Six Shippensburg University alumnae were named Central Penn Business Journal’s 2020 Women of Influence: Meghan Clark ’12M, Nicole (Gentile) Deary ’02-’09M, Elizabeth “Betsy” (LaCoe) Hamm ’01-’05M, Robin Rohrbaugh ’88, Patricia “Patty” (Bonitz) Sibbach ’90, and Jessica (Conrey) Whitmyer ’03. The award ceremony was held virtually this June, and honored women business leaders for their contributions to their companies, industries and communities. Many of these amazing women credit Ship as the impetus for their success. Read more:
Meghan Clark ’12M
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, CFO & COO
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in in accounting from Susquehanna University, Megan obtained her master’s in business administration from Ship in 2012. She has been employed at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg since 2016 as CFO & COO. Clark has implemented Girl Scout and Girls in STEM programming, in addition to a new 2020 program which Clark said “provides a supportive environment for children with disabilities to explore their creative talents.” The students, she said, will “take to the stage to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical.”
Nicole (Gentile) Deary ’02-’09M
Leadership Cumberland, Executive Director
Dreary received her bachelors in communication journalism with a psychology minor from Shippensburg in 2002, and her masters degree in communication studies in 2009. Nicole married her fellow ShipMate, Mark Deary ’04. She is now the Executive Director at Leadership Cumberland, which “seeks to develop, promote, and inspire community-based leadership skills and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of Cumberland County.”
Deary indicated that her extra curricular activities as a student helped to shape her success today. “It’s an absolute honor to be considered a Woman of Influence and my time at SHIP definitely helped me achieve the career success I have today. The learning experiences I had outside of the classroom (internship, reporter for The Slate, Club President of PRSSA, etc.) are the ones that shaped me the most and gave me the courage and confidence I needed to pursue leadership opportunities in the roles I’ve had since college.
Elizabeth “Betsy” (LaCoe) Hamm ’01-’05M
Duck Donuts Franchising Co, Chief Operating Officer
Hamm was awarded her bachelors from Shippensburg in communication journalism in 2001, and her MBA in 2005. While at Shippensburg, she was part of the S.T.A.R.S Tour Guides and SUTV. Betsy also met and married her ShipMate, Matthew Hamm ’01. She is currently the COO at Duck Donuts Franchising.
Hamm reflected fondly on Ship, “My experience at Shippensburg University was invaluable and one that I will always cherish. From the professors and classes to the ability to gain experience in the field prior to graduation, Ship truly prepared me for success. Being a part of the Ship family creates an instant bond as I continue to cross paths with other alumni throughout my career.”
Robin Rohrbaugh ’88
Community Progress Council, President & CEO
Rohrbaugh obtained her bachelors in social work from Shippensburg in 1988, her MSW from the University of Maryland Baltimore 1991. Robin is the President & CEO of Community Progress Council, which “empowers individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency and advocates for change to promote community growth.”
Patricia “Patty” (Bonitz) Sibbach ’90
Precision Training Concepts LLC, Owner
Patty received her bachelors in communication journalism from Shippensburg in 1990. While at Shippensburg, she played women’s basketball on an athletic scholarship. Sibbach noted, “As a SHIP student-athlete, I learned the importance of balancing all aspects of education, and my SHIP experience was the perfect foundation for remaining strong in body, spirit and mind in business and in life!”
Patty now owns Precision Training Concepts, LLC, fitness center, with her ShipMate, Bryan Sibbach ’90 in Harrisburg and Enola.
Jessica (Conrey) Whitmyer ’03
Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Vice President Finance/Controller
Whitmyer was awarded her bachelors in accounting and a minor in economics from Shippensburg in 2003. While at Shippensburg, Whitmyer was a member of the women’s tennis team. She currently serves as the vice president of finance at Members 1st Federal Credit Union. Jessica and her ShipMate Thomas ’03 live in Palmyra.
Whitmyer mused that her experience at Ship allowed her to build relationships with other like-minded people. “I am so proud to be honored with the amazing group of women included in the Central Penn Business Journals 2020 Women of Influence. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this community, and to work with others to help continue to make it a better place to live and work. My SHIP education paved a path that helped me enhance relationships with others that also desire to improve this community, and I look forward to building new relationships as a result of the Women of Influence designation.”
