Congratulations to our 2021 Luminary Award Recipients!
Congratulations to all of our outstanding nominees for the Shining Star and Visionary Awards for our annual Luminary Awards Luncheon held on September 9, 2021! It was wonderful to be back in person again with everyone as we honored the eight individuals nominated by their peers because of their excellence in their work environment and the community. This year’s Shining Star Award nominees were: Deb Ellenberg, Sandler Training; Gretchen L. Ramsey, Penn State Holy Spirit Medical Center; Paige L. Zembower, Gunn-Mowery, LLC; and Mary Wheeler, New Hope Ministries. This year’s Visionary Award nominees were: Carrie L. DeLone, MD, UPMC Central PA, Susan Hubley, Capital BlueCross; Beth Kempf, Community CARES; Christina Persson, UPMC Central PA. Voted on in a blind review and voting process by our Women in Business Roundtable Committee, Gretchen L. Ramsey of Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center was the recipient of the Shining Star Award and Susan Hubley of Capital BlueCross received the Visionary Award. Girls on the Run Capital Area and Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties were the two nonprofits chosen by the recipients to receive a portion of the proceeds from the event.
Shining Star Award Recipient
Gretchen L. Ramsey, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center
Gretchen Ramsey is the Regional Director of Patient Experience for Penn State Health. She leads a dynamic team of professionals who spearhead the patient advocacy and volunteer services within Penn State Health’s West Shore Region. Ramsey coaches and trains physicians, nurses, and ancillary staff on communication techniques to improve the patient’s perception of the great care provided within the Penn State Health System. She is a former fundraiser and lobbyist with over 25 years of professional and volunteer experience in the Harrisburg metro region. She uses her only God-given talent; the gift of communication (a nice way to say she talks, A LOT) to boost the morale of staff, especially during the long months of fighting the pandemic. She earned her master’s in organizational development from Central Penn College in 2015 and an undergraduate degree in Communications from Edinboro University in 1996. Ramsey currently serves as a proud member of the board of directors for the West Shore Chamber, and the Central Penn College Foundation board, is an active member of the Middle-Creek Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, and each Spring can be found coaching her daughter’s Girls on the Run team (#whoot#whoot.) She lives with her handsome hubby of over 20 years, Chris, and along with their two outgoing, intelligent, beautiful children, Jackson (18) and Jovi (12, named after her favorite band) in Halifax, PA. She has become an avid waterfowler and is passionate about learning more about how to preserve and restore duck habitats within the Atlantic flyway.
Visionary Award Recipient
Susan Hubley, Capital BlueCross
Susan has been a champion of community service for over 35 years. A native of Harrisburg, she has dedicated her entire adult life to making the region a better place for everyone, especially women, and the underserved. Her passion to serve the community is something she has woven into both her personal and professional life. As Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Capital BlueCross, she leads a team focused on strengthening outreach initiatives and the corporate giving process. Outside of the office, she is actively involved in organizations that she is passionate about, currently serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, and Chair of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign. Susan also dedicates time to mentoring young professional women, providing guidance as they navigate the unique challenges of becoming successful and empowered in the workplace. Her dedication to sharing her time, expertise, and leveraging her relationships for the greater good, has earned her tremendous respect among her peers. Susan’s commitment to bolstering women is evident given her 16-year relationship with the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. During her tenure, she elevated the YWCA’s Tribute to Women of Excellence (TWE), making it one of the region’s premier events recognizing women for their community service. At the same time, her ability to leverage resources has helped to raise thousands of dollars to be used for women in need. She is also empathetic to the needs of domestic violence victims served by the YWCA, making referrals over the years, connecting women to critical services to help break the cycle of violence. Susan is a compassionate community servant dedicated to improving lives in Central Pennsylvania.
Thank you to Highmark/PennState Health, Klock Entertainment, The Carlisle Group/SPAtacular Escapes, Susquehanna Style, and Wells Fargo Advisors for their generous sponsorships to make this event possible. In addition, we would like to thank our Supporting Sponsor: AFH Media who took the amazing headshots of all the nominees along with Alicia Richards of abc27 for emceeing the event.