recognition as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Fellow of the International Association for Business and Society, and Aspen Institute Fellow.

PRESENTED BY:

BANKING

For what’s next™

Executive Editor

Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org

Contributing Writers

Eileen Anderson

Rose Bruno

Jezree Friend

Lori Joint

Jamie Schumacher

FEATURES

WHAT’S INSIDE | FEATURED STORY

3 Women in Leadership

Preparing for the next generation.

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

4 Northwest Bank

Senior Vice President and Erie Commercial Market Executive Anita Kuchcinski shares how Northwest Bank is supporting women in the workforce and assisting employers, especially women-led and women-owned businesses, with their business and personal banking needs.

SPOTLIGHT Q&A | INSIGHTS

9 Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., the 13th president of Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, explains what leadership means to her and the importance of empowering women to pursue leadership opportunities in their respective fields. Getz will be the featured speaker at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s (MBA) Women in Leadership IMPACT Luncheon on March 23 at the MBA Conference Center in Erie.

EDITORIAL

LEGAL BRIEF | CONSIDER THIS

13 The legal landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion. Jamie Schumacher

ON THE HILL | AGENDA

15 MBA Government Affairs Department shares State of the Association.

Feature Photography

Rob Frank R. Frank Media

Additional Photography

Karen Torres

Patty Welther

Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. info@printingconceptsonline.com

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Frank Mehler 814/833-3200 fmehler@mbausa.org

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On the Cover: Northwest Bank has a dynamic team of women bankers. Among them are: Jen Stewart, assistant vice president, Treasury Management advisor; Brandy Brine, assistant vice president, portfolio manager; Caren Totleben, senior administrative support; Katie Ruffa, senior vice president of Commercial Banking; Senior Vice President and Erie Commercial Market Executive Anita Kuchcinski; Angie McClimans, Erie downtown branch manager; Nancy Gardner, senior vice president, portfolio management team lead; and Amanda Schodt, portfolio management specialist. For full story, see page 4.

Mission Statement: The Manufacturer & Business Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests. – Board of Governors

Manufacturer & Business Association

Headquarters: 2171 West 38th Street Erie, PA. 16508

Pittsburgh: 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 2224 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 814/833-3200 |800/815-2660 | mbausa.org

Eileen Anderson and Jezree Friend

INSERT | TRAINING CATALOG

Train to lead! MBA showcases new professional development, HR and computer courses.

As part of our mission to make a real difference in our hometown communities, Marquette is proud to Mpower™ women to pursue their dreams and realize success in leadership. And we applaud every woman whose achievements have broken barriers and helped pave the way for others.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP PREPARING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Each year, March is designated as Women’s History Month to honor women’s contributions in American history. It’s also the perfect time to recognize their contributions as leaders in business and industry — including health care, manufacturing, technology, education and more.

The impact of women leaders in business, especially to the bottom line, is certainly worth noting. Businesses with more women in senior leadership positions experience greater productivity, higher profitability and better company performance, according to a recent report from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, which found a 10-percent increase in female top-tier managers at organizations led to an average 6.6-percent increase in market value. Companies with a female CEO saw a 5-percent increase in market value.

However, while the last year saw small gains in the number of women at every leadership level, women are still far outnumbered in vice president, senior vice president and C-suite roles, where less than 30 percent of leaders are women, according to McKinsey’s 2021 “Women in the Workplace” report.

The report finds that women remain plagued by the “broken rung”: They’re promoted to the role of manager at lower rates, stalling efforts to keep progress moving, especially into higher-level leadership roles.

Experts suggest organizations can do more to recruit, retain and develop female leaders, starting with an honest assessment and inventory of their hiring, promotion and compensation as well as support of female employees in their growth and development. According to Forbes, here are a few suggestions to help companies get ahead and develop the next generation of women leaders at every level:

1. Talk to women in your organization — at all levels — and ask them questions. Find out what’s working and what’s not in terms of career growth, flexibility and

culture. When women are leaving the organization, find out why. This research process should provide plenty of insight into how you can improve parental leave, work conditions for caretakers, upskilling, mentoring and more.

2. Focus on recognition and succession. To stamp out inequities, you must first identify the inequities by asking critical questions:

• How are promotion and succession plans built? Is it equitable and unbiased?

• Who is winning awards and bonuses and why?

• Do the people put on those lists reflect the workforce? Are women a smaller portion?

3. Use surveys to better understand the culture of the company. Is what the business says about its culture in alignment with the employee experience? Does that experience change based on an employee’s gender? Do meeting culture, committee work and team socializing welcome and include everyone?

Be sure to include open-ended response areas to capture unforeseen issues and invite ideas for improving company culture and engagement.

4. Foster mentoring and apprenticeships. Mentors share their wisdom, act as sounding boards and cheerleaders, and give insight into their own successes and

failures, as well as the disciplines and practices that have sustained their careers. Apprenticeships are also powerful programs for developing talent and skills, yet women are severely underrepresented. According to findings from Apprenticeship USA, women make up only about 14 percent of active apprenticeship — a huge opportunity for women.

In this edition of the MBA Business Magazine, we’ll recognize the accomplishments of women leaders in our membership region, including the efforts being led by Northwest Bank’s Anita Kuchcinski, one of the first women to lead the bank’s Erie Commercial market. We’ll also talk to Mercyhurst University President Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., on her role and vision for leadership ahead of the MBA’s Women in Leadership IMPACT Luncheon on March 23 in Erie.

Plus, we’ll share some new training opportunities available to aspiring and current leaders in our region as part of the MBA’s new quarterly Training Catalog.

To learn more about how the MBA can train your team to lead and prepare for the next generation, visit mbausa.org.

