This year, Moravian will be hosting its second annual Founders Week, concluding with the Founder’s Forum event on March 29. Held during Women’s History Month, the week connects all generations of Moravian women and celebrates the institution’s female-founded roots.
Throughout the week, the Development & Alumni Engagement Office will be running a social media campaign to engage the entire Lehigh Valley community.
On Friday, March 28, First Lady Lea Grigsby will host a morning tea for Golden Greyhound Alumni, those who graduated 50 or more years ago, Zinzendorf Family Fellows, and the Anna Nitschmann Society. This event is invitation only and will be held in Peter Hall on South campus.
The Anna Nitschmann Society, established in 2021 and founded by Lea Grigsby, will also be invited to a dinner and reception with her and President Bryon Grigsby. The event will be hosted in Payne Gallery on South campus.
On Saturday, March 29, the Founders Forum will be held. This year, the Forum’s theme is centered around emotional and professional wellness. The event begins with breakfast, followed by a keynote address from Sarabeth Brockley ‘10.
Brockley is a carbon market and sustainability investment leader with experience at Nasdaq and the United Nations, where she helps businesses adopt responsible environmental practices. She advises companies focused on environmentalism, supports green investments, and speaks on carbon markets and climate neutrality.
The keynote address will be moderated by Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Natasha Woods.
Afterwards, attendees can attend two of four different breakout sessions, with lunch in between, before the ending celebration in the Sally Atrium.
One session is entitled: Tell Me Why Not with Rebecca Decker Francis ’90.
Francis is a broker associate for the Rebecca Francis Team, specializing in the Lehigh Valley’s luxury real estate market. Her session focuses on shifting your mindset from “why?” to “why not?” when navigating challenges and approaching new opportunities. She will share strategies for growth, risk-taking, and success both professionally and personally.
Your DiSC Style & Achieving More Calm with Deborah Fosburg Tomkins ’86 will use the Everything DiSC® model to help attendees gain a better work-life balance. Tomkins is the owner of Possibilities and Solutions, LLC, where she supports teams and helps coaches improve collaboration and teamwork strategies.
Grate Connections: Cultivating a Cheddar Network for Success with Abigail G. Hudock ’19, founder of The Aging Moon, will detail Hudock’s journey to becoming a business owner.
Fuel Her Fire: Wellness and Nutrition Unlocked with Susan Hurd, Moravian’s registered dietitian, will focus on women’s nutritional health through all stages of life. Hurd will explain research on women’s nutritional needs and practical strategies for sustained long-term health.
Founders Week was first inspired by a female networking event hosted at Lehigh University. The Development Office worked to pivot that concept to be “uniquely Moravian” and fit the needs of current Moravian students.
“We wanted to do something that was bringing in specific types of speakers talking about topics that are relevant to Moravian students and alumni, including some seminary pieces,” said Marissa Zondag, leadership gift officer and director.
Students who attend the event can gain Suitable points towards their leadership and communications badges as part of the ELEVATE program.
“Moravian was founded by two young women, so I think it is important to recognize that young women have voices and have power,” Zondag said. “I also think women love to come together and accomplish a common goal. We are wonderful as a group.”
