Reading, Pa. – Berks Women2Women, a special program of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), is proud to announce the 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award and EmpowHER Award winners.
The ATHENA Leadership Award celebrates the exemplary leadership of a woman leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their profession, provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community and actively assists women in achieving their full leadership potential.
Trish Shermot, Director Government Affairs/Regional Urban Development at Visions Federal Credit Union, is the 2026 ATHENA recipient. Her professional excellence has been nationally recognized, earning multiple CUNA Dora Maxwell and Louise Herring Awards for her dedication to social responsibility and ethical leadership.
Currently, Shermot serves on the Berks County Workforce Development Board, Albright College Board of Trustees, BCTV Board of Directors, America’s Credit Unions Advocacy Advisory Committee, Defense Credit Unions Council, NYCUA Government Affairs Committee, Global Women’s Leadership Network – PA Sister Society, GRCA Advocacy & Women2Women Committees, and Visions CEO Advisory Board. Through these roles, she has consistently championed financial inclusion, workforce readiness, and civic engagement.
“Realizing that in a very busy life, often quietly behind the scenes, what we do matters. Not a single achievement, but showing up, lifting others and choosing community over convenience. That tap on the shoulder that says, ‘Keep going. What you are doing matters. This work is changing lives,’” said Shermot.
The EmpowHER Award celebrates the next generation of women leaders in Berks County, recognizing a young woman who exemplifies the values of Women2Women: leadership, empowerment, community impact and the pursuit of excellence.
Nehal Trivedi, Wyomissing Area High School student, is this year’s EmpowHER award winner.
Trivedi is not only ranked first in her class, but also serves as Varsity Tennis Team Captain, Student Council President and Treasurer and founder of the Travel Debate Team. Nehal earned first place nationally in the United States Forensics Olympiad for Public Forum Debate. She represented Team USA where she placed 4th overall internationally.
Through more than 200 hours of service with Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, Nehal has worked across a wide range of community issues, including food insecurity, homelessness, environmental sustainability, elder care and social justice. As a leader in our YVC Youth Mental Health Ambassadors Initiative, Nehal spoke to more than 500 students at the Aevidum Suicide Awareness Conference and helped organize a countywide youth mental health day attended by students from over 10 school districts.
“This award means more to me than words can say. It reflects not just my own work, but the incredible women who have supported, mentored, and inspired me along the way. I hope to pay that forward by mentoring and advocating for young women across the globe. Thank you, Women2Women, for reminding us that true empowerment is something we build together,” Trivedi said.
Christi Terefenko, Co-Founder of VOiCEup Berks, nominated Trivedi for the award.
“Nehal represents the very best of the next generation of women leaders, and her leadership reflects the values we strive to cultivate through VOiCEup Berks. She is compassionate, courageous and unwavering in her commitment to lifting others as she rises. Her ability to elevate unheard voices, lead with empathy and turn passion into meaningful, community-driven action is truly extraordinary,” said Terefenko. “Nehal embodies everything the EmpowHER Award stands for, and we are incredibly proud of her and excited to see the impact she will continue to make in Berks County and beyond.”
Both awards will be handed out during W2W’s Conference & Expo on Wednesday, March 4 at The Plex at Alvernia University. To register for the event, please visit greaterreading.org/w2w-conference-expo.