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Words of Encouragement & Inspiration from Philadelphia Family’s Women of Influence

Need a pep talk? Want to get to know some AMAZING Women of Influence in the Philly Family Community? Start here!

Our inaugural Women of Influence Luncheon at Terrain in Devon in late September was an incredible success.

We curated a gathering of 140 diverse women who were eager to connect and uplift each other as we celebrated our inaugural class of Women of Influence Award Winners! Since the event was sold out more than a month in advance, each guest was given an opportunity to contribute to our Women of Influence Guide with a short bio or words of encouragement, which we’re sharing with you today. This Guide served as a networking resource at our event and will endure as an uplifting source of inspiration for YOU!

Feature photo by AMC Photography Studios.


Visit our Philadelphia Family digital Women of Influence Guide landing page to nominate someone for recognition in 2024 and get to know the 2023 Award Winners and our women-led Members! Visit our sister sites to expand your circle beyond Philadelphia:


Estelle Acquah, Founder & Principal Consultant
Aya Advisors, LLC | estelleacquah.com

Listen to the most marginalized among us. Their voices are the strongest compass toward our collective liberation.


STEF ARCK-BAYNES, Owner
Achieving Good Communications Co. | achievinggood.co

Affirmation I say to my daughter each night: You are smart. You are kind. You are strong. You are loved. You are brave.


KYRA ATERBURY, Executive Director
Need in Deed | needindeed.org

Alice Walker said, “Look closely at the present you are constructing: it should look like the future you are dreaming.” Stay present and dream big.


BETH AUGUSTE, Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist, & Women’s
Fitness Specialist,
Be Well with Beth | bewellwithbethphl.com/services

You can’t accomplish everything in one day. This is something I talk to my nutrition and wellness clients about all the time. We live in a society that is overly focused on quick fixes when, in reality, it takes a strong foundation to build something that lasts. Remember to take things one step at a time and to appreciate the small milestones on the way to your bigger goal. Slow down to speed up.


PAMELA BADOLATO, Content Director
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

“When you have more than you need, build a longer table not a higher fence.”


JACQUI BAUERS, Founder
Joint Joint | jointjoint.com

Thank you all for the amazing work you are doing to improve and bring something special to the community! You inspire me to keep going!


JULIA BERGSON-SHILCOCK, Co-Director
Cupola Academy | cupolaacademy.org

“When you wonder, learning follows naturally.” – Julia Bergson-Shilcock


SARAH BOND, Founder & CEO
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

“People rarely succeed unless they HAVE FUN in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie


PEG BOTTO, Owner & Chef
Cosmic Foundation | Cosmicfoods.com

I want to thank all the women who are silent workers without recognition. The world is going to be a better place with everyone working together.


EMILY BURRELL, Administrator, Partnerships & Business Development, Nemours Children’s Health | nemours.org

Always be curious, support your colleagues, and encourage those less likely to speak up to share their perspectives!


ANN MARIE CASEY, Founder
AMC Photography | amcphotostudios.com

Passion, determination, and a little bit of creativity; women can break barriers and succeed in any field they choose. Fearlessly chase your dreams.


SUZANNE CERBUS, Director, Business Development & Provider Relations, Nemours Children’s Health | nemours.org

You don’t need anyone’s approval to be true to yourself. Be inspired by your why to drive your goals and success!


RACHEL CREAN, Entrepreneur
New Salon Coming Soon

Working together to grow our businesses together!


CHANDREYI DAS-CHOWDHURY, Operations Manager
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

It’s what you do after you fail that shapes you. Be fearless with full hearts and remember that women are meant to shatter glass ceilings. You’re remarkable!


RACHEL FISHMAN, Co-Founder & Program Manager
Courtyard Mentor Network | courtyardmentornetwork.org

Volunteering with youth mentoring will allow you to positively impact the lives of underserved youth in your community.


MARIE FOLLO, Mother of Pamela Badolato
Mema to adorable grandchildren

One does not make themselves look good by making others look bad. Humility and kindness is what people remember most.


CAITLIN GANLEY, Sr. Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs
Comcast | xfinity.com

If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small! Dream BIG.


SARAH HEYMAN, Publishing Intern
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.


KERRI KONIK BOYD, CEO & Chief Brand Strategist
Inspire Fire® and Alchemie Online | inspirefire.com & alchemieonline.com

You can live a life by design. Don’t compromise on what matters most, and never settle. Success is defined by you alone.


STEPHANIE KOSTA, Vice President, Government Affairs
Comcast | xfinity.com

Stephanie L. Kosta’s commitment to public service is evident through her personal and professional work. She not only leads corporate impact efforts for Comcast Freedom Region including programs focused on digital equity through Project UP, but her passion for children, family, diversity, and equity drives her volunteer work. Stephanie is thrilled to be recognized as a Women of Influence among such an inspiring group of women.


KATIE KUPSTAS, CEO & Founder
Inventors Club for Women | inventorsclubforwomen.com

Embrace your strength, spark new ideas. Use your unique abilities to make a difference and change the world.


MEGAN LARSEN, Main Line Speech Therapy Manager
OWLS Therapy | owlstherapy.com

Believe you can and you’re halfway there!


JULIE LATHIA, Owner
The BenLath Law Group, LLC | benlathlaw.com

Embrace the risk and don’t be afraid to take chances. The only real failure occurs when you don’t try.


ELENOR LINAFELT, Philadelphia Family Calendar Editor & Writer
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

Find your community, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and share your skills generously.


