Danielle Campbell
Senior Development Specialist, Event Planning, Geisinger Health Foundation
Aspire to Inspire
Aha Moment: I always loved planning events. Previously, I was a corporate planner for corporate meetings. Although I absolutely loved planning events and traveling I wanted my passion for event planning to connect with a larger purpose. When I received a job as an event planner for the Geisinger Health Foundation, one event we had was dressing up as Frozen characters and going around our children’s hospital around the holidays.To see these children excited to see Olaf and Anna, I saw how raising funds from a Gala, Golf Tournament and other events can have a huge impact and provide better services to the communities and patients we serve. This was the moment I realized event planning can change the world for the better.
What One Thing Made All the Difference? Learn from those that have been there and don’t be scared to make a mistake. I have been blessed with powerful female mentors in each position I have been in. I have learned so much about the industry just from learning from their approaches to events. I try to take something from each one of them. I have also been blessed with mentors who allow me to grow and make mistakes. Sometimes things work better than expected, sometimes they don’t. I have been fortunate enough to have leaders that have allowed me that creative freedom.
Advice for My Younger Self: No one is perfect. Sometimes the best experience is learning from things that don’t go as planned.
Next Goal: Long term goal would be to get my CMP certification. This year’s goals are to raise the most amount of money for our campaigns for our Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, Henry Cancer Center and Scholarships for the School of Medicine.
https://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine_article/2023-smart-women-in-meetings-visionary
Jill Franklin, M.Ed
Development Specialist, Event Planning, Geisinger Health Foundation
Purpose, Forward, Discipline
Aha Moment: While being a highly involved sorority woman pursuing a degree in hospitality management from IUP, I interned with the Office of University Events that coordinated events involving the university president. I realized the possibility of working in higher education involving the extracurriculars that I loved, such as being a sorority woman, while coordinating events. My two passions collided and led to a seven-year career working in student activities coordinating programs, retreats and large university events. I’m now back in touch with the philanthropic interest that initiated my desire to join a sorority 12 years ago – planning philanthropic events and impacting my community.
What One Thing Made All the Difference? Throughout my career I embraced opportunities ahead of me and identified opportunities that weren’t explicitly presented. None of which I felt even 55% comfortable or confident in doing. I took the chance to advocate to take on (and be paid for when applicable) these opportunities to grow my skill set, learn new perspectives and collaborate with new people. These opportunities introduced me to a community of strong, capable and affirming women surrounding me. The women that inspire me to keep moving forward, continuing the path that they’ve started, and now supporting others while they take on their own opportunities.
Advice to My Younger Self: Do not allow anyone to silence you because what you have to say is important! Slow down. Be mindful and thankful of the things happening and people that surround you. Whether it be crisp air or a group of friends laughing, enjoy them! It is easier to do something that you don’t want to do now than procrastinating and having to do it anyway. Work hard when you want and need to work hard. Take a break, go for a walk, or take an exercise class when you need to reset. Then get back to it.
Next Goal: Personally, I am trying to redefine movement and wellness for me. Intentionally focusing on incorporating movement and activities throughout my day and week so my mind, body, and spirit feel better knowing I’m taking care of all aspects of myself.
Professionally, I am dedicating time to my development of knowledge and skills of working in a healthcare foundation with a focus in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Being within the first year of position, I continue to learn the healthcare industry, fundraising, and how I can positively impact our goals to positively impact my community’s access to leading healthcare.
https://www.smartmeetings.com/magazine_article/2023-smart-women-in-meetings-rising-star
