NEWS

SWEP Greater Philadelphia would like to recognize our 2022 Officer, Director, and Committee leadership changes.  Visit our "About Us" pages to view those in new positions.

Additionally, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to our outgoing volunteers who so generously gave of their time.  SWEP GP would not be the successful organization it is, without volunteers like you!

Thank you to Kristin Weiler (Alpha Analytical), Yolanda Pagano (MillerKnoll), Ann Smith (Eurofins QC), and Jennifer Waters (Urban Engineers), for your time, insight, and passion for SWEP.

Check our LinkedIn page and website for more information on how to apply for our 2022 Scholarships and Grants.  Laurel Klein is our new Committee Chair and is excited to share our 2022 opportunities with you!

Scholarships and Grants

Who doesn’t love a great party? The 2018 Touchstone Award event had it all the perfect venue, a great turnout, a smiling Board of Directors,energetic Keynote Speaker, enchanting honoree, plentiful food and drinks, and networking with colleagues, peers and friends!  The Venue – The Phoenixville Foundry, built in 1882 along the French Creek and serving as an active Iron & Steel manufacturer well into the 1970’s, was the chosen venue for 2018. Regeneration of this Brownfield property began in 1998, and this elegantly restored historic icon provided the perfect backdrop for our awards night. The evening began months ago with planning and capped off with members of the SWEP Board of Directors coordinating the ceremony. Ms. Beth Witouski, SWEP Executive Board Co-Chair, gave the opening remarks, welcomed the attendees, and explained the five tenets of the mission of SWEP. Ms. Nora Pearse-Nimmerichter, SWEP Touchstone Sponsorship Chair, recognized our generous sponsors and gave thanks. Ms. Jennifer Poole, SWEP Scholarship and Grants Chair, presented scholarships to three dynamic and deserving young ladies, (Ms. Adrienne Donaghue, Ms. Katie Lample and Ms. Elena Rohner) as well as recognized the Grant Awardee – Darby Creek Valley Association. Ms. Kristin Weiler, SWEP Touchstone Co-Chair, introduced the dynamic Keynote Speaker. Ms. Joanna Waldron, SWEP Executive Board Co-Chair, presented the honoree with the Touchstone Pin and explained the history and meaning behind the stone. Joanna also recognized the past Honorees that were in attendance- Ms. Betsy Schamberger – 2017, Ms. Beth Davidson-Hyde – 2015, Ms. Yolanda Pagano – 2013, and Ms. Marian Young - 2012. The evening wrapped up with Ms. Ann Smith, SWEP Touchtone Co-Chair, sharing closing remarks and inviting the attendees to stay for coffee & dessert and to continue networking. Keynote Speaker- Ms. Barbara Cohen was the evening's keynote speaker and shared a brief slide presentation and walk through of the history of the Foundry –from its active industrial days, through its closure and deterioration, to its revitalization and complete restoration. Following the history recap, Ms. Marian Young, President of Brightfields, Inc., had the pleasure of introducing the 2018 Award winner. The Honoree – SWEP of Greater Philadelphia was thrilled to bestow the annual Touchstone Award on the very-deserving Ms. Lynn Williams during the evening ceremony. Ms. Williams graciously accepted the award and talked about her commitment to the goal of environmental stewardship and her lengthy service in the field. She set an example for all in her graciousness and the stead-fast fire that aligns with her personal mission: “…to connect people with the natural world to improve our environment through education, advocacy and conservation.”   The evening was complimented with the fantastic Food, Drinks & Networking – enjoyed this year by more than 150 guests. And as was heard throughout the evening and in the days following, “…this one is going to be difficult to top!”   Thank you to all who attended for our sponsors who made the event possible.  See you for the next party in 2019!

STEM GOES RED

By 2018, eight million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs will be available in the United States, but most American students will be unprepared to fill these careers. Moreover, only 3 out of 100 female undergraduate students continue to work in STEM fields after graduating.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association is science-based organization and is the largest cardiovascular disease and stroke research funder after the federal government. We are conveners between academic institutions, industry, and healthcare systems, and we are committed to moving these fields forward.

