All the traditions you know and love about breakfast with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance! Announcements about upcoming events &\; opportunities\, \;recognition of new members and time to network. \;Most importantly\, Breakfast4Success features topic-driven presentations designed to inspire you to achieve your goals\, both personally and professionally. \;
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\nMeet our Panelists
\nErin Connelly | Brentwood Industries
\nErin Connelly is an Industrial Systems Engineer at Brentwood Industries\, where she works at the intersection of manufacturing\, technology\, and people. She focuses on modernizing manufacturing operations by connecting systems\, data\, and processes to improve decision-making on the shop floor.
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\nShe holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from Wilkes University\, a combination that reflects her interest in both the technical and operational sides of manufacturing.
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\nErin&rsquo\;s career has spanned quality\, application engineering\, and process-focused roles across manufacturing environments including plastics\, chemicals\, and aviation materials. Early in her career\, she worked in application engineering\, where she bridged customer requirements with manufacturing realities by focusing on the fit\, form\, and function of parts. That experience shaped how she approaches scalable processes\, quality\, and supply chain considerations&mdash\;and continues to inform her work in manufacturing systems today.
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\nIn her current role\, Erin supports digital transformation initiatives that move manufacturing away from reliance on tribal knowledge toward connected\, data-driven systems. By improving visibility and standardizing processes\, she helps teams make more informed decisions while keeping people at the center of the technology.
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\nErin believes there is no single &ldquo\;right&rdquo\; path into manufacturing or engineering. Curiosity\, adaptability\, and a willingness to step into unfamiliar roles have played a central role in her career growth.
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\nShe is passionate about supporting and mentoring women in manufacturing and engineering\, particularly those navigating career transitions or stepping into technical and leadership roles\, and believes the industry is strongest when women are actively shaping its future.
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\nErin Gift | Reading Bakery Systems
\nAs Director of Manufacturing\, Erin leads all facets of the manufacturing team including planning\, procurement\, production\, and continuous improvement. Erin began with RBS in 2017 as a production planner\, then was elevated to production control manager in 2019. Prior to joining RBS\, she held positions in purchasing and engineering for Clark Associates and Kennametal. Erin\, is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh\, with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering.
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\nKara Humes | Entech Engineering\, Inc.
\nA recognized leader in water and wastewater engineering\, Kara Humes serves as a Market Leader and Senior Environmental Manager at Entech Engineering\, Inc. As an instrumental part of the Entech team for over 30 years\, she manages a variety of projects throughout the United States\, including pretreatment for both industry and municipalities\, permitting and reporting for air\, wastewater\, and solid waste\, as well as emergency response planning. In 2023\, she joined the firm&rsquo\;s Board of Directors and currently serves as the Board Treasurer.
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\nAn advocate for working women in Pennsylvania\, Kara is the current Vice President of Tamaqua&rsquo\;s Chapter of the Pennsylvania Business and Professional Women (BPW/PA). She is a champion of industry participation and has been an active member of Pennsylvania&rsquo\;s leading water\, wastewater\, and environmental compliance organizations\, most recently serving as chair of the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association. Additionally\, Kara is actively involved with her local volunteer fire department and is a Trustee of the Ladies&rsquo\; Auxiliary.
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\nNikita Patel | Sherman Engineering Company
\nWith almost a decade of experience in the compressed gas/cryogenic fluid supply\, compressed air and vacuum systems industry\, Nikita has a wealth of knowledge on equipment and pipeline design\, sizing\, and specifications. Nikita graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering\, and pursued her MBA with a focus in Multinational Business shortly after. \; She is a licensed engineer in Pennsylvania.
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\nShe works as a Sales Engineer for Sherman Engineering Company located near Philadelphia PA covering their NY Metro territory. Representing well known compressed air and vacuum manufacturers such as Nash\, Gardner Denver\, BeaconMedaes and Elmo Rietschle has helped broaden her knowledge of these important systems.
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\nWith a large customer base in medical\, laboratory\, and industrial compressed gas and vacuum systems\, there is almost no application she hasn'\;t been exposed to including: healthcare\, laboratory\, government funded\, waste water\, power\, refinery\, and much more!
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\nNatalie Ruppert | East Penn Manufacturing
\nNatalie Ruppert\, Process Engineering Manager at East Penn Manufacturing\, graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering and a minor in Environmental Engineering. She began her career at East Penn Manufacturing in June 2018 as an Automotive Application Engineer.
