2022 SEMINAR SPEAKERS
Learn about our 2022 Seminar Speakers and how they have impacted their communities.
Key Note Speaker
Brian Selander | CEO, GovSourcing
Brian Selander is the CEO of GovSourcing, serving businesses growing their public sector footprints and government leaders reducing costs. Brian's own background is a mix of public and private leadership, including senior roles with multiple current and former Governors and United States Senators. Before leading GovSourcing, he was the President of an eCommerce company, the COO of a young millennial focused media company and Managing Director of a management consulting firm that were both acquired and was the "Offensive Coordinator" of a digital sports network that was Fast Company's #3 Most Innovative in the World in video. He is on the boards of multiple start-ups and the non-profit Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation (HOBY). He graduated from Rutgers College, holds a Masters from the University of Pennsylvania and completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard.
Personal Leadership
Emma Barrera | CEO, Right Hand Glam
Emma Barrera, a 2014 PA-East & WLC alumna and a member of our Seminar Board, is the CEO of Right Hand Glam, a social media marketing agency that provides organic growth, visibility, and sales solutions for women-owned online businesses that are rooted in genuine connection & bold action.. Following her Bipolar II diagnosis in 2018, Emma was deeply unsure of what her future would look like and if she would ever be able to lead a “normal life.” Instead of allowing her disorder to consume her, Emma made it her mission to destigmatize mental health issues in college students, as she felt that it was not something anyone prepared her or her fellow classmates for.
At that time, Emma adopted the catchphrase, “crazy is a concept,” and started speaking at schools state-wide with Minding Your Mind, a non-profit organization that provides educational mental health programming for parents, students, and educators around the country. After graduating from Temple University in 2019 with a degree in Anthropology, Emma quickly discovered that the corporate world was not for her and left her job in January 2020. She chose instead to dive into entrepreneurship, which she now looks back upon as the craziest thing she could have done at the height of a global pandemic.
Emma did not expect anything to come from Right Hand Glam besides making enough money to cover her rent. Now, just two years later, she has scaled her business to a multi-six figure agency, employing 8 women and serving over 150+ clients worldwide. Emma also created a program, The Engagement Academy, through which she has taught 70+ students worldwide how to do exactly what she does so they can scale their own businesses.
Emma lives in Media, PA with her partner Luke and their two cats, Beans and Nala.
Tim Daley | Executive Director,
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County
Tim is a life-long resident of Berks County. Having grown up in the City of Reading, he has spent the majority of his professional career in the field of public service in the City. A graduate of Holy Name High School and Alvernia University, Tim holds both a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Pennsylvania Education Certificate.
Currently, Tim is in his eleventh year as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Berks County. In this role, he oversees the daily operations of one of the major housing agencies in Berks County. Prior to Habitat, Tim was the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator for the 23rd Judicial District of Pennsylvania. His career also includes sixteen years as a police officer with the City of Reading, rising to the position of supervising Sergeant of Juvenile Investigations and lead gang investigator. Tim was also the first Safe School Coordinator for the Reading School District, the fourth largest school district in Pennsylvania. Tim co-founded and served as Vice President of New Century Solutions, Inc., a safety and risk management consulting firm. During that time, he co-authored “The First 30 Minutes” and “Crisis Response for Children Home Alone”. Tim served as the Safety and Risk Management Coordinator for the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
Tim’s experiences led him to testifying before the United States Congress and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, as well as lecturing college students and making presentations at State and National conventions. Tim is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society, and was elected three times as a representative for the National Criminal Justice Association.
Peter Urscheler | Mayor, Phoenixville
Peter Urscheler currently serves as Mayor of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. In 2017, when he was first elected, he was the youngest Mayor in the Phoenixville Borough’s 170-year history. As Mayor, Urscheler oversees a 30-person police force which serves over 17,500 residents. As an elected official, Urscheler has worked to champion several causes including: affordable housing, increased services for senior citizens, public transportation, reducing the educational attainment gap for economically disadvantaged families, total equality protections, and environmental sustainability.
Originally from Tavares, Florida, Peter graduated from Stetson University in 2006. After graduation, he worked for 8 years at SEI, a major international financial services corporation based in greater Philadelphia, before starting his own boutique consulting firm, 235 Bridge, in 2014 Through 235 Bridge, Peter serves the unique needs of small businesses and municipalities, working with a variety of organizations on strategy, communications, marketing, and growth initiatives.
Leo Silva | CEO Attollo Prep
Leonel Silva-Tavarez is the CEO of Attollo Prep, serving students in 10 school districts across Lancaster as they pursue community engagement, empowerment and academic achievement. Leonel was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Lancaster at 9 years old. He graduated from Millersville University with a degree in economics and obtained a master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is on the board of the Latino Empowerment Project and La Academia Partnership Charter School. In his free time he enjoys going on hikes with his two daughters and his Fiancée.
