Paradigm Award
The most prestigious award for professional women in Greater Philadelphia
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Paradigm Award is presented annually during Women’s History Month to a businesswoman whose outstanding professional and personal achievements serve as a model for success.
The Paradigm Award Honoree is a distinguished influential executive of a for-profit enterprise with strong local economic impact. The Honoree is the highest-ranking individual (CEO, President, Founder, or equal title) at a company or operating segment headquartered in the region, where they are responsible for the operations and profitability of the business. The Honoree’s leadership and dedication to a variety of interests contribute significantly to the socio-economic prosperity of the Greater Philadelphia region, including the Chamber. The Honoree is respected in their profession and throughout the community for their commitment to excellence and their vision for women and future generations. The Honoree’s business is a member of the Chamber.
QUICK LINKS
Call for 2027 Paradigm Award Nominations
Nominate a Deserving Businesswoman here:
Nominations close October 25, 2026.
About the 2026 Honoree
Ellen G. Cooper
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Lincoln Financial
Ellen G. Cooper is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Financial. She is also President and serves on the Board of the principal insurance subsidiaries of Lincoln Financial.
Prior to her current role, Cooper was Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer, Head of Enterprise Risk and Annuity Solutions at Lincoln. She joined the organization in 2012 and was instrumental in developing and executing on Lincoln’s general and separate account investment strategy, overseeing more than $300 billion in assets and managing the Corporation’s industry-leading hedge program.
Before joining Lincoln, Cooper served as Managing Director and Global Head of Insurance Strategy for Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Earlier in her career, she was the Chief Risk Officer for AEGON Americas. She also served as a Principal at Ernst & Young LLP and in an insurance consulting role at Towers Perrin.
Cooper currently serves as co-chair of the Steering Committee on Prudential Issues for the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and is a member of the ACLI’s Executive Committee. Additionally, Cooper is a member of the Board of Trustees of Temple University. Previously, Cooper has served on the Board of the Lincoln Financial Foundation, and as Chairman of the Lincoln Variable Insurance Products (LVIP) Trust Board.
She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, is a CFA charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Actuarial Science from Temple University.
Past Winners
2026
Ellen G. Cooper
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Lincoln Financial
2025
Ellen Yin
Founder and Co-Owner
High Street Hospitality Group
2024
Susan Jacobson
President
Jacobson Strategic Communications
2023
Joan Waters
Chief Executive Officer
COFCO
2022
Donna L. Allie
Founder and President
Team Clean, Inc.
2021
Eileen C. McDonnell
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
2019
Jami McKeon
Chair
Morgan Lewis
2018
Wendy Hamilton
General Manager
SugarHouse Casino
2017
Teresa Bryce Bazemore
President
Radian Guaranty Inc.
2016
Emily Bittenbender
Managing Partner
Bittenbender Construction, LP
2015
Lynn Utter
President & Chief Operating Officer
Knoll Office
2014
Sue Schick
Chief Executive Officer
UnitedHealthcare, Pennsylvania and Delaware
2013
Denise Morrison
President and Chief Executive Officer
Campbell Soup Company
2012
Rosemary Turner
President
UPS Chesapeake District
2011
Lynn L. Elsenhans
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Sunoco, Inc. and Sunoco Logistics Partners LP
2010
Mary Stengel Austen
President & CEO
Tierney
2009
Judy Spires
President
ACME Markets
2008
Deborah M. Fretz
President & CEO
Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P.
2007
Terry D’Alessandro
Market CEO Metro Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey
Sovereign Bank
2006
Dorrit J. Bern
President, CEO & Chairman of the Board
Charming Shoppes, Inc.
2005
Carol A. Ammon
Chairman & CEO
Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
2004
Linda Rosanio
President
The Star Group
2003
Reneé Amoore
President
The Amoore Group
2002
Joanne Harmelin
President
Harmelin Media
2001
Molly D. Shepard
President & CEO, Shepard Executive Resources, LLC
Principal, The Leader’s Edge
2000
Juliet J. Goodfriend
Chairman
Strategic Marketing Corporation
1999
Marilyn Ware
Chairman
American Water Works Company, Inc.
1998
Judith von Seldeneck
Founder and Chair
Diversified Search
1997
Betsy Z. Cohen
Chairman and CEO
JeffBanks, Inc.
