Women2Women Magazine Spring 2020 by Hoffmann Publishing Group

W2W

Keeping You Happy + Healthy

During Every Stage of Life

Penn State Health Women’s Care

Our new specialty team is committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate women’s health services—from puberty through your senior years.

• Routine gynecology care

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• Centering Pregnancy groups

• Menopause support

• Pelvic floor and bladder health

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• Breast health

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145 N. 6th St., 2nd floor, Reading Exeter Ridge Health Corridor

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Penn State Health Women’s Care Team

Obstetrician Gynecologists

• Felix Awouya, MD

• Joel Baker, DO

• James Bonner, MD

• Jessika Kissling, MD

• Vincent Zhang, MD

Gynecologist

• Dawn Hasson, MD

Urogynecologist

• Jaime Long, MD

CONNECT GROW LEAD

Sara Frassinelli, Managing Editor

606 Court Street • Reading, PA 19601 berkswomen2women.com • 610.376.6766

Women2Women Council: Vicki O. Ebner, Toni Eckert, Wendy Kerschner, Maria Mitchell, Mary Ann Moffitt, Julia Nickey, Mary Jean Noon, Tracy Parmer, Chiara Renninger, Regina Rinehimer, Rachael Romig, Brenda Rosado

Trish Shermot, Alison Snyder, Vanessa Wanshop

Women2Women encourages women to create connections, gain knowledge, open doors, build strategic alliances, and much more. Our goal is to develop more women leaders in Berks County by providing a forum where women from diverse backgrounds can learn, share ideas and mentor each other. Membership is free and Women2Women Magazine is a publication of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance.

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Reflections

Welcome, spring! We are ready for your warmth + greenery.

This edition of Women2Women magazine is literally bursting with amazing women. I don’t know how we fit them all in the pages of this issue! From the loving and conscientious owner of Bent Limb Farms who you already saw on our cover to agricultural or hand-crafted product business owners in the Berks area, you will definitely be impressed and inspired.

We are also providing the FULL scoop on the upcoming Women2Women Conference + Expo, which sells out every year, and is a must-attend. This year’s lineup is stellar. Also, don’t miss the health topic in this issue, as many women have never even heard of it, but up to half of us will experience it in our lifetime.

On a personal note, this will be my final letter to you as editor. Due to a career change, as well as a move to a different city, it is time for me to move on. I have loved each and every edition in which I was involved as editor (and occasional writer!) over the past two years. While I will no longer be editor, I do plan to remain on the editorial committee, as I love this magazine.

I will be passing the torch to Rachael Romig, who reigns supreme in all things Women2Women, as she is the director of the program! I have the utmost confidence in Rachael, as she has gone from my colleague to one of my closest friends. And honestly, if anything is wrong with a future edition, she will hear about it from me!

With much love,

Sara Frassinelli

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Jessica Bezler

Reading Hospital – Tower Health

Heather Christie Real Estate Associate Broker & Author

Sara Frassinelli Spherion Staffing Services

Kelly Hancock Community Volunteer

Tracy Hoffmann Hoffmann Publishing Group

Amy Impellizzeri Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing

Amy B. Klatt Herbein + Company, Inc.

Karen Klein Fulcrum Information Resources

Rosa Parra Palo Magazine

Rachael Romig Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Monica Rush Penn State Health – St.

Bent Limb Farm

It all Started with Alpacas

Actually, it started with an itch. At the time, the itch seemed minute. A knitter who disliked the itch of sheep wool and wanted something better. On a larger scale, this itch also permeated into the knitter’s day-to-day life as a successful plastic surgeon. This successful surgeon was living a good life, but wanted something better. This desire for self-improvement and a more mindful approach to living led her to have a discussion with a life coach who asked her some pretty difficult questions. Together, plastic surgeon Dr. Pamela Ellenberger and her life coach created a bold five-year plan which involved stepping away from private practice and starting an alpaca farm - which fixed the initial itch of needing better yarn.

Because she was making such a significant change to her life, Pam was not satisfied to start just any alpaca farm. She wanted to start and create a farm the way nature intended so she began researching. She learned that if she was going to farm, she was going to do it with intention. She happened onto Joel Salatin,

Photography: Dave Zerbe Studio of Photography

owner/operator of Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, who has popularized the concept of using well-managed pastures for multi-species grazing, and selling the fruits of those labors directly from the farm. The Salatin family invite like-minded folks to join in their farm’s mission: to develop emotionally, economically, environmentally enhancing agricultural enterprises and facilitate their duplication throughout the world. Pam knew she wanted to raise happy and well-fed animals on her farm, which led her to also follow the lead of Temple Grandlin, PhD, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Temple is a prominent author and speaker on autism and animal behavior. She also has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare. Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandlin educates how we can give our animals the best and happiest lives on their terms, not ours. Understanding and following Grandlin’s fascinating explanations of how herd animals think; describing their senses, fears, instincts, and memories and how to analyze their behavior; have helped Pam in setting up the most humane, healthy and productive system on her farm.

But why alpacas? Pam wanted better yarn and she was intent on producing the finest of yarns to fulfill her lifelong hobby of knitting. She wanted to knit with different wool and alpacas are known for their soft and luxurious fiber. Raising her own alpacas seemed like a pretty economical way to have an unlimited supply of luxurious soft wool. So, they began by boarding alpacas which soon led to chicken coops in their residential garage. Needing more land, they purchased a 55-acre property in Shoemakersville where they established Bent Limb Farm LLC, a family farm that started with alpacas and has grown every year since 2011.

One of the benefits of raising alpacas is the crop of fiber produced each year, and all the many uses for what is considered one of the finest and most luxurious natural fibers in the world. Each shearing produces roughly five to ten pounds of fleece per animal, per year. This fleece, often compared to cashmere, can be turned into a wide array of products from yarn and apparel to tapestries and blankets. The fleece itself is recognized globally for its fineness, softness, light weight, durability, excellent thermal qualities, and luster. Alpaca is warmer, stronger, lighter, hypoallergenic, and more resilient than wool. It is not scratchy and many people that cannot wear sheep’s wool can wear alpaca. Even a lacy shawl, sweater or pair of gloves made of very fine alpaca yarn will keep you warm because of alpaca’s inherent insulating factor. Alpaca is durable and long-lasting, and does not easily pill, tear, stain, or create static. Prized for its unique silky feel and superb handle, alpaca fleece is highly sought-after by both cottage-industry artists (hand spinners, knitters, weavers, etc.) as well as the commercial fashion industry. In 2011, Pam became certified as a sorter for the fiber and you can find her pristine products at their Shoemakersville farm store.

Pam Ellenberger’s itch continues to motivate her. She continues to learn more about the animals and the process of wanting to run a biodiverse farm. She also continues to add animals to allow

Continued on page 8

them to naturally take care of the farm. Today, in addition to the 45 alpaca, the farm also raises 27 heritage pigs on pasture, pastured poultry, free range eggs, 25 rabbits for meat and for fiber, pastured turkeys, 19 fainting goats and one llama. All the animals are fed non-genetically modified feed and they do not use hormones or antibiotics. The belief is each animal on the farm has a special purpose, and they depend on them to keep it running. The alpaca keep the fields trim, provide manure for the fields and fiber for sale. The fainting goats eat brush and poison ivy and are great entertainment. The pigs follow the goats, clean up the roots of pest plants, till the fields and then they are USDA butchered for some of the best tasting meat. The angora rabbits are raised for their fiber and manure. The chickens scratch, spread manure and produce golden eggs with a deep orange yolk. Each farm animal has a purpose and a production which is necessary for this intentional balance to succeed.

Scratching her itch has not been a walk in the park for Pam. She went from an office job with scheduled hours to 24/7/365

responsibilities. Pam still uses her medical training in caring for the animals. She can administer shots and provide some of the basic care, but works closely with her local veterinarian when needed. Her days are long and they vary with the seasons. During the summer, the days start early to avoid the afternoon heat. It’s feeding, cleaning and moving the animals using portable fencing. The chickens are moved daily so their manure fertilizes another section of the pasture and the animals are eating a new salad every day of fresh green grass. The after-effects of the move are a very distinct patchwork appearance to the fields. The pigs are free to walk around all day so their meat is red and not pink as you see in some grocery story products. During the winter, the days start later, but it’s the same structure to most days. The rabbits move into the barn and live over the chickens.