EMPOWER YOUR TALENT

Anita Kuchcinski is proud to be one of the first women to lead Northwest Bank’s Erie Commercial market, but she’s even more grateful to be supported by the growing number of women business leaders and owners in the region. “I’m honored to work with them and be part of the charge with them,” says Kuchcinski. “These women really exited their comfort zone to take these chances and take these leadership roles, and it’s really built this amazing network of women for all of us in Erie.”

BANKING ON A NEW ERA OF WOMEN LEADERS

Despite modest gains in representation over the past few years, women are still dramatically underrepresented in corporate America as a whole. Yet, Kuchcinski is encouraged by efforts by employers to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, including her own, begun by late Northwest CEO Ron Seiffert.

“Northwest is really trying to do its part,” Kuchcinski continues. “Studies show that through DEI, that’s how we’re going to have our greatest success, and I’m really grateful to be part of the transformation.”

TAKING THE LEAD

Although Kuchcinski is a dynamic leader in the regional banking industry, it may be surprising to learn that she didn’t aspire to be a banker growing up. As a matter of fact, she went to college with plans to become a certified public accountant, but during her junior year realized it wasn’t for her. In that moment, Kuchcinski remembers calling her dad and, ultimately, decided to shift gears.

“My father has been a small business owner since he was 17, and I always had an interest in helping him and how I could contribute by what I was learning in school, so I decided to finish my accounting degree and add a degree in entrepreneurship,” she says.

After undergrad at Seton Hill, Kuchcinski pursued a master’s in business administration and had the opportunity to be a bank teller at another regional bank. She worked her way through retail banking and discovered she really enjoyed the business side. It was then that a male mentor recognized her work and gave her a shot at commercial lending in 2008.

At that time, Kuchcinski’s closest peer was more than 15 years her senior. She also was the only female on the team who wasn’t an administrative assistant. “Talk about overwhelming, but being stubborn, I was like, ‘This is not going to deter me from doing this. I’m going to keep going,’ ” she recalls.

Kuchcinski says it was her mentor, coupled with her work ethic and determination that led her to become one of the bank’s top lenders. She worked at that institution for 13 years before moving on to Northwest in 2015 — the bank she now calls home.

“I had everybody and their brother asking me, ‘Of all places, why Northwest?’ And it really was the culture. I interviewed locally and at a corporate level, and I knew that coming here I was going to be seen for who I was. I was going to be respected and I was going to be appreciated,” Kuchcinski explains.

But there was more to it. “Locally, in the area market, I told myself, ‘I can make them better, I can help them do commercial lending the way that they need to do commercial lending, and the way that they want to do commercial lending.’ So, I dove right in,” she says.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Kuchcinski served as vice president of Commercial Lending for Northwest Bank’s Erie region before officially being appointed senior vice president and Erie Commercial Market executive in 2022. Since that time, she has been a visible and vocal business leader, promoting the bank and its commercial and business banking services.

“A lot of Erie doesn’t realize what we have to offer as a commercial bank, and so that was one of things I knew where we could make a difference,” says Kuchcinski.

Sara Kallner, vice president of Smith Provision Company, Inc., knows that difference firsthand. Smith’s has been working with Kuchcinski for well over a decade, which began while she was a commercial lender for another regional bank. In

Northwest Bank lenders assisted client Smith Provision with its financial needs. Shown below are Smith Provision Company, Inc. Vice President Sara Kallner (left) with Northwest’s Erie Commercial Market Executive Anita Kuchcinski

2011, Smith’s purchased and redeveloped a property in the neighborhood of 20th and Geist located in the City of Erie, which expanded its capabilities significantly as the company moved its processing operation from its location in Millcreek Township into a new, state-of-the-art facility.

“Anita served as an excellent resource as she helped Smith’s navigate the somewhat complex components of the multimillion-dollar financing package required for this construction project, which enabled Smith’s to expand, and continue to serve the Erie region well into the future,” Kallner notes.

Kallner describes Kuchcinski as a smart, competent and client-focused leader in the industry, who is passionate about understanding the needs of her clients and their businesses. “Relationships with trusted advisors that are ultimately successful are built on trust and a history of competency,” Kallner says. “Smith’s is fortunate to have such a relationship with Anita, and we are proud to do business with her.”

GREATER IMPACT

Having the right leaders in charge can have a profound impact on an organization’s success.

Katie Ruffa, senior vice president of Commercial Banking, says Kuchcinski encourages a team approach and open dialogue to find the best solutions to get the job done. “It feels like our opinions are always heard, and even though we may not be sitting at the table, I know Anita’s sharing our thoughts and ideas with senior leadership as well,” she says.

For some, this may be the need for flexible work arrangements or hybrid schedules. For others, it may be new advancement and educational opportunities within the bank.

Angie McClimans, who joined Northwest after 16 years at another bank and was recently promoted to branch manager at Northwest’s downtown Erie location, says she has found a supportive environment that encourages professional advancement. “I started as a personal banker, and I just kept wanting to grow. Now, I found the place and support to do it.”

In the area of professional development, Northwest has set its employees up for success through courses offered at the Manufacturer & Business Association as well as online offerings including USucceed and the eLearning portal Percipio. The bank also sends employees to advanced professional and specialized banking and lending schools, and utilizes iConnect Mentoring Programs to help its employees take the next steps in their professional careers.

Most recently, Northwest Bank introduced the Lead for Women Employee Resources Group, an online roundtable to support female leaders and aspiring leaders within the organization. “Workplaces where women are more supported are usually associated with better performance,” Kuchcinski states.

