Bovio Rubino Service Young Women’s Leadership Conference July 15

South Jersey Rising Juniors and Seniors were Treated to Productive Day of Career, Academic and Personal Exploration for the Future

The temperature was more than 100 degrees outside but it was cool and comfortable inside the offices of Bovio Rubino Service in Voorhees where the independent, family-owned HVAC and plumbing service company was hosting its Young Women’s Leadership Conference on Wednesday, July 15.

Fourteen South Jersey rising juniors and seniors applied to attend and six accomplished women professionals representing different industries presented and led small group workshops at the Conference. There was also a community service initiative with the young women and presenters making 250 sandwiches for homeless guests of Cathedral Kitchen in Camden before their lunch break.

Bovio Rubino Service President Angela Rubino Hines created and personally hosted the Conference. After being named one of the top 12 women in HVACR (Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) in 2025 by ACHR News Hines was inspired to pay it forward in her own community. Hines is also a mom to two young women, one in college and one in high school.

Hines was fueled by her own lack of role models in a male-dominated industry with a miniscule number of female workers and even fewer business owners. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) women made up 1.5 percent of HVAC mechanics and installers in 2021. Even fewer women own and run HVAC and plumbing service companies independently. Hines had few women role models coming up in the business.

Young Women Representing Eight South Jersey High Schools

Young women attending the Conference included three students from Lenape High School, Jillian Bak, Angelina Hines and Sofia Nathani, three students from Haddon Heights High School, Lucelia Durand, Tessa Ferraro and Allison O’Brien, two students from Shawnee High School, Laural Cattani and Ella Perry and two students from Cherry Hill High School East, Sophia Park and Nishka Taneja. Madison Barnett from Maple Shade High School, London Reevey from Collingswood High School, Madalyn O’Neill from Camden Catholic High School and Yesha Sethu from Cherokee High School were also selected to attend the Bovio Rubino Service Young Women’s Leadership Conference.

Subject matter experts presenting at the Conference in addition to Hines were CEO of ACCU Staffing Elaine M. Damm, Senior Investment Manager at Aberdeen plc Zoe McCormick, Jennifer Nagle, Vice President of External Affairs and Special Projects, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Senior Product Manager at SimpliSafe Molly Nugiel, Founder of Higher Minds Laura Rubino and Dr. Barbara Winfield, owner of Family Practice Associates of Voorhees.

“Coming up in the HVAC and plumbing service industry, I lacked women mentors,” Hines said. “Giving young women in my own community every opportunity for success as they advance in life motivates me. The Conference was one way of paying forward the success I enjoy as a successful, independent business owner.”

The Bovio Rubino Service Young Women’s Leadership Conference is the program highlight of the HVAC and Plumbing Service company’s 2026 community cause “LeadHERship in ’26” which advances opportunities for young women through career readiness, entrepreneurship, community betterment and a personal health and wellness mindset.

Testimonials from Young Women Attending the Conference:

I thoroughly enjoyed this conference and left feeling deeply empowered and inspired! Being from a small town that is heavily male dominated and prioritized, it made the experience that much more special to be surrounded by such strong, intelligent, women. Thank you so much for choosing me, and I look forward to keeping in touch!

I realized there are so many opportunities out there. I thoroughly enjoyed doing the small group rotations and getting a chance to speak to each speaker because their experiences were all so different, they all have different jobs, but they also had common similarities shared amongst women.

It was such a great experience that I think made a positive impact on all the girls there. Thank you for having me!

When Asked: What is one lesson or takeaway you will remember from the Conference?

It’s okay to take your time, don’t rush life.
Learning to say no and setting your boundaries.
I am doing enough.

I will carry my confidence and ambition into whatever opportunities come ahead, despite the people that try to knock me down.
I will always remember that if it is to be, it is up to me.
Progress is not a straight line.

Rejection can often be protection.
Learning to say no, asking for help, and not overwhelming yourself do not hinder success. but help it.
Progress is not linear, and there will be setbacks, but that doesn’t mean that success isn’t attainable.

Testimonials from Conference Presenters:

It was such a great experience that I think made a positive impact on all the girls there. Thank you for having me!

Presenters:

Elaine M. Damm
Elaine M. Damm is CEO of ACCU Staffing Services, a privately held, family-owned business operating in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Zoe McCormick
Zoe McCormick is a Senior Investment Manager with Aberdeen plc, a United Kingdom-based global wealth management and investment company.

Jennifer Nagle
Jennifer Nagle is Vice President of External Affairs and Special Projects for the Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Molly Nugiel
Molly Nugiel is a Senior Product Manager at Simplisafe, an award-winning home security company.

Laura Rubino
Laura Rubino is Founder of Higher Minds Yoga and Mindfulness.

Dr. Barbara Winfield
Dr. Barbara Winfield is an Owner of Family Practice Associates of Voorhees.