1996
Rena Rowan
Executive Vice President
Jones New York
1995
Jane Pepper
President
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
1994
Judy Wicks
Proprietor
The White Dog Cafe and The Black Cat
1993
Dr. Emma C. Chappell
Chairman, President and CEO
United Bank of Philadelphia
Paradigm Award & Scholarship Committee
Chair
Joan Waters*
Waters Strategic Advisors
Colleen Arnold
Aqua
Mary Ashenbrenner
PNC
Mary Stengel Austen*
The Highview Group
Emily L. Bittenbender*
Bittenbender Construction, LP
Dominique Casimir
Jefferson
Ellen G. Cooper
Lincoln Financial
Carolina DiGiorgio
PECO
Susan Jacobson*
Jacobson Strategic Communications
Maria Kalogredis
Wawa
Kiley Smith Kelly
EY
Kathleen King
Day + Zimmermann
Peggy Leimkuhler
Firstrust Bank
Jennifer Mantini
PwC
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Alysea McDonald
Citizens
Jami McKeon*
Morgan Lewis
William R. Sasso, Esq.
Stradley Ronon
Molly D. Shepard*
Leaders By Design
Judith von Seldeneck*
DSG Global
Ellen Yin*
High Street Hospitality Group
* Past Paradigm Award Winner
PARADIGM SCHOLARSHIP
Support local women striving to obtain their undergraduate degrees while working full-time at Chamber member companies through a tax-deductible donation to the Paradigm Scholarship Fund.
Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women
The Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women, presented in conjunction with the Chamber’s Paradigm Award, is a merit-based scholarship that is awarded annually to a group of women working to complete their undergraduate degrees. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Paradigm Scholarship Fund through the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Regional Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization.
The Chamber has established The JoAnne Epps Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Temple University President JoAnne Epps, who was an active member of the Paradigm Award & Scholarship Committee at the time of her passing. This scholarship will enable a new generation of women leaders to continue JoAnne’s legacy of impact in Greater Philadelphia’s business and civic community.
Receive $5,000 for tuition, books, supplies, and equipment.
Each year through the Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women, the Chamber awards women working full-time at Chamber member companies with $5,000, within a two-year period, that must be used for tuition and course-related expenses required for enrollment or course instruction. Expenses include fees, books, supplies, and equipment (e.g. computers).
Scholarship applicants must:
- Be a woman employed (30+ hours) by a Chamber member company
- Have completed at least one full year of college and currently be enrolled (within the last 18 months) at a two- or four-year accredited institution
- Have a total minimum of five years of work experience
- Submit an official copy of her college transcript and two letters of recommendation, including one from her current supervisor
- Submit a 200-word essay on why she should be selected as a recipient of this scholarship
- Submit a copy of her employer’s tuition reimbursement policy (if one exists)
Additional selection process considerations:
- Current class enrollment
- Need for financial support
- Exemplary work record
- Potential for future success
Please contact the Chamber team at paradigmscholarship@chamberphl.com with any questions or concerns.
Learn More About The Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women
Past Scholarship Recipients
Since 2000, 268 scholarships totaling $1,082,000 have been awarded to working women pursuing their undergraduate degrees.
2025 Recipients
Jayda Alexander
Mariya Brewer
Patricia Cronin
Mandee Galie
Nicole Henderson
Celeniece Howard-Rodriguez
Jennifer Jarrell
Jennifer LeBold
Nevaeh Lofton
Maryellen May
Julia McCauley
Taylor Mellon
Monica Morales
Gayatri Nair, M.S.
Aimee Ortega
Felicia Perez