FOR WHAT’S NEXT

Kuchcinski is enthusiastic about the changes under way at Northwest Bank, but also the investments in infrastructure and client resources. In 2021, the bank completely remodeled its Summit Township location and continues a digital transformation as more services are available online for customers in its personal and business banking lines.

“On the technology side, we’re extremely excited to roll out a new online banking platform for commercial clients,” Kuchcinski says. “The Treasury Pro system is going to be a state-ofthe-art system that is really going to not only enhance the products that we have, but also offer new electronic products while providing robust security.”

As Northwest continues to grow its products and services for what’s next, Kuchcinski acknowledges that it’s relationships that matter most. “We strive to put our customers first, hands down, and one of the biggest differences about Northwest is that we give back to our community,” she says.

This past year, Kuchcinski supported Ruffa’s idea to transform the bank’s administrative offices and host a Halloween party for low-income children at an area daycare. Fittingly, Kuchcinski dressed up as Wonder Woman.

“I’ve had fellow co-workers, clients, friends, family, even my husband, who is extremely supportive, call me that. But I am only one because the team that I have sewed my cape for me,” she says. “At Northwest, we can be willing to put ourselves out there. We can be willing to be the woman in the arena. We can be willing to step out of our comfort zone. None of us can do anything on our own, and it’s really this group of individuals who I work with that is so extremely special.”

For more information about Northwest Bank, visit northwest.com.

Northwest Bank Senior Vice President Erie Commercial Market Executive Anita Kuchcinski (fifth from left) is joined by a dynamic team of women bankers, including: Jen Stewart, assistant vice president, Treasury Management advisor; Brandy Brine, assistant vice president, portfolio manager; Caren Totleben, senior

administrative support; Katie Ruffa, senior vice president of Commercial Banking; Angie McClimans, Erie downtown branch manager; Nancy Gardner, senior vice president, portfolio management team lead; and Amanda Schodt, portfolio management specialist.

Northwest Bank has been very visible in the local community through financial donations and philanthropy. Here, area bankers helped pack food for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania, a woman-led organization headed up by Executive Director Karen Seggi.

In addition to growing its team of professionals, Northwest Bank is investing in its branches, including the Summit Township location, which underwent a major renovation in 2021, and digital resources for its clients.

SEEKING BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES

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Mercyhurst University President Shares Vision for Leadership

The role of women in top management and leadership positions has evolved. Today, women leaders have become rock stars, especially in areas of business, education, and entrepreneurship — a vital part of the economy. Here, Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., the 13th president of Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, explains what leadership means to her and the importance of empowering women to pursue leadership opportunities in their respective fields. Getz will be the featured speaker at the MBA’s Women in Leadership IMPACT Luncheon on March 23 in Erie. Visit mbausa.org to learn more.

As Mercyhurst University’s 13th president, you play a critical role in the University’s overall operations and furthering its mission. Describe your goals and what you want to achieve.

As we approach our Centennial in 2026, it calls to mind the incredible journey that brought us to this point in time. My goal is to prepare us for next 100 years. We have niche programs that have earned global reputations. We intend to strengthen and expand Intelligence Studies, our Autism Initiative, and our role as a center of excellence in arts and culture. At the same time, we are building programs in sustainability studies, in wellness, and in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, all of which are consistent with our mission as a Mercy institution.

In many ways, a university president is always a leader first. How would you describe your approach to leadership?

I like to think I combine visionary leadership with collaboration, encouragement and openness to participation. I am not an autocratic leader, although I’m not afraid to stand alone and make the tough calls when necessary. My approach is more along the lines of transformational leadership and habits rooted in emotional intelligence. These so-called soft skills can be vital to running a business or, in my case, a university. Although, keep in mind, being an effective leader isn’t about having one “right” leadership style. Good leaders often adapt their approach based on the situation and the team they’re working with.

In your opinion, what makes a good leader great?

A good leader excels in a variety of traditional leadership skills — integrity, vision, strategic thinking, to name a few. I think a great leader is

someone who is self-aware and authentic, who recognizes his or her strengths and his or her weaknesses and works with others to supplement those areas where he or she is less strong. I also think great leaders have a capacity for humility and aren’t afraid to add a little levity to the mix. I consider myself an optimist and, wherever I go, I like to keep this quote by Robert Brault close at hand: “Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster; it’s a Cha-Cha.” Great leaders know how to Cha-Cha.

Prior to Mercyhurst, you were dean at the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University Maryland, dean at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago, and senior associate dean for Academic Affairs at the Kogod School of Business at American University. What do you believe is the cornerstone of a great business school — one that will prepare students to thrive in the business world?

It is critical that many people in the school — leaders, faculty and students — be deeply connected with the business community. The purpose of that kind of connection is that the school is constantly aware of what businesses’ needs are and can adapt curricula and experiential learning opportunities accordingly to best serve students and businesses. In addition, the best business programs are built on a foundation of the liberal arts, and deliberately help their students understand how that foundation will make them better business leaders — who think critically, are comfortable with uncertainty, and are willing to take measured risks. This assures that students graduate with the skills, knowledge and character required to thrive in the business world.

While women represent nearly half of today’s workforce, they are vastly underrepresented in leadership positions. What are your thoughts on the importance of encouraging women to pursue leadership opportunities?

I think that as women in leadership, it is incumbent upon us to lift up others. That’s often best achieved through role modeling. We can also mentor, articulate common goals, prioritize personal development, act as sounding boards, all the while building a culture of allyship. I’ve heard it said that when there’s a leadership job opening, a man will apply when he meets just a few of the qualifications, while a woman will apply only when she meets most of them. So, there’s this sense that we need to get women to take greater risks, understanding that some competencies can be mastered on the job.

