On March 26, 2026, over 300 professionals attended The MBA’s 7th Annual Women in Leadership Event at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA, and it delivered!
It was sold out. It was full of energy. And it was, without a doubt, bigger and better than ever.
Built around this year’s theme, Give to Gain: The Power of Connection, Where Small Actions, Shared Support and Lasting Impact Begin, the day delivered just that! Meaningful conversations and experiences occurred from the moment the doors opened.
Highlights from the Day
A few standout moments helped bring the experience to life:
- The Book Nook sponsored by E.E. Austin & Son was a hit, with attendees exchanging books and handwritten notes of inspiration.
- The Latte Lounge by Mill Creek Coffee stayed busy all afternoon, fueling both energy and conversation.
- Mazza Vineyards added a fun touch with wine samples.
- Green’s Choice sponsored festive Easter cookie cutouts for every guest.
- Our Dress for Success donation drive for the Mercy Center for Women saw an incredible outpouring of handbags, jewelry, clothing and encouraging notes.
- R. Frank Media offered professional headshots, giving attendees something to take with them beyond the day.
A Program That Connected
Our emcee, Amanda Post, guided the day with energy and professionalism, keeping sessions flowing seamlessly.
Keynote speaker Christy Uffelman delivered an interactive session, “Getting Unstuck: Navigating Your Personal and Professional Growth Mountains.” She used real-time audience input to shape her discussion, focusing on self-trust and the challenge of prioritizing others over yourself. Christy’s energy and authenticity resonated deeply, and she continued those conversations afterward, signing copies of her book Wayfinding: Navigating Your Personal Evolution and Professional Growth Mountains for attendees.
The event also featured a Dynamic Women Leaders panel, facilitated by Andrea Bierer, who kicked things off with her insight: “Stop chasing connections and start tracking them.”
Panelists included:
- Rachel Artise – Owner of six UPS Stores across Pennsylvania
- Christine Blashock, Esq. – Chief Diversity & Community Development Officer, Erie Insurance
- Janel Bonsell – Partner, Schaffner Knight Minnaugh CPAs
- Amy Bridger, Ed. D. – Assistant Dean & Senior Director of Innovation and Corporate Strategy, Penn State Behrend
- Elisabeth Smith – President & CEO, Acutec Precision Aerospace
The panel offered practical, relatable advice on leadership and navigating career growth. A standout takeaway came from Rachel Artise: “When somebody tells you you’re great at something, believe them.”
Thank You and See You Next Year
Events like this don’t happen without incredible support behind the scenes. A huge thank you to our MBA staff for their dedication and hard work in making this day run seamlessly.
Tia Book Cellar provided copies for each table of Christy Uffelman’s Book, and we gave away an awesome gift basket full of over $300 worth of goodies sponsored by Panache Spa & Salon. For anyone looking to continue the journey Christy inspired, her book Wayfinding is available on Amazon.
We also want to recognize all of our wonderful sponsors. Silver sponsors included MacDonald Illig Attorneys, Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency, Inc., and C.H. Reams & Associates, Inc. Additional sponsors included MetLife, Northwest Bank and The MBA’s Business Magazine. Your support helps make this event possible and meaningful for every attendee.
We’re already looking forward to next year! Mark your calendar: March 23, 2027. You can register now here!