Group Leadership
Christi Terefenko,
Executive Director & Co-Founder VoiceUp Berks
Christi Sychterz Terefenko was born and raised in downtown Reading, PA. She attended Lehigh University where she received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and then Johns Hopkins University where she received a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. After graduate school Christi relocated to Virginia where she began her career in medical research which lasted for the next 20 years. She moved back to Berks County in 2001, continued to work as a research consultant, and began to become involved in nonprofit work locally. She volunteered for many organizations and served on several boards, using her experience in medical research, technical/proposal writing, and organizational leadership to assist nonprofits create positive change in the community. Moved by the desire to serve others, in 2015, Christi and 2 close colleagues co-founded VOiCEup Berks, a nonprofit which seeks to connect people to meaningful volunteer and service-learning opportunities. She has subsequently transitioned away from medical research and into the organization’s Executive Director position where she seeks to inspire others – especially youth -- to service as well.
Karleigh Patton, Co-Founder Stand Against Racism Initiative
& 2019 PA East Alumna
A HOBY PA East Alumni and current Sophomore at Kutztown University, Karleigh Patton is excited to return to share her own leadership experience with the next generation of HOBY Ambassadors. Karleigh is currently majoring in Communication Design and double minoring in Business and Social Media Theory. When not in class, she can be found in various leadership roles around campus or volunteering in her hometown of Reading, PA. Some of these roles include Secretary of Kutztown's Student Government Board, Community Assistant for Rothermel Hall, and member of Diversity Council. She is also an alumna of Youth Volunteer Corps, Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, and a Co-Founder of the national youth movement called "Stand Together Against Racism," where she is able to use her creative skills as well as leadership experiences to provide youth with a platform to discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, for the past two summers, she has served as an intern for the nonprofit, VOiCEup Berks. Karleigh hopes to one day be the director of her own arts-based nonprofit and provide youth with the opportunity to learn and grow with mentorship through the arts.
Michelle Feil, MSN, RN, HOBY PA-East ’89
Michelle Feil is Nurse Clinical Practice Leader at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her BSN in 1995 and MSN in 2000. She has enjoyed a career caring for patients and leading interdisciplinary teams in a variety of clinical specialties and settings ranging from medical-surgical and cardiac inpatient care, to wound care, geriatrics, transitional care, and patient safety. Michelle describes herself as a nurse who is passionate about patient safety, quality improvement, translating evidence into practice, transformational leadership and mindfulness. Michelle is a past president and current corporate board member for HOBY PA-East and has served in many leadership roles over the years. She lives life according to her favorite quote from Dr. Albert Schweitzer, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
Service Leadership
Chanel August Ruffin,
Dean of Students Kennett High School
Chanel August Ruffin is a veteran high school educator and has served as a Business & Information Technology teacher for over 22 years. Chanel’s background is as diverse as the content she teaches. Prior to joining the Kennett Consolidated School District, she taught in other urban and suburban districts. In addition to her extensive experiences in education, she brings a plethora of banking and technology knowledge into her responsibilities from working at PNC Bank and Apple Inc. Her leadership experience spans the gamut; with current responsibilities such as the development and implementation of a Restorative Practice initiative, Chairperson of the Business Department, Sophomore Class Advisor, committee contributor to the Pathway Community Partnership initiative, and member of her Homeowners Association executive board.
Currently Chanel holds the title, Dean of Students, which acts as the coordinator for student-related programming and family communications. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with her degree in Business Education, holds a Masters in Workforce Development and Training, recently completed her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Cabrini University, and holds an administrative certification. She is a proud wife and mother with aspirations to create a culture and climate that encourages student voice and advocates for student choice.
Corrine Bauman, Lead Advisor Camp Hill Mini-THON
& 6th Grade Special Education Teacher
Corrine Bauman is a 6th grade Special Education teacher and the lead adviser for Camp Hill Mini-THON. Corrine earned her undergraduate and master's degree from Bloomsburg University and is finishing a second master's of education from LaSalle this summer. She was recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Teacher by the Shippensburg University School Study Council and in 2019 was the Four Diamond’s Leadership Development Award Recipient for Mini-THON®. Corrine became the advisor for Mini-THON upon its inception at Camp Hill in 2015 and has been the lead adviser since. In just 7 years, she has helped guide her students to raise over $550,000 for Four Diamonds. Working with the leadership team, watching them grow as budding philanthropists, and seeing them use their talents and leadership skills to help others are some of her favorite things about being an adviser.