What is Mercyhurst University’s approach to empowering the next generation of leaders — students, faculty and staff?

I make every effort as president to encourage a wide array of participation in decision-making and, as that filters out to other levels of the institution, more people’s voices are heard. As well, I try to practice subsidiarity — assuring those closest to a problem make decisions. In this way, decisions are made more quickly and people become self-confident. This quote from Eleanor Roosevelt applies: “A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.”

MERCY CENTER FOR WOMEN TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN MAKING HISTORY EVENT

The Mercy Center for Women will celebrate its 30th anniversary of Women Making History, which honors local women nominated by colleagues, friends and family — women who are worthy of recognition for the sometimes quiet achievements they are making.

The April 3 event, which will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst University, 501 East 38th Street in Erie, is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Among the 2023 honorees are: Cheryl Bates, Judge Susan Paradise Baxter, Darlene Bush, Jacqui Catrabone, Georgia Del Freo, Amy Eisert, District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz, Sarah Humphrey, Susan Kuligowski, Ph.D., Karen Morahan, Ph.D., Marva Keys Morris, Sister Margaret Pellerite, SSJ, Kelly Stolar, Carla Storrs, Ruth Thompson and Kathy Woodard.

Mercy Center for Women, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1994, is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy and is committed to enhancing the dignity of each person we serve through healing of body, mind and spirit. The Center provides safe and supportive transitional housing, education and counseling for homeless women with or without children, as well as connections with social service agencies and volunteers to form a network of ongoing support, mentoring and education to its residents and women in the community. To learn more, visit mcwerie.org.

DOWNLOAD THE MBA’S FREE TIME-CHANGE POSTER

It’s time to spring forward! Daylight-Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 12. Download the Manufacturer & Business Association’s FREE Time-Change poster from mbausa.org and display in a highly visible location within your workplace.

CNB BANK INTRODUCES WOMENFOCUSED IMPRESSIA BANK

Michael Peduzzi, president and CEO of CNB Bank, and EVP/Chief Commercial Banking Officer Angela Wilcoxson recently announced plans to launch a new bank division, Impressia Bank. Designed for women by women, Impressia Bank will be a full-service banking division of CNB Bank, headquartered in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the professional and financial development and advancement of women business owners and women leaders.

With plans to launch in early 2023, Impressia Bank will be the sixth bank division of CNB Bank. This women-focused commercial bank will begin within the existing geographic footprint of each of CNB Bank’s five other divisions, then strategically expand beyond those borders utilizing an online presence. Impressia Bank’s online approach will be complemented by regional relationship managers and support managers, as well as specialized services such as SBA and grant advisory services, treasury management, wealth management and private banking.

“This is a perfect opportunity to deepen relationships and support the already high, yet growing, number of women-owned businesses,” said Wilcoxson. “A prioritization of women-owned businesses would complement other divisional growth activities and allow the Bank to provide even better banking options for more businesses in our communities.”

Extending beyond traditional business banking offerings, Impressia Bank clients will have access to resources related to accelerating their business, developing appropriate business strategies, and establishing a community of women who support one another. The Bank will connect financial and other identified resources to cultivate and support the business acumen of women business owners.

“We’re looking to move beyond the scope of offering traditional banking services. Our goal is to provide an entire banking and financial support network for current and prospective women leaders,” said Peduzzi. “We recognize that access to capital remains the largest barrier to market entry and success for female founders and women-owned businesses. Impressia Bank will strive to propose solutions pertaining to credit access, financial literacy and business development to promote and encourage the small business spirit and career development of women.”

CNB Bank recently launched a search for the position of division president for Impressia Bank. Eighteen full-service offices operate as CNB Bank throughout northwestern PA, while 10 full-service offices operate as ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank. Seven full-service offices operate as FCBank, a division of CNB Bank in Central Ohio, and 10 full-service offices operate as BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank. Ridge View Bank has two offices in the Roanoke Valley and Holiday Financial Services has ten offices centrally located in the CNB Bank and ERIEBANK market areas.

For more information, visit cnbbank.bank.

The Mercy Center for Women will hold its 2023 Women Making History event on April 3 in Erie. The Center, led by Executive Director Jennie Hagerty (center), and its contributions to women in the community, was featured in the September 2021 issue of the MBA Business Magazine shown here.

HR

“The information presented was beneficial and pertained to my work and my life. The discussions really made you think about issues and opportunities you may have as a manager.”

— Chelsie Zents, Erie Insurance

MBA BOARD CHAIRMAN, FORMER BOARD MEMBERS NAMED TO FAMILY BUSINESS CEOS TO WATCH CLASS

Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) Board of Governors Chairman Jana Goodrich of Seaway Manufacturing and former Board members

Colleen Moore Mezler of Moore Research Services and Phil Katen of Plastikos, Micro Mold and Plastikos Medical were recently recognized as Family Business magazine’s Family Business CEOs to Watch Class of 2022. The 23 members of the Family Business CEOs to Watch Class of 2022 included non-family and family, blood descendants and married-ins from across the United States plus Canada and Colombia.

Prior to becoming president and CEO of Seaway Manufacturing, Goodrich served as vice president. In that role, she had responsibility for several key areas, including operations, engineering, information technology, administration, sales, marketing and retail sales.

Seaway, founded in 1959, specializes in windows, doors and sunrooms. The company began by making custom aluminum storm doors and windows and then developed a diverse line of vinyl and aluminum products.

Before joining Seaway, Goodrich earned numerous honors in each of her professional ventures. She worked as a territory marketing representative for Xerox and as a systems engineer for IBM. In 1994, she founded and served as president of Executive Education Services, a management consulting firm, which she ran for many years.

