{"id":202847,"date":"2026-05-26T20:50:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T20:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/202847\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T20:50:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T20:50:38","slug":"the-city-state-2026-forty-under-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/202847\/","title":{"rendered":"The City & State 2026 Forty Under 40"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n Deborah Akanya<\/p>\n

Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, UPMC Jameson Hospital<\/p>\n

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Deborah Akanya
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\n David Astudillo<\/p>\n

Physician, mentor and global health advocate Deborah Akanya directs the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at UPMC Jameson Hospital, where she brings high-level cardiovascular care and life-saving interventions to Pennsylvania\u2019s underserved communities.<\/p>\n


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\u201cMy decision to pursue interventional cardiology was shaped by early clinical experiences in acute care, where I witnessed the immediate, life-saving impact of timely cardiovascular intervention,\u201d explains Akanya, 34. \u201cThe ability to restore perfusion in real time was both intellectually compelling and deeply meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n


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A recipient of the UPMC Jameson Physician Excellence Award, Akanya is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. She trained at Quinnipiac University\u2019s Frank H. Netter School of Medicine and completed fellowships through Yale University\u2019s program at Bridgeport Hospital, earning the American College of Physicians Young Achievers Award and recognition as Best Senior Resident.<\/p>\n


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More recently, Akanya was the keynote speaker at the Lawrence County Women\u2019s Conference; a mother of two daughters, she is also a frequent participant in medical missions across the United States and abroad.<\/p>\n


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Informed by science, the cardiologist also feels her path \u201chas been guided by a clear calling from God,\u201d she adds. \u201cI view medicine as a ministry \u2026 This calling shapes how I lead, care for patients, and strive to make a meaningful impact every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Leonard Altieri<\/p>\n

Senior Associate, Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg<\/p>\n

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Leonard Altieri
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\n Milk Street Marketing<\/p>\n

Most people don\u2019t grow up aspiring to a career in zoning and land use \u2013 but as Leonard Altieri discovered early on, shaping the infrastructure of communities can be extremely rewarding.<\/p>\n


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As a student at Drexel University\u2019s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Altieri was appointed to the Newtown Township Planning Commission, \u201can experience that ultimately shaped my career path,\u201d he recalls. \u201cThrough firsthand exposure to development applications, public hearings, and municipal decision-making, I quickly developed a strong interest in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n


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Today, the 37-year-old is a senior associate in the Zoning and Land Use practice at Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg, where he advises municipalities and developers across Philadelphia and five surrounding counties. For the past several years, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, as a Pennsylvania Rising Star and in multiple categories on the Best Lawyers list.<\/p>\n


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Altieri shapes his suburban community in his off-hours, too. He currently chairs the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, where he has served since 2019, and is the treasurer of the Delaware County Redevelopment Authority. By age 21, he served on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors; at age 23, he was the youngest-ever member elected to the Marple Newtown School Board.<\/p>\n


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\u201cSeeing how legal, planning, and community considerations intersect in real time,\u201d he observes, is \u201cboth challenging and rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Alexander Batoff<\/p>\n

Shareholder, Stevens & Lee<\/p>\n

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This past January, Alexander Batoff was elected as a shareholder at Stevens and Lee, the Philadelphia law firm he joined in 2019.<\/p>\n


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The promotion was a testament to the 37-year-old\u2019s effectiveness as an attorney and litigator focused on labor relations, employment law and broad-based commercial litigation. In addition, Batoff boasts a 70% success rate settling cases as a panel member of the pro bono mediation programs for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Philadelphia District Office and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


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\u201cI have wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember,\u201d affirms Batoff, whose father and many other relatives are also attorneys. He earned an undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, in political science and creative nonfiction writing from the University of Pittsburgh, then a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


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A decade into what is, so far, an inarguably successful career, Batoff remains ambitious, aspiring to develop his skills as a mediator and arbitrator (he serves as an arbitrator in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Compulsory Arbitration Program).<\/p>\n


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And as befits a writer, he takes special pleasure in having spurred the creation of a new law \u2013 in the course of winning a recent trial \u2013 clarifying the meaning of a “chronic serious health condition.”<\/p>\n

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\n Ryan Beaston<\/p>\n

Majority Executive Director, Labor & Industry Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives<\/p>\n

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Ryan Beaston
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\n B Bingeman<\/p>\n

Ryan Beaston hails from the state capital \u2013 but although he grew up around politics, he began his own public-service career in California, Maryland and Oregon before returning to Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


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Since 2020, he has worked in both chambers of the General Assembly \u2013 most recently as majority executive director of the House Labor & Industry Committee, where he has helped shepherd landmark legislation on a higher minimum wage and paid family and medical leave.<\/p>\n


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Beaston came by his political bent naturally: One grandfather, Philip Sgrignoli, was a longtime East Pennsboro Township commissioner, while the other was active with the Teamsters. \u201cMy own civic engagement began in third grade, with a classroom project that led to our community building a new playground,\u201d recalled Beaston, now 39.<\/p>\n


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After graduating from Washington College in Maryland, Beaston’s political ambitions were cemented by a Capitol Hill internship with then-Congressman Dennis Kucinich. He went on to earn a master\u2019s of public policy from Oregon State University; while out West, he managed a successful Oregon state House reelection campaign and organized union support for San Francisco\u2019s universal mental healthcare initiative.<\/p>\n


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Back in Harrisburg, Beaston\u2019s mission hasn\u2019t changed: \u201cUltimately, I was and am drawn to public policy to make a material difference in people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n John Buffone<\/p>\n

Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Game Commission<\/p>\n

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\n Marc Faubel<\/p>\n

Having started out as a radio, newspaper, and television reporter, John Buffone knows about clear, ethical, and accessible communication.<\/p>\n


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He has brought that perspective to a variety of public-facing roles \u2013 including, most recently, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, where he recently became the press secretary. Prior to that, Buffone headed communications and external relations for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, where he modernized the organization’s messaging strategy and, in 2025, served as interim executive director.<\/p>\n


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Buffone holds a degree in journalism and communications from what is now PennWest Clarion University. He began his career in a variety of sports journalism roles, and worked for USA TODAY and Blue Ridge Communications.<\/p>\n


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During the pandemic-era 2020 census, he served as a media specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau. His recognitions include being named the Pennsylvania Humane Society\u2019s 2017 Media Hero of the Year and being listed in Marquis Who’s Who.<\/p>\n


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Buffone also mentors underprivileged youth as a boxing coach at a York nonprofit gym. It\u2019s one of the ways he pays tribute to the mentorship he himself has received, including from the grandmother who always told him his storytelling dreams were possible.<\/p>\n


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\u201cShe was my biggest fan, no matter what I did,\u201d says Buffone. \u201cHer unconditional support inspired me through my personal and professional life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Vivian Chang<\/p>\n

