Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

2020 HYP 20 in Their 20’s

HYP 20 in Their 20s

Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) is excited to announce the 20 honorees of the organization’s second annual 20 In Their 20’s class. Meet 20 rising stars from business, culture and civic life who are making a meaningful impact in their communities and workplaces.

Join the Harrisburg community on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 for a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate 20 of Harrisburg’s greatest “doers”. The event is free to attend, but registration is required and donations are encouraged if you are able to contribute. All proceeds support HYP and the Emerging Philanthropist Program. This year’s event is sponsored by Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Hershey’s Ice Cream and Startup Harrisburg.

REGISTER TODAY AT HYP.ORG

Autumn Anderson

Passionate about Harrisburg and all it has to offer, Autumn loves giving back to the community. As vice president of Friends of Midtown, she spearheads DEIJ issues and helps the organization support local businesses; she also works to improve the lives of young women in Dauphin County through her role as director of the Junior League of Harrisburg’s Community Impact Council. During the day, Autumn is a public-sector management consultant, helping governments better serve citizens. She earned her MPA from the University of Pennsylvania and recently graduated from the Emerge PA program, which trains women how to run for office. You might see her biking around the city, hiking on a nearby trail, or sipping kombucha on the front porch of her Midtown rowhome.

Coryann Catalano-Alexandre

Coryann recently took on a new role as an Account Manager at Reilly Insurance. Born and raised in Harrisburg, Coryann has a passion for giving back to her hometown. As a co-chair for HYP’s Outreach Committee she has planned several volunteer opportunities around the city. When not volunteering with HYP she can be found volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House of Central PA with the Red Shoe Crew. The key to Coryann’s success is her dedication to her clients and her willingness to learn new facets of her industry.

Jordan Dandy

Jordan is a full-time musician in the band Dandy, which consists of his brother and him. Most of his days are spent practicing and/or writing music. One of Jordan’s favorite accomplishments was being a part of the Boys and Girls Club volunteer crews to help box and distribute meals for families in need. He believes that it’s very important to give back and to walk out kindness to the community around us. He’s always looking to get into more volunteer work with Bethesda Mission, as well as trying to make a positive impact on people’s lives with his music. You may have seen him standing on the corner of Front and Forster streets with a message of positivity. TheBurg wrote about it here: https://theburgnews.com/news/jordan-dandy-has-a-message-for-harrisburg-i-value-you

Justin Eberly

 Justin Eberly, MPA, CTO, EMT is an Education Specialist for VFIS, a subsidiary of the Glatfelter Insurance Group. VFIS is a leading provider of insurance, education, and consulting services to emergency service organizations.

Eberly is an active Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and volunteer firefighter in Cumberland County. As an educator, he has served as adjunct faculty for multiple EMS programs serving the South-Central Pennsylvania region. Eberly received the designation of Chief Training Officer (CTO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

He is a proud Eagle Scout and was recently recognized with the District Award of Merit for service to youth in scouting.

Eberly has earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Information Technology for Business Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Masters in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Emergency Services Management, from Columbia Southern University.

Kimberly Elter

Kimberly is determined to recognize the brilliant minds and organizations that Harrisburg has to offer. Early in her career, Kimberly initiated and piloted 6 Degrees, the first speed networking and mentoring event with Harrisburg Young Professionals. With inaugural success, 6 Degrees has become an annual event connecting top CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners with young professionals in the Harrisburg area establishing long-term relationships that will further enhance and expand the prosperity of this region. In addition to connecting others to resources in the community, Kimberly focuses her time on strengthening the voices of young professionals in the Harrisburg area with HYP Toastmasters, a local club within Toastmasters International that advances the communication and public speaking skills of its members. Amidst her role as President and previously as VP of Public Relations for HYP Toastmasters, Kimberly helped increase membership by 50% within four months of hosting an open house while also sharing the accomplishments of each young professional through her marketing and design skills. Kimberly is passionate about continuing to bring the best to Harrisburg with her events, creativity, and vision.

