Alvernia’s Four Under Forty Award was developed in 2019 by the Alvernia Young Alumni Committee to recognize the achievements of young alumni. The alumni chosen for this award exhibit high levels of success in their career, a commitment to community service, dedication to the advancement and growth of Alvernia and demonstrate Alvernia’s core values in their personal, spiritual and professional life. The following Alvernia alumni received the award in 2023. All biographical information current at the time of the award.
Angela York has been the Executive Director of THRIVE Peninsula since 2016, leading the organization through remarkable growth. Under her visionary leadership, THRIVE has expanded its programs by 500%, significantly increasing its capacity to provide emergency financial assistance, financial coaching, and food pantry services. In 2023, Angela oversaw the acquisition and renovation of a new facility, more than double the size of its previous location, marking a transformative milestone for the organization.
The new building houses The Market at THRIVE, the region’s first free grocery store, created in partnership with Food Lion, which emphasizes providing fresh, healthy foods to the community. The Market is projected to serve 25,000 people in its first year alone. The new facility also features a raised bed garden that supplies fresh produce to The Market, a free children’s bookstore in the lobby, and a 50-seat conference room for hosting workshops and educational programs. The financial services wing provides crucial aid and helps families achieve greater financial literacy, supporting long-term stability.
The grand opening of the new building drew over 300 community members and garnered extensive media coverage, cementing THRIVE’s role as a vital resource in the region. Angela’s passion for non-profit work was sparked during a seven-week mission trip to Cairo, Egypt, where she taught English to Sudanese refugees, an experience that ignited her dedication to creating positive change through service. She holds a Master’s in Community Leadership from 鶹Ƶ and a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from York College. At Alvernia, she served as a graduate assistant in the Student Activities office, further shaping her leadership skills.
Outside of her impactful work at THRIVE, Angela enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles, and participating in her book club. She resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, with her husband and their 5-year-old son.
Mary Strausser
As a student in Alvernia’s occupational therapy program, Mary Strausser MSOT ’08 did not anticipate a career centered around children; she would be happy working with adults. However, that changed when Mary, with two business partners, started two franchises of Gym-Jam Therapeutics, Inc., a learning center serving children with autism and other special needs. The facilities offer services, including applied behavioral analysis (ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills groups, and parent training.
The centers, which accept insurance and medical assistance, are in Pottsville, the home of Alvernia’s recently opened Pottsville CollegeTowne, and Frackville, both in Schuylkill County. They serve children and families from a wide geographical area. Strausser’s change of heart regarding her career path began nearly a decade ago when she had the first of her four children, a son who suffered from medical difficulties and experienced some developmental challenges. Locating services for him was difficult, as resources near her home were sparse then. When she eventually succeeded, she was delighted with the benefits her son experienced from the therapies he received. When the opportunity to open a facility that could help other children arose, Strausser enlisted two colleagues and jumped at the chance.
The Gym-Jam staff works with area school districts and Schuylkill County’s early intervention program to identify students needing services. The therapies provided vary depending on need, as does the length of time a child remains in the program. Gym-Jam also partners with Pottsville CollegeTowne psychology students, who assist at the centers. She looks forward to additional opportunities to partner with Alvernia, to expand Gym-Jam into Berks County.
Maj. Leon Geiger
Maj. Leon Geiger is an active-duty Army officer currently serving as a Professor of Military Science and a Lieutenant Colonel at West Virginia University. He previously served in a similar role at 鶹Ƶ, where he earned a Master of Arts in Leadership in 2023. Major Geiger’s military journey began in 2013 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through ROTC at Lehigh University. He is also an alumnus of 鶹Ƶ, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as an ROTC Scholarship recipient.
While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Leon demonstrated his commitment to leadership and service by balancing the rigorous Army ROTC program with his academic responsibilities at Lehigh University. He participated in daily physical training, leadership labs, and field training exercises. He spent summers at officer leadership training sites such as Fort Knox, KY, and Fort Lewis, WA, gaining expertise in military tactics, leadership development, ethics, and organizational engagement.
In addition to his leadership degree, Major Geiger holds a Master’s degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University, which he completed while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Major Geiger has extensive operational experience in military police roles. As Company Commander of the 258th Military Police Company, he led critical missions during the pandemic, supported contingency operations on the nation’s borders, and coordinated tactical and law enforcement operations during natural disasters. His overseas deployments include Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and assignments in Kuwait, Jordan, and Afghanistan.
Maj. Geiger is married to Caitlyn Geiger, and together they have three sons, ages 6, 4, and 2.
Emily Cleffi-Tristani
Emily Cleffi-Tristani graduated from Alvernia in 2012 with a major in Communications and minors in English and Business Marketing. She was a member of Sigma Tau Delta and one of the first students at Alvernia to pursue an internship abroad in London. While in London, Emily worked with NBC Universal as a public relations and marketing intern for E! TV.
After graduating from Alvernia, Emily worked on marketing strategay for mass media conglomerate Discovery, Inc. This included promotional work for TV shows, such as Cake Boss and Say Yes to the Dress. Emily went on to deepen her career in communications and dove into public affairs. In 2016, she worked as a Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications at The Brookings Institution. Emily managed media relations for the President and helped to launch “19A,” the Institution’s first program-wide research series on gender equality. She also led the “Women’s Impact Network,” a voluntary mentorship program dedicated to the advancement of women in public policy.
Most recently, Emily helped amplify responsible innovation efforts in the tech sector while working as Google’s Executive & External Communications Manager for Global Affairs. Emily has built a multi-faceted communications career with experience spanning various industries – from broadcast TV and entertainment media to public policy and tech.
Throughout her professional endeavors, Emily has continued her commitment to service by volunteering in her community. One of her passions remains helping to lift other women, which she finds joy in doing, whether through serving food at her local women’s homeless shelter or hosting a “Kode With Klossy” summer camp to help teach young girls how to code. Emily now resides with her husband and their sweet pup in Maryland.
