![\"Spotlight](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wMy8wMW10LWY1ZWQtdjdmdC1oMDJhLnBuZw==.jpeg\" "\\"Spotlight")
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October 3, 2026 \u2022 GoggleWorks Center for the Arts<\/p>\n
Registration is now open for a day-long event celebrating the ideas that move Berks forward.<\/p>\n
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Claim your free ticket now<\/a> Every change starts with an idea! Spotlight PA\u2019s Ideas Festival is designed to bring together community leaders, innovators, and organizations from across Pennsylvania to create a collaborative space where communities can share practical, proven solutions to local challenges, exchange ideas, and inspire new approaches rooted in creativity and civic engagement.<\/p>\n The event is a \u201cmelting pot of ideas,\u201d where Berks County is not only a place of learning, but also a contributor.<\/p>\n Event Details<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 Agenda<\/p>\n Over the past year, Spotlight PA published a Community Spotlight series<\/a>, which celebrated neighbors making Berks County a better place to live, work, and do business. Now, we\u2019re bringing together our Community Spotlight honorees, community leaders, and supporters for a special breakfast celebration. **This is the only ticketed event of the festival and it is now SOLD OUT. No tickets will be sold at the door. **<\/p>\n Speakers:<\/p>\n Monica Reyes, Vice President for Programs and Initiatives, Berks County Community FoundationTammy White, President, United Way of Berks County10:30am\u201312pm | Data Centers: What\u2019s Coming, What\u2019s at Stake (Boscov Theater)<\/p>\n Pennsylvania, like the rest of the United States, is experiencing a surge in proposed data center development, including a project in Cumru Township in Berks County. What does that mean for local energy and water use, land, jobs, and quality of life for the communities that could host these centers? Join experts for a live edition of Spotlight PA\u2019s popular \u201cCommunity Forum\u201d series where we\u2019ll discuss the data center boom, its potential benefits and consequences, and the role residents and local governments can play in determining what happens next.<\/p>\n Moderators:<\/p>\n Amanda Fries, Regional Accountability Reporter, Spotlight PA BerksDave Myers, Advisor, Spotlight PA<\/p>\n Panelists:<\/p>\n Wayne Jonas Bealer, Chairman of the City of Reading Planning CommissionJoseph V. D\u2019Ascenzo Jr., Executive Chairman, Titus Clean Industries, LLCState Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery)Ashley Showers, Executive Director, Berks County Planning Commission<\/p>\n Resources:<\/p>\n 10am \u2013 11:30am | Family Art Activities (Studio 420)<\/p>\n Community painting and children\u2019s activities with the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.<\/p>\n 12pm \u2013 2pm | Meet K-Pop\u2019s Rumi & Derpy the Wildcat (Studio 420)<\/p>\n A special chance for fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters to meet everyone\u2019s favorite K-Pop star, Rumi, and her fun friend, Derpy the Wildcat. Hang out, take photos, and who knows, there might even be a dance party.<\/p>\n 12\u20131pm | Latino Berks: Voice, Participation & Representation (Studio 238)<\/p>\n Latinos make up a significant and growing share of the population in Berks County and Pennsylvania. This panel will explore how Latino residents are engaging in elections, local government, schools, and other institutions that shape life in Berks County and Pennsylvania. We\u2019ll discuss barriers to participation and pathways to greater civic engagement. The conversation will also examine what Berks residents can do to ensure the Latino community has a meaningful voice in decisions that affect its future.<\/p>\n 12:15\u20131:15pm | Community Cats: Who\u2019s Responsible \u2014 and What Actually Works (Boscov Theater)<\/p>\n Communities across Pennsylvania, including in Berks County, are grappling with growing populations of stray cats. This expert panel will explore approaches to managing community cat populations, from adoption and trap-neuter-vaccinate-release programs to rabies prevention and other public health measures. We\u2019ll discuss the role of local governments and animal welfare organizations, challenges and potential solutions, and how residents can take action. This panel is sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society.<\/p>\n 1:15\u20132:15pm | Green Space for All: Lessons from Pennsylvania Communities (Studio 238)<\/p>\n Urban gardens and other green spaces can make Pennsylvania\u2019s cities healthier, cooler, and more resilient\u2014while improving access to fresh food and strengthening communities. But creating and sustaining these spaces can raise difficult questions about land use, housing, equity, funding, and public policy. This expert panel will bring together leaders from Reading, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia to explore what\u2019s working, what stands in the way, and how residents can help expand access to green space and gardens. This panel is sponsored by Capital Blue Cross.<\/p>\n 1:30\u20132:30pm | The Future of Youth Sports in Pennsylvania and Beyond (Boscov Theater)<\/p>\n Youth sports can help kids build confidence, form friendships, stay healthy, and learn lessons that last far beyond the playing field. But the experience of playing sports is changing\u2014in Berks County and across the country. This expert panel will explore how factors such as rising costs, increased competition, injuries, and mental health are shaping youth sports today, and what parents, coaches, schools, and communities can do to help kids participate, succeed, and thrive.