Metro Philadelphia Power Women 2022

Adrienne Straccione, CPA, is the partner-in-charge of the Philadelphia office and first woman to become partner at Wouch Maloney CPAs and Business Advisors. She works with high revenue, multi-entity construction and real estate companies as well as boutique professional services firms. Adrienne serves on the Board of Professional Women in Construction, Philadelphia, is a member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council, NAWIC, GBCA, ABC, and received the PICPA Women to Watch Award in 2021.

Stephanie Sun is the first female immigrant appointed executive director of Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. She has worked for governments and three Fortune 100 international corporations in three countries, China, South Korea, and the US. In 2016, Stephanie collaborated with the Philadelphia City Council to organize the first City Council public hearing concerning the Asian Pacific community in Pennsylvania. At the 2020 Census, Stephanie led the largest Asian Pacific community education and engagement in the history of Pennsylvania, resulting in Chinese being added to Pennsylvania’s election system from 2022.

Who is a woman that inspires you?  

One of the women who inspire me is my professor in my post-graduate program, who got my mind set on being a teacher and being a public servant.

In addition to teaching, she spent much more time being with and communicating with students. She took the time and effort to get to know each student as a unique individual with sincere curiosity and respect. Not only does she impart knowledge and teach about the ways of thinking, but she teaches you how to live a better life.

She also took students to her home, including me, to meet her family. That was how I met her mother, who was a high school teacher, and another role model to me. At the time, when very few people had cars in Asia, she took public transportation and sometimes ended up walking for hours just to visit every students’ home and their families. She is 85 years old now, and her eldest students are over 60. Every year, her students travel across the country to get together to celebrate her birthday with her, and take her on trips to the students’ current hometowns.

These two women deeply affected the way that I think about being a teacher, especially when I was a tenured college professor in Asia, as well as my mindset on public service work in my current career. In my day to day work serving and advocating for the community, I see people as human beings, not just data, numbers, a part of statistics, or a concept of a group on a piece of paper. I then frame my work as trying to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every individual. Although our work is to advise on policy, I always remind myself that those policies impact the lives of very diverse individuals, from different backgrounds, facing different challenges, and with different needs.

In my mind, to recognize, identify, respect, and address people’s differences is the starting point of equity. Then, we need the wisdom and strategies to connect the dots, and the creativity and effort to build solutions, to try our best everyday to meet the needs of people, with the limited resources that we have in our hands.

Zabeth Teelucksingh is passionate about raising Philadelphia’s global profile. Since 2011, Zabeth has been the executive director for the nonprofit Global Philadelphia Association and under her leadership, in November 2015, GPA partnered with the City of Philadelphia for membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cities, making Philadelphia the first World Heritage City in the US.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
Harriet Tubman for her leadership and courage, Angela Merkel for her remarkable guidance of the German economy, Malala Yufsaiza for being a global beacon, Jane Goodall for her stewardship of nature, and Madeleine Albright for her strength in diplomacy.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?From sports, to clubs, to codes of conduct, many aspects of business life continue to be defined from a man’s point of view. We must learn to define our own codes and to work to create an increasingly equitable work environment.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Do not let your biological clock get in the way of your aspirations in life–keep professionally active when raising a family.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Always be polished and prepared and continue to educate yourself as you progress–this keeps you informed and in tune with market trends.

Dawn Thomas-Hayward is a humble and unapologetic servant-leader. As a communications practitioner with over 20 years of experience, Dawn’s professional priorities include excellence, innovation, and diversity. Her personal priorities are faith, family, and community. As an Arcadia University alum, Dawn’s professional experiences in cultural resources, social services, healthcare, real estate, and most recently, workforce development, have all contributed to her breadth of knowledge. Dawn is expecting to study for her CMP certification in the coming months and currently serves as the communications chair for the NAACP Ambler Branch.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My sister Precious Graham, MBA, PHR. Precious is fierce, certain, and disciplined. All things I aspire to be.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?Maybe an experiment where workplaces, nationally, try to function without women for one week. I have a feeling that might level the playing field.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
My assertiveness is often misread as defensiveness, aggression, or insubordination. As a Black female leader, this has been a challenge throughout my career. I respect authority and I speak truth to power. I want that to be okay for every woman.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Seriously vet your circle of influence. Seek a champion, sponsor, and mentor early in your career. Know the difference between those three roles in your life. Listen to them, believe them. They kicked down the doors you will so easily walk through one day.

Kate Unger Davis, a partner at Dechert LLP, defends Fortune 500 companies in multi-jurisdictional mass tort actions involving claims of personal injury, consumer fraud, and public nuisance. She manages large teams of attorneys across all stages of a dispute from discovery to appeal. She has particular expertise in developing expert witnesses and an unbeaten trial record.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My Aunt Sue inspires me. She was an oncology nurse and raised four children on her own. Her kids all went into helping professions and are really a credit to her love and hard work. She is recently retired and I hope enjoying some well-earned rest!

