Communicate to Influence - Lead with Presence and Purpose

Cost: POWER Members: $50 | Non-Members: $65

Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop designed for professionals and leaders who want to strengthen their ability to influence through communication. We’ll explore what makes someone influential, practice a proven storytelling tool, and reflect on how our presence—verbal and non-verbal—impacts our credibility and leadership. Through discussion, reflection, and skill-building exercises, you’ll leave with practical strategies to communicate with greater influence and impact.

Whether you're leading a team, pitching an idea, or navigating a tough conversation, your ability to influence starts with how you show up and what you say. This session will help you win people to your way of thinking—by being genuinely yourself, speaking with clarity, and connecting with purpose.

Objectives:

Meet Your Speakers:

Katie Iorio - Franchise President

Katie brings over 30 years of experience working with organizations to engage and develop their people, meet business demands, and align culture with strategic goals.  As President of the Dale Carnegie Franchise in the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware and New Jersey, Katie leads a team of consultants and trainers focused on partnering with clients to achieve their organizational objectives.  In addition to leading the strategy and ensuring quality for her company, Katie supports team members in developing local and global strategic partnerships with clients. She works closely with clients to collaborate on talent management initiatives such as, enhancing/supporting culture, developing leadership competence, and bringing out the abilities of all team members.

As the only global training company with ISO 9001:2015 certification, Dale Carnegie is a smart choice as a partner in creating consistency in training and talent management offerings for regional, national and global organizations.

Katie’s company is one of the largest Dale Carnegie Franchises in the world, and has repeatedly been recognized as a member of the Millennium Club, which represents the top performing global franchises.  Her franchise is a certified Woman Owned business by Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Katie was recognized in December 2024 with the ‘One Carnegie Award’ by her peers at the International Dale Carnegie Convention.

Katie is the Past President of the International Dale Carnegie Franchise Association, the current Chair of the Board for The POWER of Professional Women of Philadelphia Board of Directors, and an active member of several Advisory Councils. 

Katie lives in Halerysville PA.  She enjoys gardening, genealogy, and being involved with her son’s activities.

Ellen M. Valudes - Franchise Vice President

Ellen brings 24 years of experience working with organizations to engage and develop their people, meet business demands, and align culture with strategic business goals. As Vice President of the Dale Carnegie Franchise in the Philadelphia region, she is focused on providing strategic learning and development solutions to her clients. She’s known for her ability to partner with all levels of leadership to support business initiatives such as improving workforce engagement strengthening culture, developing leadership, leveraging talent to foster innovation and improve business outcomes.

Ellen has consistently been recognized for her contributions to the global Dale Carnegie network. As a multi-course certified Dale Carnegie Senior Trainer and Coach, her expertise is in communication & relationship skills, personal leadership, diversity & inclusion and public speaking. Throughout her career, she has worked with professionals that represent regional and global companies from sectors including Financial Services, Environmental Services, Healthcare, Engineering, Transportation & Logistics, Construction, Retail, Legal, Higher Education, Non-Profit and Public Works.

Ellen supports her business and civic community through involvement with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and her leadership roles with The POWER of Professional Women . She is a member of the President’s Council for Cranaleith Spiritual Center where she provides insight and support for programming and organizational priorities. She is frequently invited as a guest speaker and presenter for a diversity of organizations including the International Dale Carnegie Convention, POWER events, local affinity groups and professional associations.

Ellen lives in the Wissahickon neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. She enjoys gardening, painting, woods hikes with her dog and DIY projects yoga in her spare time. Education: Ellen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA; she is a certified multi-course Dale Carnegie Trainer and has completed her formal Coaching Certification with Dale Carnegie.

The POWER of Partnership: Supporting Susan G. Komen

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, POWER has partnered with the Susan G. Komen organization!

Ending breast cancer forever is at the heart of Komen's mission, and that's why we've come together as a POWERhouse of women determined to make a difference. Together, we're raising funds so that no one has to face breast cancer alone.

Susan G. Komen is the only breast cancer organization taking a truly comprehensive approach—funding groundbreaking research, advocating for compassionate public policies, providing access to quality care and financial assistance, and supporting patients every step of the way. It takes compassion, research, advocacy, and care. Most of all, it takes all of us. That's the POWER of coming together.

Please consider making a donation today by clicking here or scanning the QR code below. Every dollar fuels hope, support, and progress toward ending breast cancer forever.