<\/p>\n 2:30\u20133:30pm | From Scroll to Follow: How to Build an Audience on Social Media (Studio 238)<\/p>\n How do you cut through the noise and build an audience on social media? Local content creators share how they got started, what they\u2019ve learned along the way, and what actually works when it comes to reaching and engaging more people. We\u2019ll cover the dos and don\u2019ts of content creation, how to measure success, common mistakes to avoid, and practical lessons for individuals and local businesses looking to grow their reach and make an impact in Berks County and beyond. Bring your questions\u2014this will be an interactive conversation with plenty of time for Q&A.<\/p>\n Participants Sustainability Manager, City of Reading<\/p>\n Bethany Ayers Fisher is the City of Reading Sustainability Manager. She serves in the Public Works Department where she has been employed since 2019. Bethany is an alumna of Reading Area Community College and Alvernia University, obtaining her Master of Arts Leadership-Sustainable Community Development, in 2022.<\/p>\n Bethany\u2019s work portfolio includes Reading Conservation Corps as the City liaison, The GESA Energy Efficiency & Modernization project, Green Building Alliance liaison, the Bernhart Dam remediation project (Superfund liaison), Environmental Advisory Council liaison, Keep Reading Beautiful, Schuylkill River Greenways liaison, Berks County Conservation District liaison, Earth Day Berks co-chair, manages the City\u2019s energy procurement contracts, several ecological restoration projects\u2014including the City Park Pond, Confluence Point, and the Mt. Penn Preserve. She assists with strategic planning, technical assistance, environmental permit compliance, and grant writing\/management for the City. Bethany also serves as a co-chair for the Schuylkill Action Network\u2019s stormwater workgroup and is a member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and the US Water Alliance.<\/p>\n In her spare time, Bethany volunteers with the League of Women Voters, Angelica Creek Watershed Association and Master Watershed Stewards.<\/p>\n Christopher Baxter is president, CEO, and founding editor-in-chief of Spotlight PA, the largest statewide newsroom in Pennsylvania and one of the most successful and fastest-scaling nonprofit newsrooms in the U.S. Launched in 2019, Spotlight PA produces deeply reported investigative and public-service journalism on Pennsylvania state government and urgent statewide issues, now read and relied on by more than 2 million Pennsylvanians.<\/p>\n Chairman of the City of Reading Planning Commission<\/p>\n Wayne Jonas Bealer is the Chairman of the City of Reading Planning Commission. He was appointed to the Commission by Mayor Thomas McMahon in 2004.<\/p>\n Wayne developed an interest in serving on the Planning Commission during his ten year tenure as a \u201cstringer\u201d for the Reading Eagle covering township planning commissions. Since he learned how to read plans while working for his father who was a general contractor, he felt it was a good way to serve his community.<\/p>\n Wayne was raised in North Coventry Township in Chester County, and graduated from Owen J. Roberts High School in 1984. While a senior in high school, he started his long college career at Albright College. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1994 with an AB in Music. Wayne and his wife of 37 years moved into their home in Centre Park on Halloween of 1993. They have two daughters who graduated from Reading High School in 2018 and 2024.<\/p>\n Reporter, Centro de Periodismo Investigativo<\/p>\n Joel Cintr\u00f3n Arbasetti is a Puerto Rican journalist and author based in Philadelphia. He has been working with the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI) for 14 years. Since 2022 he has taught research as an adjunct professor at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York. His journalistic investigations have focused on Puerto Rico\u2019s debt, economic and fiscal crisis, politics and urban development. His current beat is the Puerto Rican diaspora in the U.S. He has received awards for his work at the CPI from the Puerto Rico Journalists Association and the Overseas Press Club. Cintr\u00f3n studied Journalism at the Universidad del Sagrado Coraz\u00f3n in Santurce and holds a master\u2019s degree in Research and Theory of Communication from the University of Puerto Rico, R\u00edo Piedras Campus.<\/p>\n Executive Director, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh<\/p>\n A non-profit professional with more than 19 years of experience, Dan Cody has served as the Executive Director of Human Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) since January 2025.<\/p>\n In this role, Dan leads a team of 125 people and oversees one of Pennsylvania\u2019s largest and most comprehensive animal welfare organizations\u2014including two domestic shelters and a wildlife rehabilitation center. Dan\u2019s leadership is guided by his passion for collaboration and his deep belief in advancing animal welfare alongside the wellbeing of people\u2014both those within the community and across the organization. In service of these values, Dan has positively shaped workplace culture at HARP through the development of a Staff Advisory Council and a Staff Innovation Fund. He was also instrumental in creating a donor-funded program for large-breed dogs in need of additional behavioral support and the launch of a corporate partnership to subsidize access to critical veterinary care.