Strategic Partners
BWP's strategic partners are experts in their respective fields and are offering their unique skills to our members. These organizations drive meaningful change by collaborating with us to provide services and opportunities that support relationship building, professional development, impact-driven initiatives, and wellness objectives. Through their commitment, our strategic partners play a key role in equipping women with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed. Together, we create lasting opportunities for growth, leadership, and community impact.
Brittany Onufrak
Health & Fitness
Health and fitness have been the focus of all that Brittany has done in her life. She grew up immersed in the fitness industry, with her parents owning a gym, her mother being a fitness trainer, and her father hosting body building shows every 4th of July weekend. From an early age she knew how powerful MOVEMENT was for the body and how good it made people feel! Within her academic studies, she was always fascinated with the body and how it works. She aimed to challenge herself and her physical capabilities within her activities as a dancer and runner during high school. Her love of the arts motivated her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she began her career journey. Brittany loved being able to MOVE her audiences through song and dance. She also made a personal commitment to her own health & fitness, engaging in dance classes and exploring various nutritional resources to support her personal knowledge.
After several years of professional musical theatre contracts that prompted her to travel across the country, Brittany found herself yearning to continue her education, but this time in Exercise Science. She switched gears, putting her heart and soul into her Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh.
She was so intrigued by the power of prevention and helping others make sense of their healthy changes, not only for “right now,” but for LIFE— long-term, consistent, healthy behavior changes. She brought her knowledge and enthusiasm with every role she took on. Brittany started out as a personal trainer and by teaching a multitude of group fitness classes, then as an exercise physiologist, conducting 1:1 wellness consultations and administering fitness assessments, and then designing personalized exercise programming for various populations at corporate wellness centers and Pittsburgh’s Children’s hospital.
In between her fitness endeavors she found an opportunity that married both of her worlds, theatre and exercise. Educating audiences through leading on-camera fitness routines for the Walk At Home program, a renowned indoor walking program that has helped so many people get moving through the power of aerobic walking. Additionally, Brittany became a clinical health coach learning to dig deep with her clients, uncovering their barriers and their inner “why,” to better understand them and truly personalize their healthy action plans. To add to her credentials, she then pursued her National Wellness Practitioner Certification from the National Wellness Institute, where she continues her education and continues to connect with other wellness professionals.
As she became a mother of 2 boys on her fitness journey, she began to better understand the importance and great need for consistent wellness in her own life. As her time was no longer her own and she no longer had control over the things she used to—this beautiful, but deep layer of motherhood has driven Brittany even further to want to help other moms who are struggling or just need someone to guide them.
Brittany is so thrilled to be apart of this Brave Women Project because everyone's journey is unique and everyone’s journey matters— and each of us CAN create what that looks like with the small changes we make each and every day. We have the power— we are brave enough to change for the better!
Nicole Lerda
Owner of MaxxCole
Known for her compassionate and emotionally intelligent leadership style, Nicole Lerda spent over 20 years in the highly male-dominated financial services industry before she purchased and launched MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa. This experience, combined with her professional training and passion for mentoring, made Nicole perfectly poised to assume and enhance the salon’s existing operations and services.
With her extensive background in strategic marketing and business operations, it’s no surprise that the salon not only survived but is thriving and growing. She has tripled revenue and transformed customer service into an impeccable client experience.
As the owner and operator of MaxxCole, LLC, Nicole is the architect behind MaxxCole's commitment to excellence for clients and team members alike.
In 2021 MaxxCole was named the “Women-Owned Small Business of the Year Nicole was recognized as a Pittsburgh Professional Woman of Influence, and Allegheny West Magazine dubbed her an “Influential Leader.”
In 2023, the Better Business Bureau awarded MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa with an A+ accreditation and in October of 2023, Nicole won the Brave Women Project Pillar Award for Encouragement.
Megan Wollerton
B.S. Business Administration/Marketing, Minor in Psychology - Edinboro University
Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Health Coach, Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist, Certified Positive Psychology Practitioner and Certified Stress Management, Sleep and Recovery Coach
Megan Wollerton, Owner of Life Force Wellness, is a certified personal trainer, health coach, nutrition coach, corporate wellness specialist, positive psychology practitioner, stress management, sleep, and recovery coach. With a B.S. in Business Administration/Marketing and a minor in psychology, Megan has a passion for creating engaging corporate wellness programs that work for both employees and employers.
After experiencing burnout working long, stressful hours in the tumultuous oil and gas field, Megan decided to break out on her own and focus on health and wellness. Megan recognized the importance of work-life balance and created a program that would benefit herself and her employees. Since then, Megan has been helping clients achieve happier and healthier lifestyles through her expertise in exercise, nutrition, mental resiliency, behavior change, and well-being. Megan brings her passion for wellness into the corporate environment by collaborating with leaders to transform company cultures, placing an emphasis on employee health and wellbeing. Her mission is to create psychologically safe and less toxic working environments where employees can thrive.
At Life Force Wellness LLC, Megan focuses on seven distinct areas of well-being. With her dedication to helping others and extensive knowledge of wellness, Megan is committed to providing effective solutions that lead to happier and more productive employees for companies.
Megan runs the BWP Pause for Positivity where she helps our members take a moment to reframe their negative thought patterns and overcome the mental barriers keeping them from succeeding. We encourage you to attend a session. She is also offering her wellness app as at a discount to all BWP members so they can get the support they need - download the Life Force Wellness App and join the community.
Brave Women Project (BWP) is a nonprofit, community-driven organization focused on fostering a psychologically safe environment and radical support for women's personal and professional growth. Because our mission prioritizes engagement and development over sales-based or recruitment-driven business activities, we have found that BWP’s membership model is not the best fit for individuals whose work is primarily based in network marketing, multi-level marketing (MLM), or downline-based compensation.
We respect and celebrate the many paths women take in business and leadership, including the hard work and success of those in MLM. This policy simply ensures that BWP remains aligned with our mission and the needs of our members.
To uphold the integrity of our mission and ensure a consistent experience for all members, this policy applies to everyone without exceptions. Thank you for respecting this reasoned choice in how we operate.