Nearly 900 Attend EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience

Nearly 900 women from northeastern Pennsylvania gathered for EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, a premier women’s leadership event hosted by The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and presented by Geisinger. The day-long program at Kalahari Convention Centers and Resort brought together professionals, students, and changemakers for inspiration, connection, and growth.

This year’s event featured two keynote speakers, 44 regional leaders, and 90 high school students—making it one of the most impactful EMPOWER programs.

The day started with a breakfast keynote speaker, Christina Butler, an executive communication coach, whose presentation was sponsored by Peoples Security Bank & Trust. Butler energized the crowd with a session focused on clear, concise, and confident communication. She encouraged attendees to eliminate filler phrases and distractions from their language and instead focus on their “why” and “how” to deliver messages that resonate with purpose and poise.

Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist and trailblazing gymnast, headlined the afternoon session as the lunch keynote speaker, with support from PNC Bank. Dawes inspired the audience with stories from her athletic and professional journey, emphasizing the importance of teamwork over ego. “Leave your ego at the door,” she urged attendees. “Greatness is not achieved alone—it’s about what we accomplish together.”

In addition to the powerful keynotes, the event included breakout sessions led by 44 regional speakers representing healthcare, education, finance, media, and entrepreneurship. The sessions covered topics from leadership strategies and mental wellness to business innovation.

“The energy in the room was electric,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “EMPOWER continues to grow in reach and impact every year, and this event truly highlighted the strength and potential of women leaders in our region.”

EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, is part of The Chamber’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful programming that supports women in leadership and professional development across northeastern Pennsylvania.