The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present, in partnership with UPMC Health Plan, our 10th Women in Business Conference.  Designed to educate, enlighten and inspire a regional audience of professional women, the Fall symposium-style event will take place Thursday, November 3rd at the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort.

Keynote Speakers Announced

The Women in Business Conference will kick off with a keynote breakfast presentation by Pennsylvania Treasurer, Stacey Garrity.

Meet Treasurer Stacey Garrity – The 78th Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Stacey Garrity is a businesswoman and retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel, elected to the office of treasuer in November 2020 and sworn into office the following January.  After graduating from Sayre High School in Bradford County, Stacy earned a degree in finance and economics from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and later received a certificate from the Cornell University Business Management Institute.

While serving as a colonel in the Army Reserve, Stacy received national attention for her decorated service on the battlefields of Iraq. While news raged about scandals involving prisoner abuse at other facilities, Stacy was highlighted for her stellar performance as one of the officers in charge of an internment camp for enemy combatants in Iraq. Iraqis dubbed her “the Angel of the Desert” when her service at Camp Bucca in Southern Iraq resulted in a perfect record. She kept the camp secure and American troops safe without a single complaint of abuse from Iraqi soldiers interned there.  Stacy served a remarkable three deployments in defense of the United States: in 1991 in Operation Desert Storm, in 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in 2008 in Operation Enduring Freedom. She was awarded the Bronze Star twice for exceptional service and received the Legion of Merit before retiring from the Army Reserve with the rank of colonel.

While serving in the Army Reserve, Stacy started work as a cost accountant at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp., a global supplier of refractory powders, and worked her way up to become the first of two female vice presidents at the company.

As Pennsylvania Treasurer, Stacy oversees an office of more than 300 employees and is tasked with protecting more than $150 billion in state assets. Among her many duties, she serves as a fiscal watchdog for the state, manages Pennsylvania’s 529 College and Career Savings Program and the PA ABLE Savings Program for disability-related expenses, and administers the state’s unclaimed property program. Her featured remarks will be followed by a panel discussing featuring women in the finance industry: Bedford County Treasurer Melissa Cottle, Leigh Shank of Edward Jones, and First National Bank VP Koren Woy-Smith (Business Development).

Our mid-morning keynote will feature a message of Self-Care and Mindfulness, presented by Entrepreneur and Wellness Professional Mona Shaw. 

Mona Shaw is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Sociology.  Following a successful career in sales, Shaw, along with her husband Randy, is the new owner of the historic Union Hotel in Everett, with plans of opening a Wellness Center in the near future.

Our Networking Luncheon will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. Peggy Steinbrunner of Horizon Behavioral Health on the psychological benefits of service, followed by a panel discussion among wellness entrepreneurs, including Blair Leydig of ProCare Fitness Bedford, Ella McElwee of Health By Choice and Kelly McGee of Aesthetics by Kell.

Conference attendees will also enjoy plated breakfast and lunch, beverage service and breaks, valuable networking, door prizes, exhibitor visits/shopping, attendee gift bags, and more.

NEW IN 2022: The Women in Business Advisory Committee is passionate about giving back to the community.  For the Fall Conference, the Chamber will collect donations for Bedford County’s TOYS FOR TOTS. Attendees who contribute a NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY during the conference, or who make a cash donation of $10 or more (which will be used to purchase toys for local underprivileged children)  will receive an EXTRA raffle ticket for the end-of-the-day door prize drawing, which includes a chance to win a complimentary registration for the spring conference scheduled for May 11, 2023 at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort.

The conference will close with two special guests:  Leona Logan and Hildegard, who will provide a playful message of inspiration with advice for women who do too much.

Attendees may also contribute a basket to the raffle, proceeds from which will be used to provide scholarships to future Women in Business events, ACM classes and/or other endeavors of enrichment for young professional women of the Bedford County region.   Those who donate baskets or other items will be receive extra tickets (chances) for the raffle.

All registrants for any part of the conference will also receive a subscription to the Chamber’s Women in Business POWER HOUR series, with noon-time programs on Wednesdays through the winter, featuring speakers, round table discussions, networking and more (via Zoom.)

Thank you to our sponsors to date:  UPMC Health Plan, Omni Bedford Springs Resort,  FirstEnergy Foundation, Bayada, Seltzer Financial Services, Bedford County Business & Professional Women, Bedford Candies and Rita’s Italian Ice, Everett Flower Shop,  Bedford County Chamber (Education) Foundation,  ACM Bedford County Campus,  The Bedford Gazette, and the Bedford County Radio Stations of  Cessna Broadcasting.

Download FALL 2022 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Images from past conferences:

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