Cook Hosts Third Annual Women in Leadership Conference

September 26, 2023

WAYNESBURG – The third annual Women in Leadership Conference, hosted by Rep. Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington), will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 2-5 p.m. at Waynesburg University’s Goodwin Performing Arts Center, 51 W. College St., Waynesburg.

“It has been such an honor to host this event to help bring women together to empower one another and inspire all of us,” said Cook. “I am eager to hear from these outstanding speakers and encourage everyone who is able to join us.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Wendy L. Grimm, who has worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for more than 25 years and currently serves as manager of the Allegheny Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in Pittsburgh. Grimm has served in numerous roles at the FAA, from safety inspector and safety manager at the Baltimore FSDO to a detail assignment as the FAA General Aviation Division D, division manager of AFG-400, with oversight for nine FSDOs across the United States as a supervisory aviation technical systems specialist.

Grimm will be joined at the conference by Carrie Willetts, executive vice president of health care integration and business development for the WVU Health System and president and CEO of WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital; and state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, who represents portions of Allegheny and Washington counties.

Prior to her role in the WVU Health System, Willetts served in leadership roles at WellSpan Health in York; Sentara Health Care in Norfolk, VA; and the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville. Willetts also received the ATHENA award for excellence in mentorship of young women in 2021 by the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce.

Even before being elected to the state House in 2018, Mihalek had a history of serving the nation and her community. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and served in the elite nuclear power program, of which only 1% of the sailors admitted are women. After earning a bachelor’s degree and law degree, she joined the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office. She also owned a successful small business in Upper St. Clair and was working for a large financial institution at the time of her election.

Cook encouraged both men and women across the district to join him for the event. Those who are interested in attending should register for the event at RepBudCook.com/Events or call 724-929-2660. There is no cost to participate.

Representative Bud Cook
50th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepBudCook.com / Facebook.com/RepBudCook