Alvernia Women's Council 2024 Leadership Summit

Learn More About Our Leadership Summit Presenters

Breakfast Keynote Speaker: Jackie Hoffman

Program: Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Joy!

    • Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn

Celebrating her 40th year in radio broadcasting, Jackie Hoffman has shared joy and happiness with thousands of listeners, keeping a positive attitude through a world of change.

She is learning to step out of her comfort zone, by taking on roles as an administrative assistant at Blue Mountain Middle School, becoming a certified health coach, and most recently, taking quilting lessons from her mom!

Jackie will share her approach to keeping Joy in all situations with her forever 25-year-old attitude. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 granddaughters, hot yoga, hiking, cooking, the mountains, her best girlfriends, family, faith, and her number #1 fan.

Lunch Keynote Speaker: Gladys Kline

Program: Debunking Myths of Women in the Workplace 

    • Connect with Gladys on LinkedIn

As the CEO of Techrategy, Gladys leads a group of technology and business leaders with a proven track record of innovative success. Techrategy is a premier consulting firm specializing in elevating technology solution providers to unparalleled heights of success. With a focus on transformative outcomes, we help our clients navigate the complexities of the tech industry, leveraging cutting-edge solutions to foster growth and enhance profitability.

Prior to her current role, Gladys was the Global Director of Adoption Engineering for Cisco ThousandEyes. In this position, she had the privilege of leading a team of Engineers who are the post-sales customer consultants to the ThousandEyes Network Intelligence Platform. Gladys has also served previously as the Director for Business Development at Cisco for US Public Sector CX and Vice President of Presales Engineering and Cisco Alliance at Core BTS, a Cisco Gold Partner.

Gladys is an active participant in STEM programs, and has presented to multiple organizations on the value of science, technology, engineering, and math in the elementary and high school curriculums, especially for members of marginalized communities. She is a member of the STEM-UP Networks’ Advisory Board. Currently an Executive Sponsor for the Filipino Professional Network. At Cisco, Gladys was active as a member of various Inclusive Communities and, recently, served as a regional co-lead for the Americas with the Connected Black Professionals organization.

Dr. Marnie Aylesworth

Program: Mindful Leadership and Wellness

     • Connect with Marnie on LinkedIn

Dr. Aylesworth is an experienced leader and navigator of compassionate climate and culture. Skilled in nonprofit organizations, early childhood education, educational leadership, public speaking, and curriculum development, Dr. Aylesworth has a history of building shared values within an organization and leveraging compassionate leadership and support, enabling her entire organization to thrive and feel valued.

She has learned through trial and error that in order to transform an organization's culture, you must begin with self. The most meaningful change can happen when others witness your growth and feel inspired to follow your lead. She has dedicated more than 10 years to working to develop a mindful and compassionate community within her organization, and it altered the environment in the most incredible ways. Dr. Aylesworth has taken that experience and founded Be Hip Leadership, where she works to support leaders and organizations in harnessing the humanness within. She earned her Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) focused on Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, maintains her yoga teacher certification, and is a certified workplace mindfulness facilitator.

Lizette Epps

Program: Cultivating Connections: Our Voices, Our Stories

    • Connect with Lizette on LinkedIn

Lizette Epps, an award-winning and best-selling author and luminous force in community advocacy and BIPOC empowerment, channels her trailblazing spirit into her inaugural debut book. With a robust background in advocating for marginalized communities, Lizette bridges diverse perspectives with empathetic leadership and strategic finesse, fostering tangible improvements in people's lives. Her passion for BIPOC advancement radiates through her work, challenging societal norms and amplifying marginalized voices. Drawing from firsthand experiences, her book chronicles struggle, resilience, and the enduring power of unity.

Lizette's status as a distinguished community advocate bolsters her role as a literary voice poised to drive conversations that matter, shaping a world where every voice finds its rightful place.

Pam Gockley

Program: Art of Storytelling 

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President/Executive Director of The Camel Project and Founder of The Camel Project. Pam is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Bullying Prevention by the CDC of the US Department of Health.