Shortly after completing her MBA, Goodrich accepted a full-time position as a college professor at Penn State Behrend, teaching management and marketing. During her tenure there, she also worked with the School of Engineering as part of a small team that developed a product development and realization course and the interdisciplinary business and engineering studies program. In addition, Goodrich directed several initiatives in the Sam & Irene Black School of Business.

Goodrich is a member of the City of Erie Mayor’s Advisory Council. She serves as chairman of the Penn State Behrend Sam & Irene Black School of Business advisory board and chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association Board of Governors. She is a past member of several advisory boards for national organizations associated with the fenestration industry, including the executive boards of both the National Glass Association and the National Sunroom Association as well as the Window and Door Dealers Alliance. Moore Mezler has been with Moore Research Services Inc., a marketing research firm, since she joined her mother in 1987. Moore Research serves a variety of organizations throughout the United States and globally, from small start-up companies to Fortune 500 corporations.

Mezler is a past chairman of the Insights Association, which promotes the role of intelligence, analytics and insights in driving business impact. She is certified by the association as an expert in market research. She has received many honors from the association, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Distinguished Service Award.

She also has been honored by ATHENA International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a global pipeline of women leaders. She has served on the ATHENA International board of directors. In addition, she has received recognition for service to her local business community.

Katen, president and general manager of Plastikos Inc., leads Plastikos, Micro Mold and Plastikos Medical, along with his brother Ryan, at the family’s advanced medical injection mold-making companies in Erie.

The Katen brothers founded Plastikos Medical in early March 2019, on Plastikos’ 30th anniversary, and completed construction on Plastikos Medical’s advanced medical molding facility in August 2019. The new facility quickly reached full capacity, and a major expansion recently was completed.

Katen holds an MBA from Duke University and a B.S. degree in industrial engineering and economics from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering.

STUMPF JOINS THE LAW FIRM OF MACDONALD, ILLIG, JONES & BRITTON

The law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP in Erie, Pennsylvania, recently announced that Colleen R. Stumpf has joined the firm as a partner in its Trusts & Estates and Business Transactions Practice Groups.

According to the law firm, Stump’s goal is for clients to have peace of mind — through the development of a complex estate plan aimed at obtaining asset protection, the creation of a long-term care plan that enables an elderly loved one to remain in their home through their senior years, or a business succession plan that provides for the continuation of a family business for future generations.

As counsel to both for-profit and nonprofit entities, Stumpf supports her business clients throughout the organizational lifecycle. She lends her expertise in entity formation to first-time entrepreneurs, passion for corporate governance to nonprofit organizations engaged in board development, and mergers and acquisitions experience to entities prepared to invest in the growth of their business.

Stumpf received her Juris Doctor degree from Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Grove City College.

ONEX APPOINTS LASKEY AS PRESIDENT, TROYER AS VICE PRESIDENT

Onex, Inc., a leading Pennsylvania original equipment manufacturer of furnaces supporting the forging, die casting, nonferrous foundry, graphitizing, and heat treating industries, announced changes in its executive team. Onex has announced that its Board of Directors has elected Patrick Laskey as president and Kyle Troyer as vice president, effective since January 1, 2023.

Former President Ashleigh Walters and former Vice President Drew Walters have joined Onex’s Board of Directors to provide strategic direction and guidance to the business. Laskey succeeds Ashleigh Walters as president and will report to the Board of Directors. Walters has served as president since 2013 and has been part of the board since 2013.

Founded in 1966, Onex was a family owned and family run champion for heat-intensive industries as well as the Erie, Pennsylvania community. For over 40 years, the Walters family grew the company and created a thriving business. When the leadership baton passed within the family and Ashleigh Walters became president, she and her husband, Drew, made changes to grow the business.

“In 2020, Drew and I created a 100-percent employee-owned company,” stated Walters. “We wanted to ensure that Onex would remain a viable part of the community for generations to come at the same time rewarding the hard work of our employees.”

Laskey started with Onex in July of 2020 as the company’s Business Development manager. Prior to joining Onex, he had held various positions within engineering, sales, account management and corporate strategy with several multinational companies. Laskey holds a degree in mechanical engineering technology from Penn State University and an MBA from Rice University, The Jones Graduate School of Business.

Onex, Inc., headquartered in Erie, specializes in building and repairing industrial furnaces. Its expert OEM team will design, build, and install refractory and combustion equipment for die casting, forging, and heat treat applications; combustion and refractory services also include tune-ups, repairs, and retrofits. Additionally, Onex provides contract or tolling services for refractory manufacturers.

Women Making a Difference.

MacDonald Illig is proud to be the largest law firm employer of women attorneys in Northwest Pennsylvania. As active members of the local community, our women serve on and lead Boards of numerous non-profit and civic organizations.

MacDonald Illig values commitment to our community and joins the Manufacturer & Business Association in commending the women leaders throughout our region who make a difference.

Our women attorneys practice in numerous areas of law, including:

BANKING & FINANCE · BANKRUPTCY & CREDITORS’ RIGHTS

BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS CHARITABLE & NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATIONS · CONSTRUCTION · EDUCATION

FAMILY LAW · GOVERNMENT SERVICES HEALTH CARE

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION · MANUFACTURING

REAL ESTATE · TAX PLANNING & REPRESENTATION

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS TRUSTS & ESTATES

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

100 State St., Suite 700, Erie, PA 16507 Phone: (814) 870-7600

macdonaldillig.com

LydiaCaparosa

JennyHirneisen

AshleySolo

JamieSchumacher

ColleenStumpf

EmilieSwanReinhardt

KimOakes

LauraStefanovski

JanineMcClintic

LisaSmithPresta

NicoleDuGan

LaurenHoller

JennaBickford

The Legal Landscape of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

3) Communicate your efforts, goals and positions.

