READING, PA (September 11, 2024) – The 20 members of the 2024-25 cohort for Berks County Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Management Certificate program have been selected. The executive directors and high-potential staff members begin the professional development program at the Community Foundation’s headquarters in Reading on September 18th.
Monica Reyes, Vice President for Programs and Initiatives at the Community Foundation, explained, “The certificate program is designed to enhance or refresh the management and leadership skills of local nonprofit leaders right here in the community. It offers expert instruction from faculty at The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University, combined with valuable peer learning opportunities, allowing cohort members to connect and learn from one another.”
The 2024-2025 class members:
- Laura Biancone, Interim Executive Director, LGBTQ Center of Reading
- Stacey Cole, Chief Development Officer, Animal Rescue League of Berks County
- Laura Cordero, Community Builder and Initiative Coordinator, Centro Hispano Daniel Torres
- Tish Davis, Executive Director, Berks Arts
- Violet Emory, Executive Director, Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation
- Amy Folk, Compliance Manager, Mary’s Shelter
- Amanda Ford, Executive Director, Twin Valley Community Education Foundation
- Jessica Heil, Senior Director, Marketing and Digital Engagement, United Way of Berks County
- Ashley Houston, Director of Collections & Exhibitions, Foundation for the Reading Public Museum
- Mary Marks, Co-Director, Hannah’s Hope Ministries
- Brandon Marth, Regional Philanthropy Officer, American Red Cross
- Ashleigh Mills, Care Manager, Berks Encore
- Benjamin Neely, Executive Director, Berks History Center
- Rick Perez, CEO, Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading & Berks County
- Lily Ponce, Executive Assistant, Literacy Council of Reading-Berks
- Denise Pulgino Stout, Executive Director, Boyertown Community Library
- Thomas Scornavacci, President/Pastor, Common Ground Recovery Ministries (Trinity Lutheran Church) & Common Ground Recovery Community
- Anthony Tucci, Executive Director, Western Berks Ambulance
- Ralia Vardaxis, Executive Director, Reading Science Center
- David Whitehill, Executive Director, Reading Symphony Orchestra
The program
The program includes group lunches, nonprofit management webinars, and daylong in-person nonprofit management classes led by faculty members from The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University.
The Community Foundation covers much of the cost of the program; however, each nonprofit contributes $500 for each participant.
This professional development opportunity was designed exclusively for Berks County’s nonprofit executive directors and high-potential staff members. Note that Berks County Community Foundation is not an accredited educational institution, but rather a nonprofit that seeks to bring professional development opportunities to the community for local leaders.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
Media Contact: Erica Caceres, Communication Manager, Phone: 610-685-2231, Email address: ericac@bccf.org
