Honorees Announced for Second Annual Champions of Change Breakfast

WEST CHESTER, PA (Sept. 5, 2018) – CCFWG will host its second annual Champions of Change Breakfast on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at The Farmhouse Bistro at People’s Light in Malvern, PA. The event will honor Roberta Torian, Partner at Reed Smith, LLC, for her longstanding dedication to the advancement of female attorneys and leaders. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., will also be honored for its commitment to mentorship and career development for its female employees. 

Roberta Torian, a resident of Willistown Township, PA, will receive CCFWG’s second annual Gladys Black Woman of Distinction Award, named in memory of CCFWG’s late friend and committed Board member Gladys Black. As a business leader and supporter of women and girls in Chester County, Gladys left a lasting impact on our community. This year, we honor Roberta’s commitment to mentorship and support of fellow women in the legal profession.

A Partner in law firm Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group, Roberta is one of the most experienced bank regulatory and consumer compliance lawyers in the country. She currently chairs the Reed Smith African American Affinity Group’s Retention Subcommittee and is a founding member and chair of the National Bar Association for Women Lawyers’ Foundation, Philadelphia Chapter, whose mission is to raise funds for scholarships for diverse young women pursuing legal careers. As former President of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania’s Deaconess House, she oversaw the awarding of scholarships to women seeking to enter seminary. She served on the board of the Chester County Women’s Commission and is a current member of The Forum of Executive Women, an organization that works to advance the position of women leaders. Roberta also served on the board of the Union Benevolent Association, a Philadelphia-based philanthropic foundation, and was a past member of CCFWG’s Grants Allocation Committee and a current member of our Grants Policy Committee.

Even with her many accomplishments in a male-dominated field, Roberta’s compassion and drive to pay it forward are at the heart of her professional and personal success. She has mentored countless young women lawyers locally and around the country. In Roberta’s own words, one must “understand that self-perception is at the heart of what you can achieve. If you believe that you can conquer a challenge, even one for which you many not feel perfectly prepared, but for which you have the passion and drive, that will be the differentiator in success.”

As an advocate for its female employees, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., headquartered in Exton, PA, encourages women to pursue leadership roles. Its Women’s Investing and Networking (WIN) employee resource group mentors, educates and develops its female employees around the globe to help foster their professional success. They also offer regular workshops and internal and external development opportunities, including a nine-month coaching cohort for high potential female employees.

To assist with work-life balance, West provides all employees with options for flexible hours, the ability to work remotely, and a reduced schedule for those returning from a leave of absence. As a further testament to its support of women, over 20% of West’s Executive Team and Board seats are held by women. The company was even named as a 2020 Women on Boards Winning ‘W’ Company in 2017.

A well-known name in the region, West also provides longstanding support to community organizations and events focused on educating young women, including the Downingtown STEM Academy, the Young Men and Women in Charge Foundation, and the Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology Expo. It extends support to the Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children – a West Chester-based nonprofit that provides housing and employment assistance to homeless mothers and families – and the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, a group focused on advancing women in healthcare fields.

 

“At West, we are committed to building an inclusive workforce where all team members feel respected and have the opportunity to excel,” says Annette Favorite, Sr. Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for West. “We foster the development of our female workforce, and have celebrated the accomplishments of many West women over the years. We are honored to be recognized by CCFWG with the Corporate Champions of Change Award.”

 

“The difference each individual or place of work can make by promoting a culture of success for all is immense,” said CCFWG Executive Director, Michelle Legaspi Sánchez. “CCFWG is proud to recognize the dedication of Roberta Torian as well as West Pharmaceutical Services. Because of their leadership and courage, many women in Chester County and beyond have more opportunities to move forward.”

To learn more about Champions of Change Breakfast sponsorship opportunities, please contact CCFWG Development Director Cynthia Jaros at cjaros@ccfwg.org or 484-356-0940.

 

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