Honoring Leadership. Celebrating Impact.
Presenting the
2026 Honorees
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Andrea Fox Lewis
Andrea Fox Lewis is an emerging business leader dedicated to education, empowering women and strengthening the community through inclusive leadership.
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Dr. Ada Emuwa
Dr. Ada Emuwa is a physician, public health advocate, and community leader dedicated to advancing health equity, wellness and global empowerment.
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Heather Valudes
Heather Valudes is a visionary business leader and community advocate elevating Lancaster County through collaboration, workforce development and civic leadership.
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Lakeesha Bair-Myers
Lakeesha Bair-Myers is a compassionate social work leader advancing equity, wellness, and opportunity for underserved communities through advocacy and service.
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Patricia Espinosa-Vargas
Patricia Espinosa-Vargas is a compassionate, trusted leader whose tireless advocacy connects families to critical resources and transforms challenges into hope.
Meet our Young Woman of Achievement
Andrea Fox Lewis
Andrea Fox Lewis is a motivated student, emerging business leader, and advocate for empowering others through education, leadership, and community engagement. As a Dean's List student in the Business Administration program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Andrea remains committed to lifelong learning and servant leadership. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has demonstrated a commitment to creating opportunities for growth, fostering inclusive environments, and encouraging women to pursue leadership roles in traditionally underrepresented fields.
At Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Andrea has served as Vice President of the Women in Technology and Trades Club (WITT) and will serve as President in the academic year starting in fall 2026. Andrea served as Master of Ceremonies for Lydia Hamilton Smith Day at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, helping to celebrate the legacy of Lydia Hamilton Smith, a pioneering African American businesswoman and community leader in Lancaster history.
Professionally, Andrea has held leadership positions in business operations, marketing, and team development, where she has mentored employees, supported organizational growth, and cultivated positive workplace cultures.
Andrea believes that true achievement is measured not only by personal success, but by the ability to empower others, strengthen communities, and open doors for future generations of women leaders.
Meet our Women of Achievement Honorees
Dr. Ada Emuwa
Dr. Ada Emuwa is a physician and healthcare leader whose commitment to compassionate care and community service is advancing health and well-being in Lancaster County and around the world.
Currently, she works at University of Penn Medicine - Lancaster General Health as a family physician and as co-chair of the Advisory Council established to advise Lancaster General Health on ensuring equitable principles and a culture of belonging are optimized for their patients, staff and the communities in which they serve. Dr. Emuwa is a founding Board member and co-leads The Wheel of Hope Initiative that provides programs in education, health and economic empowerment to women and children in underserved communities, improving the quality of life locally in the United States and globally in Nigeria. Dr. Emuwa is the founder of Emuwada Health and Wellness: Lifestyle Medicine coaching utilizing life and cultural experiences to optimize one’s health and wellbeing without a focus on medication alone. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Reach Out and Read Lancaster-Lebanon, the Board of Directors of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County and is a member of the planning committee for the annual Cultural Diversity Conference.
Dr. Emuwa pursued a career in medicine at Yale University and with an interest in disease prevention and community health, she obtained a master’s degree in Public Health at Harvard University. She completed her residency training in Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, and is also board certified in Lifestyle Medicine. With an interest in caring for patients in underserved areas, she has worked as the Head of HIV Programs, as the Medical Director of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and as a Director of Public Health Initiatives at health centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has been honored as a Fellow with the American Academy of Family Physicians and recently received the Pennsylvania Medical Society Community Voluntary Service Award.
Heather Valudes
Heather Valudes is the President & CEO of the Lancaster Chamber, a role she has held since 2022. Prior to that, she spent 11 years with the Chamber, most recently as Vice President, following earlier work as the Community Impact & Advocacy Director.
Since assuming the role, she has led the development and implementation of the Chamber’s long-term strategic vision while championing initiatives that strengthen the region’s workforce, support business growth, and enhance quality of life.