Executive Director, Asian Americans United<\/p>\n

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Vivian Chang
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\n Sameer Khan<\/p>\n

The growing visibility and clout of Southeastern Pennsylvania\u2019s Asian American community owes a debt to Vivian Chang, who directs Asian Americans United. Thanks to her leadership, the half-century-old grassroots organization has emerged as the community\u2019s most politically influential voice.<\/p>\n


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Last year, when a proposed arena development backed by big financial interests threatened to overwhelm Philadelphia\u2019s Chinatown, Chang, 35, led her community\u2019s efforts to defeat the proposal. Her successful campaign galvanized a generation of young Asian Americans, bolstering her efforts to mobilize thousands of Asian American voters to register \u2013 and to show up at the polls, many for the first time.<\/p>\n


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The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants to Central Ohio, Chang found her activist voice early. She began volunteering as an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned degrees in both Hispanic studies and biological physics (she also holds a master\u2019s in public administration from Princeton University). After college, she joined AmeriCorps VISTA, a federal anti-poverty program; she also worked in labor organizing and voter outreach, organizing multiracial coalitions in battleground states.<\/p>\n


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\u201cMy parents emphasized the importance of passing on traditions \u2013 and lifting as we climb,\u201d reflects Chang. In the roles she has held, \u201cI\u2019ve gained a stronger understanding of the need for systemic change \u2013 and how necessary organizing to build power is to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Tim Faircloth<\/p>\n

Legislative Liaison, Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association<\/p>\n

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Tim Faircloth
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Tim Faircloth\u2019s athletic ambitions were cut short by injuries. Now he advocates for the kind of healthcare that treats others in distress \u2013 as legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association.<\/p>\n


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Faircloth joins a tradition of former athletes who redirect their striving ethos into politics. He has found \u201crenewed purpose in governmental and political work, channeling the competitive drive into advocating for constituents and industries\u201d \u2013 and, he adds, allowing him to champion the issues he holds dear. And at 34, he has done so over a career spanning local, state, and federal government roles across three states and the District of Columbia.<\/p>\n


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These include raising the minimum wage in Maryland, a tenants\u2019 anti-discrimination bill in Baltimore County, and the development of data center regulations in Loudoun County, Virginia. During the 2020 pandemic, he assisted in efforts to elect Pennsylvania state Rep. Dave Delloso.<\/p>\n


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Now, the onetime three-sport athlete puts his legislative and relational skills to use advocating for the advancement of chiropractic care in the commonwealth. A member of the Dauphin County Democratic Party and the Pennsylvania Young Democrats, Faircloth says advocacy offers him \u201csustained motivation \u2013 and a profound sense of purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Steven Gobac-Semple<\/p>\n

Preconstruction Manager, Skanska USA Building<\/p>\n

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Steven Gobac-Semple
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\n Skanska Marketing Team<\/p>\n

Steven Gobac-Semple believes \u201cthat building is fundamentally about shaping communities \u2013 creating spaces that influence how people live and work,\u201d he says, adding that this ethos \u201cfuels my commitment to community engagement and industry inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n


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Gobac-Semple fulfills that commitment both as the preconstruction manager at Skanska USA, the American branch of the multinational construction company, and as a volunteer with Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia, encouraging young women to explore careers in construction. As his region and industry diversified, he put his inclusive ethos into practice by launching a networking group for LGBTQ+ professionals in the construction industry to foster visibility, mentorship, and belonging.<\/p>\n


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Gobac-Semple earned a civil engineering degree from Drexel University, then a master\u2019s in construction management from the University of Washington, before joining Skanska nine years ago as a project engineer. In his current role, he guides clients through the earliest and most influential stages of a building plan, sketching out the project life cycle for clients \u2013 many of them repeat \u2013 across the life sciences, higher education and healthcare sectors.<\/p>\n


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\u201cI take pride in translating early ideas into clear, actionable plans that set projects up for success from day one,\u201d says Gobac-Semple, who holds leadership roles with numerous industry organizations. \u201cSeeing something come to life from plans is really remarkable, and I love being a part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Maridarlyn Gonzalez<\/p>\n

State Director, League of United Latin American Citizens<\/p>\n

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Maridarlyn Gonzalez
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\n Gene Smirnov<\/p>\n

Maridarlyn Gonzalez brings civic commitment and scientific energy to her efforts on behalf of commonwealth communities.<\/p>\n


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As the inaugural state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens and a co-chair of the City of Philadelphia\u2019s Welcoming Committee, she advocates for Hispanic and immigrant Pennsylvanians and drives efforts to make her city more inclusive.<\/p>\n


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As co-chair of the technical assistance panel for Urban Land Institute-Philadelphia, Gonzalez applies her geospatial technology training \u2013 she holds a master\u2019s from Jefferson University \u2013 to initiatives around the city\u2019s built environment. And as a member of the Committee of Seventy and other civic nonprofits, she advocates for grassroots democracy and opportunity.<\/p>\n


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Across these roles, Gonzalez, 35, brings a diverse perspective drawn in part from her roots in the Dominican Republic and from her past work with emergency shelters, regional planning, and energy programs. Her efforts recently yielded Gonzalez a Hispanic Heritage Month citation from Philadelphia City Council for her leadership in the Latino community, including recruiting multilingual poll workers and hosting an annual voter registration event.<\/p>\n


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Gonzalez says her research prowess makes her a more effective advocate. \u201cData became my way of making sense of the world \u2026 pushing me to ask why one neighborhood looks so different from another, or why some graduates follow different trajectories,\u201d she explains. \u201cI\u2019ve never stopped chasing these questions \u2013 or believing that everyone has the potential to become more.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Eric Gutshall<\/p>\n

Vice President, Government Affairs, Career Education Colleges and Universities<\/p>\n

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\n Justin Fortmeier<\/p>\n

Eric Gutshall\u2019s path to education advocacy was shaped by his early experiences.<\/p>\n


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\u201cAs a first-generation college student, I saw how access to quality education opens doors,\u201d recalls Gutshall, 36. \u201cAnd as an LGBTQI+ person, I am committed to advancing equity and equality and helping create welcoming institutions. Together, these experiences shape my work advancing opportunity through public policy and education.\u201d<\/p>\n


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Gutshall now advocates for some 1,100 campuses nationwide as vice president for government affairs at Career Education Colleges and Universities, an industry association. He is also a co-founder and partner at Pinnacle Collective Public Affairs and a distinguished fellow at the University of Pennsylvania\u2019s Fels Institute of Government.<\/p>\n


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Gutshall\u2019s path to success began with a degree from Central Penn College \u2013 where he currently chairs the Alumni Council \u2013 and, later, a master\u2019s in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2015, he was the Democratic nominee for Dauphin County controller. He also held senior roles in the Office of then-Gov. Tom Wolf and in the Biden-Harris administration; more recently, he advised the Shapiro-Davis transition team on state government operations.<\/p>\n