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? I think equity in the workplace will continue to be illusive until there is equity in the home. We both need to decrease the load that women carry as well as increase the insight, investment, and allyship of our male colleagues.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Being young(ish), blonde, and female, I am sometimes underestimated. But you do so at your own peril because like many women, I have adapted to be hyper competent and prepared.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
My advice is to say “yes” much more than you say “no.” Opportunities tend to beget opportunities, and you don’t learn anything from the one you missed.

Cheryl Ann Wadlington is the founder and executive director of The Evoluer House, a global change agent in the field of personal growth. Recognized by the White House as a “Champion of Change,” Cheryl Ann was honored for her leadership and work in developing extracurricular enrichment for marginalized girls. Under Cheryl Ann’s leadership, the organization has delivered award-winning empowerment programs over the past 18 years to more than 2,200 teen girls of color. As a testament to its success, 100 percent of Evoluer program graduates attend four-year colleges or other institutes of higher learning.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My mother, Hazel Wadlington, an activist who dedicated her life to making the world a better place for the poor and downtrodden.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? The first step is to combat overt discrimination. To do this, company leadership and HR must ensure that there is an agreement at the organizational level on equal opportunity. Commit to engaging in courageous conversations.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Being judged differently only due the color of my skin, instead of recognizing that I am an invaluable high-performer.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Persevere. Empower other women to take the lead. And remember: She who dares, wins!

No one understands the Northeast quite like Jenis Walsh. Born and bred in the same coal mining region as President Joe Biden, Jenis understands that you need to be extra scrappy navigating the political world as a woman. She is the vice president of the Pennsylvania Young Democrats and serves as the Northeast regional political director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. Jenis is a proud Emerge Alumni and dog mom to her rescue corgi, Rosie.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My Mother.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? I feel like opportunities must be provided to all employees regardless of their background; equal opportunities lead to equal chances regardless of gender or race.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general? Imposter Syndrome.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Be unapologetically yourself.

Jill Weber is a professional archaeologist and restaurateur. She has worked in the Middle East for 30 years, including in Syria, where she excavated and identified the world’s first equid hybrid. Jill’s interest in the intersection between people, food, and history inspired her to open Jet Wine Bar, Rex at the Royal, Café Ynez, and Sor Ynez. She is president of Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia, co-host for Sisterly Love Collective, and president of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia.

Who is a woman that inspires you?

Queen Zenobia of Palmyra!

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?

Just get rid of the barriers. Make the rules–and enforcement of them–the same for everyone.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?

Condescension and patronizing behavior. It is so infuriating to be dismissed due to someone else’s closed mind. On the other hand, that behavior is a great litmus test for a person’s character, and a basis for deciding whether someone is worth one’s time.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Be confident and just be. Don’t worry about others’ expectations, and choose wisely the people with whom you will work.

Arlasia Williams is the assistant director of Serenity Care Resources, a non-clinical home care agency that serves adults and the disabled in the Southeast region of Pennsylvania. Arlasia is a second-generation college graduate. Both of her parents taught her the importance of taking her education, strengths, and resources and using it to serve her community. Arlasia now manages a magnificent team of diverse women who assist in carrying out this vision of service and support for the community in which she lives. 

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My Mother–Tarron Thomas.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? Go back to the foundation. Examine company structures and workflows and utilize diversity and inclusion departments to maintain and enforce a company wide code of ethics created to ensure that no one is ever overlooked or undervalued.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
We are educated and we are experienced. We have the knowledge needed to build and sustain fortune 500 companies. It’s been an ongoing challenge for us to be acknowledged for the vital role we play in keeping so many companies successful.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
A woman’s voice is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to speak up for what you want. People need to hear from you. They need your knowledge, your expertise and your wisdom. Use your voice.

Regina Young is an educator, social service worker, community advocate, mother, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, niece, and friend who serves as the state representative for Pennsylvania’s 185th District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications, a master’s degree in Community Development, and an honorary doctorate degree in Divinity. Representative Young is focused on three buckets: education, access, and exposure, and is determined to seek solutions to combat the social and environmental ills that plague communities. 

Who is a woman that inspires you?
Shirley Chisholm.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? Continue to show up and be consistent and determined to continue to remind others, including yourself, of your worth.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
The perception that I am not prepared for the room because of my racial makeup, my environment and family dynamics. I’ve learned that other people’s perception of me does not have to be my reality.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Be consistent and determined to be the best version of yourself.