Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania has named its 2022 Take the Lead Berks County honorees. Four women were selected by a committee of past Take the Lead honorees to be recognized at the annual event on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls are prepared for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure in a safe, no-limits place designed for and by girls.
Through Take the Lead, high school-aged Girl Scouts are paired with inspiring women leaders from Berks County and shadow them for a day to gain valuable insight into their careers and receive guidance to jumpstart their professional networks. The girls, who are selected through a competitive application and interview process, creatively write and then deliver their presentations to at the event.
“The 2022 honorees are servant leaders who help our communities in various ways, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. These women go above and beyond in their contributions to their personal and professional communities and serve as exemplary role models for girls” reads a press release by Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.
2022 Take the Lead Berks County Honorees
Michelle Dech, Executive Director, LGBT Center of Greater Reading: As Executive Director, Michelle serves the LGBT Center of Greater Reading with passion and purpose while working with partner organizations and businesses to ensure a positive, collective impact on our community.
Mary H. Kargbo, President and CEO, Berks Community Health Center: Mary worked tirelessly to build a high-performing team and led Berks Community Health Center from a single location, start-up to an operation with over four sites, all while expanding the delivery of healthcare services and specialties.
Vicki Ebner, Senior Counsel, East Penn Manufacturing: Through her strong educational background and varied work experiences, Vicki became the sole in-house legal resource for the largest single site battery manufacturer in the world.
Sharon Mast, President and Founder, Spark Solutions & Support: Sharon’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the launch of her own business, Spark Solutions & Support, where she helps make a positive difference for individuals, teams, and organizations.
“Our 2022 Take the Lead Berks County honorees have changed the world for the better, and we are all indebted to them for their service and leadership through the pandemic. These inspiring women serve as a guiding light for what is possible in the face of adversity, and are tremendous role models for our girls,” said Kim E. Fraites-Dow, Chief Executive Officer of GSEP.
Take the Lead Berks County is chaired by Susan Fromm, Community Advocate, and Pat Giles, Senior Vice President, The Wyomissing Foundation.
“The Take the Lead event raises critical funds for Girl Scouting in Eastern Pennsylvania and is more important this year than ever before. Event co-chairs and committees work tirelessly to help raise money to sustain Girl Scouting in every community, and to ensure that every girl has access to our leadership program so she can develop the skills to become the leader she wants to be and the leader our world needs her to be,” said Fraites-Dow.
2022 Take the Lead Berks County honorees will be celebrated at a special girl-led ceremony on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading which will be transformed into a camp-like setting.
Guests will be invited to engage in activities Girl Scouts experience at camp, like soft archery, hands-on STEM activities, and s’mores making.
Additionally, the paddle raise for campership support will continue again this year helping provide hundreds of Girl Scouts throughout Berks County the opportunity to experience all that camp has to offer with the help of financial aid.
