Founding members

     It all started with a  Facebook post.  When a fellow local mom posed a question about returning  to the workforce after staying at home with her children for a number  of years, Lori’s dream for enhanced networking  and mentoring opportunities in Adams County for current and aspiring  women professionals was re-ignited. A few phone calls, emails, and  lunch meetings later, an inspiring group of women with a shared vision  came together, and WE was born!

    Lori is an associate  professor of management for the Virtual Learning unit (online) and  Gettysburg Campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), teaching  courses in human relations in business, human resources  management, international business, and college success skills. Previously, Lori has held a variety of leadership and administrative  roles in both higher education and the private and public sectors in  central Pennsylvania and the greater Washington D.C. area.

    Lori earned a doctorate  degree in management with a specialty in community college policy and  administration from University of Maryland University College, a  master’s degree in business administration (with  distinction) from Mount St. Mary’s College (now University), and a  bachelor’s of art degree in both international studies and French (summa  cum laude), also from Mount St. Mary's. In her spare time, Lori enjoys  reading, acting, singing, and traveling. She  lives in Gettysburg, PA with her husband and young son.     

     Stacey Rice finds WE Women Empowered near and dear to her heart. She’s on a mission to help women feel empowered and supported.

     As she re-entered the workforce after staying home with her children, she found little support or encouragement in the area. So, she turned to Facebook where she connected with Lori Hockley. A short plea led to Lori’s helping hand. After reaching out to five fabulous ladies, a new tribe was born! WE is a tribe of support, connections, and mentors. Our members create inspiring activities and build each other up, constructing connections.

     Stacey is a teacher by trade and recently received her certification to teach English as a Second Language. She values diversity and inclusion, and wants to help children whose first language is not English to grow and thrive as they learn curriculum along with a new language. Her plans are on hold due to COVID, so right now she’s doing her best to help her children through hybrid learning.

     In addition to helping her children, she is working to develop programming and activities for WE. The former journalist also looks forward to sharpening her digital marketing skills.

     Stacey enjoys spending time with her family, and planning and blogging about her 2021 garden. She also tries hard to practice gratitude, and is considering blogging about it to help inspire others.

     Patricia Green Rodgers moved to Littlestown from the DC Metro Area in October 2017 when she married Bob Rodgers. Bob was fulfilling his late mother’s wish to restore the family’s 200 plus-year-old historic farm back to its original roots. His mother had desired to open the land, and its structures, up to visitors as a place of beauty and serenity.  Bob named the property Stone of Scone Farm in recognition of his Scottish roots.  Being an engineer, he depended on Patricia, who owns the Patricia Green Group, a PR firm, to build public awareness of Stone of Scone Farm as a community resource. That she has done while also serving on five nonprofit boards and having membership in several Adams County and Central Pennsylvania organizations.  

     Patricia embraces the power of connectivity and designs programs, particularly for women, that encourage knowledge-sharing. She is also a professional speaker with a global reach.  The recipient of national and international awards for services to women in business and for her PR acumen, Patricia calls Stone of Scone Farm her place of calm that allows creativity, in all that she does, to flourish.

     Passion, purpose, and true grit best define Kelly McKee. Being a single mother of two prepared Kelly for her career. Balancing multiple priorities, Kelly learned early the value of time management, striving for excellence, and being her children's role model for success. Her daughter, a government attorney, attributes who she became to Kelly. Kelly and Rick, her husband, enjoy weekend visits from her granddaughters.  

     Unlike most others, Kelly went straight from community college to an MBA program owed to her aptitude. This achievement, coupled with perseverance, led to Fortune 500 corporations tapping her for leadership positions, including managing profit goals. It is no surprise that Kelly was the first female to purchase an Allstate Insurance Agency in York County. She broke her own sales goals and her team modeled her commitment to customer care.  

     Yet, a giving philosophy is important to Kelly who serves on the YWCA Hanover board. Her story is inspirational and encouraging for women at the crossroads of their lives or in vulnerable positions. Their stories are reminders of the challenges she faced and how she overcame them. Kelly’s mantra: Never give up!

   Born and raised in Adams County, Kylee moved back to the area four years ago after living and working in Philadelphia for nearly 15 years. After graduating from Temple University, she spent years working for an NPR-affiliate radio station covering local, state, and national news. An avid sports enthusiast, she also had the opportunity to cover the Philadelphia 76ers, the Philadelphia Eagles Spring Training Camps, and numerous other Philadelphia sports teams and events. 

   With a background in communications and journalism -- and nearly 10 years of corporate business development experience, Kylee is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Celebrate Gettysburg magazine – which celebrates all the amazing things happening in our region. 

   She is passionate about growing and mentoring the next generation of women, coaching girls’ basketball and volleyball in Gettysburg. She hopes to inspire young girls to work hard, embrace adversity, believe in themselves, and find their voice.  

   Kylee is humbled by the opportunity to have met such amazing women living and working in and around Adams County. She believes that when women come together in confidence in pursuit of a collective goal, true magic can happen.    

     Kristine Witherow is a registered Fiduciary Financial Adviser with Harvest Investment Services and is located in Gettysburg, PA. She has  guided her clients for over 22 years in preparation for and through the maze of Social Security, Medicare, and generating a sustainable retirement income as they move into their retirement years.

     Prior  to joining Harvest she was in the top 5% of her previous company year after year by striving for excellence and always placing her clients' needs first. She thrives on the challenge each individual client brings to the table to come up with viable solutions to meet their unique  needs!     

     In  the office and out of the office, her goal is to live to her highest potential. She focuses a great deal of attention on her two talented and super fun daughters, who keep her busy. She challenges herself physically having run 5 marathons and 5 half-marathons.  

     She loves scrapbooking and self-development; and experiencing life is an adventure to  her! She has traveled all over the world. She loves to explore whether  she is exploring in her backyard or halfway around the globe.

     I recently started a new journey as the Director of Sales at Country Inn & Suites  Gettysburg. 

    Prior to joining Country Inn & Suites, I was the Market Leader of the BB&T Gettysburg office. There I enjoyed developing client and employee relationships. In my new role, I look forward  to maintaining them and developing new ones. I am extremely excited to help people in a new way,  I love the fact I can make a difference in someone's life!

     Much of my  career was spent working in banking in Carroll and Baltimore counties, and I came to  Gettysburg in 2012. I have always loved Gettysburg, having  spent many fun childhood weekends here.

     I am very honored to  be finishing my 6th and final year on the board of the Adams County United Way, and to have served on the board of Survivors Inc.

      It is also a great honor to be a charter member of  Women Empowered. I love the connection I have with other women. I  have had some amazing female mentors in my life, starting with my Mom,  of course. I look forward to supporting, learning  from, and serving women through Women Empowered. This is an exciting  time in all of our lives!

     When I am not working and volunteering, I enjoy family time with my son, Gage, who plays lacrosse for New Oxford High School.