Leadership, well-being, and personal and professional development were in the spotlight at the Soaring Together Women’s Summit, held March 28-29 at the Iacocca Conference Center on Lehigh’s Mountaintop Campus. More than 160 joined the conference, which invited all Lehigh alumni and parents to participate in a day of networking and workshop sessions geared to support women and strengthen the alumnae community.
The day began with a yoga session guided by Kyle Greenberg ’85, followed by breakfast and a Lehigh update from President Joseph J. Helble ’82, who thanked everyone for attending.
“At Lehigh, we’re creating an environment where every individual can bring their full selves to everything that they do, can be who they are, and can be welcome and supported,” he said. “Through events like this, Lehigh highlights and supports people who help remove barriers, who help empower others, and who help ensure everyone has a chance to reach their full potential. All of you here contribute to that mission and that vision.”
The centerpiece of the morning was a virtual keynote with Brooke Eby ’10, who was diagnosed at age 33 with ALS, a debilitating disease with no cure. Known for her humor and quick wit, Eby has more than 200,000 followers on Instagram (@limpbroozkit) and founded the advocacy group ALStogether, which has raised more than $1 million for ALS research.
In conversation with Carol Packard, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, Eby reflected on her Lehigh experiences, how she came to terms with her diagnosis, and how she stays positive and productive in the face of ALS.
“Someone told me — and when I say someone told me, what I mean is I saw a TikTok —” joked Eby, “that anxiety is just the fear that you won't be able to handle a future event. I think that's so true because with ALS, I never know what's going to change tomorrow. I could wake up and not have a voice, or I could wake up and my hand isn't working anymore … I just need to be confident that I'll make it through the next hard thing because I've done it so many times in the past. I think everyone's a lot more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. So it’s about just trusting yourself and trusting the people around you to pick you up when you need a boost.”
Eby said she leans on humor as her strength. “I love making people laugh … So I'm going to use what I'm good at and just apply it to this new challenge. Some people are really good at writing; some people are really good at advocacy. There are so many different paths you can take and just attach that strength to whatever challenge you're going through.”
Breakout sessions throughout the day ranged from the role of AI in career advancement and strategic ways to empower others to work-life integration and negotiation tactics. Attendees also heard from a panel of four Soaring Together Scholars, part of a cohort of students who receive full-tuition merit scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, and alumni mentorship through the special program.
The day ended with a networking reception, complimentary headshot photos for attendees, and a performance by Lehigh’s award-winning student a cappella group, Off the Record.
Catherine Bernard ’98 ’27P said that as a parent and alumna, she attended the conference as a way to stay involved and support Lehigh. “I think what impressed me most about the day was the panel with the Soaring Together Student Scholars. They are just really impressive young women, and they are already taking advantage of all of the different opportunities here at Lehigh and really making the most of their scholarship,” she commented.
Olga Cobilas ’25G lauded the breakout sessions. "I created a lot of connections with amazing women from different industries,” she said. “These people are coaches and teachers who can help us navigate through the landscape of any industry we want to pursue. Not just to find the proper job, but to understand the difficulties a woman goes through in a business environment and how to overcome them.”
Soaring Together began in 2020 as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of undergraduate co-education and has since become shorthand for university efforts to promote equity. Learn more about alumnae resources and opportunities to support Lehigh women and equity.
In This Image: Yoga session in the Iacocca Hall observation tower
In This Image: Alumnae making connections
In This Image: Breakout sessions focused on leadership, well-being, career advancement, and more.
In This Image: Enjoying a welcome dinner at the Hotel Bethlehem
In This Image: Brooke Eby ’10 shares her ALS journey in a virtual keynote
In This Image: Michelle Spada, left, with Soaring Together panelists
In This Image: Off the Record, Lehigh’s a capella group
