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Invest In Yourself Leadership Summit

Embrace. Empower. Elevate.

• Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
• Time: 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
• Location: Redner's Center, 1900 Centre Ave., Reading
• Cost: $85 (Proceeds will support the Newcombe Scholarship)
• Become a Sponsor: Learn more about sponsorship opportunities
   

Meet Our Invest In Yourself Presenters

Breakfast Keynote Speaker: Katharina Stuerzl

Leave Your Box with Kat Coaching and Consulting, LLC

Kat is a dynamic leadership coach and founder of Leave Your Box With Kat Coaching & Consulting, LLC. A certified iPEC Life and Leadership Coach and Human Design expert, she helps individuals and organizations unlock authenticity, clarity, and growth through transformative leadership, communication, and culture development.

Originally from Germany and now based in the U.S., Kat brings a global perspective shaped by her background in academia and HR. Her strategic leadership in a multinational manufacturing company led to dramatic improvements in retention and employee development.

Clients describe her as a trusted guide who helps them step beyond limiting narratives and lead with purpose, authenticity, and confidence.
 

Lunch Keynote Speaker: Katie P. Desiderio, Ph.D.

Katie P. Desiderio is a proud mom, best-selling author, and passionate advocate for human-centered leadership. A Professor of Management at Moravian University and Principal Partner at Proximal Development, LLC, she combines academic insight with practical tools to drive transformative learning and performance.

Grounded in gratitude and connection, Katie helps individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. Her work spans industries and continents, championing women leaders and inspiring growth through curiosity, collaboration, and discovery.

She holds a doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership and has co-authored multiple scholarly works, including two national best-selling leadership fables: and .
 

Session Presenters

Navixha Bagga

Navixha is an experienced life coach with 25 years in mindset coaching, leadership, and emotional wellness. She specializes in empowering women and teens, helping them build resilience and personal growth. Having trained in diverse settings, including the Indian Army and corporate environments, she blends mindfulness and strategic thinking to help individuals and teams thrive. A TEDx speaker, Navixha is passionate about women's leadership and emotional wellness. She lives in the Philly area with her family and enjoys contributing to community projects.
 

Alli Blair Snyder

Alli is an educator, author, and proud two-time ��ɫ��Ƶ alumna. She serves as an adjunct professor, freshman advisor, and admissions advisor in Graduate and Adult Education. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Visionary Practice and Regenerative Leadership, her research explores the healing journeys of mothers, leaders, and healers through indigenous philosophy.

A Reiki Master, trauma-informed life coach, and Shipibo-trained medicine woman, she is a passionate advocate for women’s mental health. Her work bridges motherhood, trauma, leadership, and spiritual identity. She has presented globally, led workshops nationwide, and recently completed the Camino de Santiago as part of her research on embodied becoming.
 

Dena Breslin

Dena brings over 30 years of experience in transformational coaching, leadership development, and holistic wellness. A former physician assistant, she blends science with soul to guide clients through powerful mind-body shifts and authentic personal growth.

Specializing in out-of-the-box sales strategy, emotional healing, and communication rewiring, Dena helps individuals break old patterns, step into their power, and create lasting change. Her work includes 1:1 coaching, keynotes, small business mentorship, Re-Wire Your Mind & Body workshops, and This is ME healing retreats.
 

Michelle Drager

 
Michelle A. Drager, APR, is President and CEO of The Drager Group, Inc., and a nationally recognized executive consultant known for her expertise in transitional leadership, strategic visioning, and high-profile communications. With over 35 years of experience across industries—from healthcare and academia to nonprofits and private enterprise—Michelle has led award-winning public relations campaigns, crisis communications, and multi-million-dollar fundraising initiatives. She has worked with dignitaries, national media, and global brands, while also teaching marketing and entrepreneurship at the university level. A published author and respected speaker, Michelle is also a passionate dog lover and trainer, overseeing a nationally followed line of award-winning Golden Retrievers known as the “Never Bean Better” pack. She and her husband split their time between Pennsylvania and Virginia, where they enjoy family life, their farm animals, and philanthropic pursuits.
 

Rochelle Grey

Rochelle is a seasoned wealth strategist with deep expertise in wealth and investment management, financial and estate planning, philanthropy, and wealth transition. She has a strong track record of building lasting relationships and delivering advisory-based services to affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Rochelle holds an MBA from Lehigh University and a BA in Business Management from ��ɫ��Ƶ University.
 