Corinne Foster

If there is one word to describe Corinne’s impact on anti-hunger efforts in Harrisburg and statewide, it is engaging. As the Community Outreach Coordinator for Feeding Pennsylvania, Corinne advocates, communicates, and organizes efforts to support Pennsylvania’s food banks in their effort to address food insecurity. She has used her social media savvy and creativity to create awareness and inspire action among thousands of followers. Her mission-driven enthusiasm has attracted many more advocates to the cause of fighting food insecurity. Her skills as a communicator invite people in, educate them about a serious issue, and prompt them to speak out about food security policies.

In addition to her day job at Feeding Pennsylvania, Corinne runs a food blog based on promoting the best dishes and drinks under $15 in Central PA. What started as a fun side hustle, grew quickly into something she was truly passionate about. In less than two years, she has developed over 80 partnerships and gained over 4,000 followers to become a top influencer in the Harrisburg region. Through her blog, she has collaborated with local events like Harrisburg Beer Week, Harrisburg Restaurant Week, and 3rd in the Burg, and has been featured on notable accounts like PennLive, PA Eats, Explore HBG, Visit Hershey Harrisburg, and more. In addition to sharing her posts, she has had a feature article in TheBurg and has been named one of Susquehanna Style’s “16 Must-Follow Local Bloggers.” Most recently, she has partnered with a local restaurant to create the “Fosterthefoodie Fried Chicken Sandwich” to raise funds for Feeding Pennsylvania.

Cody Gehman

Cody Gehman, CPA, has served as Practice Manager at Stonebridge Financial Group since 2017. His hard work and focus help him foster growth in the industry to improve the financial health of individuals and small businesses. Before joining Stonebridge, the Shippensburg University graduate worked as a practicing CPA at RKL LLP and as Financial Controller at Allenberry Resort during the transition period from its renovation to grand reopening. An avid volunteer, Cody currently serves on the board of Girls on the Run of the Capital Region and as a “big” to a “little brother” at Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also serves lunch at Downtown Daily Bread in Harrisburg.

 

Maddie Conley Gittens

If you haven’t been interviewed by Maddie, you may be next! As a reporter for TheBurg, she is always on the hunt for a good story. Maddie graduated from Messiah College in 2020 and took on a full-time position with the news organization after working there part-time for a year. She loves using stories to help people feel more connected to their neighbors and community in Harrisburg. Maddie has helped bring to light stories that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. She won two first-place 2020 Keystone Media Awards for her magazine stories. When she’s not reporting, Maddie is a youth leader and mentors a group of high school girls. She recently married her college sweetheart, Jamar, and they live in Old Uptown. Maddie’s key to success—lots of chai lattes.

Rebekah Harriger

Rebekah Harriger serves as the Experiential Learning Coordinator at Harrisburg University of Science & Technology. Rebekah’s work is fostering the skills and confidence necessary in students to participate in internships and applied projects. These experiential learning opportunities help create a pathway to STEM careers.

Rebekah’s passion for higher education began at Shippensburg University. Her participation in the John L. Grove College of Business Internship Program ignited a desire in Rebekah to pursue a career in Higher Education focused on Internship Program Management and Career/Professional Development.

This past year, Rebekah was excited to serve on the Women in Technology Awards Committee with her hand in planning the fourth year of the Women in Technology Awards presented by the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania. This event celebrates the women in technology who have impacted the central Pennsylvania region.

Her most significant professional achievement is an article she wrote that was selected for publication in the book: Intern Bridge Inc. guide Total Internship Management – The Employer’s Guide to Building and Sustaining the Ultimate Internship Program (3rds Edition) by Dr. Robert Shindell. Rebekah’s article, “Career Connected Commuter,” was among few chosen to help employers enhance their internship program.

She views her work and accomplishments in higher education as significant and relevant for fellow educators and employers to help them adapt to an ever evolving and competitive world by learning about student groups/populations to better accommodate and enhance their internship experiences at their companies.

