{"id":8214,"date":"2025-06-23T14:36:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T14:36:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/8214\/"},"modified":"2025-06-23T14:36:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T14:36:38","slug":"the-city-state-pa-2025-40-under-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/8214\/","title":{"rendered":"The City &#038; State PA 2025 40 Under 40"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jon-anzur\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jon-anzur\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Jon Anzur<\/p>\n<p>Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, PA Chamber<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Jon Anzur<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>When he started out as a Washington, D.C., intern, Jonathan Anzur kept his older bosses up to date on the latest social media trends. At the time, \u201cthat was innovative,\u201c says Anzur, who, at 34, is part of a generational bridge to the digital era. \u201cNow, I\u2019m learning from that generation after me.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Anzur recently helped launch a TikTok account for the PA Chamber, where he leads public affairs. He also spent a year traveling the commonwealth to gather input from business and municipal leaders \u2013 and leverage the star power of partners like Caitlin Clark and Bradley Cooper \u2013 to create the Keystone Initiative, a PA Chamber roadmap for making Pennsylvania the country\u2019s most economically competitive state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Anzur comes from a Mechanicsburg family of health professionals, so his English major and newspaper work at the University of Pittsburgh raised eyebrows at home. Then a Harrisburg internship lured the budding journalist into politics. After graduation, Anzur managed public relations for then-Gov. Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania GOP, and handled communications for then-U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>One of Anzur\u2019s most meaningful roles was as chief of staff to then-U.S. Rep. Fred Keller on Capitol Hill, working around the clock on federal pandemic relief. But he\u2019s thrilled to be back living in and promoting the commonwealth. \u201cIt\u2019s one state, but there are so many different local foods, cultures and issues,\u201c he says. \u201cAdvocating for those interests here in Harrisburg is a lot of fun.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"giuliano-apadula\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#giuliano-apadula\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Giuliano Apadula<\/p>\n<p>Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689369_585_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Giuliano Apadula<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Greenberg Traurig, LLP<\/p>\n<p>For Giuliano Apadula, there\u2019s nothing more satisfying than helping transform dilapidated parcels into valuable properties.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re at the point in a lot of major metropolitan areas where it\u2019s like, \u2019Well, we\u2019ve built on everything except for those landfills,\u2019\u201c says Apadula. Such properties \u201care something nobody was ever able to touch before \u2013 and we return it to the stream of commerce.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As a shareholder in the Philadelphia office of Greenberg Traurig, the 36-year-old works with municipalities and brownfield redevelopers to rehabilitate unused land, bringing in businesses that generate tax revenue. Apadula helps stakeholders cut through environmental issues and find solutions \u2013 as was the case recently for a Connecticut military base, vacant for 30 years before the attorney managed the site\u2019s acquisition and strategy. Today, he\u2019s proud of its vibrant commercial and life sciences tenants.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Apadula grew up working at his family\u2019s bakery in South Jersey and was encouraged by his father, an immigrant from Italy, to become the first in the family to pursue higher education. He earned a degree from Rutgers-Camden and chose the law for its opportunity, then discovered a talent for real estate mergers and acquisitions.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always been a transactional deal lawyer,\u201c he says. \u201cI was doing more and more deals where the real estate was contaminated, and the environmental issues were an impediment.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>His father\u2019s example inspires him to power through those impediments. \u201cWe have the opportunity here where, if you work hard and push yourself, there\u2019s really uncapped potential,\u201c says Apadula. \u201cIt opens up countless doors.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jasmine-armstrong\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jasmine-armstrong\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Jasmine Armstrong<\/p>\n<p>Senior Director, Hospitality &amp; Events, Visit Philly<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689370_859_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Jasmine Armstrong<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              R. Rabena for Visit Philadelphia<\/p>\n<p>Even as a child, Jasmine Armstrong was an event planner. A born organizer, the Philadelphia native was the one who planned the trips and parties; as a communications major at Drexel University, she worked coordinating weddings and other events.