<\/p>\n Beyond HARP, Dan lends his skillset to the broader animal welfare and nonprofit communities. He currently serves as a Founding Planning Committee member for the Animal Welfare Philanthropy Council and a board member of the Allegheny Abused Animal Relief Fund.<\/p>\n Executive Chairman, Titus Clean Industries, LLC<\/p>\n Joseph V. D\u2019Ascenzo Jr. brings more than 35 years of experience owning and operating an industrial and commercial construction firm. His background combines extensive business and management expertise with a strong foundation in chemistry and biology. He has significant experience managing complex, multi-phase projects, with particular emphasis on environmental considerations, technical collaboration, and team building. He has developed technical partnerships with Penn State University and the University of Illinois. Joseph holds a Master of Science in Molecular Biology from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ursinus College.<\/p>\n Journalist, author, and former cross-country and track coach<\/p>\n Linda Flanagan is a freelance journalist, a former cross-country and track coach, and the author of Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids\u2019 Sports\u2014and Why It Matters. A graduate of Lehigh University, Flanagan holds master\u2019s degrees from Oxford University and the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and was an analyst for the National Security Program at Harvard University. She is a founding board member of the New York City chapter of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a contributor to Project Play at the Aspen Institute, a member of the Health & Safety Advisory Council for the National Council on Youth Sports, and a regular writer for NPR\u2019s education site MindShift. Her columns on sports have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall St. Journal, The Atlantic, and Runner\u2019s World, and she is currently co-producing a documentary series on mental health in collegiate women athletes. A mother of three and a lifelong athlete, Flanagan lives in Summit with her husband, Bob, and a menagerie of pets.<\/p>\n Education:<\/p>\n Lehigh University, 1982-85Oxford University, 1985-1987Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, 1992-1994<\/p>\n Past Positions:<\/p>\n Case writer & National security analyst, Kennedy School of Govt @ Harvard 1987-1992<\/p>\n Freelance work:<\/p>\n Co-created seminar course at MIT, the Sloan School, \u201cbusiness and national security\u201d 2004-5Writer for the HELP Commission, a bipartisan commission designed to address foreign assistance, 2007\/8Cross country and track coach at Oak Knoll school, 2002-2005Cross country and track coach at Kent Place School, 2005-2019 Content creator, Berksiana (formerly Berks Nostalgia)<\/p>\n Alexa is a Berks County-born storyteller, researcher, and content creator dedicated to bringing hyper-local history to life. In 2017, she founded Berks Nostalgia to preserve the rich, fading narratives passed down by previous generations. As her vision grew into a multi-platform media enterprise, she rebranded in 2026 to Berksiana \u2014 a name that reflects her expanded scope of work, bridging deep historical research with modern visual storytelling.<\/p>\n Combining meticulous archival digging with cinematic drone footage, high-resolution photography, and engaging video production, Alexa offers a fresh, immersive perspective on the region\u2019s past and present. She believes that understanding our shared local history is essential for navigating the present and shaping a brighter community future. Through her written articles and visual content, Alexa makes Berks County\u2019s heritage accessible, engaging, and relevant for audiences across every generation.<\/p>\n Regional Accountability Reporter, Spotlight PA Berks<\/p>\n A Pennsylvania native, Amanda Fries began her journalism career in upstate New York, covering environment, agriculture, and local government for the Utica Observer-Dispatch and later state government and the Capitol for the Albany Times-Union. Fries joined the Delaware News-Journal in 2021, producing award-winning investigative coverage of botched school drinking water testing for lead. Her reporting prompted a statewide retesting of school drinking water sources and, for the first time, state funding for childhood lead poisoning prevention.<\/p>\n After 14 years covering communities in other states, Fries is thrilled to return home and hold government officials accountable in her own community. She\u2019s excited to provide much-needed coverage in a county filled with generations of family members and friends.<\/p>\n Fries earned her bachelor\u2019s degree at Temple University in 2010 and lives just over the Berks border with her husband and two dogs.<\/p>\n Executive Director, Grow Pittsburgh<\/p>\n Denele is the Executive Director of Grow Pittsburgh and a Pittsburgh native who is passionate about food security in the region. She has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Denele has earned an M.S. in Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University\u2019s Heinz College.