“Ageless Leadership: Violet Emory on Breaking Barriers and Building Opportunity in Berks”
PM: Violet, can you tell us about your role and what drives your work at Tec Centro Berks?
VE: Absolutely. I am a Berks County native and currently serve as Executive Director at Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation—better known as Tec Centro Berks. I recently transitioned from my role as Program Director, and it has been incredibly rewarding to lead this mission. I am driven by a lifelong love of learning and a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. That is what keeps me motivated every day.
PM: What is Tec Centro Berks, and how is it impacting the community?
VE: Tec Centro Berks is a bilingual workforce and education center in Reading, focused on empowering the Latino and underserved communities. We provide adult basic education, GED, ESL, job readiness training, and career pathways in high-demand fields like healthcare, culinary arts, construction, and digital literacy. We have partnered with organizations like Reading Area Community College and local employers to ensure our programs align with real workforce needs.
We recently completed a major expansion—adding modern training labs, a commercial kitchen, and digital classrooms—to serve more students. As part of the Tec Centro Regional Network, we are helping build a statewide model for bilingual workforce development that has been proven to reduce poverty and increase access to opportunity.
PM: You had a long career in federal service before this. How does that inform your work today?
VE: I spent 35 years as Deputy-in-Charge of the Reading U.S. Federal Court office and worked in the mental health field with court-mandated clients. That experience gave me a clear view of the barriers many people face, especially those navigating legal, language, or economic challenges. My work today at Tec Centro is about removing those barriers and helping people build a better future through education and employment.
PM: What values guide your leadership?
VE: Integrity, transparency, and meaningful partnerships. I believe in building trust with students, partners, and the broader community. I also serve on the Boards of the Reading Public Museum and the Berks Community Health Center, which lets me stay connected to different parts of our community’s fabric.
PM: And outside of work?
VE: I cherish time with my husband, our adult daughters, and especially our grandchildren. Their energy and curiosity inspire me—and remind me why investing in the next generation is so important.
Rosa Julia Parra
Founder & Editor
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610-223-7071
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