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At Visit Philly, the city\u2019s tourism bureau, goings-on are \u201cnow officially my role,\u201c says Armstrong, who joined the team eight years ago as a hotel coordinator and now directs hospitality and events. Last year, she planned and executed the inaugural Philadelphia Hospitality Symposium, a successful showcase that will be reprised in 2025. She also organizes major events, such as the TED Democracy Initiative, a series of talks themed around the 250th anniversary of America\u2019s founding in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPromoting Philly is absolutely special,\u201c says Armstrong, 32, who can\u2019t imagine living anywhere else. \u201cI love everything about our food scene, our history, our culture. And the country started right here in Philly.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>When she\u2019s not organizing events or liaising with the city\u2019s fabled hospitality community, Armstrong enjoys exploring neighborhoods through the lens of a tourist \u2013 and hearing out-of-town guests rave about her hometown.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you\u2019re in Philly, you don\u2019t think about how amazing it is that you live down the street from the Liberty Bell, or Independence Hall, or the Rocky statue. These are big deals, and we\u2019re surrounded by them every day,\u201c she says. \u201cThere\u2019s so many special places, but also special people. Being a part of a team that\u2019s telling that story is truly rewarding.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"megan-barbour\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#megan-barbour\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Megan Barbour<\/p>\n<p>Director, Advocacy &amp; Government Relations, Pennsylvania Health Care Association<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689371_530_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Megan Barbour<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Source Creative House<\/p>\n<p>Over the past dozen years, Megan Barbour has helped an aging commonwealth prepare for an ongoing increase in health care demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Barbour, now 34, is best known for establishing the state Department of Health\u2019s Long Term Care Transformation Office \u2013 and building a 13-strong team to fortify the state\u2019s ability to address skyrocketing needs. Earlier this year, Barbour tackled the issue from a different angle by becoming the director of advocacy and government relations for the Pennsylvania Health Care Association.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>An undergraduate biology and business major, she worked in an infectious disease lab and volunteered with a county health department after college. \u201cI saw the effect that preventable diseases had on people,\u201c she says, \u201cand realized that a lot of prevention lay in policy. Recognizing the need for it, my passion grew from there.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>After earning an MPH from Penn State, Barbour was chosen from among 250 applicants to be a William Penn Fellow in policy for the state Department of Health. She moved on to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, where she worked on health insurance, before returning to DOH as a senior adviser for long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>With priorities including state reimbursement for nursing homes and the health workforce shortage, \u201cI felt advocacy could really make a difference in addressing systemic issues in long-term care,\u201c she says of her current role. \u201cI\u2019ve only been here for three months, but it\u2019s been one of the most rewarding roles of my career thus far.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love helping people to realize the possibilities within themselves,\u201c says Bergman. \u201cHelping provide the pathway so they can be part of this equation \u2013 the American dream \u2013 is transformative.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"christa-barfield\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#christa-barfield\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Christa Barfield<\/p>\n<p>Founder &amp; Owner, FarmerJawn<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689372_794_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Christa Barfield<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Gene Smirnov<\/p>\n<p>If it hadn\u2019t been for a 2018 trip to Martinique, Christa Barfield might still be working in health care. But the exuberance of that island\u2019s local agriculture scene \u2013 and the farmers she met \u2013\u00a0inspired the then-30-year-old, who\u2019d quit her job, to take up farming back home in her native Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Seven years later, Barfield presides over FarmerJawn, America\u2019s largest Black woman-owned regenerative organic farm \u2013 a 128-acre outfit spanning three sites in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Chester counties. She launched the venture in 2020 with 10 families subscribing to her CSA (community-supported agriculture) and has since fed more than 30,000 people, both through the CSA and a 3,000-square-foot Chester County store.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful to be able to say that so many people in our community have eaten something we\u2019ve grown,\u201c says Barfield. \u201cWe\u2019re connecting people back to their food.\u201c By doing so, she\u2019s become part of a generational trend: 30- and 40-somethings are at the forefront of a grassroots, back-to-the-land movement with an organic ethos.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Aside from her two children \u2013 ages 17 and 22 \u2013 Barfield\u2019s favorite consumers are the children and adults who tour her farms for weekly field trips. \u201cA joy that I have is simply being able to snap peas directly off the plant and open the pods up and enjoy the fresh peas,\u201c she says. \u201cAnd I love seeing people\u2019s eyes light up when I show them \u2013 and getting their hands in the soil.