Most importantly, she views her work as a way to help students know that no matter what career they choose, they know that they matter. Their story, experiences, and futures matter.

Jim Holder

A graduate of the University of Dayton with a degree in Professional Selling, Jim’s background in sales is what has led him to enjoy working with people. From sales to training, and from training to Human Resources, Jim has been the Director of Learning and Talent Development at Hershey’s Ice Cream since late 2016. In his role, Jim is working to stand up the Creamery’s first dedicated HR department, focused on employee onboarding, performance management, and supervisor development across the organization. “I found a passion for helping others improve themselves and their teams, whether they are long-time managers or brand-new employees,” Jim said. An avid reader of history, he finds himself happiest when exploring a new city – especially when the tour includes craft breweries or a baseball game! Jim serves as a member of the Capital Campaign Committee at his alma mater, Trinity High School in Camp Hill, as well as on the board of the Ray Tyo – St. Ferdinand Scholarship Foundation. He looks forward most to serving the city of Harrisburg as a new director on the Board of Directors for Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.

Brittany Luzik

Britt Luzik believes there is no secret to success, it’s all about consistently performing the small tasks correctly. She is driven to unveil potential in those around her by encouraging scary and exciting goals and supporting the work involved to make them a reality. Britt serves as a volunteer youth swim coach at Northern Dauphin County YMCA, was the youngest elected president of Millersburg Rotary Club, and is employed as a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Penn State Health Holy Spirit in Perry County.

She has served as a teaching assistant at Misericordia University in Applied Physiology, an academic tutor in Healthcare Management and Philosophy, and has taught countless learn to swim lessons, all while remaining competitive as a triathlete and active Millersburg Velo Club member.  She values athletics as a catalyst for developing confidence, leadership, health, and a growth mindset which are components of a successful personal, academic, and professional lifestyle.

Ty Marshall

Ty Marshall gives all of the credit for his accomplishments to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Without God he could do nothing. When he was in his late teens, he developed mental health issues. After having a prolonged manic episode, he had to leave his job and seek help. Once returning back to the job market he put in his resume everywhere. After much frustration, and at the end of his rope, he sat down in a Barnes and Noble bookstore and picked up a book about Bruce Springsteen to distract himself. Then a man came up to him and told him, “you are going to think I’m crazy, but God is telling me to tell you that you have been waiting a long time for something and the waiting is over.” He also told him that his name was Gabriel. Ty gave the man a hug and sat down in bewilderment. He went home and thought about this but didn’t believe that it would happen as the man said. The next day Ty was offered a job at a nonprofit drop-in center for adults with serious mental illness. Ever since that day Ty has been working to help people with disabilities, particularly mental health issues. He is currently in graduate school for special education, served as department liaison for the History department, started a music club for at risk teens, and was recently promoted to a case management position. He wants to encourage everyone to praise God for their blessings and also their thorns, because sometimes thorns are actually rungs on a ladder taking you to new heights of meaning and purpose.

Cristina Meads

Cristina Meads is a Technology Consultant at Accenture specializing in Business Transformation and SAP. She has seven-plus years of experience in the consulting, treasury management and public accounting, having previously worked at Hershey and Deloitte. In her current role, Cristina is responsible for managing her clients’ system integration from Oracle to SAP and leading change management efforts to facilitate the transition of internal control and financial processes. Besides attaining both her CPA and CFE licenses, Cristina’s biggest professional accomplishments was having the ability to utilize her bilingual skills while running an audit internationally.

In her spare time, Cristina volunteers as a coach for Girls on the Run in the Harrisburg area. As coach, she spends time leading exercises, encouraging positive self-worth, and serving as a mentor for the girls as they all work towards the common goal of completing a 5K at the end of the running season. Also, Cristina is in the process of developing and leading a holiday gift program focused on providing children within the welfare system presents for the holidays through the Accenture Philadelphia Women’s Resource Committee. Lastly, Cristina volunteers as a basketball coach through Upward Basketball in Camp Hill.