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\u201cI first caught the political bug in 2008, when I realized the government can improve people\u2019s lives and expand opportunity,\u201d notes Gutshall. \u201cThat moment sparked a lasting commitment to public service, strengthening how the government works for the people it serves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n Dan Hagan<\/p>\n

Director, Government Affairs, Marcellus Shale Coalition<\/p>\n

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Dan Hagan
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\n Nate Kresge, GK Visual<\/p>\n

Few government affairs roles are quite so pivotal as the one capably occupied by Dan Hagan: As public strategy lead for Marcellus Shale Coalition, he represents the interests of many of the commonwealth\u2019s most powerful natural gas producers \u2013 at a moment when energy dominates the global and national discourse.<\/p>\n


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But Hagan, 34, brought a wealth of policy experience to the job, which he started last year. His r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes leadership roles with the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, the House Republican Campaign Committee, and the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, where he served as executive director; Hagan\u2019s accomplishments include helping flip numerous seats in the state legislature.<\/p>\n


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The Pike County native was drawn to politics early, studying political science and communications at East Stroudsburg University. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be involved with the legislative process in some way,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI thought that meant going to D.C., but that changed when I took a trip to Harrisburg during my sophomore year of college. I fell in love with our beautiful Capitol building.<\/p>\n


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\u201cThe fact I got to work directly in the Capitol every day is something I will cherish forever,\u201d he adds. And while his new home is a few hours further west in Pennsylvania\u2019s energy hub, Harrisburg and the Capitol remain key to his professional life: \u201cI\u2019m still a frequent flyer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Emily Hatfield<\/p>\n

Vice President, Marketing & Communications, VisitPITTSBURGH<\/p>\n

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Emily Hatfield
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Her age is 33, but Emily Hatfield\u2019s life is best described in twos: She has masterminded successful tourism campaigns in two states, and she is the mother of two children.<\/p>\n


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Indeed, Hatfield, VisitPITTSBURGH\u2019s marketing and communications chief, speaks of her career in deeply personal terms. \u201cAs a working mother, I\u2019ve developed a leadership style rooted in empathy, resilience, and delivering results in high-pressure environments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n


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Before she brought her talents to the service of tourism growth in the Steel City, Hatfield served under two governors in West Virginia, including as deputy secretary of tourism (if you\u2019ve seen the \u201cAlmost Heaven” campaign, you\u2019ve seen her statewide rebrand in action). Most recently, she played a key role in the 2026 NFL Draft and led efforts around Pittsburgh’s new Forge On campaign.<\/p>\n


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Hatfield always knew she\u2019d be a professional communicator. \u201cI was drawn to this field by a recognition of my God-given talents: my ability to clearly articulate ideas and connect with diverse audiences,\u201d she says. She earned a bachelor\u2019s from Wheeling University and a master\u2019s from Johns Hopkins University, both in communications, and began her career as a deputy press secretary in the West Virginia Governor\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n


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Her experiences since have only reinforced that calling, she says \u2013 \u201cdemonstrating how effective communication can inspire action, strengthen communities, and elevate places in meaningful ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Siddiq Kamara<\/p>\n

Sheriff, Delaware County<\/p>\n

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Siddiq Kamara
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\n Johnathan Kolleh<\/p>\n

When he took office as Delaware County sheriff in January, 30-year-old Siddiq Kamara became the youngest American currently serving as a sheriff \u2013 and the first African immigrant to hold the role in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


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Kamara is also a former Yeadon police officer, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, and a former agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney General\u2019s Office, where his mission was to protect then-Attorney General (now Gov.) Josh Shapiro. He is also a nonprofit founder, having spearheaded the Fanta Bility Foundation to honor the life and legacy of his 8-year-old cousin, Fanta Bility, who was tragically killed in 2021.<\/p>\n


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Through all of these experiences, Kamara draws on a steadfast belief in his adopted country. \u201cAmerica is the greatest country on earth. I am proof of that,\u201d he says, given that \u201cat age 30 and from immigrant descent, I\u2019m serving as the youngest sheriff in America.\u201d<\/p>\n


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Raised in Upper Darby, Kamara ran on modernizing the sheriff\u2019s office and improving community engagement and outreach. He also plans to continue his longstanding advocacy for police training and safety reforms to help prevent similar tragedies to that of his cousin.<\/p>\n


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\u201cLaw enforcement is noble,\u201d says Kamara. \u201cI strongly believe that, and I want to protect and serve the public honorably.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Kevin F. Kane<\/p>\n

Director, Legislative Strategy, Commonwealth Foundation<\/p>\n

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In 2013, as Kevin Kane reached the finish line of the Boston Marathon, bombs exploded, gravely wounding hundreds of his fellow runners. At the time, Kane was a pre-medical student at Boston College. But the marathon bombing sparked his interest in politics and national security \u00ad\u2013 and set Kane, now 32, on the path to his current role, directing legislative strategy for the Commonwealth Foundation, a free-market think tank.<\/p>\n


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His efforts on behalf of school choice have helped secure a $330 million increase in tax-credit scholarships since 2021, benefiting hundreds of thousands of students (and perhaps someday his own daughter: Kane recently became a father). He also worked to block $33 billion in tax increases, lower the state\u2019s corporate net income tax, and promote Pennsylvania’s energy independence. After the coronavirus pandemic, he helped pass a first-in-the-nation constitutional amendment limiting a governor\u2019s emergency powers.<\/p>\n


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The Delaware County native began his policy and advocacy career interning at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., after graduating magna cum laude from Boston College; he has also worked with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Today, he also serves as executive director of Commonwealth Action, leading the organization’s advocacy initiatives \u2013 and, he says, dedicating his career \u201cto advancing legislation that promotes human flourishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Joseph Kerwin<\/p>\n

State Representative<\/p>\n

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Joseph Kerwin
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\n Gene Smirnov<\/p>\n

Just 27 when he was first elected to the state House of Representatives, Republican Joseph Kerwin credits his impressive r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to his family\u2019s example.<\/p>\n


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\u201cMy family instilled in me the value of selfless service,\u201d says Kerwin, now 33. \u201cMy parents were responsible for teaching me the values of hard work, discipline and respect \u2013 which have led me to succeeding in my legal practice, military service, and elected service.\u201d<\/p>\n


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In his third term representing Dauphin County, Kerwin already has multiple successful pieces of legislation to his credit, along with millions in state funding secured for his district. Among his most satisfying achievements in office, he says, is a 2024 law creating a permanent memorial on Capitol Grounds honoring Gold Star service members and their families.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Kerwin himself serves as a U.S. Army National Guard officer, bringing his total military service to 14 years, including an overseas deployment. He is also a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, and earned his law degree from Dickinson University and a master\u2019s of public administration from the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

