The “United We Can” Inspirational Luncheon Series will launch its eighth season this month with two dynamic local speakers.

Jason Chavis, vice president and general manager of WJAC, will open the fall series on Oct. 30. He will speak on “Lessons From Adversity: The Power of Empathy in Leadership.”

A graduate of McKeesport High School, he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in communications. After a stint with WTAE Pittsburgh, he joined WJAC in 2018 as a local sales manager, was named general sales manager in 2021, and in 2023, he was named general manager of the station. In 2022, his namesake and oldest child was shot and killed in a triple shooting in Homestead. An arrest has yet to be made.

On Nov. 6, Tyrone native Hayden Zook will share his brother’s story in a presentation he calls “Not Finished Yet.” A graduate of Tyrone Area High School, Hayden serves as a certified recreation therapist at a local hospital. In 2020 following the death of his brother to suicide, he founded the Adam Zook Memorial Foundation which supports local suicide prevention efforts in the Northern Blair area.

Jason Chavis

“We are grateful to have two unforgettable speakers join us and share their personal stories with us this fall,” Sue Griep, founder of the speaker series, said. Their stories speak of resilience, stepping out of your comfort zone to accomplish what you thought you could not do, and reaching out to help others. Their stories are “hearts talking to hearts.”

United We Can, in 2017, has hosted such speakers as Miss Pennsylvania, contestants on Shark Tank, Biggest Loser and The Voice, a retired MMA wrestler, administrator of NASA, two-time Olympic gold medalist, a state representative, house majority leader, PA state treasurer, an Olympic swimmer hopeful, a fashion designer, Penn State men’s and women’s basketball coaches, pro baseball and basketball players, among others. “Probably the most famous presenter has been Steelers Great Rocky Bleier,” Griep said.

Luncheons begin at noon. Student cost is $11, and community members are $12 for lunch and speaker.

Please note the location change after the closing of The Casino at Lakemont. These luncheons will be held at the Altoona Grand Hotel.

Reservations must be made by emailing suegriep17@hotmail.com no later than Oct. 20.

Partners include: Penn Highlands Community College, Tyrone Events and Promotions, Altoona Grand Hotel, Saint Francis University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.