Main Line Chamber to hold Gold Leaf Celebration

Valerie Arkoosh, Michelle Kichline to receive Women in Leadership Award

The Main Line Chamber of Commerce, its Society of Professional Women and Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health announce 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 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

In its desire to encourage women of both 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 and officials who work across party lines to empower women and make an impact on our region.

The award will be presented at the Gold Leaf

Celebration at The Philadelphia Country Club on Thursday, Sept. 27. Registration will begin 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 Co.; 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 LLPl 2010: Irene Hannan, Citizens Bank; and 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 has been ranked as the largest female networking organization in the region by the Philadelphia Business Journal for five years running.

To register for this event, visit mlcc.org/ events.