An attorney since 2019, he is admitted to practice before the state and U.S. Supreme Courts. But despite all he has accomplished more recently, Kerwin says his proudest moments came during his military training and service, and \u201cgetting elected to the state House at 27,\u201d he adds \u2013 leaving observers to wonder what fresh challenges he\u2019ll tackle in his 30s.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Gina Lavery<\/p>\n

Executive Vice President & Principal, Econsult Solutions<\/p>\n

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Gina Lavery
\n \/
\n Amber Johnston<\/p>\n

In 2020, Gina Lavery became the youngest principal at Econsult Solutions, a Philadelphia-based economic consulting firm. Six years later, she served as executive vice president, leading projects around economic development, real estate, and public policy \u2013 including both Philadelphia-area redevelopment efforts and nationally impactful initiatives.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked on redevelopment projects across Pennsylvania, but especially proud of supporting major investments in Philadelphia’s economic infrastructure \u2013 including at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the Bellwether District,\u201d says Lavery. In the process, she has helped expand Econsult’s economic development footprint beyond the Mid-Atlantic into the Southeast, the Midwest, and New England.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The Southeast Pennsylvania native studied political science at the University of Pennsylvania, where she then worked coordinating government and community relations \u2013 a role she calls formative \u2013 and earned a master\u2019s in city planning.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Today, outside of Econsult, Lavery helps shape her city with the Urban Land Institute – Philadelphia, co-chairing the Women’s Leadership Initiative and sitting on its national Placemaking Product Council.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing up in the Philadelphia region, I watched neighborhoods and waterfronts sit underutilized for decades \u2013 full of potential that felt just out of reach,\u201d recalls Lavery. Her career, she adds, \u201chas given me a way to be part of changing that \u2013 connecting the dots between data, policy, and investment to help places realize what they’re capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Kristie Lowe<\/p>\n

Vice President, Strategic Finance & Planning, PSECU<\/p>\n

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Kristie Lowe
\n \/
\n Martin Boutros, Media Producer, PSECU<\/p>\n

At 37, Kristie Lowe has built her career at the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, the 92-year-old financial services entity she joined after graduating from Shippensburg University (she returned to Shippensburg to earn her MBA in 2017). \u201cI\u2019ve been fortunate to grow my career with the credit union,\u201d says Lowe, who is currently vice president of strategic finance and planning for the credit union.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In this role, she leads PSECU\u2019s balance sheet strategy and manages future planning while balancing financial risk in uncertain economic times. A highlight of her decade and a half there, she says, has been her key role in expanding the finance team \u2013 recruiting, training and coaching new employees.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Lowe initially thought she\u2019d major in marketing at Shippensburg, but a required junior year Finance 101 class made her \u201cfall in love\u201d with the subject. \u201cThat class changed my direction,\u201d recalls Lowe, who ended up graduating with a finance and marketing degree.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Now a certified treasury professional and a busy mom of two daughters, she credits her swift rise in no small part to mentoring from PSECU\u2019s CFO, Gina Seibert: \u201cShe has consistently encouraged me to continue learning, grow my skills and challenge myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Emily Malmstrom<\/p>\n

Vice President, Communications & Chief of Staff; Chief of Staff, Comcast Spectacor, Philadelphia Soccer 2026<\/p>\n

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Emily Malmstrom
\n \/
\n Comcast Spectacor<\/p>\n

A leading figure in Philadelphia\u2019s sports and entertainment sector, Emily Malmstrom serves as vice president, chief of staff and communications chief at Comcast Spectacor; she also serves in a leadership role with Philadelphia Soccer 2026, helping make the city\u2019s hosting of this year\u2019s FIFA World Cup a successful venture.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At Comcast Spectacor, \u201cI\u2019ve led a comprehensive transformation of the Philadelphia Flyers\u2019 communications strategy,\u201d explains Malmstrom, \u201cby breaking down long-standing silos between business and hockey operations and creating a more open, unified way of connecting with fans, media and internal stakeholders.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The 29-year-old is also proud of helping guide the organization through pivotal leadership transitions and maintaining trust and stability during moments of significant change. Outside the office, Malmstrom is active with Flyers Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Philadelphia Flyers, and has served as an assistant coach of the Special Olympics since 2012.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In both professional and civic engagement, she credits Comcast Spectacor CEO Dan Hilferty as a mentor. \u201cDan\u2019s leadership has directly influenced how I lead and run a team,\u201d she reflects. \u201cHe seamlessly navigates any industry \u2026 while maintaining a 360-degree lens on day-to-day operations. And most importantly, he inspires those around him to give their all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Diana Martin<\/p>\n

Director of High Impact, High Foundation<\/p>\n

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Diana Martin
\n \/
\n Michelle Johnsen Photography<\/p>\n

As a tenth-generation Lancaster County resident, \u201cmy roots here go deep, and this community is in my DNA,\u201d says Diana Martin, 36. \u201cI’ve always felt inspired to be part of the solution, to improve life for my neighbors, and give back \u2013\u00a0because I’ve had so many opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Most recently, Martin has been giving back at the High Foundation, a Lancaster-based charitable organization where she oversees impact. She also serves as the executive director of Partners for Environmental Stewardship and Lancaster Housing Works, leading initiatives around environmental action and affordable workforce housing in Lancaster County.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

These include a new $40 million environmental center and 70-acre nature preserve, the City of Lancaster\u2019s first, due to break ground in 2027, as well as the launch of a nonprofit housing developer.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Martin previously held leadership roles at Rodale Institute, where she helped launch a new certified organic food label, and at the Lancaster County Community Foundation, where she spearheaded an annual event that has raised more than $120 million for local nonprofits. She holds a journalism degree from Syracuse University, an MBA in Sustainable Leadership and a master\u2019s in sustainable food systems from Prescott College.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cMy community has poured into me,\u201d reflects Martin, \u201cand I want to keep creating positive opportunities for everyone else around me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Ryan McNally<\/p>\n

Senior Director, Strategy Execution, WellSpan Health<\/p>\n

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Ryan McNally
\n \/
\n Lewisburg Studio by Melo Foto<\/p>\n

WellSpan Health\u2019s recent growth owes a debt to Ryan McNally, who, as senior director of strategy execution, is tasked with translating organizational goals into measurable results. At just 32, he\u2019s earned the confidence of WellSpan executives \u2013 and has a place at the civic table as well: McNally serves on the boards of directors for the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and for Leadership Susquehanna Valley, among others.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

McNally earned a BS, magna cum laude, from the University of Mount Union \u2013 and knew early that he wanted to direct his insights toward healthcare. \u201cI chose a career in healthcare strategy to help with finding a better way to drive real outcomes that improve lives,\u201d reflects McNally.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