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"vinny-cannizzaro\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#vinny-cannizzaro\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Vinny Cannizzaro<\/p>\n<p>Executive Director, Pennsylvania Economy League<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689373_697_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Vinny Cannizzaro<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Emily Rund, York College of Pennsylvania<\/p>\n<p>In Scranton, Vinny Cannizzaro helped the city increase its bond rating, improving its financial outlook. In Lancaster City, Cannizzaro\u2019s team at the Pennsylvania Economy League supported work on the Home Rule Commission, allowing locals to regain control of revenue and stabilize the city\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m wholeheartedly into the local level \u2013 where we have the most immediate impact on people\u2019s lives and the well-being of communities,\u201c explained Cannizzaro, the executive director of the nonpartisan think tank.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Originally from Sarasota, Florida, the 36-year-old studied political science and government at the University of Central Florida, earning a doctorate in public policy. He held several policy posts and previously directed the public policy graduate program at York College of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI always wanted to move away from feelings-based politics to evidence, research-driven work,\u201c Canizzaro explains. \u201cWe need to be able to look at issues objectively and say, \u2019Yes, this will work\u2019 \u2013 or, \u2019Yes, this will not work, but here\u2019s the best decision.\u2019\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At the Pennsylvania Economy League, his team supports municipalities through the entire spectrum of issues, from technical matters to financial assistance and budgeting. Home rule, where municipalities self-govern, is particularly near and dear to his heart, given the commonwealth\u2019s notable decentralization, with 2,500 municipalities and 500 individual school boards.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Cannizzaro\u2019s favorite audience is his children, ages 2, 4 and 9. \u201cI want them to be engaged \u2013 and really understand what\u2019s going on,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"megan-carroll\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#megan-carroll\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Megan Carroll<\/p>\n<p>Manager, Business Development &amp; Partnerships, Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center <\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689374_670_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Megan Carroll<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Emily Voelker<\/p>\n<p>At 32, Megan Carroll is a member of a global generation \u2013 and she brings that perspective to her role with the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, a joint initiative of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>A highlight has been spearheading Adapt PA, a program she founded to bring supercomputing access and training to small and two-year colleges that otherwise couldn\u2019t afford such resources. \u201cWe\u2019re democratizing access to advanced computing,\u201c she says of the initiative, which she founded two years ago with a state Department of Education grant. \u201cIt\u2019s my pet project \u2013 my pride and joy.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Raised in New Jersey, Carroll studied political science and international affairs at Northeastern University before heading to London for a master\u2019s in international public policy. She stayed abroad for five years, working in consulting and political communications.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>One of her U.K. projects was helping redevelop a stadium for the Crystal Palace football club \u2013 which ended up being the filming location for the hit Apple TV series \u201cTed Lasso.\u201c \u201cI helped them talk about it to the local neighborhood and fans, to design a stadium that everyone was excited about,\u201c recalls Carroll.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Back near family stateside, Carroll managed communications at Carnegie Mellon \u2013 and came to relish the parallels between her walkable, culturally diverse neighborhoods in London and Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s this perspective of everyone having a different lived experience, and meeting them where they are,\u201c says Carroll of that urban diversity. \u201cI was lucky to learn that early in my career.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"chelsea-chopko\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#chelsea-chopko\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Chelsea Chopko<\/p>\n<p>Chief, Administrative Support Services, The Wright Centers for Community Health<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689374_394_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Chelsea Chopko<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              The Wright Center<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea Chopko\u2019s route to The Wright Centers for Community Health, where she provides administrative support to the CEO, began as a childhood interest in health careers and coalesced in college with what she calls her \u201cconversation starter\u201c of a major \u2013 industrial organizational psychology. \u201cIt\u2019s a little bit of HR, a little bit of people management, a little bit of everything,\u201c she says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Chopko could be describing her own role at the primary care organization, which operates a half-dozen Northeast Pennsylvania clinics and trains the next generation of rural family physicians. She joined as executive assistant to Wright\u2019s CEO, was soon chosen for a nonprofit management certificate program at the University of Scranton \u2013 and now oversees an 11-person team.