Reflections & Inspiration

Reflections

Being pushed out of your comfort zone is necessary. This is how you grow… it’s how you make mistakes. And if you aren’t making mistakes you aren’t learning. You might have noticed over the past four years that I have been the magazine editor, then not, then came back, and now I turn it over to someone new (who rightfully deserves it). I am not naturally a magazine editor, but darn if I haven’t been trying my best. I’ve had great successes and I’ve made mistakes, but you bet I learned from those mistakes. And today I’m not as nervous to be called an “editor.” I’d like to introduce a wizard with words, a woman who inspires me daily and a woman who I never knew loved to write until over a random lunch one day when she handed me a tailored business card that expressed her passion for writing (note to self – make some of these). That card sat on my desk for more than a year because I was so impressed by her, and funny how the universe helps you when you need it. I’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Haas. She is not only the Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Berks County (a nonprofit close to my heart), but she is also a past coworker, a partner in silliness and someone who is always honest with me and keeps me true to myself. I’m so proud to have her as the new Managing Editor of this magazine. This edition of the magazine is so, so full of smiles, excitement and laughter, and a pull back into a normalcy I know I have been missing. Please enjoy it and please, please join us at an upcoming event. We are here for you. We are a safe space for you to learn and educate others. And above all, we want nothing but to support each other. See you soon. Cheers to the future of us all,

Rachael Romig Senior Director - Events & Special Programs Women2Women | Family Business Alliance Editor-in-Chief, W2W Magazine

Inspiration

I recently attended a workshop led by Jen Croneberger, a past W2W Conference speaker, and someone who I now call my friend. She is a 4-time TEDx speaker and the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of JLynne Consulting Group, LLC and The HUMAN Leadership Institute. But what she is most to me is a compassionate leadership/culture change consultant. She recently said in so many words… Belonging is a basic human need, and “fitting in” and “belonging” are opposites. You shouldn’t have to “fit in” to feel like you belong. You should show up and know that you belong just the way you are. Every day we must find ways to be more inclusive. Here is a change you can make now – when you’re standing in a circle talking, open up that circle into a horseshoe – this way there is always room for someone else. I have a lump in my throat writing that because it is so true, and something I will never, ever forget. Thank you Jen, from the bottom of my heart, for all you do to make the world a better place. Continued on page 6

As I started writing this piece, for giggles I checked my calendar to see what was I up to on March 8, 2020. Nothing in particular jumped out at me but I did realize that within two weeks of that date, life changed forever. I think we all know what happened. Yet, here we are two years later, the pandemic receding (thankfully!) and Spring on the way. It is on this optimistic note that I begin my journey as the new Managing Editor of W2W Magazine. I am so excited for this opportunity and doubly so with this issue! Between these pages you will find teasers for the upcoming W2W Conference + Expo on April 20 to be held…IN-PERSON! The topics range from servant leadership to getting out of one’s own way to Imposter Syndrome and more. We learn about what it means to deal with difficult people and how to activate our Queen Energy. We also talk about the value of adult education as well as the benefits of getting out on the golf course…you know what they say about all work and no play! Plus, we have the Women2Know, some insight into what makes our writers tick and information on the wonderful ways we, women, can lift up our community. Thank you for joining W2W Magazine as we move forward on our mission to educate, entertain, inform and INSPIRE!

Kirsten P. Haas Executive Director, Girls on the Run Berks County Managing Editor, W2W Magazine

Speaking of inspiration,

I’d be remiss if I did not acknowledge a person who has inspired me since the day we met almost four years ago: Rachael Romig. Each person in my sphere teaches me something and brings a unique perspective to the party. When I put out into the universe (out loud, in front of witnesses) my goal of writing (a life-long, somewhat delayed goal), she gave me the means to meet that goal and she held me to it, no excuses. Rachael challenges me to not merely think of what you want to do but well, do it! To all the women in our lives who push us to follow the undefined path, to pursue our dreams, THANK YOU!

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