<\/p>\n Denele is a former board member of PA Certified Organics and is an appointed member of the Pennsylvania Food Policy Council Advisory Committee, serving in the Urban Agriculture Seat while also serving as the co-chair of the PA Urban Agriculture Working Group. Denele serves as the interim co-chair of the Allegheny County Food Justice Committee and formally served on the Pittsburgh Food Summit Planning Committee and the City of Pittsburgh Food Justice Fund Taskforce, and a former member of the Hilltop Urban Farm Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n At Grow Pittsburgh, Denele leads efforts that teach individuals how to grow food, increase access to local foods, and build community food growing projects throughout Allegheny County. Her world is committed to improving social, economic, and environmental health by focusing on sustainable food systems and equity.<\/p>\n In 2025 Denele was appointed to serve on Governor Shapiro\u2019s Strategic Planning Committee, focusing on Economic Development for Agriculture in the Commonwealth. Denele was recently named a Women of Achievement of Southwest PA award and Carnegie Mellon Heinz College Distinguished Alumni of 2025, and Carnegie Mellon honored Denele in the inaugural class of their Alumni recognition-Tartans on the Rise.<\/p>\n Field Coordinator, Make the Road Pennsylvania<\/p>\n Nancy Jim\u00e9nez-Zapata is the Field Coordinator with Make the Road Pennsylvania in Berks County. She was born in the Dominican Republic and has called Berks County home for more than 20 years. Through her work and conversations with the community, Nancy saw a gap in understanding how government works and how much impact participation can have. This inspired her work in civic engagement, voter registration, advocacy, and leadership development.<\/p>\n One of the accomplishments closest to Nancy\u2019s heart is creating La Escuelita C\u00edvica, a space where community members can learn how government works, ask questions, and better understand how to leverage their civic power. Nancy firmly believes that information and education build confidence, and that with that confidence, our communities can harness their power to create the change that we need.<\/p>\n Journalist and author<\/p>\n 11-time Emmy award winner Armen Keteyian, a six-time New York Times bestselling author, is widely regarded as one of the finest sports journalists of his generation with a decorated career spanning more than 45 years, including seven as the Chief Investigative Correspondent for CBS News in New York where he also served as a longtime contributing correspondent to \u201c60 Minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n From 2013 to March of 2017 Keteyian was the lead correspondent for \u201c60 Minutes Sports\u201d on Showtime. He has also worked as a special features reporter for CBS Sports, a correspondent for HBO\u2019s \u201cReal Sports with Bryant Gumbel,\u201d ABC News \u201cWorld News Tonight\u201d and as a Writer-Reporter at Sports Illustrated. Keteyian is also the author or co-author of 13 books, including \u201cTiger Woods,\u201d the critically acclaimed No. 1 New York Times best-selling biography and \u201cGambler,\u201d the autobiography of legendary sports gambler Billy Walters, which debuted at No. 2 on the Times non-fiction list. He is currently working on \u201cThe Chase,\u201d a deep dive into the troubled state of youth sports in America to be published by Celadon in 2029.<\/p>\n Reporter, WFMZ<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ednez is an award-winning bilingual journalist, television anchor, and reporter with extensive experience covering the stories and communities shaping Pennsylvania and beyond. Throughout his career, he has reported on breaking news, politics, public affairs, immigration, and issues affecting Latino and multicultural communities, bringing both an English- and Spanish-language perspective to his work.<\/p>\n Mart\u00ednez has interviewed elected officials, community leaders, advocates, and residents while covering stories ranging from major breaking-news events to the everyday challenges facing local communities. His work is grounded in a commitment to making complex issues accessible, elevating diverse voices, and helping audiences better understand how decisions made by government and institutions affect their lives.<\/p>\n Beyond daily journalism, Mart\u00ednez is passionate about community engagement, representation in media, and the evolving relationship between journalism and the audiences it serves. He regularly participates in conversations and community events focused on civic life, Latino representation, storytelling, and the role of local journalism in strengthening communities.<\/p>\n Executive Director, York County SPCA<\/p>\n Steven Martinez has served as Executive Director of the York County SPCA since 2019. He leads a team of over 60 employees, manages an operating budget of $5.7 million, and oversees a 25,000-square-foot facility that can house more than 100 dogs, 350 cats, and 50 small animals. The facility also includes a veterinary wing, a high-volume spay\/neuter clinic, and a variety of animal enrichment, human service, and educational programs.<\/p>\n Under Steven\u2019s leadership, the organization increased its save rate by 42 percentage points in just three years through a strategic initiative called Best Practices Transformation. During that same period, he and his team grew the operating budget by $3.1 million by implementing a successful strategic communications and development plan. In 2023, he led a $2 million shelter renovation and capital campaign, and a $7.5 million expansion project is planned for 2026.<\/p>\n Steven takes a data-driven and entrepreneurial approach to leadership, guiding his team and community through transformative change. This has enabled the York County SPCA to save all animals that can be saved while securing the resources needed to offer competitive wages and implement innovative, lifesaving programs.