So what started as an itch, took the form of a five-year plan, has evolved into an incredibly self-sustaining farm. Each year they discipline themselves to conduct an annual business plan where Pam and her husband Paul, still a practicing physician, will often include their daughter Hannah, a veterinarian, in the evaluation. According to Pam this is always a good time to review the goals for the year and take stock of the good and bad that occurred in the prior year. “It helps to write down our goals so I am accountable to get it done.” She shared they are constantly looking for markets to open new opportunities and educate more to this farming model.

You can visit Bent Limb Farm to purchase any of their meat or fiber products. Farmhouse Kitchen in West Reading uses their pork products and Pam is also a guest lecturer in their classroom series. She also has stands at some of the local farmers markets and provides classes at the farm. Pam works hard to insure that Bent Limb Farm is a diversified, integrated family farm with a focus on fine fiber and healthy animals. Nothing compares to the taste of farm-fresh eggs, chicken, and pork — that’s why they are committed to raising and preparing sustainable meat that you’ll keep coming back for. Pam stated the vision for the future of the Bent Limb Farm is to add grass-fed steer for beef, increasing her internet store for yarns and fiber, and to continue to teach and attend fiber festivals.

To see this conscientious farming model firsthand, you should consider attending Bent Limb Farm’s annual alpaca shearing day scheduled for April 4, 2020. Besides their goods, other local vendors attend and share their wares so there is plenty to experience. Bent Limb Farm expects over 500 spectators to visit for the annual shearing. Please consider visiting to see how an itch became a mission - a very mindful one. 2

By Monica Rush, Director Rehabilitation Services Penn State Health, St. Joseph

Photography: Dave Zerbe Studio of Photography

Cheryl Heckman: A story of success and self-renaissance

To learn about success, ask a successful person how they got there. Often you will find that their story is one of persistence, perseverance and patience. This is true about Cheryl Heckman, owner and operator of Manor Golf Course.

Catching up with Cheryl to learn her secrets to success was no easy task. She had just returned from Florida after attending the National Golf Course Owner’s Association (NGCOA) business conference. While she was just one of a few women golf course owners present, she makes it a priority to attend each year to socialize amongst her peers, learn new ideas, share solutions to issues and refresh. Cheryl calls it her “think tank week.”

This year’s conference was especially exciting for Cheryl as she won the closest to the pin simulator contest in a shootout amongst the attendees! Besides bragging rights, her winnings included a complete prize package of night golf equipment which will be available at Manor Golf Course in 2020! While she does not consider herself an avid golfer, winning the contest validated her efforts to continue getting better at the game.

Originally constructed in 1917 and opened in 1928, Manor Golf Course was a golf playground for the social elite of Philadelphia. In 1953 her then father-in-law and well-known professional golfer, Walter “Buddy” Heckman, bought the course through a bankruptcy deal. The familyrun course was later bought by her then husband, Mike, in 1994. At the time Cheryl was working as Vice President of Corporate Lending at Meridian Bank. Little did she realize how much her position at Meridian Bank would prepare her for her future.

Cheryl created business relationships on and off the course, sharpening her analytic and business skills. She found that since she had knowledge of the game of golf, she was often the “token female” golfer at business outings. At the time, her goal was to maintain her career while her husband operated the golf course. All that would soon change.

Photography: Heidi Reuter

The late 1990s was a heyday for golf courses. To remain competitive and solvent, however, they needed to create a financial plan and budget for an irrigation system. Cheryl’s years of business experience at Meridian Bank came in handy. As Cheryl says, “Sometimes the universe takes you in a certain way for a certain reason.” Equipped with the skill set to make the course a success, Cheryl joined her husband in the business in 1998.

With four children and recently relinquishing the stability of a full time banking position, Cheryl was determined to make her new arrangements work. She had to find the balance between being a mother and helping her husband make the family golf business attain its goals.

When the allure of the Tiger Wood’s golf era wore off, courses around the county, including the Manor, began to struggle. Around the same time, Cheryl also had to take on more responsibility for the kids and the business as her husband faced semi-significant health issues and he was not able to be physically present. She was determined to save the golf course and to save her family’s livelihood.

Cheryl started to turn things around by recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of the business. She realized that automation was necessary and the driving range was an underutilized asset. She also saw the benefit in engaging more women by making golf less intimidating and more user friendly. With the help of a professional golf instructor, Cheryl began a legitimate teaching program for women and children. She calls this her “leap of faith year.” She stepped outside her comfort zone and created new opportunities for the business and herself.

Unfortunately a divorce was factored into the timeline. Cheryl admits that “the divorce process with a business isn’t easy. No matter how messy it is, there is a way, but do it the best way for you and your family.” By this time, she had four children all nearing college age.

Cheryl found herself single at 50. She was ready to move forward. Her children were all in college or abroad and she was ready for a self-renaissance. She wanted to travel with her family and live her life again. As a single woman and an empty-nester, she refocused on herself though her social life, dating, the business and fitness.

As a part-time fitness instructor at Colonial Fitness, Cheryl has always aligned her mindset with fitness. She decided it was time to be the best version of herself so she decided to start running and change her eating habits. As she puts it, “I’m the only mom my kids have and I needed to make some changes.” Take one look at her now and you’ll see her dedication to fitness has paid off. She’s a spry, fit lady over 50! Matter of fact, in January she ran another Disney half-marathon with her son, Shane!

When asked what advice she has for women after having gone through her own circumstances, Cheryl answers, “Women need to know when in the darkness of the trench, they’ll survive and

thrive eventually. Indulge in the support of true friends. Don’t stay in the crumble position, move forward to the thrive position. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Give yourself permission in dark times to be you, even if it’s not your best version of you.”

Cheryl is a champion for women! She believes golf is a multifaceted experience that can benefit everyone, but especially women. “It’s athletic, it’s spiritual, it’s outdoors,” she says. Her goal is to keep golf fun and affordable for women. She’s even hired a female golf instructor, Dr. Sharon Barley, coming on board this Spring.

Despite what she has endured, Cheryl has always been grateful. Every morning when she drives up over the hill on the driveway to the course she says to herself, “How lucky am I?”

As some might say, “the harder you work, the luckier you get!” There is no doubt that Cheryl’s hard work is key to her luck and success. 2

By Wendy Kerschner, Comfort Keepers

JESSICA HOLMES

June 25, 2020

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Jessica Holmes is a celebrated comedian, author, and mental health advocate. Holmes has opened for giants like Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, and Oprah Winfrey. Combining stand-up, music, and improvisation, she performed at Just For Laughs and The Second City before starring in her own TV series, The Holmes Show.

Also a wellness advocate, Holmes mixes comedy with a validating message about life’s challenges in her book Depression The Comedy, and has become a celebrated voice in fighting the stigma surrounding mental health issues in her hilarious and inspirational keynotes.

A mother of two (and wife of one), Holmes’ passion is finding the laughs in life’s imperfections and turning embarrassments into punchlines.

"My goal with any audience is to make them laugh their stresses away, and to approach the future a little differently, so that next time life throws a curveball, they think ‘I’m gonna laugh about this eventually.’”

Born and raised in Ottawa en Anglais et Francais, Holmes sat back and enjoyed the hilarity that was her family: a handful of older brothers, a Mormon father and a feminist mother. Not a sitcom, just her family.

“ ...I’m gonna laugh about this eventually.”

She attended Canterbury High School for the Performing Arts, majoring in Drama. There, English teacher Jane Moore coached Jessica and her friends on the high school’s Improv Team. They won gold at the Canadian High School Improv Games, and Holmes has always incorporated Jane’s great teachings in her career.

Jessica majored in writing at Ryerson’s Radio & Television Arts BFA program, and again ended up spending her free time involved in comedy: acting in and then directing the annual sketch comedy show, titled RIOT. There, a few of the performers dared each other to try stand up. Four of them, Jessica included, performed at amateur night at The Laugh Resort. Jessica was hooked on the terrifying adrenaline ride that is stand up comedy, and decided to try it on as a career.