Vali Heist

Vali is a Certified Professional Organizer®, author, and founder of The Clutter Crew in Mohnton, PA. Since 2006, she’s been helping homeowners and small businesses declutter their spaces and their lives. She is the author of Organize This! Practical Tips, Green Ideas, and Ruminations about your CRAP—where CRAP stands for Clutter that Robs Anyone of Pleasure.

With a Master’s in Education and 24 years in higher education, Vali brings expertise in training, administration, project management, and editorial work. A former columnist for the Reading Eagle, she’s dedicated to delivering practical, lasting organizing solutions that empower her clients to live and work with clarity and intention.
 

Chandra Mast, CGA, BCA

Chandra is a Certified General Appraiser in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, and a Business Certified Appraiser. She specializes in econometrics and trend analysis to value a wide range of property types and going concerns, serving diverse client needs.

Chandra serves as Secretary of the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers and teaches for the Lancaster County Association of Realtors. With a background in real estate, data analysis, and equine studies, she holds a B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Anthropology from Dickinson College and has completed advanced coursework through the Appraisal Institute, McKissock, and Wall Street Prep. Passionate about architectural history, Chandra also chairs Ephrata Borough’s Shade Tree Commission, where she supports urban forestry efforts and Tree City USA goals.
 

Rosa Julia Parra

Rosa is a creative entrepreneur and community leader dedicated to building impactful businesses. She is the founder and publisher of Palo Magazine, a bilingual publication amplifying diverse voices for over 15 years. She also leads Palo Graphics (branding and design), Palo Homes (real estate investment), and Casa Palo (Airbnb properties in Puerto Rico). Rosa supports her husband’s work at iHeartMedia through strategic advertising partnerships.

An active community advocate, she serves on several local boards and hosts the annual Vision Board Experience, inspiring others to dream boldly and act with purpose. Rosa brings heart and hustle to every venture she touches.

 

 

Session Descriptions

Beyond Leadership Strategies: Leave Your "Box," Embrace Your TRUTH! — Kat Stuerzl

This keynote introduces the “Box" — the limiting beliefs and external stories that often unconsciously shape our lives and leadership. Kat guides participants on a transformative self-discovery path, empowering them to shed these constraints and embrace leadership responsibility not just for themselves, but to passionately champion others at every stage of their journey.

 

Rooted and Rising: Cultivating Growth in Every Season of Leadership — Dr. Katie P. Desiderio

In this session, attendees will:

• Unlearn Limiting Beliefs to Unlock Your Potential: Identify and release patterns and narratives that no longer serve you, making space for greater clarity, confidence, and courage.
• Reframe Imposter Syndrome into Confident Humility: Learn practical tools to reframe self-doubt into self-awareness — where you own your strengths and stay open to growth.
  
   

ChatGPT Changed My Life (And It’s Coming for Yours Too) — Chandra Mast

A bold intro to AI for skeptical or curious professionals. Learn how to best use ChatGPT effectively and efficiently to work more productively.

 

Don’t Be A Seat Warmer: Top 5 Points on How to Be a Great Board Member — Michelle Drager

In this session, attendees will learn how to best serve as a Non-Profit Board Member, knowing the expectations of an organization and what you should be asking them before you agree to serve. Get the most out of your board experience through this presentation.

 

How Being Masculine, as a Woman, is Killing You — Dena Breslin

To rise to success, we, as women, are often running on overdrive in our Masculine energy. This is the #1 contributor to burnout, frustration, and imbalance in our careers and personal lives. Through this program, you will get clear on Masculine and Feminine energies, empowered and disempowered states, and learn the effects of disempowered masculine energy on your health. You will take away small & simple ways to shift into the feminine for deeper connections, more success, and more work-life harmony.

 

The Sacred Pause: Honoring the In Between — Alli Blair Snyder

A grounding close to the day, The Sacred Pause invites us to reflect, reconnect, and honor what’s unfolding - even in the midst of ALL the things. Through guided meditation and simple rituals, Alli creates space to integrate the day’s insights and transition into our Spirit Study Vision Board Networking Reception and beyond with intention. This session also serves as an invitation to our upcoming workshop on September 23, The Path of Becoming.

