Tierney President and CEO Mary Stengel Austen Named 2013 United Way Women's Initiative Honoree

Highly respected businesswoman to receive award as United Way celebrates 10-year anniversary of its Women's Initiative

PHILADELPHIA, Feb.14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mary Stengel Austen, president and chief executive officer of Tierney, the region's largest  full-service integrated advertising and public relations agency, will receive the 2013 Women's Initiative Award during United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey's  (UWGPSNJ) Women's Initiative Gala on March 13, 2013 at the Crystal Tea Room. The gala will celebrate women in leadership and commemorate the 10^th anniversary of United Way's Women's Initiative in southeastern Pennsylvania, a leadership network committed to philanthropy and volunteerism by increasing the impact of women donors and strengthening programs that serve at-risk women and girls.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130214/DC60506)

Austen's commitment to philanthropy made her an obvious choice to receive the Women's Initiative Award during this special milestone year, said Jill Michal, president & CEO of UWGPSNJ.  

"For many years, Mary has provided unwavering support for United Way and our mission to improve education, income and health throughout the region," Michal said. "But as a mother of five children who just happens to be the head of a major communications firm, Mary embodies what it means to be a woman in leadership. She is a wonderful role model for any woman who strives to succeed in her personal and professional endeavors."

Austen has been a longtime supporter of United Way, serving most recently as a member of the organization's regional board of directors and as chair of the 2011 United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania Campaign, which raised $48.5 million.  Her commitment to strengthening the vitality of the region extends beyond her work at United Way, including service on the boards of Alex's Lemonade Stand, Main Line Health, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Lafayette College. Her work has been celebrated throughout the business and nonprofit communities, with recognitions including the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Paradigm Award, the region's most prestigious award for businesswomen; the Spirit of Life award, the City of Hope's most prestigious honor presented to community leaders; and accolades from the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, the American Heart Association, and the Salvation Army.

"It is an honor to receive the 2013 Women's Initiative Award.  Since its inception 10 years ago, United Way's Women's Initiative has built an incredible network of women committed to philanthropy and volunteerism," Austen said. "In turn, through programs like Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow, these leaders have helped hundreds of at-risk girls develop core values that support their future success.  I could not be more proud to support that effort, and I look forward to the next 10 years of success for the Women's Initiative."

Proceeds from the Women's Initiative Gala support Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow — the Women's Initiative's signature program — which helps adolescent girls in grades 6 and 7 develop core values that will protect them from negative influences and support their success as adults. Over the past 10 years, the Women's Initiative has raised nearly $3 million in support of this and other programs that improve the lives of at-risk women and girls.

More than 700 guests are expected to attend the Gala, which will also recognize presenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross for its ongoing support of the Women's Initiative. Additional sponsors include PwC, Enterprise Holdings, Pfizer, 1847 Financial, Tierney, Vanguard, Amerisource Bergen, Comcast Corporation/NBC10, CRW Graphics, Deloitte, Eisner Amper, Hollister Creative, The Leader's Edge/Leaders by Design, Morgan Lewis, PNC and UPS.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May  and Cumberland counties , is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health.

SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey