2025 Conference Leaders

Susan R Snelick

President, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College

 NPRC’s President Susan “Susie” Snelick is a remarkable woman who has garnered admiration from countless individuals, both at the College and across the region. With over 30 years of impactful experience in business and workforce development, Susie's commitment to providing her native region with the educational and workforce training opportunities it rightfully deserves is crystal clear. She was appointed to the foundational board of the Education Consortium of the Upper Alleghenies (ECUA), a testament to her leadership. Her invaluable contributions continued as she served on the College’s Board of Trustees until December 2020. Just a short while later, in April 2021, she was named NPRC’s next president, a role she was destined for. Beyond her impactful work at NPRC, Snelick also dedicated her expertise to another regional higher education institution, the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology. For many years, her unwavering passion has been to enhance lives through workforce and educational opportunities, a mission she knows is vital for the region’s continued prosperity. Susie champions a leadership philosophy that emphasizes treating others with the respect she wishes to receive, valuing every opinion, expressing gratitude, engaging in active listening, holding herself to the highest standards, being transparent with her team, and empowering leaders across the workplace to cultivate a culture that ignites enthusiasm for careers. Snelick has also enriched her career as the Regional Liaison for the National Association of Workforce Boards, was appointed to the Governor’s Middle-Class Task Force, participated in the prestigious Disney Institute’s Leadership Excellence Program, and chaired the PA Workforce Development Association. A dynamic woman who has embraced numerous roles and diverse experiences throughout her life, Snelick is an inspiring figure, encouraging others to seek similar enriching paths in their own careers. Recently, Susie Snelick was honored as a 2024 Trailblazer in Higher Education by City & State Pennsylvania, an accolade that reflects her outstanding contributions in successfully navigating the ever-changing economic, social and technological landscape in higher education with innovative programming, both tangible and virtual outreach, and in some instances, restructuring to meet the aspirations of a new generation.  

Lori Sabatose

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College

Lori brings a wealth of experience from her distinguished career in higher education, where she has excelled in coaching, supervising, and inspiring countless individuals. She earned her MA in Sport Business Management from Kent State and her BA in Business from Clarion University, showcasing her commitment to excellence. Lori has made remarkable contributions throughout her professional journey in Higher Education, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the field. As a former high school and college standout, she competed at the prestigious NCAA Division II Team competition, highlighting her exceptional athletic prowess. With an impressive collegiate tennis singles record of 51-7 and an outstanding 54-4 in doubles, Lori has proven herself a formidable competitor. As a leader and mentor, she has empowered women and coached both boys and girls, men and women, at various levels including high school, college, and internationally. Her extensive experience spans multiple roles in Sports and Recreation as well as in Higher Education/Student Affairs, where she has excelled as Coordinator, Director of Recreation, Coach, Professional, Official, Event Planner, and Administrative Coordinator. Currently, Lori serves as the Assistant Director of Facilities Management and previously as the Student Engagement Specialist at Northern PA Regional College, NPRC, while also holding the position of Executive Director for a local nonprofit. She oversees a team of over 30 part-time staff and manages more than 25 facilities across 10 counties in Pennsylvania, from Erie to Elk to Tioga.

Through her exceptional networking skills, Lori has forged valuable connections, enabling her to coach at the prestigious US Scholar Athlete games and accompany students to the Summer Olympic Games in London and Rio. She has also coached in Italy (Pan Am), Argentina (European Games), and Jamaica as a Visiting Tennis Pro with the PTR Professional Tennis Registry, expanding her international coaching experience.

Lori’s leadership extends to her election on the Brockway School Board, the USTA Middle States Leadership Council, and as the Toby Creek Watershed Director. She has made her mark as the NIRSA PA State Director for Recreation and has actively participated in numerous committees in Higher Education, including hiring, staff advisory, the president’s commission on the status of women, and facilities and staff mentoring.

Her dedication to community service is evident through her volunteering with the American Red Cross, Relay for Life, Special Olympics, the PSBA Pennsylvania School Board Association - Policy Institute, National Tennis on Campus, Girl Scouts, and 4H. Lori pioneered the first-ever girls tennis team in Brockway and organized three Women in Sport Days to honor female athletes in her community while raising awareness about the importance of women in sports.

With over 20 years of leadership experience, Lori has guided numerous teams and supervised over 1000 part-time staff and athletes throughout her career, overseeing more than 50 staff annually while managing Athletic and Recreation Facilities at Clarion University of PA, also known as Penn West. She takes pride in her team’s achievement of winning a national sportsmanship award and has received accolades such as the College Coach of the Year from the USTA United States Tennis Association, the National Tennis Ace award, and the Outstanding Supporter award for her unwavering commitment to equity. Lori remains an active tennis player, having been ranked number 1 in doubles with her daughter Gabby last year.

Lori is passionately dedicated to empowering others to achieve success, and she is eager to share her expertise on leading teams and unlocking the motivations that drive both you and your team toward remarkable accomplishments.

