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Monica Yant Kinney: Beverly Edwards Award

Monica Yant Kinney

Monica Yant Kinney, executive director of communications and external affairs for the Vice Provost for University Life, has been awarded the Beverly Edwards Award for Leadership Excellence by her peers in Cohort 4 of the Division of Human Resources Leadership@Penn program. This award recognizes one member of each cohort for his or her personal leadership as well as contributions towards helping program colleagues enhance their knowledge and practice of leadership.

Tom Sontag, executive director of Learning & Education noted that “throughout the program, she added her honest perspective and insight, actively committing to advancing her own leadership attributes as well as those around her. A true journalist at her core, she was never content with the status quo. As a result, she has challenged her colleagues to think and act differently for the good of the University at large. She has the additional gift of delivering her point in engaging, humorous and disarming ways, often with stories conveying some personal experience. In doing this, she cultivated deeper connections with others, continuously expanding her network of people. She often took a leadership role in workgroups, actively listening to others, facilitating exchanges and helping to summarize for the cohort. A seasoned professional, she accomplishes tasks by considering all involved. She shows concern for everyone’s interest and ensures a positive outcome for students, VPUL and the Penn community.”

The award is named in memory of Beverly Edwards, who joined HR as an executive director in 1999 and was responsible for Learning and Education and HR Communications until she passed away (Almanac March 1, 2011). During her time at Penn she was an ardent supporter of leadership development and a champion for the Leadership@Penn program. Program participants are nominated by their senior leaders and required to submit an application and letters of recommendation. Leadership@Penn requires a year-long commitment to assessment, coaching, and training sessions. Dr. Edwards is remembered for her sense of humor, passion for learning and for teaching, willingness to help others, desire to make a difference and drive to excel. These are qualities to which all leaders aspire.

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