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United Way’s Blueprint for Leadership Program Graduates Candidates for Nonprofit Leadership

by United Way of Berks County

May 10, 2019

Blueprint For Leadership (BFL) is a unique and professional development program designed as a 7-week training opportunity for individuals representing the diversity of our community as they develop skills to serve in a leadership role with an area nonprofit. The program was established in 2013.

This year, 12 participants representing a broad range of backgrounds and employed by varied local companies, participated in a series of sessions focused on leadership and communication skills, roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board/committee members and nonprofit board governance. Individuals are selected on the basis of their professional experience, current community engagement and/or related goals, and demonstrated leadership ability. The sessions were taught by experts in those fields. Mentors are paired with participants to provide support during the program and volunteer assignment.

Blueprint for Leadership is committed to ensuring the board leadership of our nonprofit sector is inclusive and represents the diverse groups within our community. The BFL experience provides the skills, resources and perspectives needed to assist organizations in improving performance and increasing their impact in the community.

The program is managed by United Way of Berks County, with support from an advisory committee representing corporate and nonprofit organizations. Blueprint for Leadership is offered on an annual basis.

Blueprint for Leadership Graduation took place on Wednesday, May 8 in the YMCA Auditorium in Reading, PA. Program mentors and participants, as well as members of the advisory committee and others, attended the graduation.

“United Way’s mission is centered on making our community a better place for everyone. The Blueprint for Leadership program is important as we include the talents of diverse experiences within our county,” says Tammy White, President, United Way of Berks County. “Through this program, we engage that talent, and in turn, help develop future community leaders. The program helps make our community even stronger.”

2019 Blueprint for Leadership Program Graduates and Sponsoring Organization :

Kofi Amihere – Met-Ed, A FirstEnergy Corporation
Courtenay Dillard – Penske Truck Leasing Co.
Rosalie Serrano – Penske Truck Leasing Co.
Luis Garcia – Godiva Chocolatier, Inc.
Robert Maldonado – Greater Berks Fulton Bank
Sonia Rivera – Oakbrook Resident
Alap Shah – EnerSys
Qianqian (Chanchan) Jiao – EnerSys
Cassandra Weidner – Tompkins VIST Bank
Jose Jimenez – Carpenter Technology Corporation
Nelsa Paulino – East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Salvador Juarez Rodriguez – Cambridge Lee

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