<\/p>\n Before entering nonprofit management, Steven spent a decade in the for-profit sector\u2014specifically in venture capital and investment\u2014supporting a range of technology-based startup companies. This experience gives him a unique, cross-sector perspective and a versatile leadership toolkit. Gabriela Mart\u00ednez covers quality-of-life issues for Spotlight PA\u2019s Berks County bureau. Through her reporting, she strives to show how policy choices, funding decisions, and gaps in social services play out in people\u2019s everyday lives. Her coverage areas include housing, public health, workforce and immigration.<\/p>\n Before joining Spotlight PA, Gabriela worked as a radio producer for C-SPAN in Washington, D.C., and as a reporter covering Latino communities in central Pennsylvania for WITF.<\/p>\n She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n Content creator, Berks County Views<\/p>\n Anthony Matz is a local content creator, social media manager, and digital marketing professional with more than five years of experience building and managing Berks County Views, an influencer-style media platform dedicated to showcasing local businesses, organizations, events, and the people who make the Berks County community unique.<\/p>\n Through Berks County Views and his work with local businesses and organizations, Anthony specializes in creating high-energy short-form video, photography, videography, social media content, and promotional campaigns designed to increase visibility, engagement, and brand awareness. He has managed social media platforms and created content for a variety of local organizations and businesses, including Comalli Taqueria, Takkii Ramen, Visit West Reading, the Greater Reading Chamber, 3rd & Spruce, and others. With a combination of creativity, marketing strategy, communication skills, and hands-on experience, Anthony brings a unique understanding of how to connect brands with local audiences and create content that gets noticed.<\/p>\n CEO, The Animal Rescue League of Berks County<\/p>\n Ashley Mikulsky is the Chief Executive Officer of the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Berks County, a progressive animal shelter in PA. A lifelong advocate for animals and the community, Ashley has dedicated much of her career to advancing innovative solutions that keep people and pets together while improving outcomes for vulnerable animals.Since becoming CEO in 2024, Ashley has led ARL through a period of significant growth and transformation. Under her leadership, the organization achieved and sustained no-kill excellence, strengthened financial sustainability, expanded access to affordable veterinary care, strengthened humane law enforcement and animal protection services, and deepened partnerships with municipalities, social service agencies, and community organizations throughout the region. She is passionate about creating sustainable, community-centered approaches to animal welfare that address both animal and human needs.<\/p>\n Ashley began her journey with ARL as a teenager and later returned as Director of Development before assuming leadership roles in operations and strategic planning. Throughout her career, she has raised more than $15 million for nonprofit organizations and was recognized as the Association of Fundraising Professionals\u2019 Meggan Kerber Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2022. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University and a Bachelor of Science from Delaware Valley University.<\/p>\n PA State Senator 44th District<\/p>\n First elected to office in 2018, Senator Katie Muth is a passionate advocate for change. Grounded in the strong values of hard work, dedication, and commitment to helping others, Senator Muth is determined to be a champion for hardworking Pennsylvanians. Senator Muth has challenged both her own party and the opposition in her first three years in the Capitol, while dubbing her workplace as the \u201cdome of corruption.\u201d \u200b In November 2022, Senator Muth was elected to her second term representing the 44th Senatorial District which includes parts of Chester, Montgomery and Berks County. She also served two sessions as part of Senate Democratic Leadership as the Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. As Chair of the Policy Committee, Senator Muth hosted 85 public hearings across the Commonwealth highlighting Senate Democratic legislative initiatives and providing an outlet for impacted residents, experts, and policy makers to discuss how current policies, or lack of policies, have either helped and or harmed Pennsylvanians. Senator Muth also serves as the Minority Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.<\/p>\n Senator Muth and her husband, Trevor, reside in East Vincent, Chester County.<\/p>\n Advisor, Spotlight PA<\/p>\n Dave Myers is semi-retired, currently serving as an advisor to Spotlight PA Berks Bureau and the Berks Community Foundation. He most recently served as the Executive Director of the Berks Alliance, a collaboration of anchor institutions in Berks County. The Berks Alliance was involved in a number of community engagement activities, most notably the study that led to the formation of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority. He also serves on the Boards of Tec Centro Berks, the Reading Public Museum and the Schuylkill River Greenways and previously served on the Reading School Board. He has spent a lot of his career working in state government, including both houses of the state legislature and as Deputy Chief of Staff for two Governors. He has also worked in higher education at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Rutgers University, Bucknell University and Alvernia University. If asked, he would say that his proudest accomplishment was the creation of the Pennsylvania Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which became a national model.