Leadership Berks, a distinguished program in developing community leaders, will transfer management from the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to United Way of Berks County at the end of this year.
“GRCA has been privileged to work with Leadership Berks participants, alumni and volunteers. The program’s accomplishments are noteworthy; hundreds of program graduates have been equipped to be effective leaders with local nonprofits and community organizations” said Jim Gerlach, President and CEO, GRCA.
“We thank Toni Eckert for her hard work and dedication in building the program since 2004. With United Way at the helm of Leadership Berks, we believe its extensive network of partners and programs will launch many future leaders.”
Tammy White, President of United Way of Berks County added, “We are thrilled to welcome Leadership Berks to the United Way family of programs. This is a full-circle moment as United Way served as one of the program’s founding members at its inception in 1985.”
Additional founding members included Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry, United Labor Council and Junior League of Reading.
With the addition of Leadership Berks, United Way will be placing all of its leadership, volunteer and community engagement programs into one division, called Leadership United.
The new division will be led by Jean Morrow, who currently serves as the organization’s Senior Vice President of Resource Development.
“This is an exciting opportunity for United Way and Berks County, as it increases the capacity to build a continuum of programs well beyond what is currently offered in our community. Leadership United will allow us to offer multiple opportunities for leadership, professional and personal development, as well as volunteer placement and activities, to a broader cross-section of Berks Countians,” noted Morrow.
