Each year, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s EMPOWER Leadership Conference creates space for something we don’t always make room for in the day-to-day. This year’s conference was no different.
From big-stage keynotes to smaller, personal conversations, the through line was clear: being a female leader isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about staying open to growth and giving fellow women the opportunity to shine.
Our team left with a lot to think about. Here are a few moments that stuck!
Now What? Navigating Transitions with Purpose, Faith, and Courage
Des, Graphic Designer:
My favorite session at the EMPOWER Leadership Experience Conference was Myrian Muniz’s Now What? Navigating Transitions with Purpose, Faith, and Courage. It was incredibly eye-opening and moving. She reframed how I think about change, reminding us that you can be comfortable, and even happy, with your life, yet that same comfort can quietly turn into resistance rooted in fear of the unknown.
One of my biggest takeaways was the idea of “The Nudge” that feeling when nothing seems wrong, but something within you is shifting. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it simply means a season has come to an end and you’re being invited into something greater. Her message encouraged me to trust that nudge and have faith in who I am becoming.
Lessons in Leadership
Kat, Creative Director:
I really enjoyed the leadership micro chat with Dr. Katie Pittelli, president of Johnson College. Her focus was on navigating how to make time for the things that fill your cup outside of work so that you can bring the best version of yourself every day as a leader. When you pour too much of yourself into work, you can lose yourself in that grind and forget about the things that make you who you are.
I also was blown away by the Lunch Keynote Jodi Kantor and her perspective as a Pulitzer-winning journalist who broke the Harvey Weinstein story at the New York Times. She talked about her book that attempts to help young people just entering the workforce navigate this constantly changing economic and social climate that feels so defeating for them. I think mentoring the next generation into their careers is so critically important for our future workforce.
Imposter Syndrome: Owning Your Success
Emma, Illustration Intern from Marywood University:
My favorite session was definitely the impostor syndrome panel. As a current college student, being able to sit in a room along with so many other women who struggle, are curious, and want to learn about similar things was so special. I feel like it’s so rare to be in a female dominated space. And as someone younger, prepping to step into the workforce it was comforting to see the support that we had for one another.
Speak Up! How to be a Fearless Female Force in the Workplace
Liv, Content Strategist:
I really liked Sharla McBride’s talk because it made confidence feel a lot more normal and doable, not like this unreachable trait you either have or don’t. Hearing that only a small percentage of women are actually in their dream jobs took some of the pressure off and made it feel okay to still be figuring things out.
One of the biggest takeaways was the focus on supporting other women instead of competing with them. The idea of being a “girl’s girl” and getting stronger together is super important, especially in spaces where it can feel competitive. It made me think about showing up for young professionals as the kind of person I would’ve needed earlier on.
The reminders to speak up, own accomplishments, and actually use my voice, even when it feels awkward, felt really practical for where I’m at in my own personal and professional journeys. Overall, the talk left me feeling more grounded and more confident in taking up space. Like I don’t need to wait until I feel 100% ready—I can just start showing up that way now.
The Bigger Picture
What makes EMPOWER special isn’t just the speakers (though they absolutely deliver). It’s the energy in the room, with people asking honest questions and sharing what they’ve learned without pretending to have it all figured out.
That feels familiar to us. A lot of the conversations around communication, confidence, adaptability, and growth mirror how we work at Posture every day—with each other and with our clients.
Experiences like this push us to keep refining that approach: communicate more clearly, collaborate more intentionally, and keep building a culture where people feel supported enough to do great work. And that always finds its way back into what we create.
