Entrepreneur Vickie Lewis will be the featured speaker for the Feb. 6 Women’s Success Series event at Kent State University at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia. The event is held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Cost to attend each session is $10, which includes a continental breakfast.
Lewis will discuss her restaurant background and her related experiences as an entrepreneur. Her first experience in the restaurant industry began at a young age when she worked in her parents’ restaurant. Her career with McDonald’s began in 1977 when she and her husband joined the local McDonald’s owner, who was looking for assistance with his franchise so he could start his road to retirement. Today, she is owner operator of eight McDonald’s Restaurants in Tuscarawas and Harrison counties, and employs 456 people. Her professional experience includes having served as the national president of McDonald’s Women Operators Network; chairperson of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeastern Ohio and presently serves on their Board; and is on the Northeast Ohio Advertising Board.
“The Women’s Success Series has been very popular and productive,” said Pam Patacca, public relations coordinator for Kent State Tuscarawas and one of the Series organizers. “We have 90 to 100 women attend each session and they all express their satisfaction with the series and look forward to upcoming sessions.”
Attorney Elizabeth Stephenson, court administrator for the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Trial Division, is a series participant. “The Women’s Success Series is a uniquely valuable experience in Tuscarawas County,” Stephenson said. “It’s a chance for women to enjoy networking while being empowered by the lives of others.”
Christina Crihfield, an employee of the Tuscarawas County Public Library, has been a regular attendee at the Women’s Success Series who was personally impacted by the programs. “Last year, a speaker told her story about becoming and being a nurse,” said Crihfield. “It was at a crossroads point in my own life, and she impacted me enough that I am now enrolled in pre-nursing.”
The 2014-2015 Series concludes on April 10 with featured speaker Wendy Zucal, Executive Director of the Dennison Depot Museum System. Speakers for the 2015-16 series will be announced in late spring.
Originating in November of 2012, the Women’s Success Series is designed to inspire women of all ages to succeed personally and professionally. Each year, the leadership series features three dynamic women who have enjoyed a measure of success in Tuscarawas County. The sessions also include networking opportunities and a book discussion. The February 2015 book selection, Money Rules by Jean Chatzky, is available at any Tuscarawas County Public Library.
The series premier sponsors are the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and Kent State University at Tuscarawas in collaboration with Dominion East Ohio, Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County and Tuscarawas County Public Library System. Planning committee members include Kelli Baker, administrative assistant, Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County; Michelle McMorrow Ramsell, director of the Tuscarawas County Public Library System; Pam Patacca, public relations coordinator, Kent State Tuscarawas; Tracy Stevens, external affairs manager, Dominion East Ohio; and Wendy Zucal, director, Dennison Railroad Depot Museum.
Other organizations contributing to the Women’s Success Series are Beacon Point Rehabilitation Center, Connolly, Hillyer, Lindsay and Ong, Inc., First Federal Community Bank; First National Bank of Dennison, Lauren Manufacturing, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Trinity Hospital Twin City, Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce and Union Hospital.
For more information or to register, contact the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum at 740-922-6776 or email womenssuccessseries@dennisondepot.org. Registrations are still being accepting for the Feb. 6 session.