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat in six years\u2019 time, I\u2019ve been granted the trust and the position to do that \u2013 I take a lot of pride in this,\u201c affirms the devoted Scranton native. \u201cI\u2019m a mama bear at heart, a nurturer. And I\u2019ll be here as long as they\u2019ll have me.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Even with two kids, two dogs and a full schedule of field trips and birthday parties, \u201cI still feel like I\u2019m 18 in my mind,\u201c admits the 36-year-old. \u201cI think the perspective my generation brings is a lot of flexibility. I take things as they are; I truly am a very arms-wide-open person \u2013 that\u2019s what I brought into this role.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"nicole-connell\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#nicole-connell\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Nicole Connell<\/p>\n<p>Senior Executive Director, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Merakey<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689375_836_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Nicole Connell<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Lawrence Connell<\/p>\n<p>Nicole Connell entered the field of human services through education. As a Philadelphia elementary school teacher, \u201cI couldn\u2019t not address what I saw playing out in my classroom daily,\u201c says Connell, recalling students struggling with hunger, family substance abuse and mental health challenges.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>For the past decade and a half, Connell, 39, has worked at the intersection of public health, human services and education \u2013 including at Merakey, where she directs adult behavioral health services for Southeastern Pennsylvania.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>After leaving the classroom, the North Philadelphia native held roles with the city\u2019s departments of Housing and Behavioral Health; at the latter, she expanded community outreach from 32 to more than 200 annual events and built engagement and trauma response teams. \u201cI was able to see how resolving unaddressed behaviors can help people thrive in housing, academics and their finances,\u201c she says. \u201cIt\u2019s identifying where those gaps and needs are, driving transformative policy change, and designing programs that meet people where they are.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At Merakey, Connell helped launch Philadelphia\u2019s first behavioral urgent-care center for adults, which has served more than 2,000 people with same-day assistance since last fall. \u201cOur society has all of these other conveniences, but when we try to access social supports, we\u2019re not always evolving quickly enough to meet the need,\u201c she explains. \u201cMy goal is to innovate \u2013 to take a fresh look at how we provide services.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"brendan-delaney\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#brendan-delaney\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Brendan Delaney<\/p>\n<p>Campaigns Director, Hurst Management<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689376_216_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Brendan Delaney<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Colleen Delaney<\/p>\n<p>Two of the most important people in Brendan Delaney\u2019s life are named Jordan: his wife, whom he calls his \u201cbest friend,\u201c and the chair of the state House Appropriations Committee, Jordan Harris, a close professional colleague.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>While the names may be a coincidence, the centrality of relationships to Delaney\u2019s life and political consulting career is not. \u201cWhat\u2019s most rewarding is not just the work that I get be a part of,\u201c Delaney said of his role as campaign director for Hurst Management, a Philadelphia-based Democratic consultancy, \u201cbut what I get to learn from working with folks who have that that care and that fire in them.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>A third-generation Southwest Philadelphian, Delaney studied sociology and criminal justice at Villanova, but felt aimless until Donald Trump\u2019s election win in 2016 jolted him into action. \u201cHonestly, it seems like we\u2019re still living in the world of before and after that,\u201c he says. Delaney threw his energy into campaigns, managing successful races for Philadelphia City Councilmembers and state candidates.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>A particular highlight was helping elect state Rep. Tim Brennan, a Bucks County Democrat whose 2023 election flipped a red seat to blue \u2013 and inspired Delaney to concentrate on maintaining the Democratic state House majority. The same year, Delaney was recruited by Hurst\u2019s founder, T.J. Hurst, to further that goal.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Now four years sober, Delaney relishes a role that emphasizes relationships beyond a single election cycle: \u201cYou realize that we can make things happen if it\u2019s a lot of people working together.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jack-eckhardt\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jack-eckhardt\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Jack Eckhardt<\/p>\n<p>Vice President &amp; Director, Government Banking, TruMark Financial Credit Union<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689377_498_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Jack Eckhardt<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Cassidy Lynne Photography<\/p>\n<p>Banking is Jack Eckhardt\u2019s job, but his larger mission is making numbers relevant to people\u2019s lives. He does that by day as TruMark Financial Credit Union\u2019s head of government banking \u2013 and, in his spare time, as the founder of a nonprofit that dismantles financial barriers to youth athletics.