Paradigm Award Presented to Sovereign Bank’s Terry D’Alessandro

Recently Terry D’Alessandro, Executive Vice President, Market CEO, Mid-Atlantic East for Sovereign Bank, graciously accepted the Paradigm Award recently from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Now in its 15th year, the award recognizes a woman in business for her outstanding professional and personal achievements. 

At a luncheon sponsored by Ernst & Young, Mark Schweiker, President & CEO of the Chamber, and Renee Amoore, President of The Amoore Group and Chair of the 2007 Paradigm Award and Scholarship Committee, presented Ms. D’Alessandro with the distinctive Paradigm crystal sculpture and charitable gift. 

Ms. Alessandro donated a portion of this gift to the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Women’s Initiative and to Surrey Services for Seniors, both   organizations close to her heart, as she serves on their boards. Furthermore, a portion of the Paradigm gift was given to the Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women, a merit scholarship awarded annually to women who wish to complete their undergraduate degrees while working full-time. 

Terry D’Alessandro has been a leader in the financial services industry for more than 35 years. She started in the industry as a bank teller, and moved through the ranks to her current position, in which she is responsible for all retail and commercial business growth and profitability for a $3.5 billion market and leads more than 700 employees. 

More than 730 people were present to commemorate Ms. D’Alessandro’s achievements, and she was twice honored with a standing ovation over the course of the luncheon. In a tribute by the Surrey Chorus of Surrey Services for Seniors, the group of singers aged 65-93 serenaded the crowd with Broadway show tunes.

After being presented with the award, Ms. D’Alessandro spoke of the importance of her friends and family in helping her achieve her current position and her volunteer work in the Greater Philadelphia community.  She also emphasized maintaining close-knit working relationships and creating an environment that fosters innovative thinking among her employees as keys to success in business.

And, she had some other advice for women in business: don’t be afraid to take a risk when an opportunity presents itself; don’t underestimate the value of networking and building new relationships across and outside the company; respect everyone; and use your sense of humor.

Additional sponsors for the Paradigm Award are Devereux, Diversified Search; PECO; PNC; Stradley Ronon; The Amoore Group; Citizens Bank; Independence Blue Cross; The Leader’s Edge; Sovereign Bank and Wachovia.

For more information about this year’s event, visit greaterphilachamber.com/paradigmaward. For information about next year’s event, contact Erin Corle at 215-790-3766 or ecorle@greaterphilachamber.com.