Breakfast4Success (Feb. 2026) - Powerhouses: Women in Engineering

All the traditions you know and love about breakfast with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance! Announcements about upcoming events & opportunities, recognition of new members and time to network. Most importantly, Breakfast4Success features topic-driven presentations designed to inspire you to achieve your goals, both personally and professionally. 

Meet our Panelists
Erin Connelly | Brentwood Industries
Erin Connelly is an Industrial Systems Engineer at Brentwood Industries, where she works at the intersection of manufacturing, technology, and people. She focuses on modernizing manufacturing operations by connecting systems, data, and processes to improve decision-making on the shop floor.
 
She holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from Wilkes University, a combination that reflects her interest in both the technical and operational sides of manufacturing.
 
Erin’s career has spanned quality, application engineering, and process-focused roles across manufacturing environments including plastics, chemicals, and aviation materials. Early in her career, she worked in application engineering, where she bridged customer requirements with manufacturing realities by focusing on the fit, form, and function of parts. That experience shaped how she approaches scalable processes, quality, and supply chain considerations—and continues to inform her work in manufacturing systems today.
 
In her current role, Erin supports digital transformation initiatives that move manufacturing away from reliance on tribal knowledge toward connected, data-driven systems. By improving visibility and standardizing processes, she helps teams make more informed decisions while keeping people at the center of the technology.
 
Erin believes there is no single “right” path into manufacturing or engineering. Curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to step into unfamiliar roles have played a central role in her career growth.
 
She is passionate about supporting and mentoring women in manufacturing and engineering, particularly those navigating career transitions or stepping into technical and leadership roles, and believes the industry is strongest when women are actively shaping its future.
 
Kara Humes | Entech Engineering, Inc.
A recognized leader in water and wastewater engineering, Kara Humes serves as a Market Leader and Senior Environmental Manager at Entech Engineering, Inc. As an instrumental part of the Entech team for over 30 years, she manages a variety of projects throughout the United States, including pretreatment for both industry and municipalities, permitting and reporting for air, wastewater, and solid waste, as well as emergency response planning. In 2023, she joined the firm’s Board of Directors and currently serves as the Board Treasurer.
 
An advocate for working women in Pennsylvania, Kara is the current Vice President of Tamaqua’s Chapter of the Pennsylvania Business and Professional Women (BPW/PA). She is a champion of industry participation and has been an active member of Pennsylvania’s leading water, wastewater, and environmental compliance organizations, most recently serving as chair of the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association. Additionally, Kara is actively involved with her local volunteer fire department and is a Trustee of the Ladies’ Auxiliary.
 
Nikita Patel | Sherman Engineering Company
With almost a decade of experience in the compressed gas/cryogenic fluid supply, compressed air and vacuum systems industry, Nikita has a wealth of knowledge on equipment and pipeline design, sizing, and specifications. Nikita graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and pursued her MBA with a focus in Multinational Business shortly after.  She is a licensed engineer in Pennsylvania.
 
She works as a Sales Engineer for Sherman Engineering Company located near Philadelphia PA covering their NY Metro territory. Representing well known compressed air and vacuum manufacturers such as Nash, Gardner Denver, BeaconMedaes and Elmo Rietschle has helped broaden her knowledge of these important systems.
 
With a large customer base in medical, laboratory, and industrial compressed gas and vacuum systems, there is almost no application she hasn't been exposed to including: healthcare, laboratory, government funded, waste water, power, refinery, and much more!
 
Natalie Ruppert | East Penn Manufacturing
Natalie Ruppert, Process Engineering Manager at East Penn Manufacturing, graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering and a minor in Environmental Engineering. She began her career at East Penn Manufacturing in June 2018 as an Automotive Application Engineer.
 
Natalie is actively involved in company and community initiatives. She serves on both the Picnic Committee and the United Way Committee at East Penn Manufacturing. She is also a member of the Berks County Dream Team, where she engages with K–12 students to promote careers in manufacturing throughout the county. 
 
In addition, Natalie has been a dedicated member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Take the Lead Berks County Committee since 2024. She is also involved with Battery Council International, contributing to the Technical Committee and participating in Women in the Global Battery Industry (WGBI) group.
 
Meet our Moderator
Kirsten Deysher | Entech Engineering, Inc.
Kirsten Deysher is a seasoned AEC industry professional who currently serves as the Director of Strategic Relationships and Business Development at Entech Engineering, Inc., an engineering and consulting firm headquartered in Reading, PA.
 
Dedicated to building strong client relationships, driving revenue growth, and advancing community, Kirsten has over 20 years of diverse experience in marketing, communications, client relationship management, and business development, including managing her own marketing solutions firm. At Entech, Kirsten is an integral leader in strategy development and implementation, business relations, and client experience initiatives.
 
A champion for the region, Kirsten is engaged in numerous industry and non-profit boards and committees, actively contributing to organizational advancement through major development campaigns, rebranding initiatives, real estate purchases, leadership transitions, and the expansion of new services and programs.


As Women2Women celebrates its 15th Anniversary—our Crystal Anniversary—we’re reflecting on the leaders, stories, and connections that built this community. Throughout 2026, each event will feature founding members, former speakers, award winners, and other influential voices who exemplify the impact Women2Women has had on women and Greater Reading over the past 15 years.

• All In Dumpster Services, LLC
• AmeriGas Propane L.P.
• Archwood Soapery
• Associates in Neuropsychology & Wellness
• Berks Imprints
• Berman Voss
• Blades of Steel Landscaping
• Burger King
• Claire Malfaro Counseling & Consulting, LLC
• Dayspring Homes, Inc.
• Dished & Done LLC
• ECBM
• Filta Southeastern Central PA
• Higher Information Group
• Hollywood Casino Morgantown
• Honey Belle Events
• Ivy Rehab
• JB Plumbing HVAC & Construction
• KCI Technologies, Inc.
• Lancaster County Day School
• Lancaster Stormers
• Lausch's Moving Company
• Little Feather Cleaning Co.
• Longview Private Wealth Management
• MedSurg Urgent Care
• Morgia Wealth Management
• New Life Coffee Company
• Northwestern Mutual
• Nunez Development Group
• Over the Moon Event Rentals
• Pinky's Junk Removal, LLC
• Radius Corporation
• S.H.E. Sisterhood
• SendPush
• Smokies Cigar Lounge
• Stock Yaw Crop LLC.
• Three Hive Studios
• Trinity Solar - Katulka Team
• Universal Services Plumbing Heating Cooling
• Wakefield Hillcrest, LLC