Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Chamber’s Gold Leaf celebration to honor Arkoosh, Kichline
WAYNE » The Main Line Chamber of Commerce, its Society of Professional Women and Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health are pleased to announce that the 2018 Helena Devereux Women in Leadership Award will be presented to Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, and Michelle Kichline, Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners.
This is the first time in the award’s history that the honor will be shared between two individuals.
“With this award the chamber is making a clear statement that we support strong women of both political parties in this region and across the nation taking their place as leaders in government and business,” said Bernard Dagenais, president and CEO of The Main Line Chamber of Commerce.
In its 10th year, the award is being presented as the nation approaches the centennial year in 2020 of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
In its desire to encourage women of both major political parties to seek office, the chamber decided to award both Arkoosh, a Democrat, and Kichline, a Republican. Both are accomplished in the world of business as well as politics, who work across party lines to empower women and make a significant impact on our region.
The award will be presented at the Gold Leaf Celebration at The Philadelphia Country Club on Thursday, Sept. 27. Registration begins at 11 a.m. followed by the program and lunch at noon.
The Helena Devereux Women in Leadership Award is given each year, typically to a senior-level executive woman who has achieved exemplary professional and personal accomplishments and has significantly, ethically and memorably impacted the Greater Main Line area. In addition to being supported by title sponsor Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, TD Bank also is among the major backers of the award.
Previous award winners include:
• 2017: Binney Wietlisbach, The Haverford Trust Company;
• 2016: Joan Docktor, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach Realtors;
• 2015: Alba Martinez, Vanguard;
• 2014: Lynn Yeakel, Vision 2020/Drexel University College of Medicine;
• 2013: Sue Schick, UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania;
• 2012: Donna Allie, Team Clean, Inc.;
• 2011: Linda Galante, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP;
• 2010: Irene Hannan, Citizens Bank;
• 2009: Andrea Gilbert, Bryn Mawr Hospital.
The award was created in conjunction with the birth of the chamber’s Society of Professional Women, a program that strives to empower women in leadership while supporting local nonprofits. The Society of Professional Women, which is unique among chambers of commerce programs across the nation, has been ranked as the largest female networking organization in the region by the Philadelphia Business Journal for five years running.