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

Terry D’Alessandro, Market Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Sovereign Bank’s Metro Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey region, has been selected to receive the 2007 Paradigm Award, the region’s most prestigious award for businesswomen. 

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Paradigm Award is presented annually to a singular woman in business whose outstanding professional and personal achievements serve as a model for success both in her profession and throughout the community.       

We will honor Ms. D’Alessandro for her leadership and commitment to excellence at our Paradigm Award Luncheon on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building in Center City.

“The Paradigm recipient is a woman who successfully combines business achievement with community leadership and we surely have found those qualities in Terry D'Alessandro,” said Mark S. Schweiker, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. “She has built her career in this region and as she has taken on increasing responsibility, she has matched that visibility with contributions of her time and talent to help others.”

Ms. D’Alessandro has been a leader in the financial services industry for more than 35 years. As CEO for Sovereign Bank’s Metro Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey market, she is responsible for all retail and commercial business growth and profitability of the $2.6 billion market and leads more than 500 employees.

“I am very flattered to receive the Paradigm Award,” said Ms. D’Alessandro. “I know many of the talented women who have been chosen for this award and I am honored to now be among them.”

Ms. D’Alessandro said that because of Sovereign Bank’s focus, she was encouraged to volunteer for community activities. “I am fortunate that because we are a community bank, my company encourages volunteer activities,” she said.

Ms. D’Alessandro began her banking career in 1970 as a teller at Main Line Federal Savings & Loan Association, which eventually became Main Line Bank.

She spent nearly 30 years with Main Line Bank, where she was senior vice president of Retail Banking Administration in 1997 when it was acquired by Sovereign Bank. 

Since that time, Ms. D'Alessandro has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility with Sovereign Bank.

Among her many community commitments, she serves as chairperson of the board of directors of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and led its 2005-2006 annual campaign.   

In recognition of her accomplishments, the Chamber will present Ms. D’Alessandro with the Paradigm crystal sculpture and a charitable gift, provided by support from Ernst & Young, which Ms. D'Alessandro will allocate to organizations that benefit women’s issues.

She will also hold a seat on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for one year. 

Through the generosity of corporate sponsors, a portion of the Paradigm gift will also be donated in Ms. D’Alessandro’s name to the Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women

The Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women was created to enhance and benefit the career aspirations of working women in the Greater Philadelphia area and to enable more women to achieve their potential and inspire others to become individual paradigms of success. 

This merit scholarship is awarded annually to women who wish to complete their undergraduate degrees while working full-time for Chamber member companies. 

Winners receive up to $5,000 that must be used for tuition and/or books within a two-year period.  Scholarship recipients are announced at the annual Paradigm Award celebration in March.

Ms. D'Alessandro is the 15th recipient of the region’s most revered honor for a businesswoman. The 2006 recipient was Dorrit J. Bern, Chairman, CEO & President, Charming Shoppes, Inc.

For more information about the Paradigm Award Luncheon, please contact Erin Corle at (215) 790-3766 or ecorle@greaterphilachamber.com or visit greaterphilachamber.com.