Peter Megoulas

Passion, charisma, charm, and humor. These are just a few of the words to describe Peter Megoulas.

The man is like a Swiss army knife, ready to attack any issue head on and with the full commitment of a rock star. His ability to go above and beyond for his members is unparalleled and he is deserving of all the accolades he will inevitably earn throughout his career. So, what makes Peter so great? To answer that we need to go back through Peter’s history.

First, he graduated from La Salle University in Philadelphia as a Political Science major. This background was crucial into helping Peter see beyond what was being said by members and to tackle their problems full steam ahead. This isn’t to say that Peter is all business, far from it. His laughter is contagious and lights up the room. He uses his delight for golf to forge relationships that help Member’s 1st to develop lifelong business partners. And, when you’re not finding him there, you can find him either accomplishing his duties at Leadership Lebanon Valley or crushing it as the co-chair of the Arts & International Committee for Harrisburg Young Professionals. Peter has come into Members 1st and set the company ablaze with accomplishing all of his goals as well as taking the time to serve members and his community. What goals specifically are we talking about? Peter has exceeded his goals in the following categories: business lending, Visa card approvals, Visa card limit Increases, new business created, loans, and business lines of credit. And he’s accomplished this during a pandemic! Absolutely astonishing!

In conclusion, Peter’s energy, drive, charisma, servant’s heart, and ability to self-motivate truly set him apart. He is always striving to do better and has a laid a sustainable foundation for his future. He will go as far as he wants to and deserves everything that he earns in his career. Personally witnessing him accomplish his work, achieving his goals, and still laughing along the way is a testament to the man Peter is and the example we should strive to imitate. His business acumen and personal savvy have been a wonderful journey into the realm of infinite possibilities. This is what ultimately defines the man that is Peter Megoulas.

Olivia Edwards Rindfuss

Everyone deserves an advocate. Olivia Edwards Rindfuss is a problem-solver, change maker, and compassionate connector. She’s worked for both the U.S. House of Representatives and PA House of Representatives, specializing in economic development and trade policy. Now, she works as public affairs professional at Triad Strategies LLC, serving clients in healthcare, innovation technology, education, recreation, and the arts.

Olivia has lived in three capital cities, including Raleigh/Durham, N.C., Washington, D.C., and now Midtown Harrisburg. She believes Harrisburg is a beautiful mosaic of city living, with ample room for opportunity. She is a Board Member for Harrisburg Young Professionals and co-chairs the Economic Development Committee. In her role, she leads professional development and entrepreneurship seminars to enhance young professionals’ career skills.

Olivia recognizes Harrisburg’s success is not possible without addressing its economic disparities. Throughout her life, she’s been a tireless advocate for the homeless, hungry and underemployed. Currently, she serves as an advocacy committee member to the Central PA Food Bank, working toward a bold goal of ending hunger in Central PA. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, trails, and trying new eateries around Harrisburg.

Brittany Snyder

With a story very different to most Harrisburg residents, Brittany grew up on a dairy farm in Berks County, but moved to Harrisburg to lead comprehensive dairy education programs with the Dairy Excellence Foundation. Her love of the dairy industry, education, and drive to promote dairy nutrition, guides her work with the Dairy Excellence Foundation to new heights. This year, Brittany leads an initiative called the Adopt A Cow Program which not only engages 4,000 classrooms in Pennsylvania, but reaches a total of 72,000 classrooms from every state in the U.S. and 45 other countries, directly impacting more than 1.8 million grade-school students. Brittany’s goal for the program is to educate and inspire all ages about the critical importance the dairy industry has to our diets, our communities, and our economy, while engaging in fun dairy activities. The program has brought on an opportunity of a lifetime for Brittany to share the REAL dairy story with people around the world.

Aside from her labor of love for the dairy industry, Brittany enjoys dedicating time to local volunteer opportunities with the local food bank, New Hope Ministries, the Grange, and the Dairy Princess Program. Brittany’s combined passion for the dairy industry, a heart to give, and a deep faith in God, propels her continued success in dairy advocacy.

