W.E.Connect

 

Join us for the W.E.Connect Conference, a full-day event connecting the women entrepreneurs of Happy Valley!

On November 20, 2024 explore themes of leadership, resilience, and connections. Whether you’re a woman entrepreneur (W.E.), leader, or seeking new inspiration, this conference will provide invaluable insights and meaningful opportunities to connect with like-minded women.

The conference is offered in partnership with the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), Jennifer Eisenhuth Consulting, and the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a global celebration of community innovations and entrepreneurs.

The W.E.Connect Conference is SOLD OUT! Thank you to everyone who has registered and is helping to make this event amazing.

 

Didn’t get to register? Join the conference waitlist now! Waitlist positions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Event Details

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Time: 9 AM to 3 PM

Location: Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub

Cost: $20

Highlights:

  • Inspiring speakers and interactive breakout sessions
  • Collaborative networking opportunities
  • Catered lunch
  • Showcase of women-owned businesses from Happy Valley

Session Information

Ready to join us for W.E.Connect? Check out the topics that will be covered by our inspiring speakers.

Finding Resilience & Connections Through Life's Challenges

We all face challenges in our lives. When these challenges happen, how do we respond? Through this talk, Megan Ingram will reflect on the challenges she has faced in life and the lessons she has learned, including the value of being vulnerable and honest with those around us to form deeper relationships.

Resilience: It's Not About Bouncing Back

Today’s landscape is one of unprecedented disruptive change. With little margin for error, leaders are expected to adapt to change and react to set-backs quickly. Unfortunately, the skills required to tackle these challenges, process quickly, and come back stronger require thinking in ways that are rarely mentioned in leadership programs. Resilience is arguably the most important skill for leaders today, very few people know how to build it, and most confuse it with coping.

Join best-selling author and founder of LeaderShift Insights, Jennifer Eggers for a conversation about the preparation required to increase both your and your team’s resilience and how to cope in those moments when it’s too late.

The Power of C.O., Community & Connection in Leadership

Join PYP Studio owners Kerry Bestwick and Janet Egerer in an immersive leadership experience. Learn their personal success story, their philosophies on leadership and teamwork, and how to implement and weave their strategies of communication, community and connection into your work, no matter your vocation.

How To Connect with Your Team & Clients Using Storytelling

Storytelling has been the secret weapon of leaders and entrepreneurs for years. In this short workshop, join Dawn Ziegerer to learn the hard science behind why stories are so “sticky” and how to create and tell a quick story. Stories are a great way to express company values and to connect with your team, motivate, and inspire.

Rejuvenate the Alpha Female Within

Unleash your inner power and reignite your passion in this transformative talk designed to help women become leaders not followers —reclaiming their strength and confidence. Join Haley McClain Hill for an empowering journey that blends ambition with self-care and leave ready to conquer your goals with renewed energy!

Connections are the Spice of Life

Connections made and maintained are the lifeblood and pulse for Audrey Gay Rodgers, a dairy farmer/camp director! From Scotland to Canada and stateside, it is relationships that keep her work fresh and alive. Join Audrey for her talk, she promises ‘the experience will mooove you!’

Resilience in Start-up, Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Growing a Social Impact Company

As a female Edtech company founder & CEO, Linsey Covert has experienced more adversity than she would like to admit. The power of resilience and persistence continue to play a major role in helping to overcome the continual challenges of growing her business, TEAMology, and the impact the work has on students, educators, and communities. Linsey will share real life stories on the obstacles she’s faced and what she’s learned along the way, in hopes to provide some knowledge and perspective that others might gain for their own founder journeys.

Meet the Speakers
Kerry Bestwick

Co-Owner, PYP Studio and Founder, Kerry Be

Kerry Bestwick is a dynamic leader in human connection and a performance coach. As the founder of Kerry Be, a holistic life coaching and leadership business, she leverages her coaching expertise and background in human behavior to develop transformative self-leadership skills and workshops. Kerry organizes immersive training camps and empowerment programs for a diverse range of participants, including collegiate, Olympic, and World Champion athletes, CEOs, educators, and students, fostering personal growth and development. She leads programming for the Baptiste Unstoppable Program for Youth, Jana Marie Foundation and devotes her time serving local charities in servant leadership opportunities.
Linsey Covert

Founder & CEO, TEAMology Inc

Linsey Covert is a passionate educator turned entrepreneur and her company, TEAMology, is focused on improving students' social, emotional, and mental health through innovative technology and research-based programming. Her vision for this began as a graduate student at Penn State and developed through roles as a teacher, counselor, and therapist. In 2016, TEAMology became one of the first companies launched through the Invent Penn State ecosystem, providing tools for bullying prevention and career development. Linsey has received several professional awards, including Education Technology Insights' Top 10 SEL Products for 2022 and the Education 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award.
Janet Egerer