She advances the interests of the business community and drives impact for more than 1,300 business members, their workforce, and the broader Lancaster County community. Heather has helped position the organization as a trusted convener and has led collaborative efforts addressing workforce shortages, talent attraction, childcare, housing, and economic competitiveness. A graduate of West Chester University, Heather earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2007 and her Master of Public Administration in 2010. She achieved the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation in 2021, the highest professional credential in the chamber industry, and has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by the Central Penn Business Journal and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She is also a proud 2010 graduate of Leadership Lancaster. Beyond her professional role, Heather serves on several community boards, including as Board President of Prima Theatre, and is deeply committed to strengthening Lancaster County through civic leadership and collaboration. A lifelong Lancaster County resident, she lives in West Lampeter Township with her husband, Kevin, and their twin daughters.
Lakeesha Bair-Myers
Lakeesha M. Bair-Myers, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a compassionate leader with more than 30 years of experience serving children, families, and communities across education, healthcare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health systems, making a transformative positive impact.
She currently serves as a School Social Worker at Reynolds Middle School in the School District of Lancaster, providing clinical services, crisis intervention, case management, and social-emotional support, as well as providing master’s level supervision to graduate social work students as a Field Instructor. Lakeesha created the Care Closet at Reynolds Middle School, providing food, clothing, hygiene, and household essentials to students and families, and leads the school's Secret Angels Program, which mobilizes community support to provide holiday gifts for more than 150 students each year.
Lakeesha earned a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University, with a clinical emphasis on children and families, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Criminal Justice concentration from Millersville University. Her professional background includes experience in emergency and outpatient medical social work, inpatient psychiatric care, substance use treatment, and veteran services, including work with homeless veterans and Veteran’s Justice Outreach programs. Prior to entering clinical social work, she spent nearly a decade in the juvenile justice system as a Senior Community-Based and Institutional Probation Officer, developing a strong foundation in systems advocacy, court involvement, and family-centered practice.
Beyond her clinical work, Lakeesha is deeply committed to leadership, mentorship, and health equity. She was named Millersville University’s Social Work Field Instructor of the Year in 2023 and was selected as a Distinguished McCaskey Alumni for 2026, and currently serves on several community and health-focused boards, including the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Equity Community Advisory Board and the Abramson Cancer Center Community Advisory Board at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also an active mentor, union leader, and advocate for educational equity, serving as Representative Secretary of the Lancaster Education Association and Ethnic Minority Representative to the PSEA Board of Directors. Her work is grounded in culturally responsive practice, trauma-informed care, and a lifelong commitment to advancing equity and wellness for underserved populations.
Patricia Espinosa-Vargas
Patricia Espinosa-Vargas is a dedicated community leader whose 26-year career at United Way of Lancaster County reflects a deep commitment to connecting people with the resources and support they need to navigate hardships and challenging life circumstances. Patricia is the Director of PA 211 East at United Way of Lancaster County, starting her career as a bilingual Information and Referral Specialist in 2000.
Through the 211 Contact Center, Patricia supports the needs of individuals and families throughout Lancaster and Berks Counties, helping thousands access vital services. She is a trusted leader and source of inspiration who embodies the power of compassion, connection, and hope during times of crisis. Prior to her assuming the Director role at United Way of Lancaster County in 2021, Patricia served as the Quality Assurance and Training Coordinator, responsible for coaching and training the center’s Resource Navigators and Housing/Intake Specialists for various Continuum of Care contracts.
Early in her career, Patricia worked at YWCA Lancaster for more than a decade. As a community volunteer, Patricia served on the board for SHOUT (Student Health OUTreach), formerly known as the Lancaster County Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, for nearly 15 years, organizing conferences and providing education on health and well-being.
A life-long City of Lancaster resident, Patricia believes connecting people to community resources is as important as the resource itself. Patricia is more than a leader — she is a trusted advocate, mentor, and source of hope who inspires others through her unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Reserve Your Seat Today!
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 29, 2026 for the Women of Achievement Awards as we celebrate bold changemakers and raise essential support for YWCA Lancaster programs, including Kepler Hall Residence Program.