Honorees announced for Champions of Change

WEST CHESTER » The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls will host its fourth annual Champions of Change event Oct. 28 in a virtual format.

The event will honor Charmaine Rochester for her efforts to support and uplift women of color in the financial and healthcare fields. Rochester is Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at Chester

County Hospital, a member hospital of Penn Medicine. SEI will also be honored for its commitment to career development and growth for female employees, and efforts to advance gender equity in the workplace.

Rochester will receive CCFWG’s fourth annual

Gladys Black Woman of Distinction Award, named in memory of CCFWG’s late friend and committed Board member Gladys Black. As a business leader and supporter of women and girls in Chester County, Gladys left a lasting impact on our community. This year, we honor Charmaine’s dedication to providing support, resources, and leadership opportunities to women of color in the financial and healthcare professions.

Born in Jamaica, Rochester went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Howard University, an MBA from Florida Atlantic University, and Doctor of Health Administration degree from Central Michigan University.

Throughout her 28year career, she has often found herself to be the only woman of color in the board room: “It’s very humbling. There are other talented African American finance professionals who have not gotten the opportunities I have. I feel a sense of responsibility to support the growth and development of others like me who are trying to find their way.”

Rochester launched the Legacy Builders Breakfast series to provide opportunities for mentoring and networking for African American women in healthcare. She serves as a mentor for young professionals from several organizations, including the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the National Association of Health Service Executives. She has been a Girl Scout troop leader and is a current board member for Community Volunteers in Medicine.

In 2018, Rochester was named CFO of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Her husband spent his career in the Navy, and their three children serve in the U.S. Air Force.