Six female business leaders share their stories at the Women Shaping Our Region event

They are the Rosie the Riveters of today — strong women who, like the cultural female icon with the red-and-white bandana and arm flexed, are symbols of strength and resilience.

Six women leaders in their fields took center stage at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh-Cranberry on Friday for the sixth annual Women Shaping Our Region event.

The afternoon was hosted by The Pittsburgh Business Exchange, a networking organization that connects decision-makers, executives and entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries.

“I am so awe inspired,” said moderator Lisa Sylvester, news anchor for WPXI-TV and former panelist, who brought her daughter. “It is a beautiful thing when women can come together to support each other, to uplift each other, to network with each other.”

Panelists Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania state treasurer; Kiya Tomlin, owner and designer of Kiya Tomlin; Kenya T. Boswell, president of the Highmark Foundation; Jennifer Bertetto, president and CEO of Trib Total Media; Victoria Kush, attorney and shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC; and Megan Coval, president at Butler County Community College shared their stories.

“This event is about strong partnerships,” said Ethan Nicholas, president of The Pittsburgh Business Exchange. “We had such powerful speakers and a team and sponsors that believes in the mission.”

Co-presenting sponsors were Armstrong and 1 Team Media. Trib Total Media was also a sponsor.

As 803 guests dined on chicken salad and the famous DoubleTree cookies, Garrity led the way talking about being the fiscal watchdog for $170 million. She also spent 30 years in the Army Reserve, including three deployments to the Middle East.

Tomlin’s clothing brand has a mission to help women feel comfortable, confident and beautiful.

Boswell said she is here to serve others by helping them have access to health care.

“Like all of you sitting out there today, we wear so many hats, and we work so hard to balance all of them, and I think so many of us do it beautifully,” Bertetto said.

Litigation attorney Kush said her message is “whether as a professional, as a nonprofit leader, as a parent, as a spouse, we all get further when we work together,” Kush said.

Coval said she is committed to providing quality, accessible education in challenging times for higher education. She had to close one of the campuses, which was extremely difficult. There is a level of distrust of higher education, she said.

They’ve learned to overcome challenges.

“My dad always told us, ‘Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t achieve your dream,’” Garrity said.

Tomlin, who taught herself to sew at age 10, realized she could transform women and see the change in their confidence when they would put on one of her designs.

The wife of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and the first Black woman to receive an NFL apparel license, she is donating 10% of proceeds to Cancer Bridges from sales of the “We Do Not Live in our Fears” Coach T sweatshirt. It’s to honor her late aunt, Geneva “Gene” Tucker, who died of breast cancer.

Tomlin is matching the donations and gave 200 infinity scarves away at the luncheon. She will be featured on an upcoming “Today” show segment.

“My advice to women is that even if the world may not make room for you, you do belong,” Tomlin said. “Raise your hand. Ask the question. Ask for help. State your voice. It is valuable.”

“The message to our younger generation is that I would not be seated in this chair today if I don’t prepare each and every day,” Kush said.

Garrity said she tries to commit to keeping traditions such as birthdays and major milestones. She was invited to speak last year’s but had to cancel because her father was in the hospital. Sometimes, she said, you have to say, “no.”

This event was important for women to connect, said Lauren Folino of Fox Chapel, who owns Crews Control LLC in O’Hara, and encouraged women to empower each other.

Seven Oakland Catholic High School students were invited by Business in Leaders Organized for Catholic Schools.

“For these girls to see such strong females in our community is vital, and our mission at O.C. is all about mentoring the next generation of leaders,” said school President Kelly Lazzara.

Kush invited her 94-year-old grandmother, Pauline Prohonic, who has always been one of Kush’s biggest cheerleaders.

“She is my pride and joy,” Prohonic said.

Kush recalled Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg words, “The mark of a true professional is somebody who reaches beyond themselves and works to repair the tears in their community.”

“We are professionals, but we have an obligation to use our talents to repair the tears in our community,” Kush said. “And lift people as we rise. “