Business Summit Speakers 2024
Rachel Andreoli
Rachel owns Interior Intuition. She specializes in reimagining living spaces by solving real-life challenges. She is also a book nerd, an animal lover, and totally obsessed with all things local.
Vincent Cannizzaro
Vincent Cannizzaro is a first-year student at Shippensburg University majoring in GeoEnvironmental Science. He is interested in sociology, community development, and environmental sciences. When not in the classroom, Vincent enjoys spending time outdoors and participating in various sports. He is a member of the boxing and skiing clubs on campus, as well as the Philadelphia caving grotto.
Jacqui Catrabone
As Director, Nonprofit and Community Services, Jacqui is responsible for providing leadership, facilitation, organization, project management and client coordination support for training, research, planning, facilitation, organizational and program development and evaluation projects for nonprofit and community/government clients. She is a certified trainer, consultant and peer reviewer for both the PA and National Standards for Excellence:® An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. Jacqui has also served as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Standards for Excellence Council.
Nic Cervantes
Nic Cervantes joined the U.S. Commercial Service in January 2023. In this role, he assists companies in Central and South Central PA to grow their export capabilities. He brings a wealth of public and private sector experience and knowledge to the role, including direct experience with U.S. export facilitation and counseling U.S. firms to meet their export development objectives.
Marie Conley
Marie Conley, a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach and consultant at Conley Consulting, specializes in leadership, team development, and project management. She elevates outcomes by encouraging the right actions for the right reasons and emphasizing genuine connections. Marie's tangible results create outcomes that create a ripple effect, producing long-term loyalties and unforgettable experiences. Diagnosed in 2012 with a rare disease, she founded The Conley Cushing's Disease Fund and co-chairs the PA Rare Disease Advisory Council.
Julie Fitpatrick
Julie has been with Pennsylvania Downtown Center since 2005 and was appointed as the Ex. Director in July 2019. She has been involved with a variety of projects in communities all over the commonwealth, including community visioning, developing regional downtown revitalization strategies, establishing tourism infrastructure plans, and developing business improvement district plans and other strategic planning activities. She provides technical assistance to designated DCED Keystone Communities Main Street and Elm Street programs, as well as to communities that are non-designated.
She has a Master of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Anthropology from Temple University and has done coursework in their landscape architecture program. She attributes her focus on people-centered service and the importance of building relationships to 18 years of small business management at a locally owned independent downtown pharmacy. Her previous non-profit experience includes volunteering with Mulberry Arts Studio, WITF-public TV and radio, the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, and the Susquehanna Waldorf School. She served on the board of the Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network (SSBN) for more than six years and is currently on the board for the Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council, the Susquehanna Riverlands Leadership Committee, as well as a member of the Pennsylvania Pedestrian & Pedacycle Advisory Committee. She serves her local community by volunteering with the Marietta Restoration Associates. Julie resides in a 210 year-old home along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County and enjoys the trail and small town charm of Marietta.
Tina Fortenberry
With 15+ years of experience with a Fortune 100 company, Tina puts entrepreneurs and small business owners on their path to success. She brings the highest level of professional development coaching and delivers it on the most personal level. Tina utilizes the Five Dysfunctions as a framework for team building to define goals, create a plan, provide support, and measure results. Throughout the process, Tina builds personal connections that allow her to have courageous conversations leading to meaningful and lasting change.
Stacy Fry
A social media pioneer, Stacy Fry is the Director of Communications at Alera Group and owner of SocialSideline Strategies, a boutique social media consulting firm. Stacy's dedication to innovative communication strategies, coupled with her passion for public speaking, establishes her as a respected voice in the dynamic realm of digital communication.
Heather Hockenberry
Heather specializes in guiding executives and teams to reach their full potential, offering practical strategies and tools for success. Through proven coaching methods, which combine strategic planning with personalized coaching, Heather's clients have been able to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Many teams have experienced a greater sense of unity and engagement, resulting in improved morale, increased productivity, and stronger overall performance.
Melissa Hockenberry
Melissa Hockenberry, owner of First Things First Training and Consulting, is passionate about improving customer retention for her clients. Her 29-year professional journey includes adventures in Fortune 500, non-profit, and tech startup arenas. Melissa successfully implemented an integrated software solution in over 250 businesses and built training programs from the ground up in the ever-changing world of SaaS software. Melissa has her BSBA from Shippensburg University and her MBA from SUNY Albany.
Kirsten Hubbard
Serving nonprofits for decades, Kirsten saw them repeatedly struggle to scale solutions due to a lack of development and marketing. She created a business model that equalized access to such services. After winning a business competition, Ghost Writer was founded in 2017, embracing a mission of “Writing a Better Human Story.” Ghost Writer has connected organizations with over $9.5 million to sustain and scale world-changing solutions.
Kirsten also founded Mission Solved and penned the novel Milwaukee Deep.
Chad Kimmel, PhD
Dr. Chad Kimmel is both a Sociologist and a small business owner. At Shippensburg University he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in community studies, downtown revitalization, and community development, and was the Director of a grant-funded research project studying Main Street Programs in Pennsylvania. Along with his wife, Dr. Kimmel owns Grand Illusion Hard Cider and Grand Illusion Escape—a three-story cider & wine bar and escape room—in beautiful Downtown Carlisle.
