Alvernia University

Teens from across the globe are exploring entrepreneurship, AI, and global leadership on campus this summer 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g-eqnp85

Executive Chair of Customers Bancorp Inc., and one of Berks County’s most influential business visionaries, Jay Sidhu developed the two-week Never Ever Ever Give Up Global Youth Leadership Boot Camp for children of YPO members.

Rooted in Alvernia's commitment to developing ethical leaders who do well and do good, the program challenges students to think beyond business success. Through reflection, service, experiential learning, and discussions on global citizenship, participants explore how purpose, integrity, and compassion shape effective leadership.

Among the first few speakers attendees heard from include:

Alvernia's Header School of Business Namesake, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient & founder of Solar Innovations®, Greg Header '97

YPO Leadership Speaker, Luvleen Sidhu, CEO, BM Technologies

YPO Leadership Speaker: Michael Pavone, CEO, Pavone Group

The O'Pake Institute helped Brody DeGroodt '24, MBA ’25, stockpile experience for his future during his time at Alvernia.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “A lot of entry-level jobs want two years of experience. But if you’ve just graduated college, how are you expected to get that? O’Pake has actually solved that problem. We’re completing college with all this experience.”

During his time as a Fellow and a Graduate Assistant, he worked on the following, all before graduating:

-His initial project, begun in 2024, involved helping the READING AREA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM increase its volunteer roster and attract more visitors. The intensive consultation over a few months involved an analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a business plan that included improving the website, bolstering social media and connecting with other organizations to promote the museum to tourists. He also created an electronic database for its numerous artifacts dating to the 18th century.

-He helped present eight sessions on personal finance for English-speaking registrants of the Financial Empowerment Series, open to Alvernia students and community members. Topics included budgeting, investing, and student loans.

-He repeated those presentations for Opportunity House, a local nonprofit that helps unhoused people.

-He also completed a project management certification.

“The most interesting part is working with a client and applying what I learned in the classroom to the real world,” said DeGroodt, who received his MBA at Alvernia ahead of entering Syracuse Law School in the fall. “I’m able to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.”

Read more about Brody's journey and the projects he worked on 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/success-stories/opake-institute-work-helps-mba-student-stockpile-experience-future-career

In Greater Reading & Berks County, Women Support Each Other.

It's an honor to be a part of this community in many ways including the Alvernia University Women's Council's partnership with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s Women2Women program to leverage and enhance programs and opportunities available to its members in the Greater Reading community, including the annual Bernardine Legacy Award Luncheon.

At the 2026 Luncheon, we celebrated women who are making an impact in the local community and breaking down barriers to higher education:

-The Bernardine Legacy Award Winner, Suzanne Cody of Help A Girl Out USA

-Newcombe Scholarship recipient Katherine Shah, Early Childhood Education (Alvernia University Graduate & Adult Education)

Learn more about Women's Council involvement and stay up to date on upcoming opportunities, including the Invest In Yourself Leadership Summit in September by clicking here 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/womens-council