The Pennsylvania Commission for Women will hold a focus group in the Lehigh Valley. Commission member, and facilitator of the event, Pamela Varkony, says she is affectionately referring to it as a "Listening Tour." The goal is to bring together approximately 25 women of varying ages and talents, who work within different socioeconomic groups, to determine how and what the Commission can do to positively impact and improve the lives of Pennsylvania's women through educational and business opportunities, and civic engagement.
 
The meeting will be held Oct. 29 on the campus of Cedar Crest College, where the day will begin with an informal "meet & greet" breakfast. The group will then be organized into four categories: Public Sector & Community Service; Economic Development & Entrepreneurship; Education & Training; Health & Wellness.

Some of those who have committed to date are: Dr. Stephanie Olexa, scientist, entrepreneur and founder of an angel investment network; Lisa Getzler-Linn, head of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship at Lehigh U.; Martha Phelps, board member of the L.V. Community Foundation,   Georgine Olexa, Esq., Corporate Risk Counsel for Good Shepherd, Melissa Craig, R.N., Asst. Director of Community Health for St. Luke's, and Ann Bieber, Senior V.P. of Lehigh Carbon Community College. 

Varkony said that the Commission's mandate from the Governor is to support small business and economic development: "We believe this focus group will provide valuable information for the commission to assist women to accomplish those goals."