ZED Talks

Mary Lenzini Howe is Bloomsburg University's Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) Program director since 2013. Ms. Howe earned an MS in Human Resource Management from Villanova University and BFA in Theater from NYU. She is also credentialed as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, SHRM-Certified Senior Professional, and Job and Career Development/Transition Coach. Her career has traversed several business industries including Bloomsburg Health System’s VP HR & marketing; Town of Bloomsburg’s mayor & council member; proprietor of La Groceria Italian Deli; and, professional vocalist. She currently serves as a board member for the Susquehanna Human Resource Management Association, the Columbia Montour Area Agency on Aging, the BU Nursing Advisory Council and the United Recovery Coalition. She is fondly referred to as the ZIPD Lady by her students, Nonnie by her six grandchildren and sweetheart by her husband Michael. Her daily goal is living life to its fullest.

John Braganini, President of St. Julian Winery & Distillery, has piloted Michigan’s oldest and largest winery since 2016. John is the fifth family member to lead the company, dating back to 1921.John also founded the Great Lakes Companies in 1986 and guided that firm until 2018, when it was acquired by iA Insurance, a Canadian financial services conglomerate. In addition to his role at St. Julian, John and his wife, Sarah, own and operate Mt. Road Vineyard, the winery’s estate plot, featuring 7 different varieties of vinifera. Braganini has a B.S from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwood University in Midland, MI. Braganini is joined by his two sons, Dario and Apollo II, in their collective effort to innovate and lead the Michigan wine industry.

Gwen is a passionate and innovative sales and marketing executive with over 15 years of experience in a variety of industries. A change-maker by nature, she sees challenges as an opportunity to create experiences. She started her career in sports and entertainment, supporting high profile brands. She went on to become an accomplished regional sales manager and top performer at Clean Earth Systems, founded by BU alumni, Steph Pettit. In 2014, she was a founding team member at FullFunnel, a sales and marketing outsourcing and advisory services firm. Here she became a partner, oversaw 150+ clients’ sales and marketing programs and currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer. She returns to BU and speaks with students as a liaison between academia and “the real world”. With a deep desire to give back and provide opportunities for others, Gwen supports the non-profit organization, Flying Kites, which provides students in Kenya with a pathway out of poverty through education.

Scott Hendershott graduate from Bloomsburg in 2015 with degrees in Finance and Business Economics. Upon graduation, Scott worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc where he held several roles within their Investment Operation division. His most recent role there was assigned to Vanguard’s Quantitative Equity Group where he assisted Portfolio Managers and Traders with trade execution, liquidity management, and other portfolio management functions. Scott left Vanguard in March 2020 and joined Sageworth Trust Company as an Investment Officer. At Sageworth, Scott is responsible for administering high net worth client’s investment accounts which includes trading, rebalancing and cash and liquidity management. While at Bloomsburg, Scott helped to establish the Bloomsburg Investment Group and help other various leadership roles. In his free time, Scott enjoys running, biking, hiking, fishing, and watching soccer.

Marie Conley is a consultant focusing on engagement strategies, leadership development, event planning, and strategic communication counsel for a variety of clients through her company Conley Consulting, LLC. Marie never takes any professional or personal task at face value. She is always looking for ways to improve outcomes and calls upon herself and those around her to do the right thing for the right reasons. Building and maintaining relationships are at her core and believes that when you bring the right people together for the right reason's success is an inevitable outcome. Marie does big things by making the little things count. Her engagement strategies have strengthened reputations, boards, volunteer committees, and donor bases. Her events create a ripple effect to produce long-term loyalties and support. In 2012, Marie was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease – a disease so rare it affects less than ten people per million and founded The Conley Cushing's Disease Fund.

Frank Joined Neuberger Berman as a Senior Vice President/Client Advisor covering South Texas in June of 2019. He is responsible for conveying the firms outlook on the markets and the economy to the top Financial Advisor in his territory. Frank also educates Financial Advisors on Neuberger Berman investment solutions including Mutual Funds, Separately Managed Accounts and Private Equity. Prior to joining Neuberger Berman, he was a Vice President at OppenheimerFunds and JPMorgan. Frank graduated from Bloomsburg University in May of 1998 with a degree in Finance. He currently resides in Houston Texas with his wife Tara (Bloomsburg class of '99) and their five children.