The following are from 2019. Check back for updated 2021 topics
All you need to know about Emerge Women’s Conference topics and speakers.
Click each one to read more.
Keynote Speaker 9:15AM YWCA Hanover Auditorium
Gisele Barreto Fetterman is an access and equity advocate, a hugger and the Second Lady of Pennsylvania. She is the founder of Freestore 15104, where surplus and donated goods are received and redistributed to neighbors in need. The Freestore aims to eradicate food and clothing insecurity, and currently serves close to 1,600 clients a month. The Freestore has inspired 9 spin off locations and the birth of 412 Food Rescue. Gisele is the co-founder of 412 Food Rescue, a community wide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste. 412 Food Rescue works with food retailers, wholesalers and other food providers to rescue un-sellable but perfectly good food to feed the food insecure. 412FR has rescued over 4 million pounds of food. She is co-founder of For Good PGH, a non-profit that works to advocate inclusion and inspire kindness. Its first initiative, Hello Hijab, has received both national and international praise. Gisele was born in Brazil and emigrated as a child to the US, living as an undocumented immigrant for over a decade. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, TODAY Show, CNN, NPR, NY Post and more. Gisele is a Forty under 40 honoree, a Tedx Speaker and a mother of three.
My Metal Working Story: Changing Career Mindsets
10:10AM St Mathews Classrooms
Typically, when you think about an individual interested in a career in metal working, the image that comes to mind is probably not that of a woman. Karen Russell will share how her career began in the manufacturing sector and evolved into welding and fabrication. She will discuss her experiences as she pursued a non-traditional career path beginning nearly forty years ago. Today, in addition to running Keystone North, Inc., parent company of Keystone North Manufacturing Company and Keystone Welding & Fabrication, Karen is focusing energy on mentoring other women as they pursue their career of choice. She will share her thoughts on how we can individually and collectively offer support to other women as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
About the presenter: Karen Russell is the Chief Executive Officer of Keystone North, Inc., a manufacturing and welding & fabrication company located in Mansfield, PA. Karen has been associated with Keystone North since 1980 when she began her career in the inventory control area of the business. In 1988, she became the plant manager of the Mansfield facility, moving into the corporate leadership position in 1991.
Karen has been a northern tier PA resident her entire life. She graduated from Mansfield University (Mansfield State College) in 1979 and received her Master of Science degree in Business Management from Elmira College in 2010.
Karen is involved in local and regional economic development boards such as Betterment Organization of Mansfield, Develop Tioga Entrepreneur Advisory Committee, and the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission workforce committee. She has been a member of the Council of Trustees at Mansfield University since 2013 and currently serves as treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Trustees.
In 2007, Karen received the Award for Woman Entrepreneur presented annually by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center to an outstanding woman entrepreneur within a seventeen county area of Pennsylvania. In 2013, Keystone North, Inc. was awarded the inaugural Governor’s Impact Award in the category of Small Business Impact.
Karen’s advocacy on behalf of women is exhibited through her certification as a Women Business Enterprise in PA and NY. She has served as a panelist for programs designed to educate young girls about career opportunities and plans to continue mentoring women interested in entrepreneurial startups.
Karen and her husband, David, reside in Mansfield, PA.
Grace Dickmyer is a graduate from South Western High School. She completed South Westerns group apprenticeship program and is the youngest female from South Western to get her D1.1 welding certification.
She is currently employed at KLK Welding Inc. “This program has given me more opportunities than a college would have and has rounded me as an individual, making me a more outgoing and confident person.”
Ken Kirkpatrick of KLK Welding Inc. and KLK School of Welding continues to be impressed by Grace and her passion. “Grace is phenomenal individual with a lot of talent.”
Conversational Tips: How to Talk With Your Aging Parent
1:40pm St Mathews Classrooms
Conversations with aging parents about changes you notice can be frustrating and exhausting. Many times family members avoid the conversation because it is uncomfortable and may be filled with guilt. Join Jennifer as she provides you with tips on how to navigate conversations by learning when to approach your aging parent, ways to approach the conversation, techniques to enhance trust and how to de-escalate the conversation when it becomes heated.
About the presenter: Jennifer has a graduate degree in Human Services, is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Dementia care Manager, a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Teacher, Certified in Crisis Prevention and a Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator. She works directly with people in varying stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias and currently oversees the Memory Care program at Cross Keys Village—the Brethren Home Community. Jennifer also leads the Dementia Friendly America initiative in York/Adams counties, serves on the PA Department of Aging ADRD Task Force, serves as a YWCA Board Member and volunteers within her church.
