PM: What Is Your Name, Age, And Nationality?
LS: Lucine Sihelnik, 43, born in Silver Spring, MD, I am Armenian American.
PM: Tell Us About Your New Title
LS: I am currently the President and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance -GRCA. Alliance. They merged the Chamber, the Greater Berks Development Fund, and the Greater Reading Economic Partnership. Since then, they have had two Presidents, both males. I am the third but the first female.
PM: You Are Not New to Reading, Tell Us About What You Have Been Doing in Berks
LS: My father moved our family to Berks in 1994. I started working at the Reading Hospital in 2008 as the Assistant Director of Volunteer Services. I loved the culture and the opportunity to work in a community hospital with the Friends of Reading Hospital Board, volunteers, staff, patients, and family members. After I obtained my master’s degree in leadership from Alvernia University, I started consulting and founded Gayatri Wellness to use the framework of Sustainability as my soundboard for community and economic development projects. Working with clients both in the public and private sectors, I was able to bring a fresh approach focused on enhancing people, place, and profit as a triple bottom line and focus on Agriculture projects. This career approach has given me the flexibility to serve on various boards, hold an elected position as Vice President of City Council in Reading, and most recently in the appointed term of County Commissioner in 2023 all while teaching an occasion yoga class at Folino Estate to stay grounded and supporting our family passion project, the Great American Creamery in Downtown Reading.
PM: What Made You Go for This Position? Why You? What Are Your Plans?
LS: I would like to make sure that people in Greater Reading and beyond know about the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), understand what we do, and want to be a part of creating a strong economic ecosystem. That means dynamic interconnected systems of community and economic development including member services like professional development, lending and talent attraction, economic, real estate and workforce development, advocacy, events & special programs all working together for the best outcome. We are greater together if we advance, we connect, we engage and we champion the future of fostering the best environment to live, work, learn, play, and grow. I am honored and ready to do that for Greater Reading as the CEO and President.
PM: As A Busy Businesswoman and Mother What Helps You with Self Care?
LS: Yoga is a practice where I can continually work on being the best version of myself. I can take the time to focus on myself: the body, mind, and spirit balance necessary to be all the facets of myself that I choose to be. Have you ever experienced a yoga practice that brings you that feeling you were missing before you started? I take that feeling from my practice and place it in my heart. I carry it off the mat and with me on the journey that is waiting for me. Every day is different, but I am always confident my authentic self is enough to conquer what lies ahead.
PM: Any Words for Palo Magazine’s Readers?
LS: I do not support the concept that positions define people or that professional and personal growth are linear or follow a direct path. Find a deep purpose in what you want to do, and doors will open for you to change the world.
These Are the Women Who Made Sure Lucine’s Crown Was on Right for This Palo Magazine Shoot:
• Lords And Ladies Fleetwood owned by Ashley Coccia Hair and Makeup
• Dara Jo styling by Dara Pietrzyk
• T-shirt & Sweatshirt, Have Some Fun Today is run by Stephanie Taormino
• She wore Sorelli Jewelry as well as Vanscoy by Caroline Hill
• LiliBea’s (bra) Robin and Katelyn
• Rosa Julia Parra, Palo Magazine
• Joana Espinosa, Golden Light Photography
Rosa J. Parra
Palo Magazine
