Name: Sarah Eccles
Hometown: Springfield, PA
Company: Aqua, an Essential Utility
Position: Manager Billing, Collection, and Cash Application
Length of time you have been with you company: 11 ½ years
Briefly describe your journey, noting both personal milestones and obstacles you may have faced along the way. I began my career at Aqua almost right out of college as a Customer Analyst. My degree from Bloomsburg University was in Finance and while I didn’t go directly into that field, I learned through my first job that I enjoyed working with data analytics and process improvements. As I advanced my career at Aqua, I was promoted to a supervisor role in Field Services, jumped over to Meter Operations and now I work in our Billing, Collections and Cash Application department. During that time, I went back to school to get my MBA at Penn State Great Valley. Moving across different departments over my career has helped me build my professional and personal network and allowed me to learn various aspects of the utility business. 

Name: Bainy Ahouangnato
Hometown: Collingdale, PA 
Company: Independence Blue Cross
Position: Product Implementation and Operations Manager 
Length of time you have been with you company: 10 years

Briefly describe your journey, noting both personal milestones and obstacles you may have faced along the way. I joined Independence about 10 years ago as a contractor in the billing department. I remember being asked what were my five years goal and I responded that I wanted to be a manager within five years. She, jokingly, said "you want my job?" and I said "No, I want my own". 4 years and 3 months later, I was promoted to a manager role. Most of my obstacles were about views differences between me and other leaders, as well as leadership styles. I cannot function well under micro management and I have reported to a few leaders who micro manages their team. Those times were the most challenging for me. 

Leadership Delaware County '23
Name:  Jason Burke       
Hometown: Havertown, PA
Company: Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
Position: AVP/ Branch Manager
Length of time you have been with you company: 11 Years
Briefly describe your journey, noting both personal milestones and obstacles you may have faced along the way. -  I began my career in banking 11 years ago as a management trainee.  I had a degree in management but no banking or real leadership experience.  I quickly jumped into the fire, learned as much as I could, and remained positive as I grew and welcomed the challenges of leading a team in a new career.