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\nNatalie is actively involved in company and community initiatives. She serves on both the Picnic Committee and the United Way Committee at East Penn Manufacturing. She is also a member of the Berks County Dream Team\, where she engages with K&ndash\;12 students to promote careers in manufacturing throughout the county. \;
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\nIn addition\, Natalie has been a dedicated member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania&rsquo\;s \;Take the Lead \;Berks County Committee since 2024. She is also involved with Battery Council International\, contributing to the Technical Committee and participating in Women in the Global Battery Industry (WGBI) group.
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\nMeet our Moderator
\nKirsten Deysher | Entech Engineering\, Inc.
\nKirsten Deysher is a seasoned AEC industry professional who currently serves as the Director of Strategic Relationships and Business Development at Entech Engineering\, Inc.\, an engineering and consulting firm headquartered in Reading\, PA.
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\nDedicated to building strong client relationships\, driving revenue growth\, and advancing community\, Kirsten has over 20 years of diverse experience in marketing\, communications\, client relationship management\, and business development\, including managing her own marketing solutions firm. At Entech\, Kirsten is an integral leader in strategy development and implementation\, business relations\, and client experience initiatives.
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\nA champion for the region\, Kirsten is engaged in numerous industry and non-profit boards and committees\, actively contributing to organizational advancement through major development campaigns\, rebranding initiatives\, real estate purchases\, leadership transitions\, and the expansion of new services and programs.
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\nAs Women2Women celebrates its 15th Anniversary&mdash\;our Crystal Anniversary&mdash\;we&rsquo\;re reflecting on the leaders\, stories\, and connections that built this community. Throughout 2026\, each event will feature founding members\, former speakers\, award winners\, and other influential voices who exemplify the impact Women2Women has had on women and Greater Reading over the past 15 years.
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\nChristi Sychterz Terefenko was born and raised in downtown Reading\, PA. She attended Lehigh University where she received a bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in mechanical engineering and then Johns Hopkins University where she received a master&rsquo\;s degree in biomedical engineering. After graduate school Christi relocated to Virginia where she began her career in medical research which lasted for the next 20 years. She moved back to Berks County in 2001\, continued to work as a research consultant\, and began to become involved in nonprofit work locally. She volunteered for many organizations and served on several boards\, using her experience in medical research\, technical/proposal writing\, and organizational leadership to assist nonprofits create positive change in the community. Moved by the desire to serve others\, in 2016\, Christi and 2 close colleagues co-founded VOiCEup Berks\, a nonprofit which seeks mobilize and empower young changemakers to shape more equitable communities through service-learning. She has subsequently transitioned away from medical research and into the organization&rsquo\;s Executive Director position where she seeks to inspire others &ndash\; especially youth -- to service as well.
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\nWelcome New Members!\n\n
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- All In Dumpster Services\, LLC \n
- AmeriGas Propane L.P. \n
- Archwood Soapery \; \n
- A Sense of Peace Home Care \n
- Associates in Neuropsychology &\; Wellness \n
- Berks Imprints \n
- Berman Voss \n
- Blades of Steel Landscaping \n
- Burger King \n
- The Care Team Hospice Care \n
- Claire Malfaro Counseling &\; Consulting\, LLC \n
- Connection Couples Counseling \n
- Dayspring Homes\, Inc. \n
- Dished &\; Done LLC \n
- ECBM \n
- Filta Southeastern Central PA \n
- Higher Information Group \n
- Hollywood Casino Morgantown \n
- Honey Belle Events \n
- Ivy Rehab \n
- JB Plumbing HVAC &\; Construction \n
- KCI Technologies\, Inc. \n
- Lancaster County Day School \n
- Lancaster Stormers \n
- LA Spa &\; Nailbar \n
- Lausch'\;s Moving Company \n
- Little Feather Cleaning Co. \n
- Longview Private Wealth Management \n
- MedSurg Urgent Care \n
- Morgia Wealth Management \n
- New Life Coffee Company \n
- Northwestern Mutual \n
- Nunez Development Group \n
- Over the Moon Event Rentals \n
- Papi'\;s Fried Chicken \n
- Performance Collision Center \n
- Performance Volvo Cars \n
- Pinky'\;s Junk Removal\, LLC \n
- Radius Corporation \n
- Rena-SER Business Solutions Corp \n
- S.H.E. Sisterhood \n
- SendPush \n
- Smokies Cigar Lounge \n
- Stock Yaw Crop LLC. \n
- Three Hive Studios \n
- Trademark Real Estate Services \n
- Trinity Solar - Katulka Team \n
- Uncorkd \n
- Universal Services Plumbing Heating Cooling \n
- Wakefield Hillcrest\, LLC \n
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\nThank you to our Breakfast4Success Series Sponsors
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