THE STEM GOES RED EXPERIENCE

We are building a brighter future, stopping heart disease before it starts, and paving the way to healthier

communities. Innovation and big thinking takes young, emerging students committed to making change happen. Join us for an inspiring, day-long event to empower an extraordinary group of local young women to explore STEM outside the classroom. They will gain first-hand experience, connect with inspiring leaders, and will walk away knowing they can make an impact through a career in STEM.

Here's a link for more info: www.heart.org/STEMphilly

SWEP of Greater Philadelphia hosted a golf skills and introduction to business golf clinic on June 28, 2018 at Walnut Lane Golf Course in Philadelphia.  Over 45 individual and corporate members, as well as some guests attended.  Instruction included chipping, driving, and irons, as well as a brief introduction on the benefits of golf as a business meeting.  Sean Ketchum, Director of Golf, Rebecca Caimano, First Tee Philadelphia Program Director, and Jim McCormick, a PGA Professional Instructor led the class through three different skills stations.  

Afterwards the group enjoyed some refreshments, networking and some smiles (not to mention, the weather was perfect!).  SWEP hopes that this is the first of many outings in the near future and a stepping stone towards growing our scholarship fund even further.  Thank you to all who came out and thank you to Walunt Lane for hosting!  See you on the course next time!

The First Tee Program of Philadelphia will be hosting a fundraising event on August 1, 2018 at the Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania from 7am- 1pm.  The program will feature 9 holes of golf, lunch and a fashion show by participants in the First Tee organization and supports the girls group in the First Tee organization.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.  Contact Jennifer McAleese at First Tee for more information by email or 215-482-3370.

Golf Academy and Networking Event

The SWEP Program Committee is hard at work planning out the year and the technical, networking and social events calendar. Here is a preview of the programs in the planning stages:

February:

2/15 - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

2/21 - Joint Event w/ NJSWEP - Financial Planning

March:

3/7 - Philadelphia Water Summit

3/15 - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

April:

4/12 - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

4/18 - Joint NJSWEP/Philly SWEP Financial Planning Website

4/19  - Earth Day Volunteer Activities

May:

TBD - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

June:

TBD - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

6/18 - PA DEP Regulatory Update and SWEP BOD Annual Meeting

6/28 - Golf Networking Event

July:

TBD - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

August:

TBD - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

September:

TBD - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

TBD - Joint Event with NJSWEP - Philadelphia Union Game & Stadium Tour

October:

TBD - Networking Lunch & Business Card Exchange

TBD - Chemical Heritage Foundation Tour

November:

TBD - Touchstone Awards Gala

December:

TBD - Holiday Happy Hour Networking Event

Please contact the SWEP Program Committee if you or your company have an idea for a technical program that may be of interest to the SWEP community, or if you would like to join the committee to assist in planning these events. All volunteers welcome!

Are you a golfer? A business person? Someone who likes networking? Playing? Mingling? 

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, and YES!!

SWEP of Greater Philadelphia would like to consider coordinating a Golf Event for 2018. We have the bare-bones concept of an idea forming, but would like to gather SWEP members to join a committee to help with all the planning. 

We're going to start small, and target May 2018 for our first event -- something at a driving range or indoor golf simulator, with a golf pro or instructor available, and include an after-event networking gathering with light appetizers and drinks. If this event goes well, we'd REALLY like to start planning for a full-blown Golf Tournament in 2019. 

We would like to get 6-8 people on the event-planning committee, so NOW is your chance to become a bit more active with SWEP. If you are interested, reach out to: Board Member Beth Witouski by email or phone/610-858-1295. 

This week, the NJ Licensened Site Remediation Professionals Association (LSRPA) held their inaugural Environmental Remediation Conference and Trade Show in New Brunswick, NJ. Several SWEP Board of Directors Members were in attendance at this 2-day event, and took the opportunity to catch up and take a group photo.

Board Members pictured include (L2R):

• Nora Pearse - BSTI
• Ann Smith - Eurofins-QC
• Amy Corr - ESC Lab Sciences
• Eileen Snyder - Alpha Analytical
• Beth Witouski - Suburban Testing Labs
• Kristin Weiler - SGS Accutest