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNumbers tell the story,\u201c reflects Eckhardt, 37, who studied accounting and finance at LaSalle University. He hears those stories from the local municipalities that are clients at TruMark, where \u201cI get to see what true good our actual tax dollars are doing,\u201c he adds. \u201cIt\u2019s the \u2019why\u2019 behind everything that opens people\u2019s eyes.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>A father of two, Eckhardt loves bringing those insights to local schools, where he talks about the costs and calculations of youth sports participation. \u201cLet\u2019s say it costs $225\u201c for a season, he explains. \u201cI ask them: \u2019How many Happy Meals can this buy?\u2019 If we get the younger generations to start thinking this way, that\u2019s even better.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, unable to find a charity accepting his daughters\u2019 gently used soccer and baseball gear, Eckhardt started the Pass The Play Foundation. Drawing on his professional connections to local schools, he sounds out athletic directors about the need for donations that can keep low-income families involved with youth sports.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Eckhardt, who plays in a men\u2019s basketball league, also raises money through the foundation to subsidize that need. \u201cReally, it\u2019s been easy to get people on board,\u201c he says, \u201cbecause it\u2019s two things people care about \u2013 sports and kids.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"matt-fine\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#matt-fine\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Matt Fine<\/p>\n<p>Government Relations Specialist, One+ Strategies<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689378_211_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Matt Fine<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Marisa Kinney<\/p>\n<p>If Matt Fine needs to justify his escapes to the golf course, he has a rationale: The links are responsible for his career.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was working at a golf course and met a partner (from Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney), and that turned into an internship, which turned into a job,\u201c he recalls of the trajectory that ultimately led him to One+ Strategies, where he is a government relations specialist.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Fine, 34, was recruited to One+ by a group of his former colleagues at Buchanan, where he worked in government relations (he is an attorney as well as a lobbyist). Helping build a new company, he says, has been a thrill on par with the wins he\u2019s racked up for his clients.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>These include getting school-bus safety legislation passed and securing funding for nonprofits like Valley Youth House. \u201cOne day, I could be doing zoning or education, another day, transportation and another day, health care,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The Harrisburg native was drawn to politics through his grandmother\u2019s influence. She always had CNN on and inspired her grandson with activism around issues like the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. \u201cI wanted to help people, but by doing behind-the-scenes stuff and the legal route,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Fine also thinks his relative youth is an asset in Harrisburg, where, as a new parent, he has a direct stake in many of the issues: \u201cAs the legislators and the people on staff are getting younger,\u201c he says, \u201cit helps to have that perspective.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jimmy-gastner\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jimmy-gastner\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Jimmy Gastner<\/p>\n<p>Vice President &amp; Community Development Manager, TD Bank<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689378_402_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Jimmy Gastner<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Aragon AI<\/p>\n<p>In his own words, Jimmy Gastner loves \u201csitting at that intersection of public policy, social impact and business.\u201c His current perch is at TD Bank, where he is a vice president managing community development \u2013 which means he partners with regional stakeholders to advance economic equity, especially around housing.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The Delaware County native, 31, grew up thinking he\u2019d turn his knack for numbers into an accounting career. But the liberal arts education he received at Swarthmore College enamored him of public policy \u2013 and an internship with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities cemented a passion for \u201cusing data and research to inform policymaking that ensures that all residents have access to economic opportunity,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., Gastner saw those ideas in action with the Detroit Neighborhood Housing Compact, which united public, private and nonprofit sectors to address housing barriers. Back in Pennsylvania, Gastner earned an MBA at Villanova and worked on monetary policy at the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At TD Bank, Gastner draws on those experiences with his current project, Convergence Philadelphia, a collaborative effort to find financial solutions to Philadelphia\u2019s persistent racial home-ownership disparities. \u201cIt\u2019s such a sweet spot,\u201c notes Gastner, \u201cwhere you\u2019re able to work with different sectors \u2013 and leverage the strengths of each to make meaningful change.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"nathan-gerace\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#nathan-gerace\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Nathan Gerace<\/p>\n<p>Northeast Regional Director, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689379_326_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Nathan Gerace<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>While running an errand at Tamaqua Borough Hall in 2017, Nathan Gerace heard a local councilmember mention that the mayor was retiring.