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Our final three Core sessions of the year featured some of Philadelphia’s most treasured institutions and most inspiring civic leaders.
In April, the Core class visited Parkway Central Library, where the Arts took center stage with a spectacular view from the Skyline Terrace. Our speakers included Cathy Cahill, President & CEO of the Highmark Mann Center, Val Gay, Philadelphia’s First Chief Cultural Office, and Dave Raymond, the Hero of Happiness! A huge thanks to Sade Olanipekin-Lewis, Chair of the Free Library’s Board and Kelly Richards, President of the Free Library, for their warm welcome and for opening the doors to such a memorable venue.
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May's Core session took the class to the Firstrust Bank Club at Lincoln Financial Field, where effective cross-sector civic leadership was the focus. A.J. Jordan, Head of Community Stewardship and President of the Vanguard Group Foundation moderated a powerhouse panel that included Pedro Ramos, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Foundation, Gwyneth Gaul, Vice President of Impact & Inclusion at Comcast, and Claire Marrazzo Greenwood, Executive Director and CEO of the Council for Growth. Pedro, Gwyneth, and Claire shared their expert insights on the keys to the corporate and philanthropic partnerships that are driving economic mobility initiatives forward in the Region. Tiffany Thurman, Chief of Staff to Mayor Parker, provided a behind the scenes look at the challenges and opportunities presented by the city's budget now and into the future. We were also joined by Don Smolenski, President of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Frank Gumienny, the team’s Chief Operating Officer, who shared what it takes to build a winning team and sustain a great culture. The day was capped off by a tour of the locker room and an opportunity to run out of the home tunnel. GO BIRDS!
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In June, we closed out the year - appropriately - at The Franklin Institute. Larry Dubinski, the widely admired President and CEO of TFI, graciously welcomed us and shared stories about Ben Franklin’s legacy of civic leadership including the founding of the Junto Society, which obviously has great significance for LEADERSHIP. Bret Perkins, Comcast’s SVP of Community Growth and Economic Development, and Dan Gallagher, creator of the Self-Aware Leader framework, built on the theme of legacy by leading the class through a series of activities meant to broaden the Core participants’ notions of their own potential legacies. Jane Golden, whose legacy in Philadelphia is unmatched, closed out the special day with reflections on her leadership journey and what’s next for her.
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