The Second City, Just for Laughs and TV shows like Little Big Kid and The Itch got her noticed as a funny, quirky presence in the comedy community. After her comedy special Holmes Alone taped, she was offered her own sketch series: The Holmes Show. A Carol Burnett style series with lots of characters & impressions, Holmes became known for her oddball personifications of Celine Dion, Liza Minelli and Geri Halliwell. Holmes was delighted to join the cast of Royal Canadian Air Farce (having applied to be their secretary five years earlier, and been turned down…they still have her typing test!). There she played politicians and celebrities; including Michael Jackson and Jessica Simpson.

During her years on Air Farce, Jessica had two children, Alexa and Jordan, with her actor husband Scott. Holmes wrote her first book, I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in my Screwball Life, in 2010. Having fallen in love with public speaking, Holmes decided to deepen the scope of her material by becoming a Life & Career Coach through San Diego’s Life Purpose Institute. She now enjoys a mix of comedy & motivational speaking.

Holmes will be sharing Depression The Comedy as our AM Keynote. Read more about her AM keynote on page 20 and find her book, Depressoin The Comedy, at our Book Nook for purchase! (Or find it online before you meet her!) 2

MY JOURNEY: JEN JAMULA

Keynote Speaker at the Upcoming W2W Conference + Expo

June 25, 2020

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 2

Sitting in homeroom at Reading High School, I never imagined that someday I’d lead a communications training company. In retrospect, I was a natural-born “peacemaker” as a kid, gifted at facilitating conversations between two sides. And I observed my parents as dedicated public educators, both with a knack for leading groups. But, by senior year, all I knew for sure was that I had two great loves: performing in the school show, and dissecting poetry, lyrics, and my own thoughts, then journaling about them.

I’d always needed a nudge toward extroversion. Before Greased Lightning captured my attention, I was a sensitive, sponge-like kid who loved being silly and creative with a tight-knit group of friends. We wrote our own plays and novellas. At six, my dear Uncle Mike took me to my first Broadway show, Black and Blue, and my shy personality blossomed into a full-bodied expression that prompted my first-grade teacher to ask my parents if there’d

been “a change at home.” In junior high, with my dad as school principal and my mom as superintendent, I became even more outgoing to avoid ridicule; fitting into different groups earned me the yearbook superlative of “friendliest.”

And, at fifteen, just months after he attended my first RHS play, Uncle Mike died from complications related to AIDS. His legacy as a self-made businessman, beloved friend and ally to many, and passionate supporter of the arts and human rights deeply influenced me. With his journey in mind, and my parents’ incomparable support, I applied to his alma mater, Yale, where I became a theater major and learned that childhood in Reading had been a very solid foundation.

In 2005, I arrived in New York City with aspirations to be an actor, but didn’t have tenacity. Looking back, acting felt parallel to my purpose. I took a writing internship, then became a yoga teacher. In 2011, I reconnected with a college friend who was wavering on her own path. We asked ourselves what we loved doing as kids and decided to create a theater project. Soon we were curating, producing, and acting in our show, Blogologues, in which we performed verbatim internet content live on stage. We explored online communication and identities, and it was funny! In fact, in 2014, we were on the cover of Time Out as two of the “top ten funniest women in NYC.” The show ran for seven years with over twenty new versions.

During this period, as our “day job,” we coached entrepreneur friends for their upcoming pitches. They recommended us to companies, including Spotify and Buzzfeed, for group communications trainings. Within a few years, we’d moved beyond being “just” public speaking coaches to becoming fullblown facilitators of giving better feedback, telling compelling stories, and navigating difficult conversations. By 2018, my work with our company GoldJam eclipsed my life as a performer, and I was finally able to confidently nudge myself in my desired direction: I began coaching and creating interactive workshops for companies full-time.

My joy is helping professionals communicate with charisma, empathy, and sensitivity. In particular, I’ve found a passion in understanding and mitigating bias, which is the topic of my keynote speech at the Women2Women Conference and Expo. I’m excited to speak with you all about encouraging equity, and ecstatic to reunite with the place where my journey started. 2

By Jen Jamula Creative Director & Lead Coach, GoldJam Creative

JEN JAMULA is an entrepreneur, coach, and performer whose work looks at communication in the Digital Age. She and collaborator Allison Goldberg have helmed several artistic projects that have been featured on Good Morning America, in Forbes, WIRED Magazine, VICE, Newsweek, theSkimm, and more. The pair was featured on the cover of Time Out New York, which ranked them two of “the top 10 funniest women in NYC.”

Drawing inspiration from her performance work, Jen leads corporate communications trainings internationally and coaches speakers through her company, GoldJam Creative. Clients include Time Warner, Deloitte, Buzzfeed, SoulCycle, Spotify, and many others. Workshop topics range from Public Speaking, to Productive Confrontations, to Unconscious Bias & Conscious Inclusion, to Women In Leadership and Male Allies. Jen is passionate about helping others gain confidence, find their authentic voices, and cultivate practices of empathy, respect, and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

Jen will be keynoting “Engaging Male Allies / Tools to UnBias Your Office or Life” at the 2020 Conference. Read more about her presentation on page 20.

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Relay For Life of Western Berks

Western Berks is the largest of 5 Relays in Berks County. They raise around $200K for the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. They raise the money through fundraising throughout the year and coming together in June at a 22-hour event at Wilson West middle school to celebrate survivors and fight back against cancer. They also always need donation of goods for basket raffles, as well as new volunteers and teams.

By Wendy Benedict, American Cancer Society

3893 Adler PL. #170, Bethlehem, PA 18017 484-456-6979

The Highlands at Wyomissing represents an ideal – and trusted – model of inspired, engaging, extraordinary living for seniors You’ll see and feel it the moment you arrive on our beautiful campus. When you walk through our doors, you’ll feel the excitement, camaraderie and vitality. Most importantly, you’ll feel a real sense of community.

ASKED&ANSWERED

What is your favorite beauty product?

Linda McLeod Connelly –Honeybee Gardens blush and mascara. Natural products and based in Reading, PA!

Daron O’Donald – Cereve Moisturizing cream, Anastasia brow pencil and Stile Huge mascara. They all make it seem like I’m somewhat more rested, hydrated and younger than I actually am.

Rosa Enid Arroyo – Ponds facial lotion.

Venus Caban Colon – Lipstick! Makes me feel complete and that’s all I really need.

Christine Spanier – WOW pop and lock (hair gloss and shine product).

Stacia Waren – Oxygenetics foundation! It’s lightweight and the first ingredient is Aloe!

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

ATHENA Ceremony

Last year we recognized Alison Snyder, Personnel Assistant Vice-President at East Penn Manufacturing, as the 2019 ATHENA recipient. During her acceptance speech she shared her journey through East Penn and the support she received from females and males alike. With an energy that is contagious, Alison was sparkling with the eight qualities of an ATHENA!

What is the ATHENA Leadership Award®? It is a national award that celebrates the potential of all women/men as members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support women. The ATHENA award is presented to a woman, or man, who is honored for attaining professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their achievement of professional excellence.

Alison Snyder (left) with Toni Miller (2018 ATHENA recipient)

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

This year we are offering three high impact breakout sessions so that each attendee can attend ALL if they’d like. From getting your finances in order to making unemotional decisions, we have it all covered this year.

