CEOs You Should Know - Philadelphia

In December 2021, Matías Tarnopolsky was appointed president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center, Inc., a visionary partnership that brings the greatest performances and most impactful education and community programs to audiences in Philadelphia and beyond. The groundbreaking new organization reimagines the power of the arts to bring joy, create community, and effect change—to uplift all Philadelphians.

Tarnopolsky served as president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, beginning in August 2018. Described in the Philadelphia Inquirer as a “quiet revolutionary,” he has—in partnership with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra—accelerated change toward a more equitable, inclusive, and engaged organization. By enriching programming with works of BIPOC musicians, composers, and artists; launching the Digital Stage; offering free virtual content; and encouraging a change to the formal dress code for Orchestra musicians, Tarnopolsky dismantles barriers to access to reach broader and more diverse audiences.

He is a passionate believer in the arts as a unifying force, helping to form connections, spark conversations, and offer strength and solace. During Tarnopolsky’s tenure, The Philadelphia Orchestra received the largest gift in its history, launched an innovative free ticket program for the School District of Philadelphia, strengthened history-making partnerships with international collaborators, and in 2019 negotiated an early contract with the musicians of the Orchestra designed to provide a stable and secure financial future. Tarnopolsky has brought a fresh approach to programming, working with Nézet-Séguin to create unique concert experiences and further The Philadelphia Orchestra’s place in the communities it serves locally, nationally, and internationally. In April 2022, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Nézet-Séguin won their first GRAMMY Award for Best Orchestra Performance for their Deutsche Grammophon recording of Florence Price’s First and Third symphonies.

The Philadelphia Business Journal recognized Tarnopolsky and the Orchestra with the 2021 Faces
of Philanthropy award. It also named Tarnopolsky to its list of 2021 Most Admired CEOs. He was
selected as one of the 100 most powerful people in Philadelphia for City & State Pennsylvania’s
Philadelphia Power 100 list in December 2021. Under his leadership, The Philadelphia Orchestra
was named Gramophone magazine’s 2020 Orchestra of the Year.

Driven by a lifelong passion for and innate knowledge of the arts, Tarnopolsky has deep
experience molding the artistic profiles of orchestras and cultural centers, including key leadership
roles at the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony
Orchestra. He previously served as executive and artistic director of Cal Performances at the
University of California, Berkeley, the largest multi-disciplinary university-based arts presenter and
producer in the United States.

Tarnopolsky received degrees in music and musicology from the University of London’s King’s
College. In 2013, he was named one of Musical America’s international “Movers & Shakers: 30
Key Influencers in the Performing Arts” and was selected as Classical Music “MVP” by the San
Francisco Chronicle. In 2015 he was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by
the French Ministry of Culture. He serves on the boards of New Music USA, the Executive
Committee of the Avery Fisher Artist Program, the Advisory Council of the Tianjin Juilliard School,
the Pacific Harmony Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.
September 2022

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Rodríguez, MCP President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC)

For over 20 years, Jennifer has worked to support economic development, wealth creation and empowerment of underrepresented groups at the city, regional and national levels. In her role as the President & CEO of GPHCC, and as the Region 5 Representative at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she focuses on initiatives that ‘close the gap’ for Latinos in the economy. Her work centers on advocating for the 22,000+ Hispanic-owned businesses in the Philadelphia region and supporting the advancement of Latinx professionals in the corporate sector. She is a founding member of the Diverse Chambers Coalition of Philadelphia and Co-Chair of the Latino Equitable Development Collective in Philadelphia.

