Last week, our team had the opportunity to attend an inspiring conference hosted by The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, an organization we’ve been proud to work with on multiple projects for over a decade. Every year, the EMPOWER Leadership Experience brings together local businesses, community leaders, and industry experts for a day of learning and networking. This year’s theme, presented by Geisinger, was “Dream Big,” and the speaker lineup certainly delivered on this, including our incredible lunch keynote with Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes.
This was an especially meaningful experience for our creative team members in attendance, as they’re always looking for new ways to feel inspired. We have been especially fortunate to have collaborated with the Chamber for several years on the branded experience and stage graphics for this event, so it was truly thrilling to see it all come together.
Check out some of our team’s biggest takeaways below.
Kat: Compassionate Leadership
One session that really stood out to me was led by Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards from MFHS, who shared valuable insights from a CEO’s perspective. She spoke about the importance of keeping your team feeling appreciated and engaged. One major takeaway for me was that “busyness” can stifle a team’s ability to innovate and collaborate. By delegating, leaders not only lighten their own load but also create opportunities for others on the team to shine. Dr. Edwards also shared that maintaining a ratio of five positive interactions for every negative one can help people view feedback more constructively and build a more resilient team.
Des: Turning Doubt into Determination
I found this session interesting because it focused on the different ways people communicate. According to Kayla Record, a Youth Career Advisor from PA CareerLink, individuals tend to be either lookers, listeners, or touchers, and understanding these styles can help improve how we connect with others. I realized that I’m a listener — I like to fully hear and understand someone’s point of view before responding. Knowing this, if I observe someone who’s more of a toucher, I can adapt by offering a handshake to better communicate on their level. I also really enjoyed participating in the wellness studio classes, like our sound healing class with Kailin Bouse, the owner of Kailin of Earth Wellness Studio with an amazing sound performance technique.
Jess: Imposter Syndrome Panel
This panel, moderated by Sean Ann Schoen of PS Bank, featured an incredible lineup of inspiring female leaders: Katelynn Nichols, a partner at Cawley Johnson & Sanders, P.C.; Abigale Platt, Associate Director of Communications & Marketing at Johnson College; and Kelly Young, Sales Coordinator for InterMetro Industries. My biggest takeaway from their discussion was the importance of surrounding yourself with people who truly support you. Rather than comparing yourself to others, they encouraged focusing on how far you’ve come by comparing yourself to your past self — a mindset that helps you recognize your own strengths. They also emphasized not letting others’ negativity define who you are. I was especially moved by one panelist’s personal story about overcoming thyroid cancer and treatment. Despite the challenges, she was able to take back control of her career by tackling imposter syndrome and working alongside a manager who met her where she was at, offering the support she needed to thrive.
Getting FOMO from reading about our sessions? That’s just a small slice of what the team learned at this year’s event. Make sure to join us next year to tackle even bigger and better plans!