Yoga and Meditation – Self Care with a Purpose 1:40PM St Mathews Classrooms
Do you find yourself taking care of others or running a busy and hectic family or work life? Often as women the last thing on our to do list is self-care. In this beginner friendly yoga and guided meditation practice we will explore how we can reconnect to our true self and operate from this space rather than our reactionary mind. We will notice how taking this small amount of time for yourself will benefit everyone you come in contact with. We will finish with a clear and focused mind, and ready to emerge back into the world and take on whatever comes your way.
About the presenter: Misty Stillman is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and founded Life In Balance Yoga in 2008. She is passionate about yoga and loves that the studio created a yoga community in our small town of Hanover.
She trained at Yama Studio in Baltimore, MD in 2007 to complete her 200 hour certification and at Om My Yoga In Camp Hill, Pa in 2016 for her 300 hour certification. She has continued her training with Prana Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Flow the chakras and Mini Yogis to teach yoga to children.
Personal Branding
11:10AM St Mathews Classrooms
It used to be that creating a personal brand meant you had a bunch of business cards made up—and if you were creative, you hired a graphic designer to create a logo for you. But, with the development of social media and an increasingly individualized society, the brand you build around yourself is perhaps the single most important way you can stand out in your spheres of influence. If you’re beginning to think about your personal brand, it’s crucial that you understand that personal branding is the means by which people remember you.
It’s more than a trademark or a stunning logo—it is how you present yourself online and offline to potential clients and customers. Your brand image is what you create to help build your business. Your personal brand centers around you as an individual.
About the presenter: Karen is a seasoned human resources and talent management/development professional. As an Administrative Vice President at M&T Bank, her role as a Learning and Development Performance Consultant and Manager focuses on partnering with business leaders to identify and support development of employees with the competencies needed to meet organization strategies and objectives.
Karen received a Communications degree from The Pennsylvania State University as well as a number of industry certifications with focus on employee development, coaching, leadership, communication and change. She is dedicated to helping others be their best by sharing the most effective success principles and how to apply them with high energy, engaging learning programs.
Healthier You – Let’s get ready to become the healthiest version of YOU!
10:10AM – St Mathews Classrooms
Ever wonder how YOU can become ALL that YOU were created to be? Ever wonder why a healthy life is for everyone else but not YOU? Ever wonder how YOU got to where YOU are today? Ever wonder how YOU get unstuck? Ever wonder if it’s possible for YOU to get healthy? Ever think it’s too hard? Then a Healthier YOU is for you!
About the presenter: We are transparent. We are REAL. We are authentic. We discuss any and all things that affect us from becoming healthy – the real stuff that holds us back. The fears. The everyday questions. The upper limits that have been set. The boxes we have all gotten into. We take concepts and make them reality. It is time fir YOU to apply practical application and begin living the life that YOU have always dreamt of! It is time for you to invest into your biggest resource: YOU!
Dana is a Functional Medicine practitioner, completed through FMU. Her bachelor’s degree is in Food Nutrition Science from Drexel University. She is also a certified personal trainer and experienced in lymphatic and pain management massage. Dana has 20+ years of experience in life coaching, personal training, personal and athletic development, and nutritional/wellness/weight loss coaching. She cannot wait to meet you!
Women’s Heart Health – The Art of Caring for Your Heart
1:40PM – St Mathews Classrooms
Learn more about what heart disease is, the signs and symptoms of heart disease, and how to care for your heart health!
Emerge from this seminar with a new sense of self-awareness!
About the presenter: Kathy Miller has served the organization in various capacities for over 40 years. She has a passion to improve the cardiovascular health of the community she serves. She serves on the American Heart Board as the President and was instrumental in bringing the Heart Walk & Go Red for Women’s Luncheon to the area to increase heart disease awareness.
In her spare time, she loves to hike and spend time with her family.
Online opportunities for Changing Careers
1:40PM – St Mathews Classrooms
In today’s job market it is important to practice Planned Happenstance in our career journey. This session will focus on implementing John Krumboltz theory of, “Planned Happenstance”. We will focus on creating and recognizing opportunities to transition into a new career field or a new job utilizing technology. The session will examine working remotely and tools that can be used in researching and locating employers and finding a good career “fit”.