<\/p>\n Erin Negley writes newsletters for Spotlight PA. In previous newsrooms, she\u2019s written a winter series taking readers inside commercial greenhouses as well as stories about the search for champion trees, how to dye with plants, an artist sculpting with sticks, plus lots of people passionate about plants. When she\u2019s not fixing up an old house in Lancaster County with her husband and daughter, she loves to spend time outdoors, in the garden, or at a park. She has grown plants throughout Pennsylvania Dutch Country in USDA zone 7 and is a Penn State Master Gardener volunteer.<\/p>\n Director of Operations & Communication, Barrio Alegr\u00eda<\/p>\n Anthony Orozco is an award-winning print and broadcast journalist who has amplified the stories of Latinos in Pennsylvania since 2012. He has been a performing artist and public arts advocate for nearly as long. Orozco is the Director of Operations for the internationally recognized community engagement organization Barrio Alegr\u00eda, which has assisted neighbors transforming their neighborhoods for over a decade.<\/p>\n Barrio Alegria is one of only three organizations across the nation currently completing a \u2018field scan\u2019 of Latino futures for The Partnership for Equitable and Resilient Communities. In September, Barrio was invited to train the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino staff on community engagement. This summer, Barrio\u2019s founder was selected to be in an elite group of community leaders trained by the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture. In 2026, Barrio also orchestrated a neighbors-informed redesign of the Reading Gateway Bridge for Schuylkill River Greenways and County of Berks.<\/p>\n Barrio\u2019s unique approach to harnessing the power of passionate neighbors and galvanizing once-apathetic residents is chronicled in their recently published toolkit, Belonging by Design. Just this year, Barrio has hosted more than 55 free workshops, financial literacy classes, and performances, all co-created with Reading neighbors.<\/p>\n Vice President for Programs and Initiatives, Berks County Community Foundation<\/p>\n Monica serves as the Community Foundation\u2019s Vice President for Programs and Initiatives, overseeing a wide range of core functions and leading the program team. She guides strategy development for multiple initiatives and manages the grant distribution process for a diverse portfolio of charitable funds.<\/p>\n Before stepping into her current role, Monica was the Foundation\u2019s first Program Officer, responsible for a portfolio of health and human services funds. She led several health\u2011focused initiatives, including efforts to improve children\u2019s oral health, and contributed her expertise as a member of the Berks County COVID\u201119 Health Advisory Panel.<\/p>\n Monica previously worked in the office of State Senator Judy Schwank, specializing in health and human services issues and coordinating with agencies at every level of government. She also participated in community boards and social change efforts throughout Pennsylvania\u2019s 11th senatorial district.<\/p>\n A graduate of Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in French, Monica later earned her Master of Public Administration from West Chester University. She also completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Monica is a proud Reading native whose commitment to philanthropy is rooted in her deep understanding of the community.<\/p>\n Director of Latina\/o Studies and Professor of History, Penn State University<\/p>\n A. K. Sandoval-Strausz is Director of Latina\/o Studies and Professor of History at Penn State University. He was born in New York City to immigrant parents, earned his BA in history at Columbia University, and went on to the University of Chicago for his PhD. His most recent book, Barrio America: How Latino Immigrants Saved the American City (Basic Books, 2019), won the 2020 Caroline Bancroft History Prize, the 2021 International Latino Book Award for Best Academic Book, and was a finalist for the Victor Villase\u00f1or Book Award. It will be published in Spanish this fall as Barrio latino: c\u00f3mo los migrantes salvaron las ciudades de Estados Unidos by Grano de Sal in Mexico City. He is the Past President of the Urban History Association, a Distinguished Lecturer of the Organization of American Historians, and has twice received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.<\/p>\n Ag Project Coordinator, Berks Agricultural Resource Network (B.A.R.N.)<\/p>\n Courtney Shober, a Berks County native, graduated from Schuylkill Valley High School and earned a degree in Music Business from Lebanon Valley College. After a decade in the music industry in the NYC metro area, she shifted her focus toward health, wellness, and community service, earning her Health Coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2015.<\/p>\n Since returning to Reading in 2016, Courtney has built a career connecting people, organizations, and resources. She served as Manager of Penn Street Market in Downtown Reading for seven seasons and has been Ag Project Coordinator for B.A.R.N. (Berks Agricultural Resource Network) since 2019. She also helps lead the Urban Ag Development Work Group convened by the Wyomissing Foundation and previously served as Chair of Downtown Wellness Berks.