GAME ON: USING MENTAL TOUGHNESS AS A COMPASS

PRESENTER: GLADINE FRASSO, Regional Environmental Health & Safety Engineer + Owner/Coach – I Am Mentally Tough

Do you know how to mentally prepare yourself for the goals that you have set forth for yourself? Do you know how to mentally bounce back from failure when things do not go as planned? During the different stages in our lives we are faced with challenges that talent and skill alone can’t get us through. Many of us are too quick to accept defeat, or too quick to give up instead of using our most powerful tool – Mental Toughness. Join Gladine as she discusses how she used Mental Toughness to:

• Overcome challenges in sports that led her to become one of the greatest athletes in history on her high school and college basketball team

• Advocate for herself in her professional career as a Regional Environmental Health and Safety Engineer

• Launch her side hustle I Am Mentally Tough where she provides strategies and tips to athletes to help them gain Mental Toughness and play at an elite level

• Take on the most important and rewarding role she’s ever had – Motherhood

THE FINANCIAL LIFE CYCLE

What is the financial advice you are ready to hear? Are you just beginning to learn about finances, are mid-life and want to know what you should be doing now, or are you looking towards your retirement plan? No matter your stage in life, we have a session for you. Choose which you would like to attend throughout the day.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY AUTHENTIC: BRAVE NOT PERFECT

PRESENTER: VERNA LISA, BCH, CNLP

Owner, NLP Practitioner, Hypnotherapist + Author – The Layers

Hear Verna’s personal journey of becoming unapologetically authentic and learn to identify inauthentic living & behaviors. You will be able to make peace with your past, love your present and get excited about your future through visualization meant to leave you feeling self-empowered and joyful. This workshop is designed to show you how dimming your light for the sake of acceptance wreaks havoc on your soul. Verna wants you to live with purpose and not just exist in conformity. Verna is a skillful life coach, mentor, and entrepreneur in the wellness and personal development industry. She is also a master certified Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) practitioner, NLP teacher, hypnotherapist, and author. She has been in the field of mental health and social services since 1988 and has assisted thousands of clients in transforming trauma into an empowering resource.

Breakout Session I – Finances 101

Breakout Session II – Mid-Life Check Up

Breakout Session III – The Other Half (Retirement)

DEPRESSION THE COMEDY

Presenter: Jessica Holmes – Celebrated Comedian, Author, and Mental Health Advocate

Overview: This is a frank and hilarious account of how it took Jessica Holmes two years to get diagnosed as depressed. It started small: she resented “fun stuff” like girls night out, developed a loathing for words like “wellness,” and avoided foods that promised to prolong her life. Even when she yawned her way through an emceeing job for Oprah Winfrey didn’t sound any alarms for her. By the end of 2013, Jessica slept more than the cat, gave her husband a hall pass, and told her TV agent “hold my calls for six months” before diagnosis. In the nearly two years that she had transitioned from “cheerleader” to “zombie,” she hadn’t taken stock of how far she had veered from her ideal life of fulfilment and gratitude. Jessica’s story, which has a deeply happy ending, relates to anyone who has ever been on a downhill trajectory, whether with health, relationships, or career, who forgot to stop and ask “where am I?”

Jessica Holmes has opened for giants like Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, and Oprah Winfrey. Combining stand-up, music, and improvisation, she performed at Just For Laughs and The Second City before starring in her own TV series, The Holmes Show.

Also a wellness advocate, Holmes mixes comedy with a validating message about life’s challenges in her book, Depression The Comedy, and has become a celebrated voice in fighting the stigma surrounding mental health issues in her hilarious and inspirational keynotes.

A mother of two (and wife of one), Holmes’ passion is finding the laughs in life’s imperfections and turning embarrassments into punchlines.

ENGAGING MALE ALLIES / TOOLS TO UNBIAS YOUR LIFE OR OFFICE

Presenter: Jen Jamula, Founder, Creative Director, and Lead Coach – GoldJam Creative

Overview: Discussions about gender bias often place blame on men or leave them out of the conversation altogether. However, achieving gender equality requires everyone’s concerted commitment. During this interactive keynote, Jen will provide tools for rewiring individual biases, speaking up productively against microaggressions, and engaging male allies. Attendees will strengthen their understanding of how gender bias manifests in the workplace, learn how to address or adjust unintentional behaviors to be more inclusive, and enhance their ability to uplift femaleidentifying colleagues and make positive change. They will have a chance to ask questions in a guiltfree zone.

Jen Jamula is an entrepreneur, coach, and performer whose work looks at communication in the Digital Age. She and collaborator Allison Goldberg have helmed several artistic projects that have been featured on Good Morning America, in Forbes, WIRED Magazine, VICE, Newsweek, theSkimm, and more. The pair was featured on the cover of Time Out New York, which ranked them two of “the top 10 funniest women in NYC.”

Jen Jamula (left) with GoldJam Partner Allison Goldberg

Fun at The Expo

VISIT THE EXPO

Enjoy an extended lunch hour to lunch with new friends, network, and visit our Expo vendors to learn more about our sponsors and women-owned businesses in our community. Treat yourself to something you love from a local vendor!

THE BOOK NOOK

Looking for a new book to “improve you”? Make your way to The Book Nook and take a seat in a comfy chair to look through our book selection. Buy one or buy all, at a discounted price!

While you’re in The Book Nook, learn more about our Youth Summer Reading Program – how you can help to “curb the summer slide of learning” for children in Berks! The 2020 book choice is Danny Dollar Millionaire – The Lemonade Escapade and was made possible through the 2020 partnership with VISIONS Federal Credit Union.

We are excited to host the author, Ty Allan Jackson, at the DoubleTree Hotel of Reading on August 21st to talk about his book and answer questions from children who took part in local summer book clubs. The children attending will have read and received a copy of his book as part of the Youth Summer Reading Program. We are thrilled to partner with VISIONS to not only help us put these books into kids' hands but then introduce the author to them!

2020 Summer Children’s Book Sponsor:

YOUR HEALTHY NUMBERS

Each year our Title Sponsor Penn State Health St. Joseph offers free health screenings to our Conference attendees. Stop by the Health4Cast station to receive free screenings from PSHSJ professionals to determine the 4 critical numbers that will predict your health. Due to popular demand, stop by early to schedule a time for today!

Provided by:

WINE RAFFLE

After an inspiring and empowering day of meeting new women, learning new skills and bettering you, let’s not forget about our own wellness. Our wine-wellness. We will be pulling a name at random to win an impressive wine basket! Receive your raffle ticket as you enter the Ballroom for the 2nd Keynote’s presentation!

Since 2012, the Power of the Purse in Berks County has awarded $225,903 to local organizations to improve the lives of women and children. Contact us about joining

LOCAL BOSS BUSINESS WOMEN

Sherry Fuhrmann Pure Wild Tea

78 North Northkill Road, Bernville, PA 19506

610-488-7263

purewildtea.com

Q: How did you get started in this business?

A: It was all about my mother and my grandmother and the Pennsylvania Dutch traditions they were able to pass along to me. I used to help cut mint leaves in the hay fields in the summers and then my mom would make a simple tea with just mint, sugar and water. My mom was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 38 and died at age 48. When she passed, I realized that my own kids weren’t going to know the traditions of their grandmother very well. My father had 110 acres at the time…half of it was my brother’s. We planted the fields for 5 or 6 years before I actually got serious. We fabricated the equipment, we built the building ourselves, we did everything by hand and we did not get any loans. This became our way of working through the grief. The first year, I also got a job at the Hamburg School District so that lent really nicely to the business, because in the summers we could plant our mint plants and do a lot of the work. We truly got started in November of 2013 and every year we added a new mint into our line. We started with two flavors our first year… the apple mint and the chocolate mint…and then moved to the lemon balm in 2014, followed by strawberry mint and then the anise hyssop. Because of being local and not having chemicals in it, just mint, water and sugar, no additives or preservatives, all the stars aligned in a sense and it all started working together.

Q: What was the biggest surprise or challenge (being a woman) in this business?

A: There were definitely trials and tribulations. People have been very curious when they see it’s me and not my husband who runs the business. Now people are very familiar with me and it’s not a question anymore…but at first everyone kind of thought it was his idea and his vision. You’re not sure of yourself at first, and you don’t know if it’s going to survive, but I’ve made a lot of great relationships along the way with this business. I didn’t feel there were any instructional manuals to help me figure out how to navigate the whole field of trying to be an entrepreneur. There were so many things I learned along the way. I learned that businesses are a community… we all help each other. What I’d like to see is my younger daughters and other women help out. Everyone who has come along on my journey, from my niece and my sisters-in-law, to my cousins and the neighbors, have kind of blessed me and we’ve been in great partnership all along, so I see this as a steppingstone for other women too.

Q: What does the future look like for your business?

