Kristen M. Waterfield Honored with Inaugural Women Business Owner Award from NAWBO Philadelphia Center for Advancing Entrepreneurs
Kristen M. Waterfield, President & Co-Founder of The Malvern School
In recognition of her entrepreneurship, philanthropy and dedication to giving back, The Malvern School President & Co-Founder Kristen M. Waterfield has been selected to receive one of the first-ever Women Business Owner Awards from the NAWBO Philadelphia Center for Advancing Entrepreneurs, the charitable arm of the NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Waterfield and other honorees will be celebrated at the Center’s 4th Annual Innovation Gala on November 12, 2019 at SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia.
According to The Center, the “Women Business Owner Awards program celebrates female business owners who combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community. The WBO Award winners are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth.”
“It’s a true honor to be recognized with the Women Business Owner Award,” said Waterfield. “My journey in leading The Malvern School and growing it into the organization it is today has been exciting, hopeful, challenging at times, but most of all rewarding because of the special role we are able to play in setting young children up for success, empowering parents to pursue their own careers, and making a positive impact outside of our schools and in our local communities.
“Most of all, I hope my story inspires entrepreneurs of all ages. You’re never too young or too old to run toward your passion, forge your own path, think differently, take chances, believe in yourself and make it a point to help others along the way.”
Waterfield – who also won a Gold Stevie Award® for Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 – co-founded The Malvern School in 1998 with Joe Scandone with a vision to raise the bar on high-quality early childhood education. By educating the whole child through diverse and innovative programming delivered by forward-thinking, college-degreed educators, Waterfield made this a reality and over the past 20-plus years has grown The Malvern School from two to 27 locations throughout southeastern PA and central and southern NJ, and from a team of 20 to 580 teachers and staff that has educated more than 30,000 children.
Under her leadership, The Malvern School teachers, students and staff have raised nearly one million dollars for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support the fight against childhood cancer while teaching young children hands-on about the importance of giving back.
Additionally, Kristen is involved in Unite for HER, supports Cradles to Crayons, has served on Board of Trustees at Westtown School since 2010 and volunteers as a mentor in the community and at her alma mater, Wilkes University.
