‘Keys to Success’ will open business tips for women

MERCER, Pa.

‘Keys to Success,’ a series of lunchtime seminars sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of Mercer County, is returning with five new programs.

The sessions, designed to help women achieve success and to grow into leaders in the community and in their careers, will begin Feb. 3 and run through April 28. The cost is $100 for the series or $25 per session. The first session will take place at the Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa, and the next four sessions will be at Tara, A Country Inn, between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Businesses are encouraged to sponsor a prospective leader or leaders. To register, contact Erika Hink, UWMC Campaign Associate, at 724-981-1884. The deadline for registration is Jan. 31.

The goal of Keys to Success is to improve the professionalism of women in business, help other women obtain the tools needed for success, and provide a venue for networking and collaboration for all women.

In its first year, each Keys to Success session attracted an average of 30 women from diverse fields. The topics for the 2011 series were suggested by the 2010 attendees. The series was developed by a committee of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, assisted by Hink.

Members of the 2011 committee are Kathryn Lima, president of Faro Enterprises; Lisa Bertin, ITS faculty member at Penn State Shenango, Karen Piccirilli, assistant vice president, business banking and women’s business associate, PNC Bank; Mickey Gula, director of women’s services and community outreach, Sharon Regional Health System; Lisa Marcucci, president of Premier HR; and Laura Ackley, general manager of Buhl Mansion. The dates, topics and speakers follow:

Feb. 3: Speaker, Jayne Houston, director of Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify Center for Women’s Business. Topic — “Effective Networking.”

Feb. 24: Speaker, Harriet Guido, LPCC. Topic — “Finding Balance Between Work & Home.”

March 17: Speaker, Carolyn D’Amore, attorney with Evans, Garvey, Lackey and Ochs. Topic — “Legal Tips for Professionals.”

April 7: Speaker, Andrea Peters, image consultant. Topic — “Dressing for Success.”

April 28: Speaker, Heidi Friedrich, M.S., coordinator of career services and counselor, Penn State Shenango. Topic — “Etiquette.”