Small Business, Big Impact: Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference Highlights Empowerment Through Collaboration
During National Women’s Small Business Month this October, West Chester University’s Cottrell Entrepreneurial Center and SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties, in partnership with the Chamber Alliance of Chester County, celebrate the important contributions and achievements of women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs with the WCU Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference. This in-person event will be held at Sykes Student Union, 110 West Rosedale Avenue, on Friday, October 18, from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This year’s keynote speaker is Gina Schaeffer, co-founder and former CEO of Logan Hardware (Ace Hardware chain) and author of Recovery Hardware. Closing speaker is Cherri Gregg, WHYY-FM news anchor, lawyer, and entrepreneur. The presenting sponsor of the conference is Citadel Credit Union.
Themed “Empowerment Through Collaboration: Creating Space for Women Everywhere,” the conference provides an opportunity to make new connections and explore the endless possibilities that come with being an entrepreneur. While the programming is oriented toward women in business, all genders are welcome. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the conference.
Registration is $45 and includes continental breakfast and lunch.
In the United States, there are more than 14 million women-owned small businesses, accounting for nearly 40% of all businesses in the country. Women-owned businesses are driving our economy and building stronger communities, generating $2.7 trillion in annual revenue and employing almost 12.2 million people.
The Chamber Alliance of Chester County has partnered with WCU to develop the programming for this year’s conference, including a series of four breakout sessions on talent engagement, brand storytelling, managing stress/burnout, and effective communication. See below for information on panelists and presenters.
Patricia Diggin M’96, director of WCU’s Cottrell Entrepreneurial Center, notes that the conference “reflects the values of our University and is part of a broader movement to ensure that women and underrepresented groups have the resources and support they need to succeed in the entrepreneurial world.”
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business experts, is a nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration that is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals. It has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs nationwide since 1964. SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has been operating since 1985, with 100 dedicated volunteers today who provide confidential mentoring at no charge and offer business seminars, workshops and webinars to benefit the local community.
For more information about the conference, visit the Cottrell Center’s website.
Speaker Bios
Keynote Speaker Gina Schaefer
Gina Schaefer is a visionary entrepreneur and dynamic keynote speaker, best known
as the founder of a chain of Ace Hardware stores. With nearly 22 years of experience,
she has transformed a single hardware store in a neglected neighborhood into a thriving
enterprise with 13 locations across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Her business not only provides essential services but also empowers the community, including the recovery community, by fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. Her passion for business ownership as a tool to combat inequality led her to sell her business to her employees, creating more than 130 co-owners. Schaefer’s book Recovery Hardware highlights the power of second chances and community revitalization.
As a keynote speaker, Schaefer captivates audiences with her compelling stories and practical insights. She discusses key areas such as creating positive corporate cultures, effective succession planning, and empowering women in business. Her presentations are designed to inspire and equip her audience with actionable strategies to drive change and achieve success.
She has been honored by several organizations for her leadership and contributions to business and community development. Schaefer’s message resonates strongly with those who defy the odds and pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, especially women. In addition to her speaking engagements, Gina enjoys making greeting cards, kayaking, traveling, reading, and mentoring other small business owners.
Closing Speaker Cherri Gregg
Cherri Gregg is an afternoon drive host/news anchor for WHYY-FM, an NPR station. She’s
also co-host of “Studio 2,” which airs live at noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
on WHYY-FM.
As an attorney, Gregg is a rarity within the world of journalism, putting her skills to work providing legal analysis on civil rights issues like LGBT equality, stop and frisk and voting rights.
Prior to her current position, the award-winning journalist covered civil rights, social justice, race, and public affairs issues impacting marginalized communities in the Philadelphia region, spending nearly a decade on air at KYW Newsradio. She served as the station’s community affairs reporter and was the creator, host, and executive producer of the weekly syndicated radio show and podcast “Flashpoint with Cherri Gregg.” Under her leadership, the show earned two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 2021.
Gregg is also the founder of Create.Genius.Media LLC, a local media company covering civil rights, social justice, race, and public affairs with the goal of amplifying the stories of Black and brown individuals across the Philadelphia region. She was selected for the 2023 class of the Philadelphia Media Founders Exchange (PMFE), a program of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund, with additional support from the Independence Public Media Foundation. PMFE began in 2022 to help strengthen Philadelphia’s diverse media ecosystem and was designed with significant input from BIPOC communities it aims to serve.
Gregg is also a past president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and was listed as one of the city’s Most Influential Black Women by the Philadelphia NAACP. She is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Law & Justice Journalism Project.”
Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session #1 - HR & Talent Engagement (Panel Discussion)
Moderator: Lauren Streubert ’95, VP of Human Resources, Citadel. Streubert began her career at Manpower Staffing Services fresh out of Albright College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, later earning her master’s degree in psychology/personnel, now human resources management, at West Chester University. She has been employed since 1999 at Citadel Federal Credit Union, where she oversees all aspects of human resources strategy and operations, collaborating and engaging with a team of six HR professionals to drive organizational growth and long-term success. Streubert previously taught a human resources management (HRM) class at WCU as a former adjunct professor.