A: I came into this at the perfect time. I started out at four places and now we’re at 156…that’s just incredible growth. I would like to expand our rooibos line. It’s a wild herb that grows in South Africa, just like mint does. It has no caffeine, but they add natural things like star anise, licorice root and vanilla bean, which creates a root beer flavor. I order it directly from a company in South Africa. You can put freeze-dried peaches, red raspberries and blueberries in rooibos, creating a drink that is healthy and beneficial to you. I just steep the mix in our water and then add the sugar. I’d love to eventually be bought out by a bigger company that wants to emphasize drinking good things, without all the chemicals, and for the trend to grow. This all started with my mother having cancer and the doctor telling us that it was environmental, due to exposure to chemicals that my parents used in the fields back in the day…my dad currently has Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma…and I would love for it to end on the note where we are moving away from chemicals in our drinks…I would love that her life, in a sense, was not in vain.

Esther Schultz

Good Grain Bread Co. essie@goodgrainbreadco.com goodgrainbreadco.com

Q: How did you get started in this business?

A: My story is winding. I grew up around breadmaking as my father and grandfather were both bread bakers. After a hiatus of many years from baking, I found myself home with my first baby in 2008, and going a little “stir crazy.” I came across a New York Times article about “no knead breads,” something I was familiar with, and the article spurred me to get back into a forgotten love of bread making. The path to starting my own business took many more years. I continued as a home baker until 2018. At that time, with three small children, I was thinking about going back to work. But whenever my husband or anyone else would ask what I really wanted my first answer was always ‘make bread.’ With the support and business help of my husband and others, I opened Good Grain Bread Co. in December 2018.

Q: What was the biggest surprise or challenge (being a woman) in this business?

A: The launch of Good Grain Bread Co. in Berks County has been a very positive experience and I have felt very welcomed by the community. In fact, the growth has been faster than anticipated, and that’s the real surprise. Working out the schedule, meeting the demands of the business and still managing to be present to my still young children, has been an important challenge to work through. To do so, I have maintained a diligence to time management: working early, scheduling deliveries during school hours, and maintaining family time after school.

Q: What does the future look like for your business?

A: For now, I am focused, well, on the past. My specialty is sourdough bread. I just love the legacy of sourdough. The ancestral quality – it links us to ancient heritage. Plus, once I studied the sourdough process, I became very interested in the health benefits derived from the naturally occurring yeast and fermentation process.

Q: What advice would you give to young, female entrepreneurs?

A: You never know unless you try. Also, it’s important to find someone who is both supportive, but also brutally honest. When you have that, it’s possible to have, as I have, a dream realized.

Joanne Levengood Manatawny Creek Winery

227 Levengood Road, Douglassville, PA 19518 610-689-9804 manatawnycreekwinery.com

Q: How did you get started in the winemaking business?

A: Got stuck sitting behind a desk as an environmental engineer and started looking around for a different kind of job. My grandparents lived on a farm and my father was thinking about early retirement from his job. I decided to go to graduate school in California at UC Davis and get my Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology. Part of the degree is doing internships at wineries. After 3 years, I decided to move back to PA to the family farm and open the winery.

Q: What is the biggest surprise or challenge being a woman in this business?

A: The biggest surprise to me is the same today as it was 20 years ago. People assume the winemaker is male. At the first meeting with our accountant all those years ago, he said it might be a red flag not having any men on the payroll (my father never went on payroll), because who would be doing all the work? Really? All of us women do all of the work, including the farm labor and the cellar work.

Q: What does the future look like for your industry?

A: I think the wine industry is very stable. The vineyards are another matter with the invasion of the spotted lanternfly. We are not sure what is going to happen with our vineyards.

Q: What advice would you give young, female entrepreneurs?

A: Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.

Continued on page 24

MANATAWNYCREEK

LOCAL BOSS BUSINESS WOMEN

Beverly

Kelly-Carfagno Muddy Creek Soap Company

608 Penn Ave West

Reading, PA 19611

610-816-7474

muddycreeksoapcompany.com

Q: How did you get started in this business?

A: I’ve had sensitive skin since I was young and as I got older, when I would go to craft shows, I would buy handmade soaps. I knew there was a difference when I used natural soaps versus commercial soaps, my skin looked and felt better. I began to research and study how to make soaps, and after my first attempt, I realized that this was my destiny! I would work on soaps at night and weekends because I had a full time job at the time, it was a way for me to relax and enjoy something I loved doing.

Q: What was the biggest surprise or challenge (being a woman) in this business?

A: Being in this industry, I don’t feel being a woman was a challenge. I worked in outside sales previously and that was more of a challenge being a woman.

Q: What does the future look like for your industry?

A: The future for this industry is growing, being the fact that more and more people are aware of what they use on their skin plays a big factor on their overall health. People want more natural and organic products.

Q: What advice would you give young, female entrepreneurs?

A: My advice to young, female entrepreneurs would be, don’t be afraid to do what you love and are passionate about! It takes long hours and hard work on your part, but the end result is well worth it.

RN Therapeutics carries Thera-Band exerise products, CBD Pain Relief Cream, Biofreeze, foam rollers and pillows. Worker’s Comp and auto insurance accepted.

Wanting

MOORE

Bestselling author, combat veteran and social entrepreneur

Wes Moore headlines GRCA’s 107th annual dinner.

Wes Moore, the CEO of Robin Hood, one of the largest anti-poverty forces in the nation, will be the guest speaker at GRCA’s 107th annual dinner. Those lucky enough to attend the Santander Arena event will hear Moore discuss his quest for a meaningful life, sharing valuable lessons learned from the remarkable people that he met along the way. From the translator who helped him “find his fight” in Afghanistan to young students in Katrinaravaged Mississippi who showed him the meaning of grit and resiliency, Moore will reveal that our truest work happens when

we serve others.

This presentation is sure to inspire the audience to find their own path, create a life that matters and play an active part in building a better world.

Moore’s message has even caught the eye of Oprah Winfrey. His most well known novel “The Other Wes Moore” has been optioned by Winfrey and HBO to be made into a movie.

Moore’s newest book, “Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City,” is slated for release April 14.

Tickets to The Dinner are available to be purchased at GreaterReading.org.

BOOKS WRITTEN BY WES MOORE

The Other Wes Moore

Discovering Wes Moore

The Work

WES MOORE BIO

Age: 41

Education: Valley Forge Military College graduate, International Relations and Economics Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, Master’s degree in International Relations from University of Oxford Family: Wife, Dawn, and two children Website: wesmoore. com

Two Baltimore boys, same name, two very different paths. One becomes a Rhodes Scholar and one is in jail. This novel examines the choices made that led each boy to who they are now.

This Young Adult Adaptation of “The Other Wes Moore” is a cautionary tale that still shares a powerful message.

Moore retraces his travels and steps to showcase how he was able to find both purpose and passion for the work that he does.

Five Days: The Fiery Reckoning of an American City

The story of the Baltimore Uprisings after the death of Freddie Gray told through the eyes of seven characters on the frontlines.

WOMAN2KNOW

Meet

WENDY KERSCHNER:

Territory Manager, Comfort Keepers

Q: What has led you to your current career path?

A: Networking! While employed in a past sales position, I knew it was time to move on and had just finished reading a book called The 4 Hour Workweek. In the book the author suggested sharing with all of your family, friends and acquaintances that you are looking for a new opportunity. Further, the author provided an email template to personalize and send. I began telling everyone that I was looking for a new opportunity and I sent out an email to all my contacts. Like magic, opportunities presented themselves. Matter of fact, when I got home from work that evening my husband met me at the door and said, “What did you do today? There are six voicemails on the answering machine with job opportunities!” One of those opportunities was for the Territory Manager position at Comfort Keepers.

Q: Would you wish to acknowledge a mentor or friend who helped you aspire to this point in your life’s journey, and why?

A: My life-leader is my husband of 25 years, Ken. He allows me to be who I am. He supports and encourages me, always offering a listening ear or the voice of reason. He makes me a better person.

Q: What words of wisdom would you offer to other women?

A: Figure out what you do best and do that! Be unique. Be you. Speak up. Say thank you. Don’t worry about what other people say about you. Always have integrity.

Q: What is the most valuable way women can support each other?

A: Realize that you are not in competition with each other. Everyone brings a unique talent, skill set and personality to the table, utilize that as an advantage. Spend your time on worthwhile tasks and idea generation. A favorite quote of mine that I learned from a co-worker many years ago is “Small minds talk about people. Great minds talk about ideas!”

