Registration is now open for a day-long event celebrating the ideas that move Berks forward.
Every change starts with an idea! Spotlight PA’s 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.
The event is a “melting pot of ideas,” where Berks County is not only a place of learning, but also a contributor.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
Agenda
9–10:30am | Community Spotlight Breakfast (Studio 238, Ticketed) - SOLD OUT
Over the past year, Spotlight PA published a Community Spotlight series, which celebrated neighbors making Berks County a better place to live, work, and do business. Now, we’re 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. **
Speakers:
- Monica Reyes, Vice President for Programs and Initiatives, Berks County Community Foundation
- Tammy White, President, United Way of Berks County
10:30am–12pm | Data Centers: What’s Coming, What’s at Stake (Boscov Theater)
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’s popular “Community Forum” series where we’ll discuss the data center boom, its potential benefits and consequences, and the role residents and local governments can play in determining what happens next.
Moderators:
- Amanda Fries, Regional Accountability Reporter, Spotlight PA Berks
- Dave Myers, Advisor, Spotlight PA
Panelists:
- Wayne Jonas Bealer, Chairman of the City of Reading Planning Commission
- Joseph V. D’Ascenzo Jr., Executive Chairman, Titus Clean Industries, LLC
- State Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery)
- Ashley Showers, Executive Director, Berks County Planning Commission
Resources:
10am – 11:30am | Family Art Activities (Studio 420)
Community painting and children’s activities with the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.
12pm – 2pm | Meet K-Pop’s Rumi & Derpy the Wildcat (Studio 420)
A special chance for fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters to meet everyone’s 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.
12–1pm | Latino Berks: Voice, Participation & Representation (Studio 238)
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’ll 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.
Moderator: José Martínez, Reporter, WFMZ
Panelists:
- Joel Cintrón Arbasetti, Reporter, Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
- Nancy Jiménez-Zapata, Field Coordinator, Make the Road Pennsylvania
- Anthony Orozco, Director of Operations & Communication, Barrio Alegría
- A. K. Sandoval-Strausz, Director of Latina/o Studies and Professor of History, Penn State University
12:15–1:15pm | Community Cats: Who’s Responsible — and What Actually Works (Boscov Theater)
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’ll 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.
Moderator: Ashley Mikulsky, CEO, The Animal Rescue League of Berks County
Panelists:
- Dan Cody, Executive Director, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh
- Gabriela Martínez, Quality of Life Reporter, Spotlight PA Berks
- Steven Martinez, Executive Director, York County SPCA
1:15–2:15pm | Green Space for All: Lessons from Pennsylvania Communities (Studio 238)
Urban gardens and other green spaces can make Pennsylvania’s cities healthier, cooler, and more resilient—while 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’s 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.
Moderator: Erin Negley, Newsletter Writer, Spotlight PA
Panelists:
- Bethany Ayers Fisher, Sustainability Manager, City of Reading
- Denele Hughson, Executive Director, Grow Pittsburgh
- Courtney Shober, Ag Project Coordinator, B.A.R.N. (Berks Agricultural Resource Network)
- James Wright, Project Manager for Strategy and Operations, Deeply Rooted, Center for Health Justice, Penn Medicine
1:30–2:30pm | The Future of Youth Sports in Pennsylvania and Beyond (Boscov Theater)
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—in 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.
Moderator: Christopher Baxter, CEO & President, Spotlight PA
Panelists:
- Linda Flanagan, journalist, author, and former cross-country and track coach
- Armen Keteyian, journalist and author
- Rashida Suber, Head Coach of Girls Basketball, Reading High School
2:30–3:30pm | From Scroll to Follow: How to Build an Audience on Social Media (Studio 238)
How do you cut through the noise and build an audience on social media? Local content creators share how they got started, what they’ve learned along the way, and what actually works when it comes to reaching and engaging more people. We’ll cover the dos and don’ts 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—this will be an interactive conversation with plenty of time for Q&A.
Moderator: Jai Smith, Founder & Editor, Lehigh Daily
Panelists:
- Alexa Freyman, Storyteller, researcher, and content creator, Berksiana (formerly Berks Nostalgia)
- Anthony Matz, Content creator, social media manager, and digital marketing professional, Berks County Views
Participants
Bethany Ayers Fisher
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.
Bethany’s 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’s energy procurement contracts, several ecological restoration projects—including 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’s stormwater workgroup and is a member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and the US Water Alliance.
In her spare time, Bethany volunteers with the League of Women Voters, Angelica Creek Watershed Association and Master Watershed Stewards.
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.
Wayne Jonas Bealer
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.
Wayne developed an interest in serving on the Planning Commission during his ten year tenure as a “stringer” 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.
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.
Joel Cintrón Arbasetti
Joel Cintrón 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’s 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. Cintrón studied Journalism at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Santurce and holds a master’s degree in Research and Theory of Communication from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.
Dan Cody
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.
In this role, Dan leads a team of 125 people and oversees one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most comprehensive animal welfare organizations—including two domestic shelters and a wildlife rehabilitation center. Dan’s leadership is guided by his passion for collaboration and his deep belief in advancing animal welfare alongside the wellbeing of people—both 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.