Britney Donoto

Digital Marketing Specialist

Strategic Connections

In the vibrant and competitive landscape of sales, Britney Donato took a significant step forward by joining Strategic Connection during the rejuvenating season of spring in the year 2022, where she began her journey as a Sales Development Representative, and it did not take long for her remarkable talents and relentless work ethic to shine through as she consistently surpassed the ambitious goals and high expectations set by her clients. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and outstanding performance did not go unnoticed, as it culminated in her well-deserved promotion to the role of Business Development Representative in December 2023, soon followed by yet another advancement to the esteemed position of Senior Outside Sales & Inside Sales Manager in August 2024, a role in which she is now instrumental in broadening the company’s market presence, catalyzing robust sales growth, and crafting impactful sales strategies that resonate powerfully in the market. 

Prior to embarking on her successful career at Strategic Connection, Britney dedicated her talents and energy to the Special Education Department at Forest Area School District, where she played a crucial role in providing direct instruction through the implementation of research-based programs, meticulously designed to align with the principles of the No Child Left Behind Act, aimed at ensuring that every child received the educational support they deserved. Her deep-seated commitment to championing the cause of students with special needs was evident in her tireless efforts to secure for them the essential educational resources that would pave their path to success in an often challenging environment. 

Britney's extensive experience in leadership roles transcends the boundaries of education and extends into the realm of emergency medical services, where she made a significant impact as the President of Tionesta Ambulance Service, dedicating her leadership to the critical mission of providing both basic and advanced life support services to her community in prehospital settings, thereby ensuring the well-being and safety of those in need. Additionally, her role as a Quality Assurance Director saw her diligently reviewing medical trip reports to guarantee strict adherence to the policies and protocols established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care in the field. It is also noteworthy that she proudly continues to hold an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, which further underscores her dedication to excellence in emergency medical services. 

In addition to her impressive professional accomplishments, Britney has shown a profound commitment to advocacy and community service, exemplified by her invaluable work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the Venango County Courthouse, where she operated under the guidance of President Judge Lobaugh to advocate for the rights and well-being of abused and neglected children engaged in legal proceedings, ensuring that their voices were heard and their needs were met in a complex judicial system. 

In her current capacity as a Senior Outside Sales & Inside Sales Manager at Strategic Connection, Britney embodies an unwavering passion for driving sales success, steering high-performing teams toward achieving remarkable outcomes, and diligently working to expand the company’s client base through innovative strategies and relentless dedication. Her exceptional skills in negotiation and persuasion, which she meticulously honed through her extensive experience in courtroom advocacy and various leadership roles, enable her to navigate complex business landscapes effectively. Furthermore, her remarkable ability to forge strong relationships and develop strategic solutions positions her as an invaluable asset to businesses aiming to thrive and compete on a larger scale in today’s dynamic marketplace. 

Aleshia Marshall 

Business Development Expert

Clarion University Small Business Development

Aleshia Marshall has been a highly esteemed business consultant with the esteemed Clarion University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) since the year 2017, where she has made a significant impact on the local business community. The diverse counties that she diligently services include the vibrant regions of Elk, McKean, and Potter, where she passionately provides invaluable consulting services to both current and prospective small business owners, helping them navigate the complex landscape of entrepreneurship. In addition to her consulting role, she energetically instructs a variety of educational programs and engaging seminars for the center, ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge they need to succeed. Aleshia has garnered extensive experience working across a multitude of different industries, ranging from dedicated rural farmers to large-scale manufacturers boasting over 400 employees, and she offers a comprehensive array of services that include but are not limited to: meticulously crafted business plans complete with detailed financial forecasts, essential human resources guidance, innovative marketing strategies, thorough ratio analysis, strategic planning initiatives, long-term growth strategies tailored to individual needs, and extensive market research. Prior to her impactful tenure at the SBDC, Aleshia honed her skills and expertise in the manufacturing industry after successfully completing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the prestigious Clarion University, equipping her with the knowledge and experience necessary to assist businesses in reaching their fullest potential.   

Kate Fernan, D.O.

Fernan Family Medical Practice

Dr. Kate Fernan, a highly accomplished and respected medical professional, proudly completed her family practice residency in the year 2006 at the esteemed Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she honed her skills and knowledge in a variety of medical practices. Currently, she passionately dedicates her expertise to providing comprehensive family practice medicine, utilizing a unique and effective functional medicine approach that she has cultivated, all while operating out of the charming town of Ridgway, PA. Furthermore, she has been skillfully practicing acupuncture since the year 2007, along with her commitment to aesthetic medicine, which she has been passionately engaged in since 2009, the year she triumphantly opened the doors to Athena Laser Clinic, a testament to her dedication to holistic healthcare.

In addition to her impressive medical career, Dr. Fernan is also the proud author of a thought-provoking book titled The Covid Documents, Truth in Practice, which reflects her deep insights and experiences during these unprecedented times. Beyond her professional endeavors, she wholeheartedly enjoys spending precious moments with her beloved daughter, engaging in the exhilarating activity of horseback riding, and immersing herself in captivating narratives crafted by the talented authors John Grisham, William Kent Krueger, and Janet Evanovich, all of which add depth and joy to her life outside of the medical field.