Bronwyn Bergen

Founder, Star Kids Life Coaches

Bronwyn Bergen is the founder of Stars Kids Life Coaches in Newtown, PA. How did this co-owner of those delicious Playa Bowls franchises in the Bucks County area decide to start a life coach business for kids? Bronwyn says she came up with the idea because as an elementary school teacher, the biggest issue with the kids that she recognized was their level of stress and pressure plus a lack of confidence. Adults had life coaches, she reasoned, where were the life coaches for kids? She did some research, found a class that taught life coaching skills for kids in the UK called Kids Life Studio, graduated from the class and combined with her master's degree in education and psychology, brought the skills back here to kids in the States. That was five years ago and the resulting business, Stars Kids Life Coaches, is growing with additional trainers and expanding into other States. Bronwyn’s company helps over 100 kids a year, ages five through eighteen both in person and through tele-coaching. We asked Bronwyn:

Fox & Holly was a proud sponsor of this year's Happening Women awards and put their personal styling services to work for each individual honoree. Fox & Holly, owned by Happening woman Karen Thompson, styled some of our amazing 2022 nominees.

See something you like or are in need of a fashion find yourself? Fox & Holly stylists are always available to work one-on-one to help create a wardrobe you love.

Fox & Holly Bucks County, Peddler's Village Shop #162, Lahaska PA 18931, (215) 302-4300, Open Daily 10 AM, foxandhollybuckscounty.com. 

Marissa Christie

President & CEO of United Way, Bucks County

Marissa Christie believes that when we focus on what unites us, we are far more powerful than when we work alone. It's not a surprise, then, that she is the President & CEO United Way in Bucks County. After working in the book business for a decade, she decided that she wanted to pivot to a career where she could make a difference in the lives of others. She found what she sought at the United Way. Marissa tells us that the United Way in Bucks runs high-impact programs year-round that changes lives. We asked Marissa:

What initiative in your organization makes you the proudest?

One project that really stands out is establishing our HELP Center. It’s a collaboration between us, Bucks County Opportunity Council, and St Mary Medical Center, with generous support from Penn Community Bank. We distribute millions of dollars’ worth of essential goods to thousands of people. At HELP, my team runs a “store” full of essential items – clothing, furniture, linens, school supplies, furniture, hygiene products – you name it! Everything is brand new, free to folks who need our help.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

I love United Way’s origin story! We were founded in 1887 by a woman, a priest, two ministers, and a rabbi. It definitely sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but it’s true! They started a global movement focused on bringing people together for the greater good – and we are still thriving over 130 years later.

What advice would you share for any woman looking to start or join an organization such as yours?

If you want this to be your career, start connecting with women in nonprofit leadership roles. Get clear on the pros and cons of making the shift and consider some formal and informal learning opportunities.

For Marissa's full interview click here.

Felicia Ganther

President of Bucks County Community College

When Felicia Ganther, President of Bucks County Community College, worked in the Maricopa County Community College System in Arizona, she identified a critical problem. Specifically, she recognized that male students of color – African-American, Latino, and American Indian – were “literally disappearing from the college landscape at alarming rates.” Felicia had the idea to revamp the minority male initiative at the college and succeeded in an increase in retention and graduation rates by more than 50%. This kind of change is life-altering but Felicia knew she could do more. She wanted to bring her ideas to other institutions so that they, too, could benefit from her ideas. She applied the same skill and inventive ideas to the problems that BCCC faced, “a $7.5M deficit as a result of 50% enrollment decline.” Our local BCCC students and community are reaping the benefits.

We asked Felicia

Tell us a time when you accomplished something that you felt really made a difference to the people you hoped to serve and which makes you proud?

What makes me proud is that the work I did in Maricopa has been used and implemented by other community colleges and universities to help their male students of color. It’s great that I could help those students at my colleges who are in my programs. Yet, it is much more impactful if other colleges can use proven success strategies to help their students with the same fervor. That means thousands of students and their families, across our nation, are realizing their dreams.

What surprised you in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

Neither unpleasant or pleasant, it is 2021 and this is the first time the college has had a person of color as the president.

To find out Felicia's plans for BCCC and more click here.

We photographed our Happening Women at The Michener Museum. The Michener Museum in Doylestown is home to a world-class collection of Pennsylvania Impressionism, and also hosts nationally touring special exhibitions and showcases important regional artists. It is also where five of our 2022 Happening Women were photographed.

The Michener offers a robust calendar of programs including art classes, workshops, tours, concerts, films, and more! The massive stone walls and warden’s house, seen behind some of our nominees, make up the core of the Michener Art Museum today began as the Bucks County prison in 1884. The Doylestown-based museum has 35,400 square feet of space, with a landscaped courtyard, an outdoor sculpture garden and terrace built in the original prison yard, seminar and conference facilities, a museum shop and café, and the George Nakashima Reading Room.