Q: Is there an “aha” moment or experience that defines who you are?

A: Getting a serious illness at age 30 changed my mindset on life. I literally thought I was dying and at the time they didn’t have a diagnosis for my illness. After I recovered, I was a changed person. My mindset was realizing that I have just one life to live and I’m going to live it! I started accepting more invitations to activities and events outside of my usual comfort zone and I began taking more risks and adventures.

Q: What is your favorite mantra, favorite saying or words that keep you grounded?

A: “Everything happens for a reason” and “No regrets!”

Q: What do you consider women’s main asset?

A: Determination! When a woman puts her mind to something, it will get done!

Q: What three things do you recommend that contribute to your success?

A: 1. Surround yourself with good people. Your tribe should include the kind of people who understand you, encourage you, support you, and even though they may have seen you at your worst, they still love and accept you.

2. Be an expert in your field! Read trade publications, read non-fiction books, watch videos and webinars related to your industry, and attend educational classes and workshops.

3. Work the numbers. Whatever the goal, break everything down to numbers (and a timeline) so you know exactly what you need to accomplish in what time frame to reach (or exceed) your goals.

Q: As an avid reader, what books do you recommend to women for their development?

A: Knowing Your Value - Mika Brzezinksi

COMFORT KEEPERS

What initiatives within Comfort Keepers are helping empower women to realize their full potential?

As an in-home senior care company, Comfort Keepers finds that women are naturally drawn to be caregivers. Matter of fact, 95% of Comfort Keepers employees are women.

Comfort Keepers believes in education. From the investment that is made in training each of our caregivers to the training of the office and sales staff, Comfort Keepers is committed to providing access to educational growth opportunities for all employees.

Why are you proud to work at Comfort Keepers?

I am proud of our caregivers. I always say, “I have the easy job, I just talk about Comfort Keepers. Our caregivers have the hard job, they deliver the services.”

How does the company help the community?

The nature of our work is to help families in need. Perhaps they are going through a major health crisis, are facing an end-of-life journey or simply need a little extra help in their day to accomplish tasks others take for granted. We are here to support families and offer them community resources that can benefit their aging loved one. It is an honor to be invited into and involved in the lives of our clients and their families. 2

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success - Deepak Chopra

The Man Who Mistook His Job for a LifeJonathon Lazear

Presence - Amy Cuddy Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Seven Covey

Ten Things - Maria Shiver

Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos - Lynette Lewis

I Know How She Does It - Laura Vander Kam

If Life is a Game, These are the RulesCherie Carter-Scott

Just Let Me Lie Down - Kristin vanOgtrop

Sourdough breads including, classic sourdough, sprouted rye, sesame, ciabatta, rosemary focaccia, and raisin walnut.

ON THE CALENDAR

SARAH COLANTONIO

Equity at Work: Concrete Ways to Mitigate Unconscious Bias

Join Sarah Colantonio, Partner at Work Wisdom, LLC, and explore the benefits of diversity in the workplace with us while acknowledging our propensity for bias. Each attendee will take a short quiz prior to the event to learn more about themselves, and at the event be able to self-assess. Participants will be given a number of concrete practices organizations and companies utilize to create a more equitable culture in their workplace. Together we can create amazing places to work in Berks!

Left to right – 2019 Recipients: Lourdes Peralta, Alneasa Jordan, Genesis Munoz

Sarah and founder of Work Wisdom, Kedren Crosby, authored Authentic Communication: 20 Practices to Enhance Your Communication and Joy to help individuals and teams have more effective communication in their lives.

DATE: THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Venue: Inn at Reading

Cost: $25/person (includes lunch)

Read more about the 2019 recipients on page 34!

Save the Date + Nominate Someone DE MUJER A MUJER AWARDS CEREMONY + CELEBRATION

As a celebration of our diverse Berks communities, De Mujer a Mujer and Women2Women will be hosting the 2nd annual De Mujer a Mujer Awards Ceremony + Celebration. Recognition will be given in three categories – Community Impact, Young Latina, + Small Business Owner. Nominate someone today at berkswomen2women.com.

DATE: THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Venue: Crowne Plaza Reading

Cost: $5/person (includes admission to Caliente)

Mujer Mujer

MARTHA ALVAREZ TAYLOR

A Long Journey Towards a New Beginning

REGISTER TODAY!

Mujer Mujer

Walk in Martha’s shoes with us… Hear her story of going from a Director of Engineering in Colombia with a driver, a nanny and bodyguard, to a guerilla abduction and ransom that forced her and her family to relocate to America. A new beginning included learning a new language, obtaining a new education and being a nanny herself. Martha is a De Mujer a Mujer committee member and inspires others every day. Martha is currently the Manager of Industrial Engineer Processes for C&S Wholesale Grocers, where she has been excelling for 8 years.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Venue: Stokesay Castle

Cost: $25/person (includes breakfast)

JOSEPHINA & ROCIO ENCARNACION

The Key To Success in Entrepreneurship

Let’s focus on the importance of self-improvement and how we can use it to create a business model that can impact our own lives and others through entrepreneurship. We will focus on three dimensions of who we are as human beings and how this can influence our success as entrepreneurs. Attendees will leave with a better understanding on how success in entrepreneurship is based on what we believe about ourselves and the environment. Josephina & Rocio Encarnacion are the founders and owners of My Source Entrepreneur, LLC, helping entrepreneurs to open and expand their businesses with a focus on the brand, administration and attitude through training and business coaching.

DATE: THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Venue: Crowne Plaza Reading

Cost: $5/person (includes admission to Caliente)

9th Annual WOMEN’S CONFERENCE + EXPO and ATHENA Award Ceremony 2

JUNE 25, 2020

7:30AM-4:30PM Crowne Plaza Reading Register at berkswomen2women.com

See more about the Keynote and Breakout Speakers on pages 19 & 20!

Spark Solutions & Support takes you and your team from Insight 2 Influence in a supportive and nonthreatening way while challenging you to find your best self.

• Workshops & trainings on corporate culture, interpersonal skills, leadership and team development

• Facilitation of workgroups

• Personal and professional coaching Gain Insight. Become Inspired. Share Your Influence.

Sharon Mast

Sharon@sparkss.com • 610.781.1888 • www.sparkss.com

Mujer Mujer

Josephina Encarnacion Rocio Encarnacion

LATINO LIFE

Book Club. Just those two words can elicit a myriad of images.

To the casual book reader, the idea of participating in a book club might seem a bit “extra” and would seem downright ridiculous to self-proclaimed “non”-readers. Yet, at the heart of it all, is a coming together of an eclectic group of women who meet on the last Monday of the month to discuss the book that may or may not have been read by all in attendance.

Mi Casa Su Casa transforms to our safe space, a haven for 90 minutes where we can discuss the book choice for the month and emerge with a deeper understanding of the women around us. Who are we? “We” are women who live in Berks County, PA. Most of us proclaim our life-long love of books. I personally have devoured books since I was a kid, and many have been sources of comfort when needed and sparks for change when a catalyst was called for.

The Book Club has fostered friendships and stimulating discussions both in rediscovering characters together as well as seeing a story from a different perspective based on one’s own experiences.

Book club discussions increase our compassion, strengthen our connection to the world around us, and can actually keep our brains in shape. Who could have thought that such a simple gathering would have such a profound effect on us?

It is what happens after we meet that has changed my life. The kinship with other readers who have also loved the story and the ability to speak of beloved characters as if they were personal friends. Their connection to the story tells me something about who they are.

The 2019 Book Choices were curated using the input of the book club participants and the facilitators. There is a myriad of topics ranging from memoirs, self-help, and fiction from a variety of genres. The most popular book discussed was Becoming by Michelle Obama. 2

By Isabel Monterrosa

Did You Know There is a Women2Women Book Club?

