Honoring Leadership. Celebrating Impact.
Women of Achievement 2025
-
Cheryl Holland-Jones
Cheryl D. Holland-Jones is a lifelong advocate for equity, civic engagement, and community empowerment in Lancaster.
-
Keisha Finnie
Keisha Finnie is a multidisciplinary artist whose vibrant work celebrates identity, resilience, and community.
-
Sarah Lesser
Sarah C. Lesser is a dynamic leader in the financial services industry and a passionate advocate for women’s economic empowerment.
-
Deborah Wilson Gadsden
Deborah Wilson-Gadsden is a nationally recognized leader in child welfare and racial equity, with over five decades of service dedicated to protecting and uplifting vulnerable children and families.
Guided by the motto,
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”
Cheryl exemplifies the spirit of service and justice through her lifelong dedication to Lancaster.
Cheryl Holland-Jones
Cheryl D. Holland-Jones is a lifelong advocate for equity, civic engagement, and community empowerment in Lancaster. A trailblazer in education, she became the first African American graduate of Lancaster Country Day School before earning her BA in Psychology from Millersville University. Her professional journey spans banking, youth development, public service, and nonprofit leadership.
Cheryl served as Executive Director of Crispus Attucks Community Center from 2004 to 2019, where she championed programs that uplifted Lancaster’s Black community and fostered intergenerational support. She also held public office as Lancaster City Treasurer for two elected terms, demonstrating fiscal leadership and civic responsibility.
Her career includes roles with Fulton Bank, Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council, the City of Lancaster, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Currently, she continues her public service as a part-time staff member for Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El.
Cheryl’s community involvement is extensive: she is a Life Member and Executive Board Member of the Lancaster NAACP, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Co-President of the Hazel I. Jackson Foundation. Her accolades include the New Era Red Rose Award, the Lancaster Country Day School Alumni Award for Community Service, and the YWCA Racial Justice Award.
Through her art, Keisha uplifts voices, reclaims narratives, and inspires connection.
Keisha Finnie
Keisha Finnie is a multidisciplinary artist whose vibrant work celebrates identity, resilience, and community. Born and raised in Lancaster, Keisha’s creative journey began in childhood and evolved into a career that spans murals, canvases, and public installations.
Her art is deeply rooted in the Black experience and womanhood, using bold colors and layered imagery to tell stories of transformation and healing. Keisha’s murals enliven neighborhoods and institutions, including Penn State Health Lancaster and Ross Elementary School, where her piece “Nurture Your Mind” resides.
Keisha has curated groundbreaking exhibitions, including Lancaster’s first BIPOC Gallery Row during Spring ArtWalk 2023, supported by the Lancaster Equity Fund. She was named Artist of the Year by Lancaster County Magazine (2021, 2023, 2024) and honored by Susquehanna Style’s Women of Strength initiative.
A Baldwin Leader Class of 2025, Keisha’s work with organizations like Patients R Waiting and the Black Artist Waystation reflects her commitment to racial justice and community storytelling.
Sarah’s passion for community shines in every space she serves.
Sarah Lesser
Sarah C. Lesser is a dynamic leader in the financial services industry and a passionate advocate for women’s economic empowerment. As Central Pennsylvania’s Senior Middle Market Relationship Manager for Truist Financial Corporation, she oversees strategic partnerships with privately held businesses across Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, and beyond.
With over a decade of banking experience, Sarah has held leadership roles at Truist and M&T Bank, including Commercial Real Estate Manager and founder of M&T’s Regional Women’s Interest Network. Her career began in the U.S. Navy, where she served as a Surface Warfare Officer, completing two deployments and earning multiple commendations.
Sarah’s commitment to community is reflected in her board service with Milagro House, United Way of Lancaster County, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster Foundation. She also contributes to the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development and the Lancaster Chamber’s Excellence Exchange.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Sarah brings strategic insight and compassionate leadership to every endeavor.
Deborah’s lifelong work has uplifted generations.
Deborah Wilson Gadsden
Deborah Wilson Gadsden is a nationally recognized leader in child welfare and racial equity, with over five decades of service dedicated to protecting and uplifting vulnerable children and families. She currently serves as Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA).
Deborah’s career includes 27 years in Pennsylvania county child welfare agencies and 23 years with the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network. She is a certified trainer with the PA Child Welfare Resource Center and a consultant for race equity and bullying prevention programs nationwide.
Her work as a social justice trainer with Cultural Bridges to Justice has shaped equity initiatives across Pennsylvania. She made history as the first Black woman to serve as Chair of the Board of YWCA Lancaster, where she led transformative racial equity programming and community engagement efforts.
Deborah’s advocacy is rooted in lived experience and a deep understanding of systemic barriers. A graduate of Lincoln University and Temple University, she is a mentor, educator, and changemaker whose legacy continues to shape policy and practice.
Join Us in Celebration
These remarkable leaders reflect the strength, resilience, and vision of our community. By honoring their achievements, we not only uplift their stories—we invest in a future where all women, children, and families have the opportunity to thrive.
Join us on Thursday, October 23, 2025 for the Women of Achievement Awards as we celebrate bold changemakers and raise essential support for YWCA Lancaster’s Kepler Hall housing program.