Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) has announce its 2025 Take the Lead Berks County honorees – four women leaders in Berks County who embody the Girl Scouts’ mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
This year’s honorees are leaders in both their industries and communities, serving as positive role models for Girl Scouts in the region through their careers and dedication to causes they support. The honorees will be recognized at a special, Girl Scout-led event at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
2025 Take the Lead Berks County Honorees
Christie Botterbusch, MS, OTR, Executive Director, New Journey Community Outreach: As a dedicated and compassionate leader within the nonprofit community, Christie is committed to promoting equitable care for individuals and families facing hunger and adversity in the region by overseeing initiatives that deliver essential services for at-risk populations. As Co-Founder of VOiCEup Berks and the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, Christie works to inspire meaningful transformation within the Reading community and beyond through her leadership, dedication, and vision.
Beth Garrigan, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Berks: As the Chief Executive Officer, Beth oversees the operations of Safe Berks to ensure the organization fulfills its mission of providing shelter and comprehensive 24/7/365 comprehensive life-saving services to victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Berks County region. Through her leadership, Safe Berks provides a safe haven for victims/survivors to heal and receive support. Beth also serves as a voting delegate of Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR).
Dr. Noahleen Betts Kebbay, Director of Podiatry, Berks Community Health Center: As a physician for over 20 years, Dr. Kebbay is a well-respected medical professional in the Berks County region through her involvement in several medical conferences across the country, including Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers, the United Nations General Assembly, and more. Noahleen is also an elected official for the Reading School Board of Directors and founder of both the Africa Lower Limb Institute and the Miss Teen Reading, PA Organization.
Regina M. Rinehimer, Partner/Wealth Manager, Kingsview Partners: Through Kingsview Partners, Regina provides comprehensive client-centric strategies and services including holistic financial planning, professional portfolio management, performance reporting, and more. As a champion for local causes in the Greater Reading area, she has a proven ability to help community organizations address financial needs and serves as a mentor to college students through her leadership and commitment to women’s professional development.
“Our 2025 Take the Lead Berks County honorees, through their dedication to service in their careers and their communities, truly exemplify the Girl Scout values that we live and breathe every day,” said Kim E. Fraites-Dow, Chief Executive Officer of GSEP. “We look forward to having them serve as role models for our Girl Scouts, who will learn firsthand from these women ways to live a life of purpose with courage, confidence, and character.”
Beyond serving as an opportunity to acknowledge women leaders in the region, Take the Lead is also a unique leadership opportunity for Girl Scouts.
As part of the Take the Lead program, high school-aged Girl Scouts are paired with each honoree to shadow them for a day at their professional work setting to gain impactful career and leadership insights, as well as receive guidance on building their own professional networks. The girls, who are selected through a competitive application and interview process, then creatively reflect on the experience and deliver presentations at the Take the Lead event. In addition, Girl Scouts will serve as presenters, emcees, event hosts, social media influencers, and chorus members – because GSEP’s signature fundraising event, Take the Lead, is truly an event for the girls, by the girls.
Take the Lead is co-chaired by Glynis Fitzgerald, Ph.D., President of Alvernia University and Virginia Rush, community and nonprofit advocate. Under Glynis’ leadership as Alvernia University’s first female president in over 30 years, Alvernia’s world-class faculty is delivering a distinctive, caring, student-centered liberal arts-based curriculum and innovative technical programs designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce. As a lifelong Berks County resident, Virginia is a dedicated community advocate known for her volunteerism and leadership as an active Reading Area Community College Foundation board member to support underserved communities.
“Each year, our Take the Lead Berks County event raises critical funds for Girl Scouting and we are appreciative of our event co-chairs and committee members who work tirelessly to sustain this program. Their efforts continue our mission and ensure every girl has access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience,” said Fraites-Dow.
This year, guests are welcomed to join Troop Take the Lead and engage in Girl Scout-led activities through a themed cocktail reception followed by an inspiring program celebrating outstanding leaders and girls who are making a difference in our community.
Guests will enjoy a reception featuring a menu of passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations followed by a seated program and paddle raise for campership support, helping to provide hundreds of Girl Scouts throughout Berks County the opportunity to experience all that camp has to offer with the help of financial aid.
For more information about Take the Lead sponsorships and tickets, visit www.gsep.org/takethelead or call 267-332-5483.