<\/p>\n As Community Outreach Associate for The Food Trust in Reading, Courtney worked to expand access to farmers markets, nutrition assistance, and food resources while strengthening partnerships that advance nutrition education and food security. She is passionate about collaborative problem-solving, innovation, and collective impact, and is grateful to serve her community as a connector and advocate.<\/p>\n Executive Director, Berks County Planning Commission<\/p>\n Ashley Showers holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography\/Environmental Planning and has served with the Berks County Planning Commission for 19 years, contributing over 20 years of experience in the planning field. Mrs. Showers is experienced in a broad range of planning disciplines, including comprehensive planning, economic development, zoning, infrastructure planning, and recreation planning. She is also adept at preparing grant applications that support and strengthen community initiatives.<\/p>\n Ashley enjoys collaborating with municipal officials and engaging with residents, all in the spirited pursuit of making Berks County an even better place to live, work, and explore.<\/p>\n Founder & Editor, Lehigh Daily<\/p>\n Jai Smith is the founder and editor of Lehigh Daily, a digital news outlet covering local government and community across Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. A full-stack developer by trade and a Bethlehem resident, he launched the self-funded site in June 2024 and runs it daily, handling reporting, photography, video, and development. He has appeared on Lenfest panels on creator journalism, participated in Knight Media Forum events, and works with Free Press on state legislation to fund local news.<\/p>\n Head Coach of Girls Basketball, Reading High School<\/p>\n Rashida Suber is a Hall of Fame basketball player turned coach, mentor, and nonprofit leader dedicated to empowering young women through sports, discipline, and leadership. Known for elite competitive performance as a player and for building accountability-driven team culture as a coach, she is a passionate advocate for women\u2019s representation in sports and for helping athletes develop identity, confidence, and purpose beyond the game. As the Head Coach of Girls Basketball at Reading High School, she led the team to a Berks County Championship\u2014the program\u2019s first in 15 years. She is also the co-founder of the Queens of the Castle Girls Basketball Camp and HerStory Foundation, a nonprofit focused on empowering girls and women through sports, mentorship, and leadership development. She also works for the City of Reading as a property maintenance\/blight inspector. Her basketball career highlights include:<\/p>\n MEAC Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2025) \u2014 first women\u2019s basketball player from Coppin State University to receive the honorReading High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee2007 MEAC Player of the YearThree-time First Team All-MEAC; MEAC All-Rookie TeamAll-time leading scorer at Coppin State University (1,865 career points)Led Coppin State to three NCAA Tournament appearances and a WNIT victory (2007)Played professionally overseas and attended WNBA training campScored 2,111 career points at Reading High School, ranking among the top scorers in Berks County history President, United Way of Berks County<\/p>\n Tammy White has dedicated her 37-year career to strengthening the Berks County community through collaborative leadership, strategic partnerships, and a steadfast belief that lasting change happens when people come together around a common purpose.<\/p>\n As President of United Way of Berks County, Tammy works alongside a talented staff, more than 2,200 dedicated volunteers, generous donors, nonprofit partners, businesses, schools, and community leaders to improve lives throughout Berks County.<\/p>\n Together, they have helped shape United Way\u2019s continued evolution as both a trusted fundraising organization and a catalyst for community collaboration. During Tammy\u2019s tenure as President, the organization expanded its investment in collective impact strategies and direct-service initiatives such as Ready.Set.READ!, strengthening opportunities for children and families through volunteer engagement, school partnerships, and measurable community impact.<\/p>\n During her tenure at United Way, Tammy has served in a variety of local and statewide leadership roles, including the Berks Workforce Development Board, the United Way of Pennsylvania Board of Directors, the Pennsylvania 211 Board of Directors, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Board, and the Berks Business Education Coalition.<\/p>\n Project Manager for Strategy and Operation, Deeply Rooted<\/p>\n James serves as the Project Manager for Strategy and Operations for Deeply Rooted, a community-academic collaborative focused on using the healing power of nature to improve health.