Co-Owner, PYP Studio

Janet Egerer is an inspiring leader celebrated for her dynamic approach to mind-body movement. A proud graduate of Penn State, Janet has devoted her career to curating unique fitness classes that not only resonate with clients but also cultivate a strong sense of community. Her background as a middle school field hockey coach and certified Marine Corps Personal Trainer, has sharpened her leadership skills, empowering the PYP community and beyond to achieve their fullest potential. Janet’s vibrant personality captivates audiences with her passion for creativity, innovation, and authenticity. Her commitment to philanthropy and community involvement shines through various initiatives, making her not just a business leader but also a compassionate advocate for positive change. Janet’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of movement and the importance of fostering connections in pursuit of personal and collective growth.
Jennifer Eggers

President, C-Suite Executive Advisor & Founder of LeaderShift Insights, Inc.

Jennifer Eggers is a leadership coach, consultant, and speaker specializing in helping corporate teams adapt to disruption and improve effectiveness. She is known for facilitating high-stakes meetings and creating insights that drive business results. As the creator of RapidOD, an innovative approach to organizational restructuring, her workshops have been praised for transforming traditional corporate training. Her first book, Resilience: It’s Not About Bouncing Back, is an international bestseller, with her second book, Mastering The C-Suite, launching this fall.
Haley McClain Hill

Founder & CEO, TORCH Warriorwear

Haley Marie is an Air Force Veteran, 2x NFL Cheerleader, author, award winning speaker, and CEO — securing a deal on ABC’s Shark Tank. She has a proven track record of success in developing and implementing successful brands and programs for a variety of clients and communities. When she's not working, Haley enjoys traveling and reading on the beach.
Megan Ingram

Attorney at Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak

Megan Ingram is an attorney at Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak, specializing in estate planning, elder care, and special needs law. She leads the firm's Special Needs Planning department and works in Wealth Protection Planning, focusing on clients with a net worth of $2 million or more, with expertise in business succession and federal estate tax planning. Megan was recognized as a Rising Star Attorney by Super Lawyers from 2022 to 2024.
Audrey Gay Rodgers

Dairy Farmer and Owner, Hameau Farm

Audrey Gay Rodgers, a 3rd generation Ayrshire breeder and dairy farmer, owns Hameau Farm. Twenty-nine years ago, she founded "Farm Camp" for girls ages 7-14, where urban kids connect with rural life through farm chores, activities, and field trips. The camp, lasting six weeks each summer, gives girls from metropolitan areas a hands-on experience of daily life on a working dairy farm. Hameau means community, something deeply valued by Gay. She serves on various boards, including the PASA Sustainable Agriculture board, Ayrshire Breeders' Association, Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society, and the PA Women’s Agricultural Network, among others. With strong family and friendship ties, she invites visitors to stop by Hameau for a meaningful experience. The experience will mooove you!
Beth Shaha

Master Certified Life Coach and Founder of The Grounded Canary

Beth Shaha is dedicated to helping individuals tap into their internal wisdom and live their best lives. As a passionate teacher, trainer, and content creator for LIVE Prosperous, Beth fosters strong, community-driven experiences where connection and collaboration take center stage. Her story-inspired teaching model empowers aspiring high achievers and organizations to cultivate true prosperity. Known for her deep listening, thoughtful reflection, and ability to create safe, connected spaces, Beth thrives on building meaningful relationships that inspire growth and transformation. Outside of coaching, Beth cherishes time with her husband and three children, traveling, appreciating life's small moments, and engaging in heartfelt conversations about aligning mind, heart, and soul—elements that keep her feeling fully alive.
Dawn Ziegerer

Owner, The Great Story Workshop

Dawn Ziegerer holds a Master's degree in Media Studies from Penn State and spent eight years as an on-air personality in country radio, where she developed strong communication skills and a deep understanding of audience engagement. For the past four years, she has worked as a coach and facilitator, delivering storytelling workshops to prestigious institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Dawn has recently facilitated workshops for organizations such as Harvard Business School, Procter & Gamble, and MathWorks, helping professionals harness the power of storytelling.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
A Journey To You LLC
Bobby Rahal Honda of State College
Giv Local
Happy Valley Industry
Happy Valley Song Lab
Impressia Bank
Mount Nittany Health
Socal Global Trading Corporation
Smeal Alumni Career Services
We Are Inn

With generous donations from:

  • Bruce Heim

  • Heidi Nicolas

Interested in being a sponsor for the W.E.Connect Conference?

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