November CBW+ Speaker Series | Building Strong Ground Through Courageous Conversations
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM) (EST)
Description
ALL ARE WELCOME! Chamber Business Women+ (CBW+) promotes the progression and advancement of professional women through the education and sharing of ideas and experiences. We invite everyone (of all gender identities) who supports this mission to join the events.
Event Agenda
- 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Networking & Breakfast)
- 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. (Welcome Remarks)
- 8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Presentation and Q&A)
- 9:30 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. (Closing Remarks)
The Topic
Building Strong Ground Through Courageous Conversations
Transform feedback into a powerful act of connection and care. Inspired by Brené Brown's Strong Ground principles, this workshop equips leaders and teams with practical tools to give and receive feedback with courage, vulnerability, and trust.
You'll learn how to:
- Replace judgement with curiosity
- Navigate power dynamics and bias
- Build belonging in every conversation
- Turn feedback into growth - not defensiveness
These insights are tools in the toolbox of anyone who wants a culture where honest feedback strengthens relationships and unlocks potential. Join us to make feedback a place where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow!
The Speaker
Jolene Pickens
Founder & President/CEO of Now2Next Consulting
Jolene Pickens has spent more than 30 years helping organizations move from where they are to where they want to be. As founder of Now2Next Consulting, a woman-owned leadership and culture firm, she knows from experience what it takes to build, run, and grow a business. She has owned and operated three businesses and held executive roles in corporate leadership, including Chief Culture Officer. That background means she advises as a practitioner, not only as a consultant.
She is a Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach (since 2013) and a Vistage Chair. She uses strengths as an operating system for how teams communicate, align and resolve conflict. Her work turns leadership principles into measurable results: stronger engagement, clearer communication, and teams that stay.
Jolene's style is warm, interactive and direct. She builds bridges so people don't get stuck. Because she believes you can't manage what you don't know, she helps leaders discover their own unique language of success and use it build the culture they crave.
Based in Central Pennsylvania, she partners with small and midsize business CEOs and leadership teams. Her message to the leaders she serves is that growing your people grows your business.
2026 Charity of Choice
Bethany House supports young women ages 18 to 24 who are aging out of foster care or at risk of homelessness through transitional housing and individualized case management. The Residential Program provides safe, subsidized communal housing where residents have private rooms and shared living spaces. Through its Resource Center, Bethany House also serves individuals who do not qualify for residential services or are on the waitlist. The organization helps remove barriers to stability by assisting with transportation, medical care, and access to food and housing resources. Bethany House also connects residents and clients to free mental health counseling to support healing and long-term success.
Bethany House of Cumberland County, Inc. is currently accepting donations, and guests are welcome to bring contributions with them on the day of the event.
- Dish Soap
- Laundry Detergent
- Fabric Softener
- Clorox Wipes
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Magic Erasers
- Socks
- Gloves
- Hats
- Gift cards to grocery stores, Starbucks, restaurants, etc.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Exclusive CBW+ Champions
CBW+ Believer
CBW+ Allies
Patron Sponsors
Brenda Alton | Sheilah Borne | Gillian Byerly | Jessica Delo | Monique Duci | Karena Foss | Erika Hilbert | Mary Oliveira | Jeannetta Politis | MaryAnne Reynolds | Joelle Shea | Christina Stetler | Kristi Wasson | Jess Wolfe | Erin Woods | Wendy Zimmerman
Become a Patron Sponsor today!
Gift box Sponsor
Host Sponsor
Interested in sponsoring this year's CBW+ Speaker Series?
Please contact Heather Eyster, Senior Director of Investor & Member Engagement.
600 Valley Road
Summerdale, PA 17093-0309 United States
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: The event is held in the Conference Center at Central Penn College. The closest lot to the Conference Center is Lot K. For more detailed instructions on how to drive to Central Penn's campus, visit HERE.
