The programs prepare participants for community leadership roles.
The United Way of Berks County celebrated the latest graduates of its Blueprint For Leadership and Leadership Berks programs.
The ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, 701 Penn St., marked the accomplishments of a combined 46 participants in the two programs.
It was attended by nearly 250 people, including mentors and participants, sponsoring company leaders and members of the advisory committee.
Leadership Berks trains and develops people to serve in nonprofit leadership roles within the county.
The curriculum is delivered over a seven-month period and is taught by business and community leaders, and content-expert instructors.
The experiential program expands the participants’ professional and community leadership skills, the United Way said, and is highly valued by area employers, who recognize the increased skills and experiences gained by graduates.
This year, 32 participated in the training program.
Blueprint for Leadership is a professional development program designed as a seven-week training opportunity for people representing the county’s under-represented communities.
Participants develop the skills needed to serve in leadership roles with area nonprofits.
This year, 14 participants, employed by varied local companies, took part in a series of sessions focused on leadership and communication skills, roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board and committee members, and nonprofit board governance.
“Our community’s future is bright because we are preparing incredibly talented individuals to serve as our next organizational and community leaders,” said Tammy White, United Way president. “United Way’s Leadership United programs deliver developmental experiences designed to shape community leadership, and the graduates are now better prepared to help drive community change.”
A list of the graduates follows:
2024 Blueprint for Leadership Graduates
• Raquel Capellan, Neighborhood Housing Services
• Natalie Fenner, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
• Alex Gooden, Daniel Torres Hispanic Center
• Michelle Leguisamon-Tineo, Community First Fund
• Ydibel Lukasewycz, Penske Transportation Solutions
• Paola Mateo, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
• Wendy Minaya, Met-Ed
• Maria Rodriguez, East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc.
• Catina Smith, Penske Transportation Solutions
• Sravya Tottempudi, EnerSys
• Chaniera Stewart, Intelycare
• Emely Turbi-Diaz, Diamond Credit Union
• Yessenia Vasquez, United Way of Berks County
• Monae Williams, YMCA of Reading & Berks
2024 Leadership Berks Graduates
• Raquel Almodovar, Visions Federal Credit Union
• Sara Appleman, EnerSys
• Andrew Auchenbach, New Castle Lawn & Landscape
• Erin Bebbe, Reading Hospital Tower Health
• Patrick Blaine, Albright College
• Stacey Border, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center
• Jenn Deck, Members 1st Federal Credit Union
• Brandy De Gallego, Olivet Boys & Girls Club
• Aubrey Detterline, Brentwood Industries Inc.
• Angie Drebushenko, Alvernia University
• Zach Foster, Reading Hospital Tower Health
• Kristen Gates, Tompkins Community Bank
• Matt Guziak, Bethany’s Children’s Home
• Amanda Hansen, United Way of Berks County
• Donald Hirsch, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center
• Jessica Keck, Herbein HR Consulting
• Kristina Kullman, UGI Energy Services
• Olivia Massaro, MADJ Marketing
• Karra Mayo, Penske Transportation Solutions
• Paula Mazurkiewicz, Reading Area Community College
• Dan Miksiewicz, East Penn Manufacturing Co Inc.
• Maria Perez Gonzalez-Babe, EnerSys
• Jenny Perry, Brentwood Industries Inc.
• Juliette Piersody, Fraser Advanced Information Systems
• Ericka Ruelas, First National Bank
• Mari Sanzhez, Wells Fargo
• Justin Savage, The Highlands at Wyomissing
• Kara Seawell, Reading Public Museum
• Denise Shorey, Albright College
• Yasmin Taveras, Riverfront Federal Credit Union
• Nicole Taveres, Penske Transportation Solutions
• Kyle Ziegler, UGI Energy Services