JENNA MACPHERSON, Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications, Delaware Valley
Nemours Children’s Health | nemours.org

Set and communicate your priorities, and boundaries. You are the only one who can protect your joy.


LARA AMAN MATTEY, Studio Owner
Ivory Tree Portraits | IvoryTreePortraits.com

How our children present themselves starts with how they hear us talk about ourselves and our peers. It’s my passion to create a culture that builds kids’ (and women’s) self-confidence through inclusion, fun, and community.


ASHLEY MEYERS, Owner & CEO
Main Line Fashionista Boutique | mainlinefashionista.com

Sometimes we have to Fake It Till We Make It.
That’s ok! Also, don’t overthink social media posts! Post and move on!


KRISTEN MICUCCI, Business Development Manager
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

Don’t ever be afraid to be your authentic self.


ROSE MILLER, FRN,BSN, MSHI, Nature Enthusiast & Mum to Sarah Bond, Scenic View Haven

“Don’t think for one second you can’t be anything you want to be — a warrior, a goddess, a queen-bee.” – Melody Lee


LATANYA MORGAN, Executive Director
Sawubona Creativity Project | sawubonacreativityproject.org

Thank you to all the amazing women who are out here making a positive impact on others. You are wonderful and amazing.


Susan Padron, Intuitive Personal Stylist
Susan Padron Stylist | susanpadronstylist.com

Every time you get dressed, choose at least one part of yourself to highlight. Don’t let yourself hide, shine instead.


MAIRIN PETRONE, Development Director
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

“Criticism should be taken seriously, not personally.” – Hilary Clinton


LUBA PATLAKH-KAPLUN, Director, MS-CCC/SLP,
Kidology Inc | kidologyinc.com

Luba is a bilingual speech language-pathologist, who specializes in child development, pediatric education, and emotional support. Her words of wisdom to all the fantastic, hard working women out there is to never allow a setback to stop your drive. Use it to better yourself, learn and grow, then you can do even MORE!!! Challenge yourself to help motivate others and never, ever give up!


JESSICA PUFF, CEO
Jessica Hendrix Photography LLC | jessicahendrix.com

“When someone says you can’t do it, do it twice and take pictures.” – Tami Xiang


SUDHA RAMAN, Medical Director, Nemours PA Specialty Care Network, Nemours Children’s Health System | nemours.org

Dr. Sudha Raman, MD, MBA, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician and neonatologist. She is currently the Medical Director of Ambulatory Care Centers for Nemours Children’s Health in Pennsylvania and a neonatologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Raman has been practicing medicine in the Delaware Valley for over 20 years. She is passionate about working to ensure that all children have equal access to high-quality healthcare.


RENEE RHINEHART, Founder & CEO
Party Host Helpers & Events by Renee | partyhosthelpers.com

Keep networking and expand your footprint. You never know who you will meet that can make a major impact on your career.


LORI ROBBINS, Director of Sales & Client Marketing
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

“I am woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.” – Maya Angelou


LAUREN ROBERTS, Social Media & Content Marketing Manager
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

You’re never too old to get started. Find your passions, and run toward them at full speed!


JENNIFER LYNN ROBINSON, Professional Speaker
Jennifer Lynn Robinson | jenniferlynnrobinson.net

“You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” – Serena Williams


KRISTY RUNZER, Owner & Financial Planner
OnRoute Financial | onroutefinancial.com

Be you. Stand in your power as your most authentic self and everything will work itself out. You’re amazing!


GAURI SHIROOR-AGRAHAR, Co-Owner
Philly DIY supporting Samvit Sudha | phillydiy.com

Gauri’s volunteer work with Samvit Sudha finds practical and innovative ways of giving back to her ancestral homeland. In this nonprofit, she works to financially empower women in South India. These women are taught to sew, embroider, and make handmade paper. The women of Samvit Sudha make beautiful and practical handsewn bags and gifts that Gauri has been selling for the last 10+ years.


JESSICA SIBLEY, Sr. Manager, Government & Regulatory Affairs
Comcast | xfinity.com

Each time a woman stands up for herself,
without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.


MARCELA SUMMERVILLE, Owner & Director
Spanish Workshop for Children | spanishworkshopforchildren.com

To my fellow Women of Influence, let’s stand strong together. I lead in early education and have been honored. Remember, you’re powerful. Be proud of your own paths and believe in your abilities — they make a big difference. When unsure, know that our dedication drives change, brightening lives and the future. As leaders, our contributions matter. Keep pushing for new ideas and growth.


LAUREN SZKOLNICKI, Marketing Manager & Designer
Family Focus Media | familyfocus.org

There is always something new to learn.


SARAH TODD, Co-President & Director of Operations
Well Rooted | wellrootedpa.org

It is an honor to be listed among such influential women who saw a need and decided to “Be The Change” instead of standing on the sidelines.


DAWN ELYSE WARDEN, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations
KenCrest | kencrest.org

It’s okay to feel lost sometimes; stop comparing and create your own definition of success instead. You got this!


ALEXANDRA WACHMAN, Senior Manager, Public Relations
Comcast | xfinity.com

Be kind. Give back. Stand up for what you believe in. Inspire change. Keep trying. Be yourself. You can do hard things.


Philadelphia Family is published by a team of local women to connect families raising their kids in the city with resources, events, and each other. Learn more about us, our mission, and our method for supporting local businesses at familyfocus.org.

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