Panel speaking at Changemaker Collective
By some good timing I became involved with the Happy Valley Changemaker Collective (formerly known as We.Connect), my neighbour, Jennifer Eisenhuth - who is a cofounder of the organisation - invited me to attend their first event in November 2024. It was fantastic for me having only moved to the area full time in October, I made new friends and networked. The event was designed to bring women of all ages, industries and stages of life together; professionals, beginners, those that wanted to do good, those that wanted to learn... The event was a hit! State College is already a small tight friendly community, and attracts a certain type of lovely person. When all these women communed it sparked ideas, conversations and ways we could all learn and help each other.
In the year that followed various groups called ‘collectives’ branched out, each with leaders and volunteers, with a goal or shared value. Being self employed and navigating changes in a unique ‘job’ (if you call riding bikes a job), I joined the Entrepreneurship collective and attended monthly meetings; which were always hosted by someone in the group with some knowledge & perspective to offer, I learned a lot! I also hosted my own lesson with skills I learned in my time pursuing and navigating the highest level of Bmx competition at the Olympics. It means a lot to these women to have people to look up to and open their minds to different ways of thinking, I certainly admired many of the business ladies and professionals sharing their stories. The collectives that support menopause and environmental impact are hugely valued in the community too.
By November 2025 Changemaker was hosting another large event, I was lucky enough to be asked to panel speak alongside two awesome humans and incredible athletes; Tara Cunningham & Phia Gladieux, hosted by Char Morett-Curtiss. During our talks we all found ourselves bouncing of what the other said, having so much in common and being able to share our common experiences with the female audience in their own walk of life. Tara, the first ever women’s Olympic weight lifting champion, now a mom of 4, embraces raising a family as her championship in life, which resonated greatly with many of the audience balancing being a mom and pursuing their personal goals. Being a mom and taking care of a family doesn’t get enough recognition, Tara could communicate how her leadership, empathy and dedication helps do her best at being a great mom. Phia came from the young athlete starting out on her olympic journey, speaking to her successes and losses, working in a team environment and what keeps her focussed on her goals. I sat in the middle, figuratively and literally. I’d had my career start outs and managed life after my biggest successes, I could speak on life picking myself up after losing myself in my pursuit of ‘being the best’ instead of being ‘my best’, as well as the sacrifice that got me to the top step. Between the three of us, at our different stages of careers, we had a lot to offer and had quite an impact on the audience, being mentioned by some as the highlight of the event.
This community is such a huge part of why I moved to State College in Happy Valley, the town is small enough to make connections and help each other out, whilst big & connected enough to have opportunities to branch out and build something special. The Changemaker Collective can only add to that experience and uplift the women to their best in this town. Thank you for having me, Changemaker.
Check out the Changemaker website for their events, groups, coffee chats and to get involved or donate to their cause at https://www.hvchangemakers.com and follow them on social media here.