Remaining Book Discussion Schedule for 2020

When I was Puerto Rican Esmeralda Santiago APRIL 27

Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin MAY 18

I Know How This Ends Amy Impellizzeri* JUNE 29

The Buddha in the Attic Jane Otsuka JULY 27

For Goodness Sex Al Vernacchio* AUGUST 31

A Soft Place to Land

Susan Rebecca White SEPTEMBER 28

Curious Incident of the Dog

Mark Haddon OCTOBER 26

Act Like a Lady, Think like A Man

Steve Harvey NOVEMBER 30

The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah DECEMBER 28

*Local Author

FAMILY-OWNED,

Family-involved

These four words characterize the Leader family’s role in the senior living profession for more than 55 years. Last year, the third generation of our family in the person of Meredith Janeczek Mills, granddaughter of Country Meadows founders George M. and Mary Jane Leader, took on a senior leadership position in the company—chief operating officer. Meredith is one of nine members of the Leader and Janeczek families employed by Country Meadows. Five of the nine are in the third generation. Collectively the nine of us have more than 150 years of experience in healthcare. I like to say the profession is imbedded in our family genes.

So, you might say, “What’s the big deal? ” The deal is about quality and experience. My father used to say, “You pay a lot more attention to what’s happening and work harder when your name is attached to the business.” And, I might add, because we love what we do.

We understand the critical success factors in senior living and know when something is missing. Unlike providers whose corporate leadership is headquartered in another state or even on the West Coast, our family lives and works in central Pennsylvania. We can drive to every campus easily. Family members either work full-time

on a campus or visit one or more of our communities every week. With so many years of experience, along with regular exposure to what’s happening through personal visits, we are better able to assess problems when they exist and start the process to fix them.

On behalf of the Leader-Janeczek family, we hope we have the opportunity to serve your family

An editorial submission from G. Michael Leader, President & CEO of Country Meadows Retirement Communities

The Leader-Janeczek family

LATINO LIFE

Meet the 2019 W2W

De Mujer a Mujer Award Winners

In 2019, De Mujer a Mujer hosted a ceremony celebrating Latina women in our community across three categories. Rosa Julia Parra of Palo Magazine spoke to the three recipients to find out how these ladies were impacted by their awards and how they are continuing to impact the community today.

Let’s start with Alneasa Jordan; she is the Human Resources Director at the Doubletree by Hilton Reading. Alneasa was chosen for the Community Impact.

Alneasa, tell me after the De Mujer a Mujer award ceremony how have you continued to impact our community not just as an HR Rep but as a human being? Perhaps you may also tell me a bit about your recent trip to Puerto Rico as well. This award was an honor to receive and it solidified that the work that I have been doing for many years has made a difference. My journey in community service began as a young woman in my home city of Newark, NJ. The award has also humbled me and allowed me to think outside the box and see what more I can do to help my city and even the world.

My recent trip to Puerto Rico was life changing. With a group of twenty other dedicated individuals, we were able to help 1000 people by providing care packages and most of all love. I have also taken my Girls Empowerment Movement another level by creating a logo and real advertising to be able to engage and help more young women in our community through mentorship.

Could you tell me the importance of teaching our children or the younger generation the importance of continuously serving the community?

Through my organization Girls Empowerment Movement and having a

young daughter it’s become a focus to share the importance and the impact that giving back has. Not only is it a rewarding feeling for one self but it life changing for not only the individual you are helping but you as well. And I tell you no better feeling in the world comes close to that.

Next up, Genesis D. Muñoz Arias, Vice President for the Latinos United for Change Club; she was chosen for the Young Latina Award.

Genesis, could you tell me if you feel you can be one of the next women leaders of Berks County and beyond? And why?

I believe that I have the potential to be a woman leader of Berks County. However, first I must find my calling. My heart is filled with compassion for others and love for my city. I know that I want to make a difference in Reading, PA. I know that I can. I am investing in myself and creating opportunities of growth. As long as I pursue with passion, I’ll leave a legacy.

As a young Afro-Latina, what are you doing to teach your peers, the importance of staying committed and growing within our diverse multi-colored community but at the same time never losing your identity? (I ask this because I see sometimes that you wear hair scarves and that is something so culturally deep which I love but how do we continue to teach others that it’s ok to be you and be professional at the same time?

It’s challenging to grow in an environment that lacks to embrace your culture. For some Latino students this environment is college. In college there are many cliques. Often, I find myself associating with the African American culture on campus, because, it resembles my own Dominican culture in some way. Nevertheless, the Dominican in me does not fade away. I embrace the Afro-Latina in me with my fashion, head wraps/scarves and braids. The Dominican in me persists through my Spanish lingo, taste in music and food, of course. I continue to enjoy my plates of Mangu (Smashed Plantains), and Moro de Habichuela Negra (Rice mixed with Black Beans) between classes.

I am also the Vice President of the Latinos United for Change club (LUC). My goal with LUC club is to create a space where Latino students can express their culture fully. I find joy when speaking Spanish. It’s very fulfilling to express myself fully in language, style, and dance. I believe providing this space will help students embrace their culture in the professional realm as well as the individual level. I feel like ever since I began college, I have been finding my true self.

Left to right – 2019 Recipients: Lourdes Peralta, Alneasa Jordan, Genesis Munoz

Last, but not least, Lourdes Peralta, owner of Sarai Variety Shop; she was presented the Small Business Owner Award.

Lourdes, how do you feel this award has impacted you and your business?

Oh my goodness, I’m receiving so many new contracts and traffic to my business that I must now work by appointments. I also took a 3-month test contract with Reading Tower and that has been so life-changing. I have the honor in taking fresh flowers everyday to their hospital gift store. I love flowers, therefore, this is a special treat. I also started decorating the hospital Christmas trees, another dream come true. Everybody knows I love decorating and flowers are my passion. I’m also thankful to Community First Fund and the LBRC for working with me to get funds and the proper trainings. Thanks to them my business continues to grow and I also want to thank them for helping me stay motivated and to learn the true business side of running a flower and variety shop. I’m becoming a true business woman in the field that I love, it doesn’t get better than that, I’m ecstatic.

Lourdes, as a Latin Dominican woman what advice would you give to other young women or just women in general who are afraid to follow their dreams?

I advise them to not only dream big but to take action. We women have value. I came to this country and didn’t speak English, I still haven’t learned it, but that hasn’t stopped me from following my dreams and working hard for what I believe in. So many women have talent, but they are so scared to use it. I also believe in sharing your knowledge and I love to do so, because I know that I won’t be around forever but I will leave my legacy. I believe it’s super important for a woman not to depend on a man. I depend on myself. My passion is flowers and I will continue to do what I love no matter what. I have more flowery projects so stay tuned. 2

By Rosa Julia Parra, CEO, Palo Magazine

“Looking

for new clients? Our readers are active, community-minded decision makers with disposable income.”

Alicia M. Lee

Regional Media Sales Executive alicia@hoffpubs.com 610-685-0914 *210

LADIES AROUND TOWN

Lily Oswald –Success & Transfer of Power in a Family Business

Lily Oswald, CEO of Sorrelli Jewelry, shared the story of Sorrelli and her own story, including stepping away to pursue other passions and goals and then asked to come back to rebuild after a business decline. Lily was candid about her growth as a woman in the corporate world, her passion for sustainability in corporate culture and her return to her family’s business. Many family businesses in the crowd had lots of questions!

Dr. Krista Schenkel –Always Put Your Oxygen Mask on First: Taking Care of Ourselves

Dr. Schenkel broke our wellness into 4 parts and tackled each for us. There were so many wonderful tips to take home to better take care of ourselves. Self-care should be ongoing, not just occasional. And visit the doctor – get that check up!

“She didn’t sugar coat things. Very honest presentation on the challenges, strengths and weaknesses of working in a family business.”

“She was a very good speaker. I found the story fascinating and really saw the passion she has for the environment and human rights.”

Dayana Blandon –Finding Your Voice & Navigating the Workplace

Dayana Blandon, HR Manager of CarbonLite, gave us two scenarios of how her life potentially played out. Many negatives, many positives. Both of her stories were her life. Overcoming so many obstacles, and giving time to herself to find her voice and path, she was able to help others in the audience to share & shed their “labels” too.

“I liked her honesty. She was a great speaker as well. I related to her experience so very much. And I have been thinking about her message a lot in the past few days.”

“Me gustó su honestidad. Ella era una gran oradora también. Me relacioné mucho con su experiencia. Y he estado pensando mucho en su mensaje en los últimos días.”