Olivia Surry

Olivia Surry currently serves as the Communications Specialist for Members 1st Federal Credit Union. In this role, Olivia collaborates with all levels of leadership to execute corporate communications, develops press releases and other various media communications to promote credit union initiatives and oversees the Financial Education Program within the communities the credit union serves as an extension of public relations. Olivia is extremely grateful to work for an organization that values family, consistently delivers unparalleled experiences and has made such a significant mark on the Central PA community.

Before her current role, Olivia held the position of Community Engagement Coordinator for Dauphin County at Members 1st. Prior to joining Members 1st, Olivia was an Events Coordinator for the Central Penn Business Journal and the University at Buffalo.

Olivia is a member of the DUE (delivering unparalleled experiences) Committee within Members 1st and is currently participating in the STAR Program as a mentor to fellow associates. She is a member of Harrisburg Young Professionals and currently serves as a co-chair on the Marketing & PR committee. In 2019, Olivia completed the Harrisburg Regional Chamber’s Lean In Program. Olivia also actively supports fundraising efforts for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation alongside her loving (and quite large) extended family.

In her free time, Olivia can be found curled up with a good book, attending a Zac Brown Band concert, or spending time with her friends, family, and sweet beagle pup Annie. She is a 2016 graduate from Ithaca College where she earned two bachelor’s degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications (B.S.) and Theatre Studies (B.A.). Olivia is a Central PA native and Trinity High School graduate.

Miranda Viehman

Miranda Viehman is the owner of Hello Gorgeous Boutique. Hello Gorgeous is located in Camp Hill but all has an online store. Miranda has built her following all across the U.S. and Canada. She works with Silver Spring Police Department to help organize a yearly local mentoring event with local high school girls in need and police officers called Shop with a Cop. During this event, the officers and the girls come into the boutique and they get to shop for clothing and shoes but also, they get to get a prom dress. Miranda has also donated materials and masks to over 6,000 first responders, front line employees, and military personal. She has also won three years of Simply the Best, including this year, Simply the Best Clothing Boutique, and runner-up for formalwear.

Danielle Williams

Juggling two professions is not for everyone, but Danielle is up for the challenge. During the day, Danielle Williams is a hospice social worker at Homeland Hospice. Her role in hospice is to provide support and resources to individuals with a prognosis of six months or less. She loves the opportunity to enhance her patient’s quality of life, so this is why she is also a contributing member on the company’s 5K committee. The 5K event is held annually to raise money for services such as massage therapy, music therapy, and beautician services. In the evening, Danielle can be found in her workspace creating polymer clay earrings for her small business, Earrings by Dee. During quarantine, she gained this interest in creating earrings and with encouragement from her support systems, began selling her work on Instagram. In addition to vending locally, she now sells her earrings and clothing on her online boutique, The Beat Boutique. During her off time, Danielle enjoys traveling outside of the country, running, and listening to the podcast My Favorite Murder. She’ll also watch anything with a “British accent” as her husband lovingly likes to say!

Erin Zakin

Erin Zakin finds her passion in helping brands find their voice through strategic communications. She has experience working with all types of businesses, from non-profits and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, helping them weave stories that leave a lasting impression. As the Communications Director for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Erin directs the Chamber & CREDC’s strategic communications initiatives and manages outreach and promotional efforts for the organization. She is also passionate about giving back to her community through involvement with organizations like HYP, United Way, and Pennsylvania Public Relations Society (PPRS). When she’s not busy professionally tweeting, she likes to do outdoor activities like hiking or hang out with her two chihuahuas, Taco and Hermes. 

Honorees were selected in November and will also be featured in the December Print Issue of TheBurg. In addition to honoring 20 individuals, HYP will also be awarding four of them the following special awards: Community Connectors, Emerging Entrepreneur, and Tech Titan.

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