Benter Foundation Vision Awardee Heather McElwee Travels to England

This spring, PGC's executive director Heather McElwee attended an exclusive leadership training program at Hult Business School in Berkhamsted, England thanks to funding from The Benter Foundation through the Benter Vision Awards.

The several month long program takes a deep dive into individual leadership approaches and includes pre- and post- assessment activities, personal coaching and a weeklong intensive training program at Ashridge House, formerly a royal residence to Henry VIII with 190 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. 

“The program really took advantage of the setting by encouraging us to get out and onto the campus during the week. I was surprised at how many activities other than lectures were incorporated into the program. For example, every morning we walked with a partner for 15 minutes to share what resonated for us most from the previous day. They explained that research showed people retain information better when they repeat it and their heart rate is slightly elevated—thus the brisk walk,” Heather said.

She selected the program because it emphasized how to become a leader who could lead in uncertain times, when you do not have all of the information and things are changing rapidly. 

Pittsburgh Glass Center is considering a major expansion. This experience and these new skills are helping her and all of us her at PGC through this major time of growth and change. Say "Hello" when you see us on our walking meetings along Penn Avenue.

Catch up with Heather at PGC to hear more about her experience, her new friends from Audi, the British government and more, plus the desserts fit for a Queen that she ate at every meal.