4) Review a program’s effectiveness with your identified goals and ensure no reverse discrimination (where members of a majority group suffer discrimination in DEI efforts) occurred as a result of your initiatives.

DEI In The Courts

Despite the lack of explicit statutory reference, DEI initiatives have certainly become part of the legal discussion. For example, in a 2016 Title VII matter, a court reviewed the employer’s Code of Conduct, which included initiatives and practices related to DEI, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination and encouraged reporting of perceived harassment and discrimination. The employer’s adoption and adherence to these policies and procedures were part of the court’s consideration in ultimately dismissing the claim.

including policy implementation and effective enforcement.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives are increasingly important to today’s workforce and in today’s workplace. While there is no legal requirement to implement DEI initiatives, potential benefits include attracting and retaining top talent, driving innovative solutions, enhancing financial performance and defending employee claims.

What Is Legally Required?

The terms “diversity” and “inclusion” do not appear in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Regardless, employers should consider written DEI policies and should strengthen related equal opportunity and antiharassment policies. Employers may have an affirmative defense to legal claims if furthering efforts to eliminate discrimination,

Metrics based analysis is commonly one of the first steps in DEI, and employers may adopt programs with defined metrics when an imbalance is identified. In order to comply with Title VII, any plan must be designed to open employment opportunities for the targeted group but may not bar advancement or require discharge of non-targeted employees. Be wary of quotas (sole reliance on numbers to the exclusion of qualifications). Decisions should be based on qualifications and application of preferences as opposed to based solely upon a prohibited category (i.e. gender or race).

Best Practices

Although numerous angles for successful DEI initiatives exist, some suggestions for best practices include:

1) Identify imbalances in the past (i.e. selfanalysis) and tailor solutions to those particular issues (commonly referred to as a “reasonable basis” for concluding an action is appropriate). During this process, recognize that a one-size-fits-all solution is unrealistic.

2) Take reasonable action in accordance with your DEI plan. Reduce actions or plans to writing. Ensure application only as long as necessary to achieve identified objectives.

Another example is the court’s acceptance of expert testimony where such opinions analyze employer’s DEI initiatives and/ or alleged unconscious bias. Specifically, in 2019, expert opinion testimony on an employer’s lack of an inclusive culture was presented to the jury. At present, there is a split within the courts on whether such testimony is relevant and admissible, but such a possibility represents a new challenge (and cost) for employers.

As a final example, the discovery process can be impacted by DEI initiatives, which almost certainly will be subject to exchange in any discrimination and/or retaliation suit. A discovery issue that will need to be addressed is whether such policies and programs are confidential and/or proprietary business documents of the organization.

Here to Stay

DEI initiatives have been and will certainly continue to be part of the legal landscape for employers. Numerous resources for DEI initiatives exist, but all lead to a common objective for employers: a workplace where all employees are treated fairly and equitably while ensuring continued compliance with non-discrimination laws and regulations. For questions or more information, contact Attorney Jamie Schumacher at 814/870-7613 or jschumacher@mijb.com.

Jamie Schumacher is a partner at MacDonald Illig and chair of the Erie County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section. She practices in the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Labor & Employment, and Government Services Practice Groups.

MBA Government Affairs: State of the Association

Eileen Anderson is the director of Government Relations at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at eileenanderson@ mbausa.org or 412/805-5707.

Jezree Friend is assistant vice president of External Relations at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact him at 814/8333200, 800/815-2660 or jfriend@mbausa.org.

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) is dedicated to building a pro-business climate in the Pennsylvania. In 2022, the MBA Government Affairs department focused on where we could have the most impact for members and provided them with education about the issues via policy group meetings, the Business Magazine, government newsletters, surveys and MBA member visits with lawmakers.

Significantly, the MBA’s Government Affairs representatives were interviewed or cited 35 times in state and national media — print, radio and television news — in 2022.

One of the key issues that the MBA Government Affairs Department focused on was the elections. With the PA governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. congressional seats, and numerous PA House and several PA Senate

seats up for grabs, we sought to create opportunities for members to speak with candidates and lawmakers.

The MBA Policy Committee hosted small group discussions with candidates running for various offices, including candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor. The MBA also hosted a packed legislative lunch with Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano in the fall.

In addition, the MBA hosted larger events before the May primaries. These events were well-attended and received significant media attention. The MBA hosted a televised panel discussion with candidates for governor, including former Congresswoman Melissa Hart, PA Senator Jake Corman, Niche Zama, former Congressman Lou Barletta, Charlie Gerow, Dave White and Bill McSwain.

The following week, the four leading U.S. Senatorial candidates Dave McCormick, Mehmet Oz (“Dr. Oz”), Kathy Barnette and Jeff Bartos gathered at the MBA Conference Center in Erie for a forum that was televised locally and re-aired on JET24/ Fox66, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, and in the Harrisburg, Altoona, Scranton, and Philadelphia markets. Additionally, the significance of the panel being the only to include the two front-runners at the same time received print, digital and televised news coverage in every media market in Pennsylvania as well as national coverage on NBC, Fox and CBS TV News.

The MBA Government Affairs Department worked closely with several coalitions to accomplish legislative goals, such as the Compete PA Coalition, which was successful in reducing the Corporate Net Income (CNI) tax rate from its position as the second

highest in the country down to 4.99 percent by 2031; the Power PA Jobs coalition, which opposed Pennsylvania’s entrance into the Regional Greenhous Gas Initiative (RGGI); the PA Coalition for Civil Justice Reform, as its name implies; and Stop New Energy Taxes –to oppose the severance tax.