Erin MacNamara
Erin owns Carlisle Home Organizers. She specializes in decluttering homes and creating systems that simplify life. She also loves a day of hiking, house plants, and iced coffee.
Sarah Merritt
Artist, curator, events coordinator, connector, community engagement practitioner, arts administrator, and lover of the outdoors, Sarah Merritt is the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Director of Creative Communities & the Creative Economy. Merritt has experience as a non-profit director, an educator, a small business owner, and a residential and commercial real estate broker. She holds a BA in Art History from the University of Maryland, an MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University, and a Professional Certificate in Community and Economic Development from NeighborWorks America. Sarah enjoys painting, cooking, reading, gardening, hiking, kayaking, and traveling. She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with her retired US Air Force husband, Jeff, sixteen-year-old son, Ian, two sweet dogs, and two crazy cats.
Conner Newkam-Ulrich
Conner is the Learning and Development Manager for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Democratic Caucus. In this role, he leads the training and organizational development efforts for the caucus, is an instructional designer for eLearning courses, coordinates, develops, and presents their annual training calendar offerings, and facilitates strategic planning initiatives for caucus staff and members. Previously, he was a Talent Development Consultant and Human Resources Analyst with the Commonwealth of PA, Office of Administration. He has also presented sessions and workshops for the American Choral Directors Association, Shippensburg University, the PA State School System of Higher Education (PASSHE), and with elected members of the PA House of Representatives. He is also a board member of the Capital Area Public Human Resources Association (CAPHRA).
Katie Sandoe, D.Ed.
Dr. Katie Sandoe is an entrepreneur, educator, and taco lover. She believes we're all created for a purpose and that hers is to awaken the power of purpose in others and champion women to live into their limitless potential. Katie helps purpose-driven leaders and organizations achieve greater success while transforming their workplaces and communities. She offers leadership coaching and business consulting, along with powerful keynotes and workshops. She’s also a professor at Penn State Harrisburg.
Ronalda Sedeno
Ronalda Sedeno is a Transformational Speaker, Business Consultant and Author serving organizations and individuals desiring to improve practices around balancing numerous roles and responsibilities. Ronalda creates a unique roadmap toward each client's personal definition of success. Ronalda is a graduate of Liberty University and holds a certification as a Christian Life Coach. She is a multiple business owner and an emerging thought-leader in the field of interpersonal communication and delegation.
Chris Stock
Chris Stock has nearly two decades of experience exporting specialty aquaculture feeds from Zeigler’s central Pennsylvania facilities to clients throughout the world. Zeigler, a former SBA Exporter of the Year and Presidential E Award Winner, has a long history of international sales which play a significant role in the 89-year-old company’s enduring success. Chris has a BS in Biology from Bucknell University and an MSc in Aquaculture from Stirling University (UK). He currently serves on the Mid-Atlantic District Export Council for the U.S. Commercial Service and is the President of Stronger America Through Seafood.
Kim Stout
Kimberly B. Stout, Economic Development & Lender Relations Specialist, joined the U.S. Small Business Administration Philadelphia District Office in October 2013. As an Economic Development & Lender Relations Specialist, Stout will be responsible for promoting the SBA lending programs and maintaining a network of collaborative partners to assist, promote and protect small businesses. Prior to joining the SBA team in October 2013, Stout worked as a Business Development Director for Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown. She trained and mentored small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start and operate a small business focusing in the areas of business planning, marketing and financial assistance. Stout gained her small business experience while owning and operating a restaurant in Shippensburg, PA. Stout earned her bachelor’s degree in Geography/Regional Development and a master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
Tom Templeton
Tom Templeton is the Founder and Creative Director of TEMPLETON Advantage, LLC. He provides consulting services primarily to school districts and educational leaders throughout Pennsylvania, including administrator searches, leadership and personal development seminars, and executive coaching. Prior to starting TEMPLETON Advantage, LLC in 2014, Tom served for 10.5 years at the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. He started his career as an aide to Congressman George W. Gekas, a position he held for 12 years.
Debra Thompson
As President of Strategy Solutions, Debra provides strategic and development planning, research and project management, including fundraising planning. She is a certified trainer, consultant and peer reviewer for both the PA and National Standards for Excellence:® An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. With a degree in marketing and an MBA, throughout her career, she has worked with over 400 nonprofit organizations supporting strategic transformation and helping clients achieve remarkable outcomes.
Tina Weyant
Tina Weyant is the Executive Director of the World Trade Center Harrisburg, a non-profit organization that promotes international trade and supports companies in southcentral Pennsylvania to compete and prosper in a global economy. World Trade Center Harrisburg is one of over 330 World Trade Centers located in 100 countries, connecting companies with global opportunities. Prior to joining the World Trade Center in 1996, Ms. Weyant was Manager of the Export Development Program at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center and she started her career with an International Trading Company that specialized in helping US companies participate in Southeast Asian government tenders.