“I appreciated her honesty and courage…and her willingness to share her story in order to help other women.”

“Aprecié su honestidad y coraje ... y su disposición a compartir su historia para ayudar a otras mujeres.”

“Dr. Schenkel’s presentation was an eye opener for me. We as women try to take on so much and we need to learn to step back and cut out our 10%. Great presentation!”

“Dr. Schenkel’s positive energy was wonderful and I enjoyed her presentation! I felt a lot of it was common sense, but it was great to hear it, hopefully it will eventually sink in! Oftentimes it’s easier said than done!”

“Expectations were met above and beyond. Appreciated the opportunity to obtain a PCP as that was one of my goals for 2020!”

Erica Montalvo –Pretty, Just Pretty

Erica summoned her courage, and support system, to share her story of overcoming adversity with the group. Her message? You ARE pretty. You are perfect the way you are no matter what anyone tries to tell you.

Mujer Mujer

Vision Boarding Workshop with Coach Adrean

Turner

In February W2W partnered with Coach Adrean Turner to offer a workshop to help us visualize our goals for the upcoming year. Vision boarding is a tool used to get your thoughts on paper and “see” where you want to go in the future. The group had a blast and enjoyed sharing their goals with each other!

Johanny

Cepeda Freytiz –

Knowing Your ABC’s

Every year we host an event like this, a “crossover” to reintroduce our De Mujer a Mujer programming to our W2W members. What started six years ago as small roundtables for Latina business owners, presented in Spanish, has evolved into monthly programming, in English, with sometimes up to 80 attendees. At De Mujer a Mujer we create a safe space for women to grow and connect with other women, just like we do at our Women2Women programming.

Johanny shared her ABC’s and we couldn’t get enough. A = ATTITUDE but the good kind. The kind that keeps you going, keeps you AMBITIOUS. Everyone in the crowd was able to head back home or to the office to figure out how they should define their own ABC’s.

“Johanny is amazzzing!! Loved her energy and how real she was when she presented her story. And I like the format of her presentation, “ABC’s”. She is fabulous, as are all the women at W2W!!!”

“Take a well deserved break to join other local women who share an interest in growth, education, and inspiration!! It is a well deserved treat!”

Get featured in our next magazine!

Photos: Snap a photo with your friends at any event and tag Women2Women on Facebook!

Quotes: Remember to complete the event survey with your thoughts on the event! **don’t forget to include your name!**

This Health Issue Will Affect Nearly Half of All Women and You’ve Probably Never Heard of It

Many women aren’t familiar with uterine prolapse and those who are aware are often embarrassed to talk about it. If you are suffering from the symptoms of prolapse, you are not alone.

Gynecologic Prolapse refers to decreased support of pelvic structures including the uterus, bladder, and rectum. This occurs when the supporting ligaments become weak and can no longer hold the pelvic organs in place. Women with prolapse might notice a “bulge” during their shower, or they may feel a bulge at the opening of the vagina or the anus. The bulge may contain bladder, uterus, or the rectum. Women with uterine prolapse may also notice a sense of increased pressure in the pelvis. Other common signs of pelvic organ prolapse are urine leakage, constipation, discomfort while walking, and even pain with intercourse.

Prolapse can be difficult to prevent because it most commonly results from injury to the support structures of the pelvis. The most common cause is childbirth. Women who have cesarean sections are less likely to suffer from prolapse. However,

pregnancy itself can cause prolapse so cesarean sections do not always prevent the condition. Other risk factors for uterine prolapse include multiple pregnancies, age, prior gynecologic surgeries, or family history. Uterine prolapse is also more common for white and Hispanic women.

Lifestyle can also cause damage to the support structures of the pelvis. Improper lifting technique, smoking and repetitive coughing can lead to prolapse. All these activities increase intra-abdominal pressure that pushes down on the pelvis, causing stretching of the collagen and weakening of the muscles that support the pelvic organs. Being overweight can also contribute to prolapse. Prolapse can also worsen during menopause, due to lowered estrogen production.

While it is difficult to prevent pelvic organ prolapse some simple actions can help protect your pelvic muscles. Maintain a healthy weight; don’t smoke; lift with your legs, not your back, when lifting heavy objects; and practice Kegel exercises daily to help strengthen your pelvic floor.

If you think you might be suffering from prolapse, or it is affecting your daily life, make an appointment with your physician. Prolapse may also be diagnosed by your gynecologist during a routine pelvic exam. There are many different techniques doctors use to measure and grade prolapse. The degree of an individual’s prolapse will help your doctor to determine if you need treatment and which options would be best for you.

To evaluate you for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery specialist (also known as a uro-gynecologist) will review your medical history and perform a pelvic exam. This specialist can then recommend a variety of therapies to cure or relieve symptoms of prolapse. You should choose the one that works best for your lifestyle and meets your goals.

Sometimes simple changes and interventions can have a significant impact on daily quality of life. Your specialist should review both conservative (non-surgical) and surgical therapy options. Conservative options include pelvic floor physical therapy, pelvic exercises, behavioral modifications, and vaginal devices (called pessaries). Safe and effective surgical procedures are also utilized by the uro-gynecologist to treat prolapse.

• Wait and See: POP is not dangerous to your health! If it is not uncomfortable to you, monitoring the POP is an option. It may stay the same, or it may worsen, but this change often takes months to years.

• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Exercises: A specialized physical therapist can use a variety of techniques to help you strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can improve mild POP symptoms.

• Behavioral Modifications: Avoiding activities which increase pelvic pressure and straining (heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation) will help lessen the symptoms and possibly progression of the prolapse.

• Vaginal Device (Pessary): A pessary is a silicone device that is inserted into the vagina to brace the prolapsing areas. Pessaries can be inserted and removed at home or at the doctor’s office, depending on your goals.

• Prolapse Surgery: There are several possible surgical options for prolapse. This is not a “one size fits all” surgery! Be sure to understand all possible options to choose the one that best suits your needs and goals. These surgeries can be approached without incisions (through the vagina) or laparoscopically (or robotically). They are most commonly done using your natural connective tissue for support, but in a small percentage, can involve use of synthetic materials (mesh) to augment your connective tissue. These repairs can be done with or without hysterectomy. These surgeries can be “reconstructive” (performed with the goal of reconstructing the vagina in its natural dimensions) or “obliterative” (performed with the goal of closing off the deep extent of the vaginal canal, providing a low risk and highly successful procedure, but also understanding that future vaginal intercourse will not be possible. This option

is often ideal for elderly women.). Finally, incontinence surgeries can sometimes be performed together with the prolapse repair. It is important to understand the pros and cons of each of these options and work together with your surgeon to create a plan that best meets your goals! 2

Compiled by Jaime B. Long, MD

Uro-Gynecology Penn State Health St. Joseph

Assistant Professor, Penn State College of Medicine

Laura Hunter, MD

All About Women – Tower Health Medical Group

BE INVOLVED IN YOUR HEALTHCARE

Learn more about prolapse through the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) patient portal: Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders (https://www.voicesforpfd.org/)

BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE:

Seek out a physician with board certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery who has a dedicated interest in these issues and can offer you a full range of treatment options. Read their reviews, ask friends or relatives who may have had similar treatments, and be ready to discuss your concerns and questions.

ASK QUESTIONS:

Write your questions down as you think of them and bring them along to your visit. If there are things you don’t understand during your consultation, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.

KNOW YOUR GOALS:

A. What is it that bothers you about prolapse? Is it the uncomfortable sensation, changes to bowel or bladder function, sexual issues, or concern about what this new condition means for you?

B. What do you want to get from your visit to the specialist? Are you seeking answers, nonsurgical solutions to symptoms, or surgical correction?

C. When considering surgical correction, what are your priorities? Are you most interested in a quick recovery, a long lasting solution, avoidance of mesh/ synthetic implants, or correction of bladder/bowel issues? Is the capability for vaginal intercourse something that you wish to maintain?

Feel empowered for change! Pelvic organ prolapse is not something you need to live with. Be prepared to move forward and embrace health and freedom. Effective help is available through the services of a uro-gynecologist! 2

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