<\/p>\n James has 19 years of experience in neighborhood planning, economic and real estate development, and galvanizing multiple stakeholders to leverage community assets. He was recognized as a 2016 Rising Star by the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations. He previously served as Director of Community, Economic and Real Estate Development, and as Commercial Corridor Manager at HopePHL (formerly People\u2019s Emergency Center) where he oversaw the economic development and revitalization of the Lancaster Avenue Commercial Corridor. He has served on the boards of Mighty Writers and the West Philly Tool Library. He currently serves on the boards for Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Philadelphia Assembly, and Entrepreneur Works. James is a Southwest Philly native and resides with his family in Cobbs Creek, West Philadelphia. James holds an MBA in Urban Economic Development from Eastern University.<\/p>\n Want to help us with the event?<\/p>\n When you sponsor a Spotlight PA event, you\u2019re doing more than promoting your organization \u2014 you\u2019re investing in investigative and public-service journalism with real impact. Connect directly with an audience of motivated advocates, policymakers, and community leaders committed to building a stronger community for everyone.<\/p>\n![\"GoggleWorks](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW42LTA0NHItZXBxZy13anE4LmpwZWc=.jpeg\" "\\"GoggleWorks")
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Time: 9:00 AM \u2013 3:30 PM
Location: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThjbmstOGI2ZS1oZW16LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Bethany Ayers Fisher<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLWQxcmItcnNkdy1kZTJqLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Wayne Jonas Bealer<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThkcm4teWZqdi1tYzhxLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Joel Cintr\u00f3n Arbasetti<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThkdngtcGQ5Yy1kOWN5LnBuZw==.jpeg\")
Dan Cody<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8xMC8wMW5iLXo4d3Qta3lybi1hOXpkLnBuZw==.jpeg\")
Joseph V. D\u2019Ascenzo Jr.<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2EtejJudy15Y2JwLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Linda Flanagan<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2MtYTZ3NS02ZXhzLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Alexa Freyman<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wMS8wMW1uLXJhbmQtOGdlZi01Y2tuLmpwZWc=.webp\")
<\/a>Amanda Fries<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlYmgtcnNxdy14NjhiLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Denele Hughson<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlZ2MtaHY0cC1hdDNhLnBuZw==.jpeg\")
Nancy Jim\u00e9nez-Zapata<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlbjItaGYxaC1tbmQ4LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Armen Keteyian<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2UteGJzNS12eGtqLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ednez<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThleGstNnExMy1nZWFoLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Steven Martinez<\/p>\n
\nSteven holds an MBA from Loyola University Chicago and a BS in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. In 2010, he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and continues to enjoy the outdoors through fly fishing, golfing, and exploring rail trails. He and his wife, Alison, share their home with three dogs, three cats, and three chickens.<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThmMXgteHdyOS1tOWhkLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Anthony Matz<\/p>\n
\nA major part of Anthony\u2019s work has been building strong relationships with business owners, community leaders, organizations, and local professionals throughout Berks County. He understands how to identify promotional opportunities, develop creative campaigns, and turn ideas into engaging content from concept through production and publication.<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2YtYmI2OC16Nmg3LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Ashley Mikulsky<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2ctZGtqdi1yOGFzLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Sen. Katie Muth<\/p>\n
\nBorn and raised in western Pennsylvania, Senator Muth\u2019s background and experience instilled a fervor for citizen activism and service. She was educated at Penn State where she earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in Athletic Training, and obtained her master\u2019s degree at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona.<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2gtNnE3ei1jbnM4LnBuZw==.jpeg\")
Dave Myers<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2otMDFjeS10ZzY2LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Anthony Orozco<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2otYnZqdi1yNXY5LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Monica Reyes<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2steTNnNy02bnR3LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
A. K. Sandoval-Strausz<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2steWh0ci1xbjBnLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Courtney Shober<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM2stcXl3ci03NDlkLnBuZw==.jpeg\")
Ashley Showers<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM3YtOWJoOC1yanhiLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Jai Smith<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM20tNmpwNS04Z2U4LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Rashida Suber<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLThlM20td2o3bi15N2V0LmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
Tammy White<\/p>\n![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/MjAyNi8wOS8wMW5iLWE4ZXctMXZ2aC1kaGFwLmpwZWc=.jpeg\")
James Wright<\/p>\n