Leading With Values and Vision with Rodger Levenson (Ep. 3)

Leadership transitions often bring uncertainty, but with the right mindset, they can create opportunity and growth.

How do you step into bigger roles with confidence? How do mentorship, values, and community shape the journey of a leader?

In this episode of The Planning Perspectives Podcast, hosts Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy welcome Rodger Levenson, Chairman, President, and CEO of WSFS Financial Corporation. Rodger shares his career journey, the importance of mentorship, the challenges of saying no, and why community connection is central to WSFS’s culture.

Key takeaways:

00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:40 – Career Path and Growth
07:31 – The Role of Mentorship
10:37 – Leadership Skills: Communication, Delegation, and Saying No
17:01 – The Resilience of Entrepreneurs
19:06 – Connecting Work to Purpose
21:51 – Vision for the Future of WSFS
24:45 – Conclusion

About Our Guest: 

Rodger Levenson is Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of WSFS Financial Corporation and its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank.

Rodger has been a member of the WSFS Executive Management team since joining the Company in 2006. He has held several leadership roles at WSFS, including Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer from July 2017 to December 2018, EVP and Chief Corporate Development Officer from June 2016 to July 2017, interim EVP and Chief Financial Officer from April 2015 to June 2016, and EVP and Chief Commercial Banking Officer from November 2006 to April 2015.

He began his banking career in 1986 in Philadelphia at CoreStates Financial (now part of Wells Fargo), where he led several business units over 17 years.

An active member of the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware communities, Rodger lends his experience and expertise to several local not-for-profits while continuing to champion economic growth throughout the region. His community and civic service includes memberships on the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Advisory Council (FAC), Delaware Prosperity Partnership Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and CEO Council for Growth of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. He also serves as a member of the Delaware Business Roundtable, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Corporate Council, and on the Executive Committee of the Satell Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility. Rodger previously served as Chairman of the Delaware Bankers Association as well as the United Way of Delaware Board of Directors.

In 2021, Rodger was the recipient of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s Community Leadership Award. In 2022, Rodger was named Drexel University Business Leader of the Year.

A native of Broomall, Pa., Rodger earned a Master of Business Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Temple University. He reinforced his leadership experiences with certifications from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the Center for Creative Leadership, and Harvard Business School.