He achieved that over nearly a decade at WellSpan’s Evangelical Community Hospital, leading the Miller Center for Recreation and Wellness and Community Health initiatives, and serving as the founding executive director of a joint venture between the hospital, the Miller Center, Geisinger Health System, and the YMCA.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Along the way, McNally earned an MBA in healthcare management; most recently, he has supported WellSpan\u2019s executive leadership in developing WellSpan 2030, a strategic plan. All of it furthers his goal \u201cto make systems work better \u2013 both for our patients and for the people of our broader community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Catherine McParland<\/p>\n

Principal, Rittenhouse Political Partners<\/p>\n

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Catherine McParland
\n \/
\n Theresa Regan<\/p>\n

At just 32, Catherine McParland has earned her place as one of Pennsylvania\u2019s most trusted political fundraisers, having coordinated finance for Gov. Josh Shapiro, former Sen. Bob Casey, Judge Timika Lane and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, among others.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In 2024, McParland joined Rittenhouse Political Partners as a principal, launching the firm\u2019s federal practice, which generated over $1 million within weeks. Two years previously, she launched a successful consultancy that raised over $1 million for Helen Gym\u2019s Philadelphia mayoral campaign and oversaw fundraising for the successful re-election campaigns of U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon and Delaware County Council Chair Monica Taylor.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

As finance director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party during the 2020 election cycle, McParland led efforts that raised over $23 million, more than doubling the previous presidential-year total.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Her passion for campaigns was born in 2015, when, as a college student, she interned with Shapiro\u2019s re-election campaign for Montgomery County Commissioner, supporting both field and finance operations. \u201cI quickly fell in love with the fast pace of campaigns, and specifically with fundraising,\u201d McParland says.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Nowadays, in addition to coordinating finances for tomorrow\u2019s candidates, she also helps future pols learn the ropes by leading candidate training for LeadPA and The Movement School. Fundraising, she notes, \u201cplays a critical role in ensuring a candidate\u2019s vision is effectively communicated to a broad audience.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Hale Milano<\/p>\n

Manager, Accenture<\/p>\n

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Hale Milano
\n \/
\n Steve Legato Photography<\/p>\n

Accenture\u2019s Harrisburg presence owes a great deal to Hale Milano, a management consulting manager and deputy client account lead for the global consultancy\u2019s Pennsylvania Public Service team.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Milano, 35, has nearly a decade of experience leading large\u2011scale technology and operations transformations for state and local government clients, health services providers, and technology companies. He has led initiatives to modernize technology, enable AI and upgrade the user experience, and has been recognized for advancing responsible innovation in the public sector.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Milano\u2019s early career was spent as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. \u201cAfter serving in the military, I wanted to continue leading with purpose \u2013 by expanding my impact in the private sector,\u201d he says. \u201cI spent several years building experience across technology and health provider organizations before I got the opportunity to return home to Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At Accenture, he played a key role in launching and operationalizing the Harrisburg office, expanding partnerships that support the goals of the commonwealth and building a team of experts across AI, technology and public service.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In the end, Milano says, it was individual mentors who affirmed his path \u2013 and people remain the motivation for his work. \u201cWorking alongside dedicated leaders \u2026 solidified my commitment to serving Pennsylvania, developing local talent and giving back to the communities where I live and work,\u201d he affirms.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Nina Miranda-Miller<\/p>\n

Program Director, JeffCARES, Jefferson<\/p>\n

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Nina Miranda-Miller
\n \/
\n Jefferson<\/p>\n

Growing up as one of four children, Nina Miranda-Miller was inspired by her single mother\u2019s example of caring, resilience and strength. Today, she brings that ethos to her public health career \u2013 serving as program director for JeffCARES, Jefferson\u2019s neighborhood outreach program within the Office of Community Health & Impact.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In the role, Miranda-Miller unites colleagues across the Jefferson enterprise to make a meaningful impact through community engagement initiatives aligning with Jefferson\u2019s strategic goals.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Armed with degrees in chemistry and global public health, she developed Jefferson’s state-accredited 16-course Community Health Worker Academy curriculum, which strengthens the healthcare workforce and expands access to care in underserved communities.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Miranda-Miller also played a key role in launching Jefferson\u2019s INSPIRE Network, a coalition of Jefferson leaders that coordinates health and outreach partnerships with faith-based communities. Relatedly, Miranda-Miller is the founder of Luminous Wellness, a faith-based education and advocacy initiative around chronic disease prevention and management.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At 36, she remains guided by her mother\u2019s early example. \u201cI witnessed my mom sacrifice endlessly to provide for us,\u201d Miranda-Miller says. \u201cHer resilience, work ethic and selflessness inspired me to pursue a field where I can uplift others, just as she did for our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Joanna Montas<\/p>\n

Deputy Director, Compliance & Programs, Women’s Opportunities Resource Center<\/p>\n

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Joanna Montas
\n \/
\n JCPenney Portrait Studio<\/p>\n

For over a decade, Joanna Montas has worked to expand opportunities for women, small businesses and underserved communities across Pennsylvania. She currently heads programs and compliance at Philadelphia\u2019s Women\u2019s Opportunities Resource Center, propelling women toward financial success through access to business training, financial education, and capital.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Montas\u2019s interest in financial empowerment was shaped by her own family\u2019s experiences as immigrants to the U.S. \u201cWitnessing the barriers my parents faced when we first came, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to access capital, financial guidance and opportunities,\u201d she says. \u201cThat led me to focus my career on building programs and partnerships that support economic stability.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

It also informs her off-hours commitments with Philabundance, the nutrition philanthropy; at her church\u2019s food drives and holiday toy drives; and leading a team of volunteers with Sembrando en Corazones de Ni\u00f1os, a charity that organizes school supplies for children in the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

In her current role, Montas, 39, spearheaded an innovative grant-loan initiative for small businesses and redesigned a training program, resulting in a 90% completion rate. A graduate of Holy Family and LaSalle universities, she began her career in financial roles, and brings that perspective to programs that bridge economics and social mission \u2013 \u201csupporting entrepreneurs and families in building long-term financial stability,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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\n Michelle Mowrer<\/p>\n

Vice President, Retail Services, Members 1st Federal Credit Union<\/p>\n

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Michelle Mowrer
\n \/
\n Members 1st Federal Credit Union<\/p>\n

As vice president of retail services at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Michelle Mowrer keeps her focus on people and communities.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cMy professional path has been shaped by a lifelong desire to serve others, which began with my first job, as a cashier,\u201d recalls Mowrer, 37. \u201cThat experience showed me the value of building connections and meaningfully helping people in everyday moments.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Mowrer has carried that mission into every job since \u2013 including her current role, where she supervises 500 associates responsible for member service and engagement across 60 retail bank branches.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

She\u2019s proud of strengthening leadership across the organization by training new colleagues and bringing coworkers up to speed on new systems and processes. She also supported the bank\u2019s first spin-off merger in Williamsport, retaining 100% of associates and 90% of members.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