 

Intelligence in Emotions – The Leadership Reset — Navixha Bagga

Harness emotional intelligence to build trust, guide with clarity, and nurture your team’s potential. Through deep insight and practical strategies, reset your leadership to lead with presence and purpose, creating lasting impact for yourself and those you lead. Connect authentically with your team, align strengths with roles, inspire genuine motivation, and cultivate a culture where everyone thrives. Lead from resilience, not pressure.

 

H.E.A.R.T.-Driven Impact: Authentic Expression, Aligned Leadership, Healthy Boundaries — Kat Stuerzl

Following the keynote, this highly interactive workshop dives into Leave Your Box With Kat’s H.E.A.R.T. acronym to help women understand their unique core dynamics. Participants will utilize their individualized H.E.A.R.T. insights to confidently express themselves authentically in everyday and challenging situations, amplify their leadership impact, set clear boundaries, and continuously step out of their "box."

 

Don’t Leave a Mess, Leave Your Legacy — Presented by Rochelle Grey, CFP® and Vali Heist, PO

This engaging and practical session will help you take control of your future—and spare your loved ones from unnecessary stress. Join financial expert Rochelle Grey and professional organizer Vali Heist as they team up to share essential strategies for getting your life and legacy in order. From simplifying your space to securing your estate plan, you'll walk away with clear action steps to leave behind more than just stuff — you’ll leave behind meaning. Because your legacy should tell your story, not leave a mess.

 

The Mindset of a Modern Entrepreneur — Adrean Turner

Entrepreneurship isn't just about having a great idea — it's about having the mindset, resilience, and clarity to bring that idea to life and lead it forward. In this dynamic session, we’ll explore what it really takes to thrive as a modern entrepreneur — especially as a woman navigating leadership, innovation, and self-doubt. Through conversation and actionable insights, you’ll walk away feeling grounded, inspired, and equipped with the next steps to move your vision forward, whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up. This is not a session about having it all figured out — this is about owning your power while building something that matters.

• 2024 Leadership Summit program
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Bernardine Legacy Award Luncheon

• 2025 Luncheon Program /
• 2024 Luncheon Program /
• 2023 Luncheon Program /

Ways to be involved

In addition to attending programs or becoming a mentor/mentee, we encourage you to become involved in one of the AWC Committees. Committees meet on average once a quarter.

Events & Engagement Committee

The Events & Engagement Committee promotes awareness of the AWC and its mission and fosters relationships among AWC members through the support of quality programming. It reaches out to and engages with AWC constituencies, whether it is other AWC members, students, alumni, or the entire ��ɫ��Ƶ community, and actively seeks ways to engage women with the AWC. The committee invites interested women to join the AWC, fosters relationships, and identifies women that could take a leadership role within the AWC. Engagement through events can be accomplished by creating new and/or stand-alone programs or by partnering with other organizations/departments/events connected to the university or other organizations that align with the AWC’s mission. These events may be held on campus or the community at large.

Professional Advancement & Opportunities Committee

The Professional Advancement & Opportunities Committee is dedicated to promoting and facilitating mentorship, internship, and job opportunities for ��ɫ��Ƶ University students and alumni. The committee works with the O’Pake Institute, Holleran Center and Institutional Advancement to identify and secure internships, mentors and job opportunities for students. Mentor and mentee relationships can occur between current students and AWC members, alumni and community members based on matched interests.

Awards & Recognition Committee

The Awards & Recognition Committee recognizes ��ɫ��Ƶ alumni and students who have distinguished themselves throughout their lives. The committee seeks nominations and identifies candidates for the Bernardine Legacy Award, and makes recommendations to the Steering Committee for approval. The committee also seeks nominations and identifies candidates (alumni, faculty, professional staff and students) for the ��ɫ��Ƶ Magazine. The committee identifies ways to thank and recognize alumni and student volunteers who support the University.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee establishes goals and identifies priorities for the ��ɫ��Ƶ Women’s Council. The committee reviews and evaluates the results of all committees’ activities and assesses how the activities accomplish the goals and priorities of the Council. Specifically, the Steering Committee’s goals included increasing Council and committee memberships, developing a budget and creating income streams for the Council and increasing student engagement and recruitment.

Thankful to our partners...

Giving Back

Proceeds from AWC events support the Newcombe Scholarship Fund. This fund provides support to adult students who need financial aid to complete their education at ��ɫ��Ƶ. Learn more about .
 

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