Tamara Cannon

Owner, Gallery Piquel

When Tamara Cannon worked as a performer on a luxury cruise line (for over 25 years) she enjoyed the beautiful artwork displayed along the streets of the various countries around the world that her cruise line toured. She and her husband, Jim, also employed by the cruise line, would purchase artwork that they liked but eventually, they had a better idea to support the artists. They created a gallery to display artwork from artists around the world, an opportunity for the artists to finally receive the attention and prices for their artwork that they deserved. Tamara and her husband brought their idea to life in our corner of the world. Their gallery, Gallery Piquel, owns and operates three galleries located in New Hope, Lambertville, and Princeton.

Tell us how your organization makes a difference to the people you hoped to serve.

Our mission has always had two prongs: 1) to encourage & support living artists and 2) to offer collectors original, unique, exceptional fine art at fair prices. While many of our established artists have received numerous awards and prestigious museum recognition for their work, it is especially exciting when we can encourage a talented newcomer to have confidence in their own style and to help them grow into a client favorite.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

We are truly fortunate to represent some world-class artists. It thrills me that typically our best artists are happy to collaborate, exchange ideas and actually take and act on my suggestions of themes/styles/sizes that our clients are seeking. Even though I, personally, have no painting talent whatsoever, I get to be very creative on a daily basis by partnering with our talented and gracious artists who can actually envision and manifest these ideas.

See what else Tamara has to share in her full interview.

Robin Mancuso DeLuna

President and CEO, Cross Keys Abstract & Assurance, COO, Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors

At the ripe old age of 19, Robin-Mancuso DeLuna had a pretty good idea of the industry where she wished to embark on a career. Her father owned a real estate business and she worked there as a real estate transaction coordinator. After reaching out to female colleagues for their help in training in the industry and receiving a resounding “no” to her requests, Robin decided on another tack. She reached out to a woman with whom she had brief interactions and who owned her own title company in NJ. Robin came to her with an offer. “…if the business owner shared her knowledge and experience,” Robin recounted, “I’d bring the real estate connections, technology, and energy.” The result, after hard work and application of niche technology, is a successful, expanding business named “Cross Keys Abstract & Assurance.” According to Robin, that new business started its first month with 10 real estate closings. Twenty-five years later, it has grown to include three title companies closing at least 3,000 transactions a year!

What about your organization makes you the proudest?

I’m proud that my work resolves issues that were preventing people from selling their homes or finding a place to call home. By clearing roadblocks like satisfying old mortgages and liens, helping someone sell a property when the owner didn’t leave a will, or navigating sensitive estate and divorce issues, we help families during important times. I’m also proud of how involved I am in the day-to-day work of my employees and companies. I love coming to work every day, and I love going home feeling like I’ve directly helped people rather than outsourced the work.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

I’ve been most surprised and impressed by my employees. A great example of this was during the pandemic when they all stepped up during a very stressful time and challenging real estate market. Their creativity and work ethic kept the business running and helped people find housing.

We asked Robin a few more fun questions. Find out what she had to say here.

We photographed our Happening Women at the Newtown Theatre. Located in the heart of Newtown, the historic Newtown Theatre is the center of entertainment in its community. This historic theater has been lovingly maintained to enjoy both movies and live performances, from theater to concerts to comedy and more, in a charming 225-seat theatre.

The Newtown Theatre has an extensive history dating back to 1831. Originally built as a hall for town gatherings and a non-sectarian church for traveling ministers, it soon became a center of entertainment in Newtown. Now it hosts a full calendar of events including the popular Black & Winter Dinner.

Linda Chadwick

President and CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice

The name Linda Chadwick may sound familiar to you if you are a fan of the CBS TV show, Undercover Boss. Earlier this year, Linda was featured on the show as the President and CEO of Rita’s water ice. Linda’s impressive history of working with company franchises and specifically catapulting their brands is well documented. She spent over 20 years with Burger King and then brought her skills for brand transformation to the Dessange Group, North America, and their Fantastic Sams brand. Since 2017, she has applied her business acumen as President and CEO to the popular Rita’s where in 2020, the franchise enjoyed an unprecedented growth of signed agreements. She has been quoted as describing the frozen treats as “happiness in a cup” – a branding expert indeed!

We asked Linda:

Tell us a story when you accomplished something that you felt really made a difference to the people you hope to serve.

I had a great opportunity to appear on CBS’s Undercover Boss earlier this year and get an inside look at some of our Rita’s locations. As a result of the unfiltered feedback, I received from them, I was able to award life-changing opportunities to these entrepreneurs and their staff. In addition to being featured on the show, I was able to gain insight of areas of opportunities to create initiatives that will benefit the entire Rita’s system in the future.

What surprised you the most in your organization’s history, pleasantly or unpleasantly?

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opened its doors in Bensalem, PA. in 1984. Founded by Bob Tumolo, a Philadelphia firefighter enhanced his prized family recipe to include real fruit, named the product after his wife Rita, and Rita’s Italian Ice as born! I feel very blessed to carry on this strong family’s legacy that started 38 years ago.

What are your plans for the organization?

Going forward, we’re putting a heavy focus on leveraging technology to connect with our guests. The concept of direct-to-consumer has been around for a while but having omni presence with 360 engagement is a newer concept that is being solved through technology and data.

For more advice and fun facts from Linda check out her full interview here.

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