GPLEX 2024: HealthSpark Sponsors Conference Attendance for Family Promise Montco PA’s Food Pantry Manager
Economy League’s 2024 Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange conference took place last month. The conference mission is to conduct peer exchanges in cities across North America to help conference attendees see the Greater Philadelphia region through the lens of another region.
Historically, HealthSpark has sponsored attendance for the past several years for Montgomery County leaders.
This year, HealthSpark was proud to offer a scholarship to LaToya Williams, Food Pantry Manager for Family Promise Montco PA. Read LaToya’s reflection below:
“In October, I had the privilege of attending the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange (GPLEX) 2024 conference in San Diego, a four-day event focused on the city’s thriving life sciences sector, technological innovation, and international connections. These themes aligned closely with challenges and opportunities in Philadelphia, providing valuable insights for both cities.
During the conference, I visited the Feeding America facility in San Diego, one of the region’s two food banks. Our guide shared that the facility distributes over 29 million meals annually and collaborates with more than 300 local charities, schools, faith-based organizations, meal sites, and pantries. The scale and impact of their work in addressing food insecurity were truly inspiring.
We also toured the Del Mar Farmer’s Market, which has been promoting healthy living and fostering connections between local farms and the community for over 38 years. The market’s emphasis on sustainable agriculture and community engagement was a great example of how local initiatives can drive positive change.
During my visit to the San Diego Zoo, I was inspired by their ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation. The Zoo’s mission goes beyond simply showcasing animals—it’s deeply rooted in preserving endangered species and their natural habitats through cutting-edge research, breeding programs, and global conservation efforts. One of the highlights of my visit was spending time with the giraffes, who were as majestic as they were gentle. It was incredible to see these graceful animals up close and learn more about the Zoo’s efforts to protect giraffe populations in the wild. Their conservation initiatives, including habitat restoration and anti-poaching programs, are crucial to ensuring that future generations can continue to experience these magnificent creatures.
In addition to these site visits, I participated in breakout panel discussions covering urban development, the cost of living, housing affordability, and their effects on the communities we serve. These conversations highlighted the innovative initiatives San Diego has implemented to tackle these pressing challenges, offering valuable lessons for cities like Philadelphia.
I am also deeply grateful to HealthSpark for their generous support as a financial sponsor for this trip and conference. Their commitment to fostering leadership and collaboration in the non-profit and community sectors made this opportunity possible, and I truly appreciate their investment in expanding our network and knowledge.
Overall, the conference was an inspiring experience, offering a unique opportunity to connect with leaders from both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. I was particularly moved by the passion and dedication of those working on the frontlines of community service, as well as those driving change behind the scenes.”
We are overjoyed to hear of LaToya’s conference experience. As part of our new 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, we are committed to fostering Community Leadership as an essential connection to creating positive change in Montgomery County. Read more about our new plan.