Grit & Gravitas

In this episode of Grit & Gravitas, Anne and Anne sit down with Kait Gillis, Owner of Nour Coffee, and Sara Firestone, VP, Community and Public Relations, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, for a conversation that blends business with deep purpose.

 

Inspired by her daughter, Nour, who has Down syndrome, and driven by the reality that over 70% of people with disabilities are unemployed, Kait built a workplace where individuals with neurodiversity and typically developing peers work side-by-side, serve the community, and find belonging. 

 

“I couldn’t change who Nour is because Nour is a perfect, beautiful angel, but I could try to fix the world for her a little bit,” Kait shares. With a strong financial relationship and support from Members 1st, Nour Coffee has become a true third space, sourcing from local, small businesses and now Kait has launched a nonprofit, Nouri’s Place, to foster social connection and family resources.

 

The conversation covers growth and grit beginning with Kait's path from Wall Street to workforce inclusion, to business vitamins about staffing and product standards that match the mission. You’ll also hear about recognition from PA Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro, and Kait's invitation to join PA's Workforce Development Board. As Members 1st proudly watches Nour flourish, Sara says, “I have the good fortune of seeing the good that’s happening in our community every day.”

 

“I think as more folks are exposed to the benefits of employing somebody with a disability, the timeliness, the desire to work, the never calling off, never showing up late—it’s really beautiful,” says Kait. 

Ellen Kyzer, VP, Client & Community Relations Director, PNC Bank, shares her non-traditional journey from a nonprofit career to banking in today's Grit & Gravitas podcast. "True growth comes from being uncomfortable; from pushing that boundary," says Anne Carnthan, co-host. And it's hard to go there willingly. "Let's not focus on the successes; growth happens in the failures," says Anne Deeter Gallaher, citing Jon Taffer's story at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber VIBE event. Ellen loves helping the institution come to life by investing in people. "I was mid-career, and in my heart, I believed that if I did this job well, I would be able to do more good by supporting this work in the community," says Ellen. Tune in for some big career business vitamins: say yes to hard things; learn about finances and bonds; sometimes you have to dig in and grit it out!

We're kicking off Season 5 with one of Anne and Anne's most important podcast topics—women and money! Grit & Gravitas is live in the Members 1st podcast studio welcoming Jacinda Webber and Kim Houck, Wealth Advisors, Members 1st Investment Services and Wealth Management. Women are expected to receive 70% of the estimated $124 trillion in the next 25 years—the largest transfer of wealth in history. Jacinda and Kim educate us on how to have a conversation about investing, how to feel comfortable talking about money, the importance of starting now, and why it's never too late to take control of your financial future. This season premiere is jam-packed with business vitamins so listen now! 

Cohosts Anne Carnathan and Anne Deeter Gallaher are fangirling big time over our Season 4 finale guest: Mariah Grumet Humbert, founder of Old Soul Etiquette! From the fashion industry to certified etiquette trainer, Mariah is redefining the idea of etiquette for our world today. 

We may think of etiquette as table manners and wedding RSVPs, but it’s more than that. “Etiquette is about making people feel valued in your presence,” says Mariah. “Instead of rules, it’s tools. Tools for asserting your best self and conveying respect. How can I be the walking movie trailer for someone to say ‘I want to watch that movie?’ How can I make the intentional decision right now to convey that I care about your time?”

Featuring business vitamins galore, this episode is one you’ll want to listen to on repeat all summer long!

It’s with great excitement that we share our penultimate podcast of Season 4 featuring special guest Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, Ed.D., President of Central Penn College. Linda talks with Anne & Anne about her communications background in cable news and radio; teaching at a community college where she was invited to write the curriculum for the media program; and the most important college courses you can take.

From high school students to early careerists to the working mother who’s thinking about going back to school, this episode is the inspiration you need to take your next step.

“Women stop themselves,” says Linda. “Whether it’s imposter syndrome or a fear that we don’t know everything, we’re our own greatest barrier to entry.”

