Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) will recognize 2026 “Take the Lead Lehigh Valley” recipients April 23 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Allentown Lehigh Valley.

The four female leaders exemplify the Girl Scouts’ mission “of building girls of courage, confidence and character, and who make the world a better place,” according to a press release from the GSEP.

The 2026 “Take the Lead Lehigh Valley” honorees are:

• Jennifer Alpha, Board President and Program Director, Lehigh Valley Girls Rock, an organization that offers empowerment opportunities for cisgender girls and women + transgender and nonbinary individuals through music and art. Jennifer is a community development and affordable housing consultant.

• Kelly A. Chando, CFRE, Director of Development, St. Luke’s University Health Network. Chando leads philanthropic strategy and major-gift fundraising. She is on the Board of the American Heart Association and a member of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Tocqueville Society. A survivor of postpartum preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, Chando raises awareness to empower women through advocacy and education in healthcare.

• Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade, President, Cedar Crest College. As the 14th president of Cedar Crest College, Dr. Meade has led the institution’s transformation into a comprehensive college that offers 15 graduate programs.

• Tanya Tyler, Executive Assistant to the Chief Human Resources Officer, Air Products, and Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Inspirational Arts Foundation: As co-chair of Air Products’ Black Employee Resource Group, Tyler advances Air Products’ diversity and inclusion objectives.

“Through their vision, resilience and commitment to excellence and lifting others in the community, our 2026 ‘Take the Lead Lehigh Valley’ honorees truly exemplify Girl Scout values,” said Kim E. Fraites-Dow, Chief Executive Officer of GSEP.

“We are thrilled to honor these women and celebrate both their individual accomplishments and the impact they have in strengthening our community. We look forward to Girl Scouts from Lehigh Valley learning firsthand from these women what it takes to lead a life of purpose,” Fraites-Dow said.

As part of the program, high school-age Girl Scouts are paired with each honoree to shadow them for a day to gain career and leadership insights.

The girls, who are selected through a competitive application and interview process, will 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.

“Take the Lead Lehigh Valley” is co-chaired by Krista Ortwein, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility at Olympus Corporation of the Americas, and Katie Santana, President at ASR Media.

“Each year, our ‘Take the Lead Lehigh Valley’ event raises critical funds for Girl Scouting in Eastern Pennsylvania. We are grateful to our co-chairs and committee members whose tireless efforts help continue the success of this program and ensures that every girl has access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience,” said Fraites-Dow.

The event includes a cocktail reception.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) is the largest girl-serving organization in Pennsylvania.

What was founded in 1912 in Savannah, Ga., by founder Juliette Gordon Low has grown to 2.8 million Girl Scouts in the U.S. today.

GSEP serves more than 25,000 girls in partnership with more than 14,000 volunteers in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties.

According GSEP, 80 percent of women in leadership and executive roles in the U.S. are Girl Scouts. Girl Scout alumni comprise 70 percent of women in the U.S. Congress.

Information about “Take the Lead” sponsorships and tickets: 267-332-5483, www.gsep.org/takethelead

Information about Girl Scouting, how to join, volunteer, reconnect and donate: 215-564-2030, www.gsep.org