The Halloran Fellowship was active locally this week, working to equip aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders in the Bradford area.
The Halloran family has been invested in the McKean County region since the late Harry Halloran Jr. purchased the Bradford refinery in 1997, launching American Refining Group Inc.
The program held a summit for area entrepreneurs at the Pennhills Club Thursday night. Attendees participated in small group leadership building activities and heard established business owners speak. People filed into the beautiful Pennhills Club dining room hoping to learn and connect with others.
“I’m here so that I can connect with other community members and potentially work together on collaborations in the future,” one attendee said.
The Halloran Fellowship is a 16-week fully funded program designed to provide fledgling business owners with the entrepreneurship training, mentorship and networks they need to advance their impact and transform their communities.
Northwest Industrial Resource Center Cultural and Development Manager Lisa Pustelak said the Halloran Fellowship aims for increased community engagement and mentorship of those who want to know more about available opportunities.
“The Hallorans believe that we wouldn’t be anywhere if we didn’t change things, learning is a constant and different doesn’t mean wrong,” she said.
Pustelak was the keynote speaker at the event, discussing ways to lead younger generations.
“Remember our experiences in the world are different,” Pustelak said. “We might have had to clean the house, chop wood or fix the lawn mower. Not everybody today has the opportunity to learn those things before they come into the workplace.”
Attendees enjoyed complimentary food and heard perspectives from current business owners. “What do we have for high schoolers? Do we have the mentorships for them to land those higher jobs that we all have now?” said Ashly Colosimo, owner of Cosmos’ Lounge (opening Dec. 31).
Leadership skills emphasized included helping leaders have conversations with their employees, showing respect and teaching from experience.
Other business owners who spoke were Brittany Holsinger of Kinzua Canine, Joy Jeffery of The Fathers Apothecary, and Megan Myers of Paratus Bookkeeping.
After hearing from the speakers, attendees were placed into random groups to discuss what they value in leadership. Popular values were transparency, communication and courage. Then they evaluated themselves on how strong they are in those areas.
On Friday the Halloran Fellowship also held an event at Bradford Area High School. Students received the same presentation, gaining valuable insight into what their journey may look like once they leave high school.
The Halloran Fellowship will hold another event Dec. 12 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
“We want to meet youth where they are,” Pustelak said. “We want to lead by example, and provide learning and development opportunities.”