Yalitza Roman
Vanessa Rugys
Hollie Soto, LPN
Myeesa Thompson
Princess Torres
Teresa White-Walston
2024 Recipients
Darlene Adamson
Alison Arcinese
Mariya Brewer
Melanie Dash
Terrie Kiley
Jennifer LeBold
Jenna Marnoch
Kareema Martin
Cherylann McGee
Taylor Mellon
Emily Miller
Shawana Rivers
Princess Torres
Jasmine Walker
Elizabeth Wilson
2023 Recipients
Ashley Boudreaux
Sheila Colon
Melanie Dash
Tiffany David
Pamela DeMeo
Sarah Dennis
Amanda Gruninger
Evelyn Heldon
Jennifer Jarrell
Adama Jawara
Jennifer LeBold
Jenna Marnoch
Kareema Martin
Aja Matunda
Heather McCarron
Emily Miller
Kelli Moore
Devon Slavic
Jasmine Walker
Titeyannah Wallace-Kirven
Tior Wilkins
2022 Recipients
Ashley Boudreaux
Chelsea Brown
Tiphinnie Brown
Marjorie Feiring
Colleen Ferrara
Jennifer LeBold
Naquawna Letman
Madison Louderback
Julia Zephyr Martin
Cherylann McGee
Doris McNeill
Jennie Minnick
Roxane Staley-Hope
Maria Torres
Corinne Zaleski
2021 Recipients
Sheralina Baker
Brenda Baxter
Sunny Chun
Sheila Colalongo
Kristina Elton
Marjorie Feirling
Adrienne Holiday-Singletary
Kera Hoyte
Ruby-Kira Jenkins
I’esha Maxwell
Tabitha Mays-Wilson
Yasaman Mirafzali
Veronica Sapp
Sara Schaeffer
Deborah Young
2020 Recipients
April Alexander
Sunny Chun
Erin Collier
Giannine Della Rocca
Adama Jawara
Mariah Johnson
Shannon McClain
Tara Netterville
Najla Rashad
Veronica Sapp
2019 Recipients
Shereena Carson
India Dallas
Sarah Decker
Rhoda Douglas
Alicia Fife
Shawna Moses
Ana Cristina Pichardo
Sotonius Quinn
Rashean Ramsue
Chevonne Tingle
2018 Recipients
April Alexander
Maureen Geiss
Brittany Halbsgut
Fatima Laghrissi
Musu Morris-Fello
Shyeema Robinson
Dana Rose
Anabel Salce
Jeanetta Thompson
2017 Recipients
Katrina Bryson
Katura Marshall
Janessa Morales
Bukola Ogunleye
Lynette Peterson
Angela Rojas
Nikiya Small
Kassy Walklett
Jowanna Williams-Parks
2016 Recipients
Melinda Adorno
Stephanie Brown
Pamela Cooper
LaCountess Ingram
Deborah Nicoletti
Yolanda Robinson
Jessica Warwick
Jessica Zmuida
2015 Recipients
Kathleen Austin
Chloe Bendistis
Angela Cirino
Dana Corley
Catherine Rogers
Jessica Ruiz-Lebron
Michelle Serious
Ashley Slowe
Maya Stewart
2014 Recipients
Suzanne Calabria
Deborah Clarke
Tonya Diggs
Carol Kemm
Rita Marie Pinto
Meghan Spurlock
Autumn Staats
Joi Tolliver
Jessica Zmuida
2013 Recipients
Jill Albright
Esther Andreessen
Theresa Clark
Michelle Gaspari
Nichole Harrison
Cheri Mitchell
Cherry Moragne
Janice Reid-Clarke
Chakeila Smith
Sharon Weeks
2012 Recipients
Constance Carty
Kristen Cashman
Tonya Diggs
Mary Houton
Joy Keys
Vanessa Reed-Price
Autumn Staats
Maureen Starkovich
Mali Thomas
2011 Recipients
Dana Jackson
Sharifa Jones
Mary Jane Massott-Doman
Jessica Mazzeo
Cheri Mitchell
Emily Montalvo
Mary Podgorski
Janet Sparks
Melissa Stewart
Deirdre Young-Bey
2010 Recipients
Michele Buchanan
Freya Chester
Amy Costa
Alexia Daniels
Ravesa Goga
Beth Haines
Vanessa Reed-Price
Nicole Reggia
2009 Recipients
Antoinette Bing
Donna Bonnett
Annette Clark
Michele Louden
Cerise McCall
Stacey Pinkney
Cassandra Summers
2008 Recipients
Josephine DiGregorio
Vicki Duncan
Kathleen Fabrizio
Dana Fink
Joanne Fleming
Kia Joynes
Mylinh Pham
Lori Rohrbach
2007 Recipients
Donna Bonnett
Renay Oberholtzer
Dorothy Reed
NazAarah Sabree
Susan Vinchiarello
2006 Recipients
Mary Dornblaser
Tiffany Green
Kia Joynes
LaDonna Lindsay-Fuller
Brenda Pawlak
Bridget Zarzoso
2005 Recipients
Donna Bonnett
Vanessa Gantt
Diane McCullough
Dorothy Oczkowski
Nyzinga Patterson
2004 Recipients
Edith Aponte
Carla S. Forrest
Deborah Hoffer
Nicole S. Lewis
Lisa Love
2003 Recipients
Julie Dolga
Janice Gerold
Nyzinga Patterson
Brooke Pfeilmeier
Niya Spells
2002 Recipients
Donna Carroll
Carla Forrest
Sheila Highsmith
Deborah Hoffer
Patricia Muraresku
Dorothy Oczkowski
2001 Recipients
Sharon Brown
Tameata Harris
Rupa Raghirsingh
Ruth Rosario
Sacha Williams
2000 Recipients
Connie Fraser
Marilyn Malin
Patricia Muraresku
Rena Rodgers
Janet Rosati
Linda B. Watson