While earning her MBA in Strategic Leadership from Penn State, Mowrer demonstrated strategic leadership by supervising 100 associates across 10 bank branches. Outside work, her people-centered approach is evident in her leadership roles with the Children\u2019s Aid Society and YWCA of Hanover.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful to serve members through financial guidance, support associates through leadership and development, and give back to the communities we serve,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Cynthia Onorevole<\/p>\n

Social Work Manager, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Medicine\t<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cynthia Onorevole
\n \/
\n Liz Baronofsky, B Philly Photography<\/p>\n

From her home base at Philadelphia\u2019s Pennsylvania Hospital, Cynthia Onorevole orchestrates the details that improve thousands of lives. There are the free car seats and pack \u2018n plays for postpartum patients, secured through a grant she obtained; the transportation resources she\u2019s organized for other patients; and the emergency-department methadone program she coordinated.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

All of these initiatives, and others, have approved outcomes at the University of Pennsylvania health system, where Onorevole, 34, serves as the hospital\u2019s social worker manager. In that role, she has cultivated a larger, more effective social work team at Pennsylvania Hospital, including a pipeline of up-and-coming licensed practitioners.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Onorevole draws on a background that has prepared her through diverse work environments, including foster care, outpatient oncology and inpatient hospital social work. A licensed clinical social worker, she earned her master\u2019s from the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Earlier, as an undergraduate at Juniata College, Onorevole realized she wanted to mentor and educate, but out in the community, not in a classroom. \u201cThat evolved from volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters to working with youth in foster care to volunteering for a street outreach team in Pittsburgh,\u201d she recalls. What drives her, she adds, is \u201ccompassion for humanity and empathy for others’ hardships. I wanted to intercept people during those pivotal, life-changing times.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Ernest Owens<\/p>\n

President; CEO, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, Ernest Media Empire<\/p>\n

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Ernest Owens
\n \/
\n Kyron Ryals<\/p>\n

Award-winning journalist Ernest Owens serves as the president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, the region\u2019s most prominent advocacy organization for media professionals of color. He is also the CEO of the Ernest Media Empire, the independent media company he founded to empower his myriad journalistic ventures, including podcasting, public speaking, books and social media.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Owens is the executive producer and host of the hit podcast \u201cErnestly Speaking!,\u201d as well as the author of \u201cThe Case for Cancel Culture\u201d and the upcoming book, \u201cDivided We Stan,\u201d due out in 2027. He also teaches media and communications at a community college and an HBCU, and serves on the boards of the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences\u2019 mid-Atlantic chapter, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

As an openly gay Black journalist, Owens has made headlines for speaking frankly about intersectional issues in society regarding race, LGBTQIA issues and pop culture \u2013\u00a0 issues that have absorbed the journalist since his undergraduate days at the University of Pennsylvania, when the complex social dynamics of West Philadelphia \u201cinspired me to eventually change my major and pursue a career in journalism,\u201d he says. \u201cI’ve never looked back.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Gretchen Panchik<\/p>\n

Attorney, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott<\/p>\n

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Gretchen Panchik
\n \/
\n Jen Worley<\/p>\n

Of all her accomplishments so far, perhaps the highlight of attorney Gretchen Panchik’s career came when her own father, Judge James J. Panchik, swore her in to practice law in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The elder Panchik \u2013 who retired earlier this year as president judge of the Armstrong County Court of Common Pleas \u2013 \u201cwas instrumental in supporting me to become a lawyer myself, and served as a key role model,\u201d affirmed his daughter, now 34 and an associate at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, where she co-chairs the Pittsburgh office.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Indeed, Gretchen Panchik\u2019s own accomplishments are a credit to her father\u2019s example. As her firm\u2019s co-office chair since 2023, she works closely with the Member in Charge to organize key meetings and events. Panchik has also been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star for the past two years.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

She grew up in Worthington, where her father was then a Kittanning attorney. After earning an English degree from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe (she now serves as secretary for the college\u2019s Law Society), she enrolled in Washington and Lee University School of Law.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Panchik honed her post-graduation legal skills clerking for the Honorable Michael Clark of the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas and working for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. Since joining Eckert Seamans in 2019, she has focused on insurance recovery and civil litigation, defending personal injury cases and business disputes.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/a>
\n Steve Preston<\/p>\n

Program Officer, Democracy & Civic Initiatives, William Penn Foundation<\/p>\n

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Steve Preston
\n \/
\n Steve Legato Photography<\/p>\n

Like many of his generation, Pittsburgh native Steve Preston was drawn to politics by Barack Obama, organizing for the former president\u2019s 2012 reelection campaign.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At the time, he was studying international relations and Spanish at Duquesne University. \u201cI planned on joining the Peace Corps or moving abroad after college,\u201d Preston recalls. After joining the Obama campaign, however, \u201cI became inspired by the power of organizing and what a community can do by working together.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

His career is proof of that. At the William Penn Foundation\u2019s new Democracy and Civic Initiatives program, Preston oversees grantmaking, managing the distribution of over $7 million annually to support voter participation, fair redistricting, and more responsive local governments.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

A veteran of numerous campaigns and advocacy efforts throughout the Northeastern U.S., Preston is especially proud of helping pass Philadelphia’s historic beverage tax \u2013 which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for pre-K and community infrastructure \u2013 as deputy chief of staff to then-Mayor Jim Kenney.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

More recently, as the chief program officer at Share Food Program, he led organizational efforts that grew the program into the largest-distributing food bank in the region<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At William Penn, \u201cI’m new to philanthropy,\u201d Preston notes. \u201cBut I’m excited to use my knowledge of some of the things I do know about \u2013 organizing and government.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Gabriel Procaccino<\/p>\n

Officer, Investor Relations, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia<\/p>\n

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Gabriel Procaccino
\n \/
\n Provided<\/p>\n

It\u2019s little wonder that Gabe Procaccino ended up working at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, where he is the officer of investor relations. The South Philadelphia native is heavily invested in efforts to bolster his hometown \u2013 including as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, an alumni board member at The Philadelphia School and, most recently, a member of Leadership Philadelphia\u2019s Core Class of 2026.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

As passionate as Procaccino is about Philadelphia, it wasn\u2019t inevitable that public service would be his path. That, he says, was inspired by an interview he watched years ago with then-Congressman (now U.S. Sen.) Adam Schiff, in which the California politician reflected on leadership, public life, and mentorship as a Big Brother.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThat interview influenced my decision to pursue a path rooted in service,\u201d recalls Procaccino. \u201cI became a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters, later worked in campaigns and then Congress \u2026 and ultimately returned to Philadelphia to support my hometown.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

He met his wife while working on successful midterm congressional campaigns in 2018, then served as a staffer for former Congressman Max Rose. Over the past five years, he is proud to have led the Chamber\u2019s membership and investor relations efforts: \u201cI’m focused on strengthening the business community and advancing economic opportunity across Greater Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Tyler Rutter<\/p>\n