The MBA also represented at events, panels, meetings, hearings and coalitions that are too numerous to mention, but highlights include presenting on “Energy: The Bedrock of the Manufacturing Sector” at the Shale Insight Conference, and participating in fundraising events with various political candidates.

The MBA’s roundtable with the PA House Manufacturing Caucus included Chairwoman Donna Oberlander and other PA House members, Representatives Marcie Mustello, Carrie DelRosso and Abby Major. Other notable guests from the year included U.S. Undersecretary of International Trade Marisa Lago and Canada’s Consulate General Andre Frenette.

One of the highlights of the year was the Second Annual Western PA Legislative Reception on November 17, 2022, at CNX Resources. The MBA partnered with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Pittsburgh Business Exchange to create an opportunity for members to speak with an extraordinary number of lawmakers. Both newly elected and incumbents from the PA House and Senate were invited, and Speaker of the House, PA Representative Bryan Cutler, was among the 36 elected officials in attendance.

Visit the MBA Government Affairs page at mbausa.org for a full list of legislation we advanced in 2022 and to learn more about getting involved in 2023!

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

We’re proud to recognize the Women in Leadership at our Erie facility! More than 22% of our team members are women, many with subject matter expertise and in leadership roles. Many participate in our Women’s Business Resource Group, Peer W, to help highlight the value of women in the workforce. Increasing diversity, equity and inclusion at Parker helps our company to grow. And we’re the better for it.

Michelle Grabowski Customer Service Manager

Jill Kobel Materials Manager

Peer W Connecting and Engaging Women

“I’m glad to be in a role where decisions are being made. We need to continue to put women in roles of leadership to bring diverse views to the table.”

—Ashley Reith

Jillian Misterovich Customer Service Manager

Geri-Lyn Hoffman Division Quality Manager

Amy Kramer New Product Introduction Manager

Ashley Reith Fixed Wing Product Manager

Dee Gillette Human Resources Manager

Melanie Knowlton Senior Scientist

Lisa Urbaniak Production Supervisor

FEMALE PEER MENTORS CAN HAVE LONG-LASTING IMPACT ON FEMALE STEM STUDENTS

A recent study in Nature Communications finds a long-lasting and positive impact of peer mentoring for female students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

Participants included 150 women first and second year students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, all of whom were majoring in engineering. Student mentors — 32 women, 26 men — were also recruited to the study; they were third and fourth year undergraduate students in the same major as their mentee. Data was collected over the course of eight years, from 2011 to 2019.

MBA’s Discounted Ancillary Benefit Programs Provide Extra Value and Savings

With the continued rising cost of group health insurance premiums for employers, the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) is committed to finding ways to help our members with their benefit costs. Thanks to our long-term partnerships with industry-leading carriers, such as Delta Dental, Hartford, Eastern Alliance and VBA Insurance, MBA members have exclusive access to premium benefit plans at highly competitive rates.

VBA Vision Insurance

Extremely competitive rates (starts at just $3.48 per month) and great plans that are easy to use. Groups must have at least two participants. This benefit can be employer or employee paid with no contribution requirements on the employer’s part. There are no additional billing fees or administrative costs.

Delta Dental

Provides exclusive plans and discounted rates available to groups as small as two. Delta is the No. 1 provider of dental benefits in the United States with a large national network. There are no waiting periods for coverage or treatment. Six plans available including one that covers adult orthodontics

Hartford Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Provides exclusive rates for MBA members and is available to groups as small as two. These plans require no medical underwriting and have no waiting periods. They also include many value-added services such as preparing a will at no cost.

Eastern Alliance Workers’ Compensation

MBA members have access to workers’ compensation insurance through our partner Eastern Alliance Insurance Group (EAIG), which provides the opportunity for stable rates and competitive pricing. This program offers the potential of a group policyholder dividend for all participants, including small groups

Medicare

Through our partner, MPC Insurance, MBA members have experts available to help with navigating Medicare for your eligible employees — provided at no cost to MBA members.

Workpartners

As part of the MBA’s partnership with Workpartners, MBA members get an exclusive 10-percent discount off Workpartners’ employee assistance program (EAP) services, which are confidential for employees and members of their household.

Be sure to ask your broker about these great products available through the Manufacturer & Business Association or contact the MBA at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660.

Lori Joint is president and chief executive officer of the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or ljoint@mbausa.org.

The team found that being assigned to a female mentor was associated with a significant improvement in mentees’ experiences in engineering. Those without mentors and with male mentors showed a decline in confidence from entry to college through to graduation and beyond, while those with female mentors maintained their confidence without any decline. The same pattern also held for motivation.

Having a female mentor also influenced participants’ intentions to remain in the field: 82 percent of those with a female mentor participated in an internship during college, compared to 61 percent of participants without a mentor and 65 percent of those with male mentors.

SURVEY: EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT FALLS AMONG YOUNGER WORKERS

A recent report from Gallup finds that large numbers of workers, especially Gen Zers and young Millennials, are not engaged with their jobs. And that could make their climb up the career ladder harder, as well as hurt companies’ overall performance.

The Gallup survey of roughly 67,000 people in 2022 found only 32 percent of workers are engaged with their work compared with 36 percent in 2020.

The share of workers found to be “actively disengaged” has risen since 2020, while the share of those in the middle — those considered “not engaged” — has remained about the same. Engagement had been rising in the decade before the pandemic, following the Great Recession, but started to fall in 2021.

Younger workers have seen a bigger drop in engagement than older ones. Those under 35 reported feeling less heard and less cared about at work. Fewer Gen Zers and young Millennials reported having someone at work who encourages their development and fewer opportunities to learn and grow.

