EY Announces Kristen M. Waterfield of The Malvern School® as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Greater Philadelphia Award Finalist
Celebrating the 35th class of unstoppable entrepreneurs who transform Greater Philadelphia and beyond
Glen Mills, Pa. – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced Kristen M. Waterfield, CEO & Founder of The Malvern School, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Greater Philadelphia Award finalist. Now in its 35th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors unstoppable business leaders whose ambition, ingenuity and courage in the face of adversity help catapult us from the now to next and beyond.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the early childhood education industry toward the brink of collapse, but it has also finally opened the world’s eyes to just how critical early learning is for young children, working families and the economy at large,” says Waterfield. “This sense of purpose has always guided me, but even more so over the past year and a half. It’s what has enabled me and my team to conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges and emerge as an organization stronger than ever.”
Founded by Waterfield and Joe Scandone in 1998, The Malvern School has grown to become the largest privately owned preschool in Greater Philadelphia, serving children from six weeks to 12 years old at 27 locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With innovative curriculum and a team of forward-thinking, college-degreed educators, The Malvern School ensures children learn, feel loved and are encouraged to meet their highest potential at each stage of their development.
During the pandemic, The Malvern School launched its Malvern Virtual Partnership (MVP) Program to help children from kindergarten through fourth grade navigate virtual learning and opened a new school in Westtown, Pennsylvania to serve a need for high-quality child care, preschool and school-age virtual learning support in Chester County. Waterfield also took her advocacy efforts to the next level by helping to represent the voices of young children, working families and early educators on the national stage through the Early Care & Education Consortium.
“I’m deeply honored to be recognized among such a prestigious group and congratulate each of my fellow finalists on their entrepreneurial journeys,” Waterfield adds.
Waterfield was selected by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced during a special virtual celebration on July 27, 2021 and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world.
Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The nominees are evaluated based on six criteria: entrepreneurial leadership; talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation and future plans. Since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, to be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2022.
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation. In Greater Philadelphia, sponsors also include PNC Bank, DFIN, SolomonEdwards Group, Ballard Spahr LLP, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Murray Devine & Company and Pepper Troutman LLP.
About The Malvern School
The Malvern School, founded in 1998, is a year-round private preschool for children six weeks to 12 years old. The Malvern School believes in developing the whole child in a nurturing, yet engaging environment and offers an innovative curriculum that has raised the bar in early childhood education. Today, The Malvern School has 27 locations throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey and is dedicated to providing curriculum that is designed to meet or exceed the highest standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s largest early childhood accrediting organization.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ title. ey.com/us/eoy
About EY Private
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