In 2008, Gannon University's Small Business Development Center founded the WILD Conference to emphasize the concept of women helping women through knowledge, energy and passion. Fourteen years later, it has become a signature event in the Erie region for women entrepreneurs, merging leaders, and executive leaders!
Legacy Award Ceremony
Legacy Award
The award is annually given to an experienced, professional woman leader who mentors other women, supports her community and excels in her career. The winner is a trailblazer who has carved her own path to success and has supported other women along the way. She must demonstrate high standards in all that she does and serves as an example to others professionally and personally.
2020/2021 Legacy Award Recipient
Kathryn Lima
Although trained as a teacher, Kathy left the classroom after six years and since has worked in all aspects of marketing, sales, media and fund raising for both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in five different communities in four states. After years as a provider of business development and fundraising services, consulting, training, and workshops in marketing and fundraising, today she travels the world.
For nearly 14 years, Kathy owned Faro Enterprises providing marketing, public/media relations, fundraising consulting, training, and services, meeting facilitation and communications services. Throughout her successful entrepreneurial career, she was and continues to be a fierce advocate for the causes of women’s equality. Kathy was recognized as one of PA's Best 50 Women in Business in 2006 and received the Lawrence Mercer County ATHENA International ATHENA Leadership Award in 2014. She also received the Margaret Cunningham Foley Memorial Teaching Award at Penn State Shenango in 2009. Kathy has served as a board member for ATHENA International and has participated in numerous women leadership initiatives and programs.