February 2026 Luncheon – Marlena Schugt

Join us for our February Luncheon to connect with fellow local women and showcase your business. Whether you are a guest or a member, all are welcome to join us in the TERRACE ROOM at Wisehaven Events Center, 2985 E Prospect Rd, York, PA 17402. Parking is available to the left of the building.

This month’s speaker is Marlena Schugt, Program Manager for BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, an initiative of the York County Economic Alliance.

Marlena will be speaking about the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, and its focus on small business & workforce development. She will talk about their programs, including small business classes, small business grants & financing, networking opportunities, industry training programs, and hiring fairs.

As the Program Manager at the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, an initiative of the York County Economic Alliance, Marlena supports BLOOM’s strategic mission to encourage the launch and growth of small businesses by offering a suite of services focused on capital, education, and opportunity. The BLOOM Business Empowerment Center provides resources countywide, with an intentional focus to help small businesses owned by women and persons of color. She enjoys connecting with the community, especially with entrepreneurs, to hear how they bring their business plan to life with the support of BLOOM, and with students as they explore the variety of unique career paths South Central PA has to offer.

Marlena began at the YCEA just before the pandemic in 2020 and applied what she learned from supporting the several COVID-19 small business relief grant programs, which awarded nearly $30 million to small businesses in York County, to the launch of the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center in 2022. Since then, BLOOM has grown to become a team of three led by Sully Pinos and joined by Marlena and colleague Lissuannette Rivera Mercado. Marlena oversees BLOOM’s Small Business Education programming, which has welcomed over 700 entrepreneurs to its sessions, and Grant Programs, which have awarded over $660,000 to nearly 300 small businesses.

Because of her experience as an intern at the YCEA while studying at York College of PA, Marlena also coordinates the YCEA’s internship program to connect students from all fields of study to explore community & economic development with hands-on projects, events, and opportunities to further develop skills.

Marlena continued her education by completing Leadership York’s Leadership Training Program, the Grant Writing Certificate Program at Temple University, the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association Basic Economic Development Course in PA, and by representing York County in the Federal Reserve’s Reinventing Our Communities Cohort program as well as the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive’s Equitable Credential Attainment Cohort Program.

She currently serves on the Board, Executive Committee, and the Fund Development Committee for the York Literacy Institute and has been engaged in committees for the York County Reentry Coalition, York County Alliance for Learning, Edgar Fahs Smith STEAM Academy Business Advisory Council, and the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association.

You don’t want to miss this month’s luncheon! Come prepared with business cards and ready to share a 30-second commercial to promote your business.

*Registration opens on Thursday, January 22nd and closes on Monday, February 9th at 11:59 pm.

Member Registrations are $25 | Guest Registrations are $30
Registration cost includes buffet lunch and dessert, plus the opportunity to promote your business through a 30-second commercial. Please indicate if you or your guest has any dietary restrictions or specific accommodations.

We’re excited to have Jess Delp as the Sponsor for the February Meeting! Jess runs STROLL Wyndham Hills, a private neighborhood publication created exclusively for the families of Wyndham Hills. Through this platform, she helps local businesses build meaningful connections with residents by offering unique opportunities such as print advertising, digital exposure, and in-person community events. Jess looks forward to sharing more about how STROLL supports both local families and local businesses!

Register for our February 2026 Luncheon Has Closed

Please contact us at womensnetworkofyork@gmail.com if you have questions. Thank you!

We look forward to seeing you at this month’s meeting!