From Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
Pictured above: Cory Varona and Nicol Varona Cancelmo.
Berks Women2Women, a special program of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), invites you to its 15th annual Conference & Expo on Wednesday, March 4, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the PLEX at Alvernia University, 465 St. Bernardine St., Reading. Parking is available on-site near the PLEX. Additional parking is located in Lot C, with shuttle service running between Lot C and the PLEX.
Immerse yourself in powerful learning sessions, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to build connections with women who are shaping our community through leadership, mentorship, and collaboration. Find fresh inspiration, expand your network, and explore an exciting expo of female-owned and non-profit businesses making an impact right here in Greater Reading.
The keynote speakers, Cory Varona and Nicol Varona Cancelmo, co-founders of OCOA, a premium curly hair care brand, will share “Rooted in Heritage: Scaling OCOA from a Founder Vision to Ulta Beauty.” The pair will discuss how their business grew from a tiny haircare company to a national brand filling the shelves at Ulta Beauty — the largest beauty retailer in the United States.
The event will also honor the 2026 ATHENA Award recipient and the EmpowHER Award recipient.
Additionally, attendees will be able to choose three of four breakout sessions featuring different speakers.
- Katie Short, Licensed Professional Counselor, will present “Befriending Your Anger,” where she will explore how to recognize, understand, and befriend anger in healthy ways that support emotional balance and personal empowerment.
- Brianna Campbell, Certified Strengths Coach at Gallup, will offer “Using Emotional Intelligence to Navigate and Solve Conflict.” This session will show how emotional intelligence and strengths-based awareness can help you approach difficult conversations with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
- Kate Hershey, VP, Private Banking Relationship Manager at Fulton Private Bank, will present “Personal Trainer for Your Financial Wellbeing.” This session is designed to help individuals build lasting financial strength through simple, sustainable habits — much like training for physical fitness.
- Dr. Jessika Kissling, Lead Physician, Penn State Health Obstetrics and Gynecology, will lead a discussion on perimenopause and menopause.
New this year, attendees can sit down one-on-one with established professionals throughout the day to talk through career goals, explore next steps, and get real-time guidance — including hands-on support with resume building. Coaches will be announced closer to the event.
Ticket information
Registration is required. Ticket options for GRCA members include an all-day pass for $120.00, which includes coffee and lunch; for future GRCA members include an all-day pass for $135.00, which includes coffee and lunch. Guests can buy tickets for the keynote and coffee only for $55.00 or the afternoon ATHENA celebration and lunch only for $60.00. Register at greaterreading.org/w2w-conference-expo.
Vendors wanted
If you are a non-profit or female-owned business, you can get in front of 300+ people as a part of the Expo. Registrations are on a first-come basis, and only one company per industry can be represented. GRCA members cost $195.00. Future GRCA members cost $295.00. Contact Katie Johnsen, Events Coordinator, GRCA, at KJohnsen@greaterreading.org to register.
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