Prior to joining GPHCC, Jennifer was Executive Director of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs, where she championed policies that have earned Philadelphia a national reputation as a welcoming city. She sits on various boards, including the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Association for Public Art, and WHYY. She has been recognized among Philadelphia Business Journal’s Power 100 and is the recipient of various awards, including the NFL’s Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. Jennifer is a frequent guest speaker and commentator on issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the economy. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenny Holdsman serves as PYB’s President and CEO as well as a co-founder of PYB. In his role, Kenny oversees all aspects of the organization including strategic planning; fund development; board development and engagement; community partnerships; program design, implementation, and evaluation; budget and finance; and operations.He has been involved with empowering young minds for many years through education, leadership, character development, mentorship, family involvement, and high-quality opportunities both in schools and in communities. Kenny has been a vital part of many successful organizations such as serving as the President of Legacy Youth Tennis and Education (formerly Arthur Ashe) from February 2009 to June 2015. Kenny attended Cheltenham High School, Lehigh University, as well as Temple University School of Law.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Avkin was started by a Amy Cowperthwait, a nurse simulationist at the University of Delaware who saw the need for a better way to educate her students. She went to the engineering department with an idea to develop a wearable tracheostomy prototype.
After other companies would not license the technology, Avkin submitted a poster at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) winning first prize for innovation and technology at the conference. It was then the team decided to start their own company designing and manufacturing wearable simulators. These simulators allow the learner to be fully immersed in simulation, practicing challenging conversations as well as the necessary healthcare skill.
Avkin has grown exponentially over the years, expanding product lines beyond wearable simulators and into standardized patient methodology and consulting.
Avkin founder and CEO Amy Cowperthwait continues to be recognized as a leader and innovator in healthcare simulation and education. Most recently, she was recognized with the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator – Advanced (CHSE-A) designation, one of just 83 professionals in the world to achieve such an honor.
Cowperthwait also was recognized at the University of Delaware’s inaugural WE Hatch Honor Circle. Honorees chosen are women who inspired others with ingenuity, passion, innovation, and persistence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roy Leitstein has served as Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Treatment Services since itsinception. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Services. Roybegan his career in social services while serving in the United States Army and volunteering for theExceptional Family Member Program. Roy was named Executive Director at The Children’s Home where after nine years, he co-facilitated a merger between The Children’s Home and The Drenk Center and assumed the role of Legacy Treatment Services’ CEO. In 2017 Roy helped orchestrate an affiliation agreement with Community Treatment Solutions bringing both organizations together to further Legacy’s continuum of care.Under Roy’s leadership Legacy established a new affiliation with Woods Services of Bucks County, PA. Woods and Legacy are creating a dynamic population health management organization that relies on our combined expertise to provide the highest quality care continuum that meets complex health, behavioral, social and educational needs.Legacy Treatment Services is a nonprofit behavioral health organization serving 20,000 individuals annually and operates over 70 programs across New Jersey. Services include prevention programs, outpatient therapy and psychiatric services, substance abuse, crisis intervention, therapeutic foster care, residential programs, case management, services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, and a special education school. Roy is married to his wife Aimee and they have two children - Noah and Molly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharmain Matlock-Turner is the CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition. She began her tenure in March 1999 with the special distinction of being the first woman to lead the Coalition. The Urban Affairs Coalition, formerly GPUAC, unites government, business, neighborhoods, and individual initiative to improve the quality of life in the region, build wealth in urban communities, and solve emerging issues. In partnership with a diverse Board of Directors, made up of business, nonprofit and community leaders, Ms. Matlock-Turner and her team of managers and nearly 450 employees create partnerships and build consensus to help families reduce poverty and reach the middle class. The organization’s efforts are focused in four areas: improving life chances for youth and young adults; building wealth in low income communities; forging strategic partnerships and strengthening the nonprofit sector through fiscal sponsorship. The organization has successfully managed more than $1B in public and private funds over its 50+ year history.

Ms. Matlock-Turner is co-founder and chair emeritus of the 24-year-old West Oak Lane Charter School. In addition, she serves on the following boards and committees: The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Board of Directors; Peirce College Board of Trustees; PECO Board of Directors; .Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Philadelphia Civil Service Commission Nominating Panel; Philadelphia Equity Alliance; Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia; Uplift Solutions; Philadelphia Council for College and Career Success; Street Soccer PHL; Read by 4th; Foundations Inc. National Advisory Board; United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey; Greater Philadelphia Mentoring Collaborative; Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia Regional Strategy and Leadership Committee; Public Citizens for Children and Youth Advisory Council; AmerisourceBergen Foundation External Advisory Committee; Philadelphia Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee; The Philadelphia Foundation’s On the Table Steering Committee; SEPTA Reimagining Regional Rail Stakeholder Advisory Committee; Thomas Jefferson Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Committee; Pyramid Club Board of Governors; Cranaleith Spiritual Center President’s Council; Regional Advisory Board & Consumer and Business Affairs Committee; Mayor Kenney’s Workforce Development Steering Committee; Keystone Health Education Committee; and the Independence Health Group Advisory Board for Consumer and Business Affairs.. She was appointed by Gov. Wolf to serve on the PA Redistricting Reform Commission, and the Census 2020 Complete Count Commission. She was also appointed by Philadelphia City Council to co-chair its Special Commission on Poverty Reduction & Prevention. She is a founding member of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. She co-chairs the Draw the Lines PA East Steering Committee.
Ms. Matlock-Turner has received numerous awards including the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Diversity and Inclusion Award and the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Award. She is often asked to speak to local, regional, and national organizations.
Ms. Matlock-Turner holds a BS degree in Education from Temple University. In 2005, she was one of three Philadelphia nonprofit leaders selected to receive a scholarship to the Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. In 2014 she received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Peirce College. She is a Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute for Government.
She is a Philadelphia resident and is married to Anthony “Tony” Turner with two grown daughters, Ayanna Matlock and Naima Fleming, and is the grandmother of Joshua Matlock Hale.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wendy Yuengling, serves as Chief Administrative Officer for D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. She is sixth generation of a family brewing legacy. Wendy joined the family business in 2004 and spent the next several years working in every department of the company – learning sales, marketing, and operations, including brewing and packaging. She currently works in an administration role for the brewery, focusing on information systems, finance, human capital and sales & marketing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.