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Some people would have moved on with their day. Not Gerace, a recent high school graduate who was already thinking about public service. \u201cI asked myself, What does it take to be mayor? Would I be good at it?\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The evidence would suggest he is. Having trounced several primary competitors, Gerace took office at age 19, in 2018, and is finishing his second term by celebrating a 42% decrease in violent crime over the past decade \u2013 along with Tamaqua\u2019s designation as one of Business View Magazine\u2019s \u201cBest Small Towns in Pennsylvania.\u201c\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Concurrently, Gerace has also served as U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser\u2019s district director. Holding multiple jobs was no stretch for the energetic young pol: Gerace first went to work at age 10, picking up bowling pins at the local alley. Before graduating from high school, he\u2019d also been a paper delivery boy, a cook, a server, a bartender, a busboy and a grocery store clerk.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As he winds down his mayoralty, Gerace is excited about his newest role \u2013 as Northeast director for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, working with his home region\u2019s colleges, local chambers of commerce and businesses large and small. \u201cHe\u2019s got this steady leadership and this vast knowledge of how government works and what it takes to be successful,\u201c says Gerace of McCormick. \u201cSo I feel lucky to be part of the team.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"karl-graham\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#karl-graham\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Karl Graham<\/p>\n<p>Financial Center Manager, Penn Community Bank<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689380_641_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Karl Graham<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Vernon Ray Creative Mind Productions<\/p>\n<p>Whether it was his uncle fixing the church roof, his grandmother baking for the community or aunts distributing backyard vegetables to neighbors, Karl Graham grew up steeped in the altruism of his extended South Carolina family.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Today, he brings that same ethos to his community in Philadelphia, where he is a financial center manager for Penn Community Bank.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat I love is teaching about financial literacy, because there are so many people who do not know anything past cashing the check and spending all their money,\u201c says Graham, 31. \u201cIt\u2019s about reaching people that may not come into the bank \u2013 letting them know, \u2019You can still go and build your credit up.\u2019\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The Pennsylvania native might buttonhole neighbors at the barbershop, at restaurants or at the Baptist church where he is the third generation to help out with ministry.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Graham began his career at a Home Depot garden center. He loved the plants, but when his mother pointed out that he needed a job with benefits, he interviewed at PNC Bank \u2013 and found his calling.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>For Graham, banking isn\u2019t just about money; it\u2019s also about relationships, and the trust that allows customers to let Graham guide them beyond cash and checking into CDs and the stock market.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of people are afraid, and they want to do it the old-school way,\u201c he notes. \u201cI give them options \u2013 and that way, they know their money is safe.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"thaddeus-hill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#thaddeus-hill\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Thaddeus Hill<\/p>\n<p>Government Affairs Associate, Pursuit Advocacy<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689380_884_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Thaddeus Hill<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Christina Zarek<\/p>\n<p>Thaddeus Hill was a junior in high school when the 2016 presidential election ignited his civic awareness \u2013 as it did for so many young voters. \u201cI saw how politics and advocacy really can affect people,\u201c said the Chester County native, now 25 and a government affairs associate at Pursuit Advocacy. \u201cPolitics was really my calling.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>That conviction solidified during a series of undergraduate internships at Temple University, where he earned a degree in political science. After college, Hill put his advocacy skills to work at Greenlee Partners in Harrisburg. Next, with state House Speaker Joanna McClinton, he had a crash course in the people and issues that make the state tick.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At Pursuit, Hill says he is \u201clucky to be able to learn and grow\u201c under the firm\u2019s CEO, veteran lobbyist Laura Kuller. Passionate about education and environmental issues, he represents clients like Philadelphia Charters for Excellence and Amplify, securing funding and advancing evidence-based literacy initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>On weekends, the avid athlete can often be found hunting in Central Pennsylvania forests or playing baseball or football with colleagues from Harrisburg Young Professionals. Racing toward goals with fellow government professionals, he says, unites Hill\u2019s motivations: \u201cIn sports, you need to work together to get the job done,\u201c he explains. \u201cAnd in politics and lobbying, we can\u2019t get things done for our clients if we\u2019re not working together, using our different skill sets to accomplish a goal.