Meet Our 2025 Shining Star Nominees!
Essence Doucet
Manager of Project Delivery at JMA Resources Inc.
Essence is an IT professional with 20+ years of experience in software development and project management. She currently works with Department of Defense clients implementing modernization, development, and sustainability solutions. She obtained her Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and several other technical certifications.
Serving and helping others is something Essence is passionate about and finds extremely rewarding. As a veteran of the United States Air Force, her service helped solidify her commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Her volunteerism and community involvement are primarily focused on low-income communities. Reducing food insecurity in Northeast Ohio is one of her areas of focus. She volunteers with the Cuyahoga Public Library and works with their Mobile Food Pantry program to distribute free food and produce to the community. She also works as a tutor to improve students’ reading comprehension skills for 1st-3rd grade students who are at risk of not meeting the state’s mandated Third Grade Reading Guarantee. She also actively volunteers with several other organizations assisting with various operational tasks and serving in leadership roles.
Essence has proven leadership skills. She serves as the 2nd Vice President for the Cleveland Section of the National Council of Negro Women where she chairs the Membership, Social Justice, and Public Relations Committees. She also serves as VP of Public Relations with the Toastmasters International Case Western Reserve Spartans Club.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. Adulting isn’t as cool as it looks. Turns out you have more rules and less free time as an adult. Be a kid for as long as you can!
If you could choose any song to be your ‘life anthem’ what would it be?
Unstoppable by Sia
Autumn Lang
Vice President Major Markets and Sales, Capital Blue Cross
Autumn began her career at Capital BlueCross in 1999 and she has held several positions throughout the sales department during that time. Her current role is Vice-President of Major Markets and Sales. Autumn’s responsibility in this role is to lead and support the account management and new business teams, while working with our largest clients and prospective customers to provide solutions to obtain their healthcare goals. She loves the fact that throughout her career at Capital BlueCross she has always been in a “customer facing” role. Autumn values the relationships that she has been able to develop over the years with their customers and community partners. She is proud to work for an organization that is focused on improving the health and well-being of their members and the communities in which they live.
Autumn is originally from Claysburg, Pennsylvania and attended Saint Francis University, where she was part of the women’s softball team for four years. Currently she lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband of 20 years Lou, two children Capri (17) and Torin (15) and a handsome English Bulldog named Meech. During her free time she enjoys hosting friends and family at her home, being part of a book club, traveling, and attending her kids sporting events!
Do you have a favorite vacation spot? If so, where?
My favorite vacation spot is Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas. Spending time with my family there is my happy place. There is so much to see and do in the low country. Whether you are looking for historical tours, an amazing food scene or beach and water activities: it has it all!! There is truly a southern charm to the city, and you are welcomed with friendliness and relaxed atmosphere.
What is your favorite dessert?
Surprisingly I am not a big dessert person. However, there is nothing better than ice-cream from a local shop on a warm sunny day. It tastes and feels like summer!
Tristin Milazzo
Community Engagement Coordinator at Members 1st Federal Credit Union
Tristin serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for Cumberland and Perry Counties at Members 1st Federal Credit Union. In this role, she manages sponsorships and volunteer requests, building strong relationships with branch managers and local community partners to support meaningful outreach throughout the region.
Before joining Members 1st, Tristin earned her M.A. in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Her professional background includes working in the museum field and later transitioning into nonprofit fundraising at the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) in Camp Hill. These experiences shaped her passion for community development and public service, which she now brings to her work in the credit union industry.
Tristin is actively involved in several professional organizations. She currently serves as President-Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Central PA Chapter and chairs the Events Committee for the West Shore Young Professionals. She also plays a key role in organizing the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation’s annual Brewfest event, launched in 2024. In addition, she is a dedicated member of the Pennsylvania Historical Association, where she regularly participates in the statewide conference through planning, presenting, chairing and securing sponsorships.
Committed to connecting people, history and purpose, Tristin is passionate about creating events and opportunities that make a difference in the Central Pennsylvania region. She lives in Enola with her fiancé, Lee, and enjoys finding new ways to give back to the community she calls home.