Director, Audit & Assurance, Wouch Maloney<\/p>\n

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Tyler Rutter
\n \/
\n Jared Gruenwald, Left Eyed Studios<\/p>\n

If it hadn\u2019t been for an undergraduate excursion to Wall Street, Tyler Rutter might well have ended up in the New York finance world. But after touring a half-dozen investment banks with a contingent from the College of William and Mary, Rutter realized he\u2019d rather work with numbers in a more personal and meaningful way.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cThat experience shifted my focus from finance to accounting, as I enjoyed my accounting classes \u2013 and envisioned public accounting as an opportunity to bring together my love of numbers and working with people,\u201d he recalls. \u201cBeing able to do both every day gives me a strong sense of purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At 37, Rutter leads the Audit and Assurance team at Wouch Maloney in Philadelphia; trusted by clients for his expertise in both audits and risk mitigation, he is also responsible for developing internal training programs and updating accounting standards. And he maintains that commitment to personal engagement as a mentor, developing talent through “Tech Time with Tyler,” a weekly one-on-one with colleagues.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Rutter has been recognized with the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants\u2019 Young Leader Award and, this spring, with his own firm\u2019s 2026 Tax Season Excellence Award. \u201cThe feeling of helping a client meet a challenging deadline \u2013 and providing critical information for management to make informed decisions with confidence \u2013 never gets old,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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\n Jon Scheuren<\/p>\n

Senior Director, Sports, Valley Forge Tourism<\/p>\n

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Jon Scheuren
\n \/
\n Provided<\/p>\n

Jon Scheuren always knew he wanted to work in sports. \u201cHowever, I didn’t know my industry existed until a mentor, Joe Reid, referred me for my current job,\u201d he admits.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

That referral proved to be pivotal. Scheuren joined Valley Forge Tourism in 2017, when its sports department was just coalescing; over the past decade, he has helped guide its evolution from 20 events a year to more than 100 events annually, with an economic impact of nearly $75 million \u2013 five times what it was in 2017.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Scheuren studied sports and fitness administration and minored in business at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he held a variety of roles with local sports organizations, including the YMCA, before joining Valley Forge Tourism.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Since then, he has cultivated a sports team that has broken its own economic impact records for four straight years, yielding over $500 million in benefit to the Commonwealth \u2013 and, in particular, Montgomery County \u2013 during his tenure.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cAt the core of that growth is my commitment to building genuine relationships and trust \u2013 skills that have shaped our partnerships and long\u2011term success,\u201d says Scheuren, who is currently the vice chair for PA Sports. \u201cTogether, we approach sports tourism from every angle to bring new events to Montgomery County.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Gregory Scott<\/p>\n

State Representative<\/p>\n

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Gregory Scott
\n \/
\n PA House of Representatives<\/p>\n

Becoming the first Black magisterial district judge in Montgomery County in 2015 remains a highlight of state Rep. Gregory Scott\u2019s career. Just 28 at the time, Scott also made history as the youngest sitting judge in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Now 39, Scott has an unusually long record of achievements that reflects both his early start and his notable determination. In that early role on the bench, he championed criminal justice reform, helping create Montgomery County\u2019s EPIC Program (Eviction Prevention & Intervention Coalition) and its Pretrial Program.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The Norristown native was set on a political career early on, following a trajectory inspired by none other than former President Bill Clinton. Scott was a Norristown sixth grader when Clinton came to speak; he remembers \u201cshaking the president\u2019s hand, asking him about healthcare and education policies, and challenging the president to put his money where his mouth is.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The impression was evidently mutual, because shortly thereafter, President Clinton returned to announce an education initiative at Norristown High School \u2013 hard proof, reflects Scott, of \u201chow government could work for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Still in his teens, Scott became Norristown\u2019s first junior Borough councilmember, as well as a volunteer firefighter and EMT \u2013 experience he drew on during the COVID-19 pandemic to mobilize large-scale testing and vaccination efforts (Scott also co-chairs the state House Fire and EMS Caucus).<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Three years ago, he became the first representative elected in Pennsylvania\u2019s newly created 54th District, where he continues to focus on public education, healthcare access and criminal justice reform \u2013 priorities that date back not only to his judicial days, but as far back as that presidential handshake.<\/p>\n

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\n Jeff Serra<\/p>\n

Legislative Director, Philadelphia City Council<\/p>\n

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Jeff Serra
\n \/
\n Chris Mansfield – Mansfield Media LLC<\/p>\n

It was an internship with Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. that convinced Jeff Serra he, too, wanted to make a difference in his city through legislative action.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

As legislative director for Philadelphia City Councilmember Rue Landau, Serra, 32, is realizing that goal. His work has facilitated successful efforts to expand the city\u2019s pandemic-era outdoor dining program, reduce barriers to affordable housing for Philadelphians, and secure over $2.9 million in public and nonprofit funding for city and community projects.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Serra studied public relations and psychology at Temple University, then held a series of marketing jobs before entering the public sector. After his internship, he worked as state Rep. Morgan Cephas\u2019 constituent services director and for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

He has also led several successful city primary campaigns, worked as a grant writer for Temple University, and, along the way, earned an MBA from Temple\u2019s Fox School of Business.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

At City Council, Serra is known as a practical problem-solver. He\u2019s proud of his role in promoting fair-chance hiring, expanding workforce access, and leading consumer protection and renter-affordability measures.<\/p>\n

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\n Kara Spanswick<\/p>\n

Vice President, Operations, Lehigh Valley Health Network<\/p>\n

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Kara Spanswick
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\n Provided<\/p>\n

Kara Spanswick\u2019s effective administration at Lehigh Valley Health Network \u2013 especially throughout its recent merger with Jefferson \u2013 has garnered her numerous recognitions: the 2023 Guldin Award for Efficiency and Innovation and, in 2025, the Early Careerist Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives – Eastern Pennsylvania, among others.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

As of last year, Spanswick, 37, serves as vice president of operations at the 256-bed Lehigh Valley Hospital \u2013 Muhlenberg. She brings expertise honed in management roles at four health systems, including experience redesigning Lehigh Valley\u2019s Spine Program to broaden patient access, as well as over a decade of mentorship of healthcare colleagues.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI always knew I wanted to work in healthcare,\u201d says Spanswick, \u201cbut after taking a biobehavioral health class at Penn State, I realized that health comes in many different forms \u2013 and supporting those delivering care can be just as meaningful as being at the bedside.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Today, Spanswick remains a proud Penn State fan; she also earned a master\u2019s in healthcare administration from the University of Cincinnati and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Outside work, she\u2019s a busy mom of two young children \u2013 and continually gratified by a career that improves outcomes for people and communities. \u201cThe interconnected pathways of health, biology and psychology have fueled a growth mindset,\u201d Spanswick says, \u201cwhich I have leaned into for the last 20 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Logan Stover<\/p>\n