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"lauren-holubec\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#lauren-holubec\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Lauren Holubec<\/p>\n<p>Executive Director, Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association<\/p>\n<p>When Lauren Holubec took over the helm of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association earlier this year, she brought nearly two decades of industry savvy to a fraught economic moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur boards are reliant on federal funds,\u201c explains Holubec of the commonwealth\u2019s 22 workforce development boards. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of uncertainty right now. We\u2019re working to help them manage that transition.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Persevering through economic headwinds is what set Holubec on her own professional course. Raised in Berks County, she graduated from Kutztown University during the 2008 recession \u2013 and, like a lot of millennials, she was forced to rethink her ambitions.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In Holubec\u2019s case, that meant putting her PR plans aside in favor of jobs in career and technical education. She sees the irony in her own professional pivot yielding a career in helping others find their workforce niche.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>And it all worked out: \u201cI love what I do,\u201c says Holubec, who holds a master\u2019s in workforce education. In 2022, she completed an education doctorate with a focus on community college leadership (Holubec logged seven years at HACC, Central Pennsylvania\u2019s Community College).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Last year, she also launched her own consultancy, advising a national clientele on strategic leadership and state agencies. Holubec\u2019s own state-level policy experience includes helping build Pennsylvania\u2019s workforce development plan during then-Gov. Tom Corbett\u2019s administration and, more recently, working on legislation to help industry entities share data more freely.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy guiding force is, basically, \u2019I don\u2019t have all the answers \u2013 so let\u2019s go find them,\u2019\u201c she says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jonathan-humma\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jonathan-humma\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Jonathan Humma<\/p>\n<p>Vice President, External Affairs, UnitedHealth Group<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689381_726_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Jonathan Humma<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>Jonathan Humma was always on something of a fast track. By age 13, the Lancaster County native was already an Eagle Scout \u2013 a rank most don\u2019t achieve until years later. And by high school, Humma already knew he wanted to study political theory in Washington, D.C., choosing American University \u201cto be in the middle of the action,\u201c recalls the lobbyist, who now heads regional external affairs for UnitedHealth in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware. \u201cI would intern in Congress and think tanks during the day, and take my classes at night \u2013 and my professors were chiefs of staff on the Hill.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>By 21, Humma ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He didn\u2019t win, but the exposure led to a years-long role with the state Republican Committee. Next, at the Pennsylvania Senate, Humma got the opportunity to work on the health issues that have defined his career \u2013 from groundbreaking legislation reforming prior authorization and expanding breast cancer screenings to a measure standardizing newborn rare-disease screening across commonwealth hospitals.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The son, nephew and cousin of nurses, Humma applies what he\u2019s learned about health policy to improving UnitedHealth clients\u2019 patient experience. He has also visited 30 countries in recent years, which he credits with broadening his perspective. Travel \u201cmakes you more tolerant, understanding and compassionate,\u201c he says, \u201cand shows you that the world is so much bigger than just what we\u2019re doing every day.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"sara-innamorato\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#sara-innamorato\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Sara Innamorato<\/p>\n<p>Allegheny County Executive<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689382_920_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Sara Innamorato<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Allegheny County<\/p>\n<p>Elected at age 37 in 2024, Sara Innamorato isn\u2019t just the youngest-ever Allegheny County executive; she\u2019s also the first woman to hold the position, bringing a fresh perspective to the august office.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEspecially in Southwestern PA, the power structure just 10 years ago looked very different than it looks now,\u201c says the county native. \u201cPeople were sitting in seats for 20, 30, 40 years. But young people are the largest voting bloc. It\u2019s about having a representative democracy: We should have a say in the halls of power.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The young progressive made that her focus early. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Innamorato worked in nonprofits and founded an organization championing women in politics. In 2018, she won election to the state House of Representatives, part of a wave of Pennsylvania Democratic women assuming power.