Lois Haber ’71, retired CEO and President of Delaware Valley Financial Services, and Gary M. Reedy, CEO of the American Cancer Society, will each receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and address graduating students at Arcadia University’s 2016 Commencement ceremonies. Ms. Haber will address master’s and doctoral degree candidates at the Graduate Commencement on Thursday, May 19, and Mr. Reedy will address baccalaureate degree candidates at the Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 20.  

“This year’s honorary degree recipients serve as excellent representatives of the engaged, passionate, and dedicated individuals Arcadia University sends forth into the world,” said Dr. Nicolette DeVille Christensen, president of Arcadia University. “Ms. Haber is a longtime supporter and one of the University’s most cherished alumnae, whose contributions as a business and civic leader are inspiring and remarkable. With his decades of prominence in the healthcare industry and leader of nonprofit institutions, Mr. Reedy’s career provides a model for Arcadia students, evidenced by his commitment in both his distinguished career and his charitable endeavors.”  

Lois Haber ’71

Ms. Haber cofounded Delaware Valley Financial Services Inc. (DVFS), a technology focused, leading third party administrator to the insurance industry of variable and fixed annuities and variable life insurance. Working with leaders in both the insurance and financial services sectors, DVFS was instrumental in establishing national administrative standards for annuity processing and received the insurance industry’s most prestigious awards for quality service.

An advocate of empowering women, Ms. Haber was honored as Woman Business Owner of the Year and as a Woman Making History by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She also has been selected as one of Pennsylvania’s Top 50 Women in Business.

Ms. Haber’s extensive leadership work includes serving on the Board of Directors for AUI Fine Foods, as a Board member and Chair of the Center for Women’s Business Research in Washington, D.C., and as Secretary of the Philadelphia chapter of NAWBO. She has served as a member of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania Advisory Council and is a founding advisory board member of Capogiro Gelato Artisans.

A longtime Trustee of Arcadia, Ms. Haber was the first alumna to serve as Chair of the Board in the University’s history. During her tenure, she was active in numerous committees, including the Finance and Investment and Academic Affairs committees. Currently, Ms. Haber serves as Chair of the School of Global Business Advisory Council at Arcadia University. Ms. Haber earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Arcadia in 1971. She also earned CLU and ChFC designations from the American College.

Gary M. Reedy

A prominent member of the healthcare industry with nearly 40 years of experience, Mr. Reedy was appointed CEO of the American Cancer Society in April 2015. In this role, he leads the organization’s strategic direction and overall management with a $900 million annual budget, 2.5 million volunteers, 6,000 staff members, and 11 geographical divisions.

Mr. Reedy has held leadership roles with SmithKline Beecham, Centocor, and Johnson & Johnson. As Worldwide Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy at Johnson & Johnson, he spearheaded initiatives to improve global health policy. During his tenure at Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Reedy served as President of Ortho Biotech, a company with annual revenues of more than $3 billion.

Mr. Reedy also has distinguished his career through a dedication to volunteer service, serving as Chair of the Society’s volunteer Board of Directors and as Chair of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Board. He led the American Cancer Society Board’s advisory committee on transformation, a pivotal role for the organization’s recent restructuring work. In recognition of his service, Mr. Reedy was elected as an Honorary Life Member of the Society in 2014. His additional nonprofit experience includes serving on the boards for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, the National Health Council, and Emory & Henry College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

For more information on Arcadia’s Commencement, visit www.arcadia.edu/commencement.