DYK? Founded in 1881, CPC began as a business school and business remains the 144-year-old college’s top program, but more students are enrolling in health profession curriculums, including surgical tech, medical assistance, and medical billing and coding. Sixty-eight percent of CPC students are women.

Did you know? 1 small business opens every 4 minutes in the US!

May is National Small Business Month, and in this episode of G&G we’re celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit! Meet our guests: Jacquie Ferentinos, co-owner of the locally owned and operated Bagel Boutique, and Brenna Anderson, VP of Relationship Management for Members 1st Federal Credit Union. In part 3 of our Limited Edition Members 1st series, Jacquie and Brenna sit down with co-hosts Anne and Anne to tell the story of entrepreneurial success and a growing bagel empire—including an incredible financial partner. “We are your people,” says Brenna. “Believe in yourself, take the risk, and we will help you every step of the way.” Other key ingredients? Hard work, relationships, and passion for what you do. “We’re sharing stories one bagel at a time,” says Jacquie. Her advice for entrepreneurs: “Do it scared, do it messy, but do it.” Jacquie and Brenna, welcome to the G&G tribe!

Our G&G co-hosts are excited to welcome Megan Simpson, co-founder of Two Sparks Media along with Kelly Parker, who graced the podcast in 2023.

A resident of North Carolina, Megan grew up in New Jersey as the youngest of four powerhouse women, and she’s been in the people business ever since. From the fitness industry to the franchise world, Megan’s gift is making connections and creating collaborations.

Megan’s Villanova University marketing professor sparked her passion for marketing. “She’s a powerhouse of a woman who had clarity and confidence and I wanted to be just like her,” Megan says. Megan enjoys returning to her alma mater to mentor today’s students on how to build tomorrow’s network. “It’s never too early to get on LinkedIn to let us know about you and start connecting,” Megan advises. This episode is packed with energetic, people-focused business vitamins perfect for young careerists and college students, and parents of high schoolers.

It’s a milestone day here at Grit & Gravitas as Anne & Anne welcome their first male guest on the podcast in four years—Mike Wilson, President & CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

“Members 1st comes from humble beginnings,” Mike says. “Seventy-five years ago, 9 people put money into a pot to lend each other money to buy appliances during the war, and that’s how Members 1st got started.” By harnessing what Mike calls the Culture of We, this community-favorite credit union is 600,000 members strong and has $8 billion in assets. 

As an Army Brat, Mike learned from an early age the value of building relationships. “I speak to every single person the first day they start at Members 1st,” he says. Come along with us for an action-packed 30 minutes on leadership, communication, and inspiration. “Always talk to strangers,” Mike advises. “If I ever wrote a book, that would be the title.”

Welcome to the G&G Tribe, Mike!

Join us for an inspiring, can-do conversation with Kelly Palmer, Regional Affairs Director for PPL Electric Utilities. Passionate about the built environment, meeting new people, and increasing opportunities for women and girls through her service on the Cumberland County Commission for Women by working to solve issues like the child care crisis, Kelly believes that planning is a system for the future. “Roads, bridges, wastewater—they’re all mechanisms to connect with one another,” she says. Kelly applies this not only to infrastructure planning, but to community service. Start small, she encourages. You can make a difference by just going to a meeting. The business vitamins Kelly and our co-hosts share this episode will not soon be forgotten. “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes,” Kelly says.

Team G&G is thrilled to present our inaugural Limited Edition Series with Members 1st Federal Credit Union in celebration of their 75th anniversary! In this episode, we have two powerhouse women to highlight Women's History Month: Karen Roland, Chief Marketing Officer, and Christine Pavlakovich, Chief Administrative Officer. From cultivating a powerful culture of servant leadership to exploring how empathy is key to being a leader, Karen and Christine reveal inspiring stories and #businessvitamins to uplift all our listeners. "We're the average of the five business partners we surround ourselves with," say co-hosts Anne Deeter Gallaher and Anne Carnathan. "What a privilege to have Members 1st in our G&G tribe."