“There’s a growing disconnect between employee [and] employer. You could almost equate it to employees becoming a little bit more like gig workers,” says Jim Harter, chief workplace scientist at Gallup and author of the new report.

Gig work by its nature doesn’t lend itself to loyalty or long-term relationships between employees and employers. Workers may feel less motivated to put their best selves forward.

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS ENSURE THE DECISIONS MADE FOR ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES ARE WELCOMED BY EMPLOYEES?

This can be done through surveys, one-on-one meetings or a variety of other methods. WHAT

IS THE BEST TIME TO DRAW UP POLICIES FOR WORKING PARENTS?

Don’t wait; draft policies so they will be ready well in advance of the new school year. Plan for these situations now and prevent turmoil later. Scrambling to draft policies later in the school year will only make them more challenging to implement and may force some employees to resign or take extended leaves to accommodate their families.

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS ENFORCE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WORKING PARENTS?

Enforcement of those accommodates must be clear and consistent. This means holding employees accountable for the arrangements they agreed to.

HAVE AN HR QUESTION? GET ANSWERS!

At the Manufacturer & Business Asociation, we know that urgent HR and employment law issues can arise at a moment’s notice.

As a member, you can call our certified HR consultants and labor and employment law attorney anytime, at no charge for counsel on a broad range of workplace-related topics including:

• Hiring and firing practices

• Company policies

• Compensation and benefits

• Employment law

• Employment agreements

• Workers’ compensation

• Affirmative Action Plans

• Unemployment compensation claims

• Employee handbook policies

• OSHA compliance

Sexual harassment

• Family Medical Leave Act

• COBRA

Americans with Disabilities Act

Call the MBA’s HR & Legal Hotline today at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660, or email our HR & Legal team at hrservices@mbausa.org.

Employers Embrace New Ways to Help Support Working Parents

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are still embracing a variety of solutions to help working parents and retain top talent. Here are a few options to consider:

Telework Arrangements

Working remotely (telework) has boomed in popularity recently — obviously influenced by the coronavirus — but the trend began well in advance of the pandemic. This arrangement allows employees to work entirely remote. It can be a way for working parents to get kids to school without having to worry about an additional commute and spend more time with their young children.

Flexible Scheduling

Flexible scheduling is a step back from telework, focusing instead on when an employee works rather than where they do so. With this arrangement, employers set designated “core” hours that an employee must be working (location irrelevant) and otherwise let employees work whenever they like, setting their own schedule.

Another option is not having a core schedule, allowing employees to work any combination of a 40-hour workweek. This can be a great way to accommodate working parents who must also act as stay-at-home teachers or daycare instructors. It can also free up time for parents so they can work earlier and see their families more in the evening.

Generous Time-Off Policies

Some employers have generous policies related to paid time off (PTO), which is different than extended leave. Expanding PTO can be an excellent way to attract and retain working parents. The easiest method for implementing this would be to adopt a PTO bank policy where employees can use their time off for any reason (as opposed to having set categories, such as sick days and vacation days).

Communicating With Employees

As the saying goes, “If you don’t know, ask.” Workplace policies are no exception. Before employers start drafting policies or begin devising worker accommodations, they should reach out to employees. Since the goal is to make life easier for working parents (and the rest of the workforce, to a lesser extent), employers should ensure the decisions are welcomed by employees.

Rose Bruno, PHR, SHRM-CP is an HR consultant at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 at rbruno@mbausa.org.

CELEBRATING OVER 150 YEARS OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Sarah A. Reed Children's Center was founded in 1871 by a determined group of Erie women who would forever change the system of care for women, children and families in need. Sarah Reed and her peers were ahead of their time, and they blazed a trail we are proud to continue 151 years later as one of the leading providers of mental health and behavioral health services in the region. Today and every day we celebrate all the women and game changers throughout our agency, regardless of genetic or gender identity, who work tirelessly and with the utmost compassion to positively impact the lives of the 1,700 children and families we serve in Erie and across Pennsylvania.

Sarah A. Reed Children's Center

2445 West 34th Street

Erie, PA 16506

(814) 838-1954

www.SarahReed.org

HONORING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

This year, we celebrate four leaders who have gone above and beyond to ensure the success of our firm and the growth and prosperity of our community.

Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. Erie | North East | Pittsburgh | Jamestown, NY

Tara Mobley Chief Executive Officer Frances McCormick Board Treasurer

Alanna Baker Controller Sarah Holland Marketing Director

The Manufacturer & Business Association is proud to showcase our members’ accomplishments and regularly hosts a variety of informational and networking opportunities for them in the region. To learn more about upcoming events, visit mbausa.org.

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently participated in a legislative briefing hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce PA and PA Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA). Comments were made by Alex Halper of PA Chamber of Business and Industry, Jezree Friend of the MBA and Charlie Gerow of Quantum Communications. 

Linda Stevenson of Athena Erie was the grand prize winner of MPC Insurance Group’s raffle basket from the MBA’s open house held January 13 at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Erie Insurance President and Chief Executive Officer Tim NeCastro presented at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s (MBA) January Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing.  Shown here are (from left): MBA Board Member Matt Clark of Humes, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge RAM, NeCastro, MBA Board Chairman Jana Goodrich of Seaway Manufacturing and MBA President and CEO Lori Joint. 

Congratulations to Stacey Ishman at Ishman Plastic and Wood Cutting in Brookville, Pennsylvania, on celebrating 20 years in business in 2022. 

MBA Manager of Member Engagement Patty Welther (left) recently presented an anniversary plaque to Sandra Machokas and staff at the Clarion Students’ Association for the organization’s 75th year in operation. 

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