Director, Policy & Legislative Affairs, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs<\/p>\n

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Logan Stover
\n \/
\n Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs<\/p>\n

Just a few years out of Lebanon Valley College \u2013 where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in politics \u2013 Logan Stover has already made a significant impact on the commonwealth\u2019s communities.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Since 2023, he has directed policy and legislative affairs for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, where he has successfully championed state measures raising compensation for borough officials \u2013 the first such increase in 30 years \u2013 and allowing boroughs to fill vacancies more quickly. The 29-year-old has also fought for legislation to alleviate unfunded mandates for local governments, and to reform antiquated public-notice requirements.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Stover previously served as legislative coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where he supported updates to the state\u2019s business corporation law.\u00a0<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

It was during college, where he played both football and baseball, that Stover discovered his niche. As a summer intern in the offices of then-Auditor General Eugene, Stover worked closely with the legislative affairs director, Dan Meyers, \u201cand became infatuated with Pennsylvania’s legislative process and advocacy work,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cI would be remiss if I didn’t also thank my mentor, Fred Cabell \u2013 the former director of government affairs for the Pennsylvania Bar Association \u2013 for teaching me the intricacies of lobbying.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Chris Sukhu<\/p>\n

Vice President, Medicare Strategy Execution, AmeriHealth Caritas<\/p>\n

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Chris Sukhu
\n \/
\n AmeriHealth Caritas Creative Project Team<\/p>\n

The twin threads of Chris Sukhu\u2019s healthcare administration career \u2013 human needs and business practice \u2013 are reflected in his academic degrees: a bachelor’s in economics from Georgetown, and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

They were also the specialties of his own parents: Sukhu’s father was a healthcare actuary, and his mother was a nutritionist who worked with low-income populations. “That gave me an early view into both the system level and human sides of healthcare, ” recalls Sukhu, who is now vice president for Medicare strategy execution at AmeriHealth Caritas, the multi-state health insurer.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

His doctoral research focused on well-being in aging populations \u2013 a natural segue into a career focused on Medicare strategy. At the maternal health startup Cayaba Care, he worked on programs to reduce rates of preterm birth and postpartum depression. At Independence Blue Cross, he helped guide quality initiatives to secure a top Medicare performance ranking.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Now 38, Sukhu brings over a decade of strategic and analytic experience to AmeriHealth Caritas’ government insurance programs. “I’ve been inspired by both my academic work and my early exposure to healthcare,” he says, “leading me to focus my career on improving outcomes in both Medicare and Medicaid.”<\/p>\n

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\n Shayna Varner<\/p>\n

Vice President & Chief of Staff, Pennsylvania Health Care Association<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Shayna Varner
\n \/
\n PHILTER Photography<\/p>\n

Barely out of college, Shayna Varner was the youngest gubernatorial press secretary in the country under then-West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, for whom she served as the primary spokesperson and lead statewide communications strategy.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

However precocious, the role wasn\u2019t a coincidence. \u201cGrowing up in West Virginia, I had a front-row seat to public service through my father\u2019s work in the West Virginia House of Delegates,\u201d recalls the Mountain State native. \u201cI saw firsthand how thoughtful leadership and commitment to community could make a difference in people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Now 38, Varner brings nearly two decades of political and strategic know-how to the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, where she leads advocacy for the long-term care industry as vice president and chief of staff. She led strategy around the association\u2019s 2022 efforts to secure a historic 17.5% increase in Medicaid funding for Pennsylvania’s nursing homes \u2013 nearly $515 million in state and federal monies, the first investment of its kind in more than a decade.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Warner holds a master\u2019s in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University. She joined the PCHA nearly seven years ago after a series of communications roles, including with The Bravo Group.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I ultimately chose a path other than elected office, I\u2019ve always viewed my career path as its own form of public service,\u201d says Varner, \u201chelping organizations connect with people, elevate important issues, and drive positive change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Dion Wiles<\/p>\n

Vice President & Financial Center Manager II, Fulton Bank<\/p>\n

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Dion Wiles
\n \/
\n Provided<\/p>\n

Dion Wiles\u2019 banking career began when, at age 16, he took a part-time teller job at Commerce Bank.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cAs a kid, I remember watching the steady flow of customers and transactions at Commerce Bank whenever I went with my parents to cash a check,\u201d Wiles recalls.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are always left with a smile \u2013 partly because of the money, of course, but also because of the service. I realized then that I wanted to learn the ropes of banking.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Today, he is the vice president and financial center manager II for Fulton Bank\u2019s Philadelphia flagship location, a block from City Hall. He oversees $1 billion in deposits, manages an eight-person team and keeps the bank focused, he says, on “changing lives for the better.”<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Known affectionately by colleagues as “The Mayor” for his deep community ties, Wiles leverages his personal experiences of representation and resilience to provide culturally competent service to Pennsylvania\u2019s top clients \u2013 and to raise awareness of the economic hardships faced by many Americans.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

That same sense of mission also fuels his volunteer work with Horizon House, where he serves on the board of directors, as well as with Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and New Hope Temple. Notes Wiles: \u201cI\u2019ve always been good at making people smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Samantha Williams<\/p>\n

Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas<\/p>\n

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Samantha Williams
\n \/
\n Whitney Thomas<\/p>\n

Whether working with evicted tenants or accused felons, the Hon. Samantha J. Williams\u2019 career has been committed to fairness and opportunity. As a judge on Philadelphia\u2019s Court of Common Pleas, she is assigned to the Major Trials Team of the Criminal Trial Division.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Williams, 38, had already distinguished herself in several arenas before joining the bench. As a legislative director for Philadelphia\u2019s City Council, she helped advance laws on eviction protections, criminal-record screening, and the creation of Philadelphia\u2019s Citizens Police Oversight Commission. She also previously served as an assistant Philadelphia district attorney, advocating on behalf of crime victims.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

The lifelong Philadelphian was inspired by her own father, attorney and civil rights activist Leon Williams. \u201cMy childhood was spent in courtrooms of Philadelphia City Hall, watching him staunchly defend his clients,\u201d recalls the younger Williams. \u201cI learned that success isn\u2019t just what you make of yourself, but how you make your community better.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

She went on to earn dual degrees from Temple University, where she served as an adjunct with Temple Law\u2019s National Trial Team.<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

Being elected as a judge at age 35 began \u201cwhat had long been a dream,\u201d reflects Williams. It is also a tribute to her father: \u201cI\u2019m continuing the journey he started by ensuring justice, dignity and fairness in our court system.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Deborah Akanya Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, UPMC Jameson Hospital Deborah Akanya \/ David Astudillo Physician, mentor and global…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":202848,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[12524,28,30,29],"class_list":["post-202847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pennsylvania","tag-honors","tag-pennsylvania","tag-pennsylvania-headlines","tag-pennsylvania-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/202848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=202847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=202847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}