If you could choose any song to be your ‘life anthem’ what would it be?
Mika’s “Tiny Love” – one of my favorite songs by my favorite artist!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I started practicing this advice in college, but I think it would have helped me earlier too: Always say yes to a new opportunity. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.
Kelly R. Palmer
Regional Affairs Director at PPL Electric Utilities
Kelly doesn’t wait for permission to reimagine what’s possible. As Angela Davis said, “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I cannot accept.” That quote reflects how Kelly approaches her work, her community, and the systems she’s determined to make better.
Driven by big ideas, equity, and connection, Kelly has spent her career helping people navigate complex systems, break down barriers, and create space for voices too often left out.
She believes in building systems where everyone can thrive. Whether she’s mentoring students interested in public facing careers or shaping thoughtful land use decisions on her local planning commission, she’s constantly asking: Who is being left out, and how can we do better?
Kelly also serves on the Cumberland County Commission for Women, where she brings people together across political and organizational lines to address issues like housing, childcare, and civic engagement. A strong advocate for mentoring young women and girls, she believes that when girls see women in leadership and are given the confidence, tools, and support to lead themselves, entire communities benefit.
Kelly is proud to work for PPL Electric Utilities, a company that shows up for its communities every day. She’s grateful to be part of an organization that empowers her to lead this work with purpose and impact.
Kelly believes we all have a role to play. Change doesn’t start with permission – it starts with people. So step up, speak out, and get involved. Your voice matters.
What is your favorite dessert?
ALL OF IT!!!!! NY Cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies (doughy in the middle, crispy on the outside, mix of milk and dark chocolate), ice cream made with high fat content! I can’t choose just one!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Believe in yourself. Trust your instincts. Don’t let the noise around you drown out your own voice. Speak up, even when your voice shakes. Don’t accept the status quo. I would tell my younger self to take the time to understand what you truly value, because that’s where your purpose lives. I am still working on these things today.
It took me time to realize that I didn’t need to be who others expected me to be, I just needed to be grounded in who I already was. That’s the work I try to do now, and the message I strive to pass on to others: you already have what you need inside you. The challenge is to believe it, own it, and use it to make things better for others.
Lori Krause Renne
Supervisor Business Development at UPMC Central PA
Lori is a seasoned marketing, sales and strategic planning professional with over 30 years of experience. Currently, she serves as Supervisor, Business Development for UPMC Corporate Ambassador Resource and Employer Solutions (CARES) team, serving corporate and community wellness clients. Lori works with businesses across Central Pa to strategize and develop customized wellness programs that helps companies improve the overall health, productivity, and morale of their corporate family. Lori serves on the board of the Members 1st Charitable Foundation and the BreakthroughT1D of Central Pa Board of Directors. She previously served as Interim Chair and Leadership Chair for the American Heart Association of Central Pa Board of Directors. Lori is also an active member of the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle and Saint Theresa Parish Council. She also volunteers her time in the community with several organizations.
Lori is a graduate of LaSalle University with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in English. A native of Lebanon, Pa, Lori currently lives in New Cumberland with her husband, Brendan and son, Dylan (when he is home from Duquesne University), and their goldendoodle, Hank. She loves reading, walking, yoga, all things Pittsburgh, and spending time with her big, amazing family and her friends.
Do you have a favorite vacation spot? If so, where?
Key West is a recent place my husband and I vacationed, and it was heaven! Sun, blue ocean, sand, great food, music, and maybe a few great cocktails to boot!
If you could choose any song to be your ‘life anthem’ what would it be?
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles. Because no matter life’s challenges, trials, tribulations, and sad times – here comes the sun and it’s alright.
All nominees will be recognized and the two award recipients will be announced during the Luminary Awards Luncheon taking place on September 4th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Penn Harris Hotel. Interested in attending? The event page with event details and to purchase your tickets or digital program advertisements can be found here.
Thank you to our generous event sponsors
