Description

A celebration of service, leadership, and impact, featuring a panel discussion with influential local women who embody the spirit of finding and creating good in our community.

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Pre-Panel Reception

Registration & networking

Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments

Opening Remarks

JLL President’s Welcome – Carrie McCullough

Mission Moment – Community Impact Leadership

Panel Presentation

Moderator Introduction of Panelists – Makenna Alexander, Facilitator

Panel Discussion –

• Public Service & Government: Alice Yoder, Lancaster County Commissioner
• Healthcare: Alisa Maria Jones, CEO of Union Community Care
• Nonprofit Leadership: Vanessa Philbert, CEO of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County
• Education: Damaris Rau, Interim CEO of La Academia Partnership Charter School & former SDOL Superintendent
• Business & Entrepreneurship: Anna Brendle Kennedy, Executive Director of Touchstone

Q&A

Closing & Call to Action

Alice Yoder was elected as a Lancaster County Commissioner in 2023 after more than 30 years of leadership in community health at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

Throughout her career, she has worked alongside community partners to address issues affecting children and families, survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, mental health, substance use, food insecurity, and other marginalized communities. She has served on national, state, and local boards and commissions focused on public health, children and families, housing, and community well-being, with a strong emphasis on using data to understand community needs and measure outcomes.

Today, as County Commissioner, she continues that collaborative, data-informed approach, working with others to strengthen Lancaster County and improve the quality of life for its residents.

Alisa Maria Jones is President and CEO of Union Community Care, a Federally Qualified Health  Center serving communities across central Pennsylvania. She leads an integrated network of  care that combines medical, behavioral, dental, and social services to meet the needs of  patients and families.  

With more than 20 years of experience in public health and community health leadership, Alisa  has guided significant organizational growth and transformation, including the merger that  formed Union Community Care and expanded access to care across the region.  

Her leadership is rooted in a commitment to health equity and a belief that healthcare should  

A bilingual and bicultural leader, Alisa is known for developing strong teams, advancing  community-centered models of care, and leading with both purpose and discipline. 

Vanessa Philbert, Chief Executive Officer for the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, has been engaged in community-building and non-profit work in Lancaster County for the past 20 years. A native of New York City, Vanessa previously held roles locally at the United Way of Lancaster County, the Gate House for Men, and Pressley Ridge. In her role at CAP, she provides leadership and strategic vision to CAP’s 15-plus programs. 

Vanessa brings a unique perspective to community problem-solving based on her lived experiences and journey out of poverty. She works to address generational problems with generational solutions and through a cross-sector, strategic approach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development from Elizabethtown College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology and Organizational Development from Albright College.

Dr. Damaris Rau is a veteran educational leader with more than 40 years of experience advancing student achievement, educational equity, and leadership development. Throughout her career, she has led transformative efforts in urban and diverse school communities, creating opportunities for students and strengthening systems that support long-term success.

From 2015 to 2022, Dr. Rau served as Superintendent of the School District of Lancaster, where she championed equity-focused initiatives, expanded access to college-level coursework, strengthened leadership development, and guided the district through complex financial and organizational challenges. Prior to Lancaster, she served as Executive Director of Schools in New Haven, Connecticut, leading districtwide improvement efforts that increased graduation rates, narrowed achievement gaps, and accelerated progress in historically underperforming schools.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Rau served as a principal in Greenwich, Connecticut, and as an assistant principal in the New York City Public Schools. Across her leadership roles, she has focused on building data-informed systems, fostering inclusive learning environments, expanding opportunities for students with diverse needs, and reducing barriers to student success.

Following her retirement from public school leadership, Dr. Rau continued to support school districts, and educational organizations as a consultant, providing guidance in strategic planning, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, executive coaching, and school improvement.

Most recently, she came out of retirement to serve as Interim CEO of La Academia Partnership Charter School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she has helped strengthen systems that support student learning, teacher development, and organizational stability while the school conducts a search for its next Executive Director.

Dr. Rau holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Columbia University and maintains superintendent and district administration certifications in New York and Connecticut.

Anna Brendle Kennedy is the Executive Director for Touchstone Foundation. Anna holds a master’s in urban and regional planning from the University of California- Irvine, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Penn State University. Anna brings 20 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management. Anna serves as the Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative co-chair, on the Board of the Partnership for Public Health, as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Lancaster, PA (and past president), and on the Coalition for Common Health steering committee. She is a founding member of Let’s Talk, Lancaster: changing the conversation about mental health. Anna also volunteers as a Girl Scout troop leader.

Meet the Moderator

McKenna Alexander has spent nearly a decade as a news anchor and journalist, most recently  at WGAL-TV in Lancaster. She’s covered presidential rallies, natural disasters, and major court cases throughout her career. Born in San Francisco but raised in Dallas, she’s happy to now call Pennsylvania home. In her free time, she’s passionate about volunteering, cooking, gardening, Pilates, and spending time with her husband and their cat, Rizzo. 

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International Find the Good Day, created by the Junior League, is dedicated to finding the good in yourself, your community, and the world around you. this Day is not just a date on the calendar; it’s a movement that reflects the timeless spirit of Junior Leagues – a legacy of kindness, empowerment, and community transformation. Together, we aim to make a difference by embracing the power of unity, positive change, and finding the good. On the third Thursday in September, Junior Leagues across the Association hosts events and raise awareness. Whether it is a community fair or a self-care event for local leaders, this day provides an opportunity to build awareness and support for the Junior League movement.