Mary Stengel Austen to Receive Paradigm Award

Mary Stengel Austen, president and chief executive officer of Tierney Communications, has been selected as the recipient of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Paradigm Award, the region’s most prestigious award for businesswomen.

The award is presented annually to an influential chief executive of a for-profit enterprise with a strong economic impact on the region. The Paradigm honoree is well respected for her commitment to women and vision for future generations, and her outstanding professional and philanthropic achievements serve as a model for success.

Ms. Austen co-founded The Tierney Group in 1989, a predecessor to today’s Tierney Communications. With offices in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Tierney is one of the mid-Atlantic region’s largest communications agencies and a member of the Interpublic Group of companies (NYSE : IPG). The agency serves clients representing a range of industry leaders including Bayer Environmental Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Independence Blue Cross, McDonald’s, PECO, the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Sun Life Financial, TD Bank and Verizon.

"Mary is a phenomenal role model for women in business," said Chamber President & CEO Rob Wonderling. "Through her progressive leadership Tierney has grown to be one of the most prominent communications agencies in the region. This is an exceptional feat in a very competitive marketplace."

"Mary’s success is so inspirational in the way she has grown the agency and maintained its prominence through changes in ownership, fluctuations in the economy, and bursts of new technology," said Judy Spires, president of Acme Markets and prior honoree. "And through it all, she has maintained a steadiness, a focus, and a standard of excellence that lifts the reputation of all advertising and public relations professionals."

"As recognition of Mary’s leadership ability has grown, she has been tapped for key positions in business, academic, and civic organizations from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to the United Way, American Heart Association and League of Women Voters," said Judee von Seldeneck , Chairman & CEO of Diversified Search Odgers Berndtson and a member of the Paradigm Award selection committee. "She is sought after for both regional and high-profile national communications efforts because of her can-do personality and strong relationship-building skills."

A member of the Chamber’s Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, Ms. Austen has distinguished herself as a champion of the region and a go-to resource for bringing in new members. In 2009, she also served as co-chair of the CEO Search Committee for the new Chamber President & CEO, Rob Wonderling.

In addition, Ms. Austen serves on a number of other Boards including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital (vice-chair), Main Line Health and Steppingstone Scholars, Inc. She is a cabinet member of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s 2009 Campaign for Giving, and member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Forum of Executive Women.

Under Ms. Austen’s progressive leadership, Tierney has won accolades for its pro bono and community involvement programs from the national Stevie Awards for Women in Business (2008) and the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2008 and 2009.

Ms. Austen is devoted to mentoring and retaining talent through ongoing professional training at the agency’s "Tierney University" — and equally committed to helping professional women achieve a work-life balance: including four of seven members of Tierney’s top management who are working mothers.

The Philadelphia Business Journal also named Ms. Austen a 2004 Woman of Distinction, and, in 2005, the City of Hope presented her with its Spirit of Life Award. In 2009, she was recognized by the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters with its Civic Leadership Award and was chosen as the Woman of Heart Honoree for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Luncheon.

"Mary is a passionate Philadelphia business executive, committed to building her company and to enhancing the social fabric of our community through her energetic involvement in many activities and causes," said Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, who nominated her for the award. "She is a remarkable and inspirational leader with extraordinary personal and professional skills and accomplishments."

A graduate of Lafayette College, Ms. Austen is a member of its Board of Trustees. In addition to an active professional life, she and her husband Peter live in Radnor, Pennsylvania with their five children, ages six to 13.

On Thursday, March 11, 2010, the business community will celebrate Ms. Austen’s accomplishments with the presentation of a Paradigm crystal sculpture at a luncheon at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, where she will designate $25,000 in charitable gifts provided with support from Ernst & Young.

In addition, through the generosity of many individuals and corporations, the awards program has grown in recent years to include the Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women. Several women will share $25,000 in merit-based scholarships to help complete their undergraduate degrees while working full-time at Chamber member companies. Special presentations will be made to the Helena T. Devereux and Stradley Ronon scholars.

Awarded annually since 1992, Mary Stengel Austen is the 18th Paradigm honoree. She is joining a distinguished field of past recipients that includes Judy Spires of Acme Markets, Deborah M. Fretz of Sunoco Logistics, and Renee Amoore of The Amoore Group.

For more information on the Paradigm luncheon, please e-mail rwarburton@greaterphilachamber.com or click here.