Prior to founding The Camel Project, Pam co-founded a small technology company in rural PA called Grumpy Graphics. The company focused on graphic design and website development. Being deeply immersed in technology over the years, Pam was able to spot industry trends in not only business but consumer buying behaviors. Her expertise in technology and consumer behaviors proved to be a winning combination. She began focusing on transitioning businesses in Customer Service, Sales, and Marketing, teaching her trademarked Reputation Factor™ strategy.

Pam has authored four books and has been recognized as one of the Best 50 Outstanding Business Women in Pennsylvania, LV Business’ 25 Women of Influence, Women of M2M, Connected World Magazine, and received the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award from the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center.

Rochelle Grey

Program: Empower Your Wallet 

    •  Connect with Rochelle on LinkedIn

Rochelle Grey, CFP, CTFA, Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Coach for Empower Your Wallet. Her topic is “Empower Your Wallet”. Money is the root of all evil. Women aren’t good with numbers. Our beliefs around money are often formed early in our lifetime and influenced by family, friends, and society. These beliefs hold us back from achieving the financial success we deserve. Her goal is to get you out of your comfort zone and commit to personal and professional growth while encouraging others to do the same.

Rochelle is a Wealth strategist with extensive experience in wealth management, investment management, wealth transition, philanthropy, financial and estate planning. She has a proven background in relationship building and delivering advisory-based services to the affluent, high net, and ultra-high net-worth clients.

Rochelle has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in business Management from Alvernia University, Reading, PA.

Caitlin Long

Program: Burnout to Balance

    • Learn More About Team Lifelong Wellness

Caitlin Long MSPAS, PA-C, RYT200 is a seasoned clinician and the CEO and founder of Team Lifelong Wellness, LLC, a Berks County-based business committed to providing comprehensive and integrative health, wellness, and corporate leadership consulting services to individuals and local businesses.

She empowers 1:1, group, corporate, and academic clients through various workshops, retreats, events, motivational speaking, customized programming, and her staple creation, the Burnout to Balance Workshop TM. Having healed thousands in her career, Caitlin integrates her vast knowledge as an experienced healthcare provider into a revolutionary approach to total health and whole-person-wellness of mind, body and spirit. It is Team Lifelong’s mission to build others up to be the strongest they can be from the inside out, to live full of balance, purpose, and no regrets.

Karen Piraino

Program: Tips for an Effective Job/Career Transition

    • Connect with Karen on LinkedIn

Karen Machol Piraino brings nearly 25 years of experience in talent acquisition, executive recruitment, workforce/succession planning and Human Resource Business Partnership, leading these efforts in a wide range of industries including healthcare, life sciences, global industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality & facilities support. During her career, Karen has worked in public and private companies, a professional search firm, both for profit and not for profit companies and a private equity backed organization.

Prior to retirement, Karen was responsible for all recruitment and on-boarding for Hackensack Meridian Health Network, the largest healthcare network in the State of New Jersey. Prior to Hackensack Meridian Health Network, Karen was the Global Director of Talent Acquisition and Global HR Business Partner for Axalta Coatings Systems – a DuPont spinout bought by Carlyle Private Equity with a successful IPO in a record 21 months. Previously, Karen held human resources leadership roles for DuPont, Teva Pharmaceuticals and ARAMARK.

Earlier in her career, Karen spent eight years in a global chemical manufacturing organization in roles including Product Management, technical management and product safety/regulatory compliance.

Since retirement, Karen has worked as a consultant with Alvernia University restructuring their Career Services Office and as a Partner with Mirador Talent Consulting focusing on Executive Search. She is an active member of Sacred Heart Church in West Reading.

Karen has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Fordham University.

Alli Blair Snyder

Program: Create Your Comeback: Change Your Life for Good

    • Connect with Alli on LinkedIn

Alli Blair Snyder is an educator, author, and mother. A proud two-time alumnus of Alvernia University, she is an adjunct professor, freshman academic advisor, and admissions advisor in Graduate and Adult Education. Her doctoral program, Ph.D. in Visionary Practice and Regenerative Leadership, research centers the vulnerable and necessary healing journey of mothers, leaders, and healers through indigenous philosophy. She is a practicing Reiki Master, Shipibo-trained medicine woman, certified trauma-informed life coach, and fierce advocate for women's mental health.