Learn More About Our 2021 Luminary Award Nominees!
We are back and excited to announce our Luminary Shining Star and Visionary Award Nominees for this year’s event! The Luminary Awards Luncheon, taking place on September 9th, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg in Camp Hill, will honor the following extraordinary female professionals nominated for the two awards. The Women in Business Roundtable Committee, who created this prestigious event, voted in a blind review process of all the applicants at their April meeting. The two award recipients will be announced during the program at this luncheon. A portion of the total event proceeds will benefit a Chamber nonprofit of the award recipients’ choice.
Congratulations to the following chosen nominees who were nominated by their peers because of their excellence in their work environment and the community:
Shining Star Award Nominees
Deb Ellenberg, Sandler Training
Saleswoman, corporate sales trainer, public speaker, rock-climber, big-dog lover – no matter what role she plays, Deb Ellenberg is passionate about helping others to uncover the rock-star qualities and awesomeness within. Vice President of Business Development at Sandler Training in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Deb helps salespeople and teams struggling to close more deals, exceed revenue targets, and discover the art and joy of the sales profession. An avid rock climber, Deb finds many parallels in sales and climbing and shares tips for business success on LinkedIn. It’s all about the sales climb and the attitude, behavior, and techniques that get us to where we want to go. Deb has been a featured speaker for Business Women’s Forum, WeCan-Women’s Capital Area Networking, West Shore Young Professionals, PolkaDot Powerhouse Women’s Group, American Business Women’s Association, International Facility Management Association of Central PA, Leadership Lancaster, Carlisle Young Professionals, Real Estate Staging Association of Central PA, and local networking groups. She has also been an invited speaker for various corporate presentations.
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 be 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.
Paige L. Zembower, Gunn-Mowery, LLC
Paige graduated from Camp Hill Senior High School in 2011 and continued her education at Millersville University majoring in International Studies and minoring in Spanish. She spent a month abroad in Chile where she stayed with a host family and studied at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso. Paige accepted a full-time position at Gunn-Mowery as an Employee Benefit Assistant in September 2016 and was promoted to her current position as Employee Benefits Specialist after one year. In her spare time, Paige enjoys reading and participating in Harrisburg Young Professional sports. She now lives in Enola with her boyfriend and their dog.
Mary E. Wheeler, New Hope Ministries
I am blessed to be a wife, a mother of 4 daughters, having 3 terrific son-in-laws, and 6 beautiful grandchildren (with hopefully many more to come!). I am a native upstate New Yorker. I attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. I have a degree in Leadership Ministries with a minor in Women’s Ministry. I started with New Hope Ministries in October 2012 and have enjoyed growing along with the organization. I think the thing I enjoy most about my job is our workforce programs. The look on people’s faces when you have empowered them with the ability to be able to reach self-sufficiency is worth it all!
Visionary Award Nominees
Carrie L. DeLone, MD, UPMC Harrisburg
Dr. Carrie DeLone served as Pennsylvania’s Physician General during the Corbett administration, advising the governor and the secretary of health on medical and public health issues. During her tenure, she developed the State Ebola Public Health Plan, the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, a state research study for pediatric patients with severe epilepsy using medical marijuana which allowed severely disabled children access to medication, the Pennsylvania Alzheimer’s plan, Safe Opioid Prescribing Guidelines for Chronic Non-cancer Pain, and educated the public regarding healthy behaviors, disease prevention, and healthcare disparities. Dr. DeLone is a board-certified general internist with more than 25 years of clinical experience and many years in healthcare quality, regulatory compliance, and policy development. She has also held positions with Penn State Health Community Practice Division as the Regional Medical Director, Geisinger Holy Spirit as Medical Director of the Geisinger Holy Spirit Medical Group, Physician Advisor for Holy Spirit Healthcare System, and clinically as a general internist for Penn State Health, Geisinger, Holy Spirit Healthcare System, and Cowley Associates. Dr. DeLone has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority and was a board member of PA State Board of Medicine, PA Osteopathic Board, PA Physical Therapy Board. Her undergraduate studies were accomplished at Villanova University, receiving a BS in biology. She also received a master’s degree in physiology from Georgetown University before graduating from Temple University School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at SUNY Upstate.
Susan Hubley, Capital Blue Cross
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.
Beth Kempf, Community CARES
With a burning passion for seeing all people treated with dignity and respect, Beth has been a ministry leader and in non-profit works for over 25 years. Beth Kempf is the Executive Director at Community CARES and leads its mission in ending homelessness one person at a time. Community CARES an organization that provides Rest, Reassurance, and Resources for those in Cumberland County at risk or actively experiencing homelessness. Beth uses her experience and acquired knowledge to protect and support vulnerable people, especially women and children. Those who know her know her as someone who can take the panic out of a crisis. Beth has committed fully of herself to bring awareness to the issue of homelessness, to be an advocate for those experiencing homelessness and to build partnerships and collaborations throughout the community that will lead to solutions to help end homelessness.
Christina Persson, UPMC Harrisburg
Christina started her UPMC career in 2009 with UPMC Pinnacle’s Marketing department. After continuing into a management position there, she moved into a variety of progressive leadership positions. She currently leads major initiatives critical to the success of UPMC Pinnacle’s key growth objectives, including relationships with our referring provider community, area businesses (Corporate Ambassador Resource and Employer Solutions), community support and sponsorships, and Veterans Affairs Program. Since December 2020, her role has expanded to include responsibility for UPMC’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Central PA. Christina’s background also includes a career in the military and non-profit development.
Join us in recognizing the achievements of the 2021 nominees! Program advertisements and well wishes can be purchased by contacting Krystin Blauch at krystin@wschamber.org. Space is limited, so reserve yours today! Prices are listed below:
Full Page Ad 5.5” (W) x 8.25” (H) $200
½ Page Advertisement 5.5” (W) x 4.25” (H) $125
¼ Page Advertisement 2.25” (W) x 4.25” (H) $75
Well Wishes 30-word copy $25
Thank you for helping recognize the successes of Chamber members who enhance our community through their selfless contributions. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Tickets to the event are $40 for members or $295 per member table of 8 and $50 for non-members. Visit wschamber.org for more ticket information, menu details, and to register for this event click here.
This event is made possible by the sponsorship of the following members:
Supporting Sponsor and Headshot Photo Credit goes to AFH Media, LLC