Katherine Berdy encourages young people to find their voices “Leadership happens best when you combine confidence, competence, and connectedness.” Katherine Berdy has made a career out of cultivating that kind of leadership among young people—in classrooms, in the community, and now as the new executive director of Youth Leadership Forum. It’s a mission she embarked upon more than two decades ago.
INTRODUCING KATHERINE BERDY Page 3
ODESSA’S ADVICE Page 3
What does it take to be an effective leader in Birmingham? Odessa Woolfolk will tell you. Odessa Woolfolk has lived history, taught history, and even helped make history in Birmingham, from the civil rights movement through the present day.
VOLUNTEERS STEP FORWARD FOR STUDENTS Page 3
STEPPING FORWARD FOR STUDENTS Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) attracts high-school students from across the community to learn more about the Birmingham region and each other. But it also brings together a group of adult volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to make each program day a success.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY Page 3
Investment Strategy Weily Soong commits to growing Birmingham’s talent pool Participating in the class of 2015 continues to pay career dividends for Weily Soong, Allervie Health chief medical officer, who ranks it among “the most influential experiences in my adult life.” In return, he has eagerly shared his time and resources, serving as Health Day co-chair in 2016 and 2022 and making a monetary gift to support Leadership Birmingham programming. Soong describes Leadership Birmingham’s impact and the crucial reason all alumni should consider making a contribution: What encouraged you to stay involved? Soong: Leadership Birmingham helped me to further understand that health-care problems—specifically health disparities and inequities—involve many different areas in our community and encouraged me to be creative in developing solutions.
WORLD GAMES LEADERS READY FOR SPOTLIGHT Page 3
Winning Ways World Games leaders prepared for the global spotlight Company’s coming, Birmingham. This summer the Magic City will host the biggest international sporting event since the Olympics—the World Games 2022—and will welcome thousands of athletes and spectators.
PHOTOS: End of Year Celebration 2022 Page 3
Click here to see photos from the End of Year Celebration
Class of 2022 Study Group Projects Page 3
CLICK HERE to see information about the Class of 2022 small group projects.
Katherine Berdy new director of Youth Leadership Forum Page 3
Katherine Berdy to serve as new director of Youth Leadership Forum Katherine Berdy has been named as the new director of Youth Leadership Forum, effective July 1. Berdy was selected following a thorough search by members of the YLF Steering Committee, a dedicated group of volunteers and alumni who guide and advise the program.
FIRST LOOK: THE NEW HUGH KAUL TRAIL Page 3
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