About the presenter: Erin Rose has worked in Career Services helping others define and set their career goals for fourteen years. She is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College and holds her M.A. from Shippensburg University.
Find Your Leadership Style
10:10AM – St Mathews Classrooms
Let’s talk Leadership….so how is female leadership different than male leadership? Stories about leadership and qualities of effective leaders will be discussed. Also, there will be opportunity to assess your own potential for leadership.
About the presenters: Barbara Rupp has always been interested in the science and practice of leadership. Along the way in her career, she has been very fortunate to have learned much about leadership which has helped in her leadership journey. Barb has been a junior high and high school principal, an assistant school superintendent, and recently retired school superintendent. Barb is now retired and keeps active by being on the Hanover Borough Council, YWCA Hanover Board, the South Western Education Board, and the UPMC Hanover Board
Managing Generations
11:10AM – St Mathews Classrooms
For the first time in American history, we now have four distinct generations working together! We are constantly faced with generational diversity, whether you’re in the workforce, involved in the community, or even within your own family. This workshop will explore the experiences, values, and tendencies of each generation, as well as understand how to work (and live) together in harmony.
About the presenter: Rhonda Ramos is the Patient Experience Service Coordinator at UPMC Hanover and has worked for the organization for twelve years. She is fluent in Spanish and started her career in healthcare as an interpreter and patient advocate.
Rhonda grew up in Ellicott City, MD and currently resides (within walking distance to the York Street Treat) with her husband Danny and two children, ages 5 and 2.
Women-Owned Businesses Downtown Hanover Leadership Tour
2:40PM – St Mathews Classrooms
Join Main Street Hanover’s Executive Director Justine Trucksess on a unique walking tour to meet some of the female entrepreneurs of downtown Hanover. In downtown Hanover, women have flourished in business. New business owners have been inspired by the downtown’s atmosphere and encouraged by the Downtown Boss Ladies that have been running successful businesses for years. Learn about their unique journeys to business ownership and what inspires them. Get to know their business. Hear from them why being located in downtown Hanover is important to them. Tour will last approximately 50 minutes, please be prepared to walk at least one mile.
About the presenter: Justine Trucksess joined Main Street Hanover in 2015 and was named executive director in 2018. Prior to that, she worked in development at the Hanover Hospital. She is also a co-author of “The Hanover, Pa. Bucket List.”
Trucksess has a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising from Duquesne University.
She and her husband, Drew, and their sons, Xavier and August, live in West Manheim Township.
The mission of Main Street Hanover is to expand the economic capacity of downtown Hanover, thus improving the business environment, enhancing the quality of place, and increasing community synergy.
Understanding your Teenager
10:10AM – St Mathews Classrooms
The teenage years are a time of transition from childhood into adulthood. Teens often have a strong desire to be independent. So they may struggle with still being dependent on their parents. They may also feel overwhelmed by the emotional and physical changes they are going through.
The teenage years are important as your child asserts his or her individuality. Many parents wonder what they can do to help their teenager.
Rachel Berkebile,
South Western High School Counselor
Travis Wildasin,
Emory H. Markle Intermediate School Counselor
How YOU can get Involved in the Community
12:30PM – St Mathews Classrooms
Being part of a community is a powerful experience. Communities give us a home, friendship, warmth, and a sense of belonging. How can you really be a part of a local community?
There are many ways. Know your neighbors, give your time, and get active in political activities to maximize your own involvement
The Presenters:
Eric Klansek of United Way
Brent Toomey of New Hope Ministries
Lisa Kane of Guthrie Memorial Library
Hailey Briggs of Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
Art Workshop: What Passion Can Do for a Person’s Life
2:40PM – St Mathews Classrooms
In 2017 after a family member sustained a life altering injury, her desire to have a community arts center morphed to a center where all individuals can find joy and purpose through art. Sam has teamed up with Art of Recycle in Ephrata, PA to open an all-inclusive community arts center in Hanover. Her session will focus on how this can happen in Hanover and what she is currently doing to facilitate this.
About the instructor: Sara Little, or Sam to those who know her, retired from teaching art in 201 after 38 years in the public-school system. She continues to teach art to children and adults of all ages and abilities. Her passion is helping people to find an outlet to explore their creativity with all the life-changing benefits that creating art bestows.