Panelists: Melanie Culbertson, Stephane L. Smith, Rebecca Lagravinese, Sarahi Zamores
Melanie Culbertson, Director of Talent & People, Citadel. With 20 years of extensive experience in the Human Resources field, Culbertson’s areas of direct responsibility include compensation, HRIS administration, employee relations, performance management, 401(k) administration, recruitment, HR policies and procedures, executive benefits, medical benefits (including FMLA and STD), AAP, people management, and employee engagement.
Stephane L. Smith, Partner and Vice President, Workforce Strategies for RKL Virtual Management Solutions. For more than two decades, Smith has helped employers throughout the U.S. address challenges and implement policies and programs that drive growth and achieve organizational goals. She directs the firm’s comprehensive suite of outsourced HR, HRIS/payroll, and compensation services. She leads a team of HR advisors who fill key roles and complete projects for employers, including employee engagement surveys, compensation analysis, pay equity analysis, performance management, 360 evaluations, HR compliance, recruitment, HRIS and payroll technology and payroll processing.
Rebecca Lagravinese, Senior Manager, Learning & Development, Lavazza Group BU Americas. Lagravinese spearheads initiatives that cultivate a culture of continuous growth and improvement within the organization. With more than 10 years of experience in leadership development, she is dedicated to designing and implementing innovative training programs that align with the strategic goals of the company. She collaborates closely with various departments to assess training needs, develop core competencies, and enhance employee engagement. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Lagravinese is actively involved in community care initiatives, reflecting a strong commitment to social responsibility and corporate citizenship. She holds a master’s degree from USC Annenberg and is certified in Korn Ferry’s Leadership Architect.
Sarahi Zamores, Associate Director, Human Resources, Longwood Gardens. With 10 years of Human Resources experience, Zamores leads recruitment efforts, serves as a human resources business partner, and is co-chair for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) committee, overseeing strategy implementation for workforce and workplace. She is on the board for such non-profits as the Kennett Run Charities and Kennett Area Park Authority. She holds a bachelor’s degree in labor and employment relations from Pennsylvania State University.
Breakout Session #2 – Storytelling for Your Brand
Presenter: Craig Smith. Smith speaks about the power of storytelling to build communities around your brand. He has partnered with some of the world’s largest brands like Google, Samsung, HP, and more while bringing their products into the world of multimedia shopping. Smith has appeared on the shopping platform QVC more than 4,000 times and was recently seen on CBS Saturday Morning.
Breakout Session #3 – Managing Stress and Burnout in the Workplace (Panel Discussion)
Moderator: Heather Morgan, Benefits Manager, Citadel. Morgan is a seasoned HR professional with 20 years of experience. She joined Citadel Federal Credit Union in 2015 and in her current role oversees their overall benefits strategy with an integral role in benefits administration, wellness, employee relations, and employee engagement along with enhancing various HR programs and initiatives. Morgan received her bachelor’s degree in speech communication with a minor in biology from Shippensburg University. She also holds a PHR certification from SHRM.
Panelists: Christina Gamez, Hilary Sohn, Tabassum Salam
Christina Gamez, MSN, RN-BC, EBCP, HTCP, Chester County Hospital. Gamez has been a nurse for 19 years, serving 15 years in the United States Navy Reserve, spending half of her career working as an emergency department nurse before transitioning to the technology side of nursing. She is board certified in Nursing Informatics, certified in Evidence Based Practice and is part of the CCH Wellbeing Champion Network.
Hilary Sohn, Founder, Owner, and Licensed Massage Therapist, The Healing Sanctuary. Sohn has been a massage therapist since 2002 and is certified in a variety of traditional and medical massage techniques. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an M.Ed. in psychoeducational processes, plus a Foundations of Biophilic Design Certificate through the International Living Future Institute. She is an alumna of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and is a member of the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce, serving on their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and leading their monthly Women’s Workshop. She also serves on Kinetic Physical Therapy’s RENEW advisory council for oncology rehabilitation. In addition to her work in health and wellness, Hilary is also a writer, poet, and artist.
Tabassum Salam, MD, Chief Learning Officer, ChristianaCare. Dr. Salam is a board-certified internal medicine physician who leads its Institute for Learning, Leadership, and Development, which creates and delivers system-wide education, training, and career and leadership development for physicians, clinicians, medical students, and employees. She also practices outpatient medicine at Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington, DE. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College, her M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and her MBA from the Wharton School.
Breakout Session #4 – From the Heart to the Bottom Line: The Impact of Effective Communication
Presenter: Marie Conley, Founder, Conley Consulting. Conley excels at workforce engagement and team building by prioritizing honest communication, active listening, empathy, and kindness. Certified as a CliftonStrengths Coach and as a SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), she brings thoughtful strategic communication and leadership expertise to help organizations foster collaboration and achieve long-term success.