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Work, Wealth, & Agency Collective 

A collective focused on careers, money, and economic power—building clarity, confidence, and agency in professional and financial life.

 

  • Navigate career development with clarity and strategic direction

  • Build financial literacy and understand how money and economic systems work

  • Strengthen confidence in professional and financial decision-making

  • Explore workplace and economic trends shaping opportunity

  • Develop practical skills for long-term growth and stability

  • Foster resilience, self-advocacy, and personal agency

  • Engage in shared learning, discussion, and real-world application

  • Led by: Lisa Marzka & Julie Heaton

Upcoming Work, Wealth, & Agency Collective Events

  • Claim Your Worth: Salary Negotiation Skills for Women Ready to Lead
    Claim Your Worth: Salary Negotiation Skills for Women Ready to Lead
    Apr 20, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
    Zoom
    Join Happy Valley Changemakers for practical salary negotiation strategies with the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center
  • Claim Your Worth Part 2: Interactive Salary Negotiation Workshop
    Claim Your Worth Part 2: Interactive Salary Negotiation Workshop
    May 12, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
    Happy Valley LaunchBox, 123 S Burrowes St 2nd Floor, State College, PA 16801, USA
    Put your negotiation skills into practice! This hands-on follow-up to our virtual session lets you role-play real scenarios, get live coaching, and build the muscle memory to advocate for your worth. With Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center.

Entrepreneurship Circles

About Circles

Circles are small, intimate groups within a Collective that bring members together around a shared focus — whether that's a specific topic, project, or time of day that works for your schedule. Think of a Collective as your community, and a Circle as your crew. Each Circle meets regularly, giving you a consistent space to go deeper, build real relationships, and stay accountable with a group that gets it.

Join a Circle

WEAM

Women's Entrepreneurship & Mentorship: Meets the second Tuesday of each month at noon. Capped at a small number of participants to keep conversations meaningful and intimate. Currently full.

Leaders
Andrea Pandolfi 
Angel Mariotti

WINGS

Women's Networking Group: Meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Happy Valley LaunchBox. Open to all members, with rotating topics driven by what members want to explore and discuss.

Leaders
Andrea Pandolfi 
Angel Mariotti

New Circle

Start a New Circle Have an idea for a group? New Circles can be formed by Collective leadership for members who want to connect around a specific entrepreneurship focus or meet at a time that works for them. Reach out to get the conversation started.

Leaders
Andrea Pandolfi 
Angel Mariotti

New Circle

Start a New Circle: Have an idea for a group? New Circles can be formed by Collective leadership for members who want to connect around a specific entrepreneurship focus or meet at a time that works for them. Reach out to get the conversation started.

Leaders
Andrea Pandolfi 
Angel Mariotti

Meet the Leaders

Julie

Heaton

Julie Heaton is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor® and Academic Life Coach who believes money and career conversations should feel empowering, not intimidating. She has taught personal finance to adult learners at the University of Montana, Penn State, and community-based nonprofits, helping people build confidence, resilience, and long-term economic stability. As Director of Penn State’s Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center, she leads a team that develops curriculum and teaches money management skills to students, staff, faculty, and the public. A wife and mom of three, she values work-life balance and enjoys family time, cooking, playing fiddle, and getting outside to hike or ski.

Connect

Lisa

Marzka

Lisa Marzka is a higher education philanthropy professional and Director of Major Gifts for Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, where she builds strategic relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners to advance meaningful giving and strengthen resources for students, faculty, and creative initiatives. With a background spanning leadership, development, sales, engagement, and strategic communication, she is known for her relationship-centered approach, ability to navigate complex decisions, and talent for fostering trust and collaborative environments. As co-leader of the Work, Wealth and Agency Collective, she supports individuals in building career pathways, financial understanding, and personal agency, and she mentors emerging professionals while actively serving on committees and boards that promote community wellbeing.

Connect
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Have a question or an idea? Want to get involved? Let’s chat!

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