Our Inner Critic: Get Out of Your Head and Get Living
2:40PM – St Mathews Classrooms
We all struggle with self-doubt. Whether it’s work related, relationship drama or parenting woes, our inner critic is quick to place blame…usually right on our own shoulders. I’m thrilled to tell you that you have the power to talk back and take control. Turn your inner critic into your biggest raving fan with a few simple strategies.
About the presenter: Michelle Krill, hostess of the Feel Great Now Facebook community, lives a normal life of doing all the things that women do every day. Michelle’s latest accomplishments include having an employed 15-year-old son that doesn’t really enjoy working and found herself on her way back to high school when her daughter entered 9th grade.
Michelle, drawing on her 15+ years of coaching experience in her Instructional Technology Specialist position, along with her personal experiences (the good, the bad and the ugly), Michelle coaches women to reach their personal health, fitness, and wellness goals. Educating and supporting women to learn to master their routines, systems and habits and to keep them committed to their personal goals is Michelle’s mission.
Drum Circle
2:40PM – St Mathews Classrooms
The purpose for this program is to inspire growth and transformative healing in individuals and families who are facing difficult life challenges.
Through wisdom sharing, experiential learning and community partnership building, we support others in finding balance and conscious well-being to continue the growth and healing.
A drum circle itself is a metaphor for community with individuals of many beliefs and backgrounds coming together to share in a vision of healing and growth.
About the instructor: Joe Clark is a graduate of York College with a degree in percussion performance.
He has been playing drums and percussion with bands for over 40 years.
Joe began teaching in 1992 with the opening of his studio JC Percussion in Hanover, PA. Over the years his business has grown to include sales of percussion instruments and accessories as well as minor repairs.
Once again the business has grown, adding the unique drum circle experience Jammin’ With Joe.
General Financial Fitness Throughout Life
11:10AM – St Mathews Classrooms
Review of budgeting basics, the importance of saving money, basics regarding credit and loans, and understanding your credit score and how to maintain it.
About the presenter: I have been with Members 1st for 12 years. I currently manage over 100 associates and 10 branches in Adams, Cumberland, and York county. Throughout my career at Members 1st, I have always taken pride in building rapport with our members and my associates to help them achieve financial fitness throughout their life. I have been married for 5 years and have two dogs named Sophie & Oddie.
Fun in Downtown Hanover
11:10AM – St Mathews Classrooms
Downtown Hanover is becoming THE place to experience entertainment. From libations to laughter, you can always find something exciting to do. Think you have to go to Baltimore or Lancaster to have a good time, think again! Main Street Hanover’s Executive Director Justine Trucksess will be leading this walking tour to just a handful of fun places to be in Downtown Hanover. Learn about each business and what inspired them to locate in downtown Hanover. Tour will last 50 minutes, please be prepared to walk at least one mile.
About the presenter: Justine Trucksess joined Main Street Hanover in 2015 and was named executive director in 2018. Prior to that, she worked in development at the Hanover Hospital. She is also a co-author of “The Hanover, Pa. Bucket List.”
Trucksess has a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising from Duquesne University.
She and her husband, Drew, and their sons, Xavier and August, live in West Manheim Township.
The mission of Main Street Hanover is to expand the economic capacity of downtown Hanover, thus improving the business environment, enhancing the quality of place, and increasing community synergy.
Emotional Intelligence: The Other Kind of Smart
2:10PM St Mathews Classrooms
Workshop Overview
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to sense, understand and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions to facilitate high levels of collaboration and productivity. Good leaders are emotionally literate, acknowledge their fears and encouraging others to do likewise. Good leaders are empathetic, accepting and compassionate. They are inspiring and motivating, adjusting their management style to the unique values and motives of those they lead.
Human beings are powered by emotion, not by reason. When you connect with their intellect as well as their emotions… the result is always powerful!
Workshop Outcomes
Participants of the session will:
- Clearly understand the benefit of raising their emotional quotient
- Identify and assess the five components of Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills.
- Recognize and examine their moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others
About the presenter: Karen is a seasoned human resources and talent management/development professional. As an Administrative Vice President at M&T Bank, her role as a Learning and Development Performance Consultant and Manager focuses on partnering with business leaders to identify and support development of employees with the competencies needed to meet organization strategies and objectives.
Karen received a Communications degree from The Pennsylvania State University as well as a number of industry certifications with focus on employee development, coaching, leadership, communication and change. She is dedicated to helping others be their best by sharing the most effective success principles and how to apply them with high energy, engaging learning programs.