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.
Joseph V. D’Ascenzo Jr.
Joseph V. D’Ascenzo 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.
Linda Flanagan
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’ Sports—and Why It Matters. A graduate of Lehigh University, Flanagan holds master’s 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’s education site MindShift. Her columns on sports have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall St. Journal, The Atlantic, and Runner’s 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.
Education:
- Lehigh University, 1982-85
- Oxford University, 1985-1987
- Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, 1992-1994
Past Positions:
- Case writer & National security analyst, Kennedy School of Govt @ Harvard 1987-1992
Freelance work:
- Co-created seminar course at MIT, the Sloan School, “business and national security” 2004-5
- Writer for the HELP Commission, a bipartisan commission designed to address foreign assistance, 2007/8
- Cross country and track coach at Oak Knoll school, 2002-2005
- Cross country and track coach at Kent Place School, 2005-2019
Alexa Freyman
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 — a name that reflects her expanded scope of work, bridging deep historical research with modern visual storytelling.
Combining meticulous archival digging with cinematic drone footage, high-resolution photography, and engaging video production, Alexa offers a fresh, immersive perspective on the region’s 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’s heritage accessible, engaging, and relevant for audiences across every generation.
Amanda Fries
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.
After 14 years covering communities in other states, Fries is thrilled to return home and hold government officials accountable in her own community. She’s excited to provide much-needed coverage in a county filled with generations of family members and friends.
Fries earned her bachelor’s degree at Temple University in 2010 and lives just over the Berks border with her husband and two dogs.
Denele Hughson
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’s Heinz College.
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.
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.
In 2025 Denele was appointed to serve on Governor Shapiro’s 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.
Nancy Jiménez-Zapata
Nancy Jiménez-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.
One of the accomplishments closest to Nancy’s heart is creating La Escuelita Cívica, 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.
Armen Keteyian
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 “60 Minutes.”
From 2013 to March of 2017 Keteyian was the lead correspondent for “60 Minutes Sports” on Showtime. He has also worked as a special features reporter for CBS Sports, a correspondent for HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” ABC News “World News Tonight” and as a Writer-Reporter at Sports Illustrated. Keteyian is also the author or co-author of 13 books, including “Tiger Woods,” the critically acclaimed No. 1 New York Times best-selling biography and “Gambler,” the autobiography of legendary sports gambler Billy Walters, which debuted at No. 2 on the Times non-fiction list. He is currently working on “The Chase,” a deep dive into the troubled state of youth sports in America to be published by Celadon in 2029.
José Martínez
José Martínez 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.
Martínez 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.
Beyond daily journalism, Martínez 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.
Steven Martinez
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.
Under Steven’s 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.
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.
Before entering nonprofit management, Steven spent a decade in the for-profit sector—specifically in venture capital and investment—supporting a range of technology-based startup companies. This experience gives him a unique, cross-sector perspective and a versatile leadership toolkit. Steven 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.
Gabriela Martínez covers quality-of-life issues for Spotlight PA’s Berks County bureau. Through her reporting, she strives to show how policy choices, funding decisions, and gaps in social services play out in people’s everyday lives. Her coverage areas include housing, public health, workforce and immigration.
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.
She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Anthony Matz
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.
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. A major part of Anthony’s 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.
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.
Ashley Mikulsky
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.
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’ 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.
Sen. Katie Muth
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 “dome of corruption.” Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Senator Muth’s background and experience instilled a fervor for citizen activism and service. She was educated at Penn State where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, and obtained her master’s degree at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona.
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.
Senator Muth and her husband, Trevor, reside in East Vincent, Chester County.
Dave Myers
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’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which became a national model.
Erin Negley writes newsletters for Spotlight PA. In previous newsrooms, she’s 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’s 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.
Anthony Orozco
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 Alegría, which has assisted neighbors transforming their neighborhoods for over a decade.
Barrio Alegria is one of only three organizations across the nation currently completing a ‘field scan’ 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’s 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.
Barrio’s 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.
Monica Reyes
Monica serves as the Community Foundation’s 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.
Before stepping into her current role, Monica was the Foundation’s first Program Officer, responsible for a portfolio of health and human services funds. She led several health‑focused initiatives, including efforts to improve children’s oral health, and contributed her expertise as a member of the Berks County COVID‑19 Health Advisory Panel.
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’s 11th senatorial district.
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.
A. K. Sandoval-Strausz
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 Villaseñor Book Award. It will be published in Spanish this fall as Barrio latino: cómo 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.
Courtney Shober
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.
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.
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.
Ashley Showers
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.
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.
Jai Smith
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.
Rashida Suber
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’s 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—the program’s 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:
- MEAC Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2025) — first women’s basketball player from Coppin State University to receive the honor
- Reading High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2007 MEAC Player of the Year
- Three-time First Team All-MEAC; MEAC All-Rookie Team
- All-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 camp
- Scored 2,111 career points at Reading High School, ranking among the top scorers in Berks County history
Tammy White
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.
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.
Together, they have helped shape United Way’s continued evolution as both a trusted fundraising organization and a catalyst for community collaboration. During Tammy’s 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.
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.
James Wright
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.
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’s 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.
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