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As county executive, Innamorato is especially proud of partnering with state Sen. Nikil Saval on Pennsylvania\u2019s Whole Home Repairs legislation, which finances upgrades to the commonwealth\u2019s aging homes. Housing remains a priority via Innamorato\u2019s \u201c500 in 500\u201c initiative, a commitment to create 500 new housing units in 500 days \u2013 the initiative is currently past the halfway point \u2013 in response to a rise in homelessness.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI always joke that it\u2019s my goal to make county government sexy \u2013 something for people to pay attention to,\u201c says Innamorato. \u201cWhether you care about housing or public health or the environment or labor or small business, county government is the place to be.\u201c where the rubber meets the road.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"hannah-jeffrey\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#hannah-jeffrey\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Hannah Jeffrey<\/p>\n<p>Vice President, Highpoint Campaigns<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689383_194_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Hannah Jeffrey<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Lora Reehling<\/p>\n<p>Hannah Jeffrey is not your typical political consultant: She grew up Quaker, majored in theater and fell into politics somewhat by chance. Fittingly, \u201cover the years, I\u2019ve been really lucky to work with a lot of candidates who didn\u2019t fit the mold,\u201d says Jeffrey, now a vice president at Highpoint Campaigns, a direct-mail outfit that works with Democrats. \u201cThey were scientists running on a platform of their professional background, working class candidates, women who were pregnant during their campaign \u2013 not your conventional candidates.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0They include the congressional candidate Ashley Ehasz, a former military helicopter pilot, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, whose 2018 campaign for lieutenant governor is one of her career highlights. The latter convinced her that candidates who \u201cbring themselves authentically to voters and have a compelling reason for why they want to make people\u2019s lives better\u201d appeal to voters \u2013 \u201cregardless of whether they\u2019re wearing a hoodie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Jeffrey herself grew up feeling different from many in rural Virginia, where neither Democrats nor Quakers were common. However, they are abundant in Philadelphia, where she now lives \u2013 and where she is enjoying the creativity of print campaigns, \u201cthinking outside of the typical political mailer box,\u201c Jeffrey says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>On reflection, her political career doesn\u2019t seem so unlikely. \u201cCreating positive social change has always been important to me,\u201d says Jeffrey, 39. \u201cI\u2019m super passionate about helping people. That\u2019s really why I got into politics.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"greer-johnson\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#greer-johnson\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Greer Johnson<\/p>\n<p>Regional PR &amp; Communications Manager, Northeast, Western Governors University<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689384_414_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Greer Johnson<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Ben Rollins Photography<\/p>\n<p>As a member of the first generation to grow up with digital tech, Greer Johnson is ideally suited to promoting an online university spanning multiple time zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy generation has seen how technology can help grow your brands, your business, everything that you want to do,\u201c she says. \u201cIt\u2019s positioned us as thought leaders.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Based in Philadelphia, Johnson is currently applying that perspective to the Northeastern U.S. expansion of Western Governors University, a Utah-based online school that caters to working professionals. As regional public relations and communications manager, Johnson grows the university\u2019s brand awareness across the Mid-Atlantic and New England.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As an undergraduate at Florida A&amp;M University, Johnson considered journalism, but switched her major to public relations to take advantage of her diverse skill set. \u201cPR suits me because I am a Jill of all trades,\u201c says the Atlanta native. \u201cI\u2019m a generalist. You can tell me any situation, and I\u2019ll figure it out.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>That capability was put to the test when Johnson led communications for Georgia\u2019s Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers \u2013 and handled crisis relations surrounding the founder\u2019s passing. Johnson, who holds a master\u2019s in marketing and communications, has also taught English in France and managed branding and PR for clients ranging from Coca-Cola and Toyota to the National Council of Negro Women and a former secretary of labor.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBeing in those spaces and working with those high-profile people set my trajectory to where I am today,\u201c says Johnson.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"amanda-brothman-jumper\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#amanda-brothman-jumper\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Amanda Brothman Jumper<\/p>\n<p>Communications Director, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689385_174_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Amanda Brothman Jumper<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Amy Lutz Photography<\/p>\n<p>Shaped by watching the major events of her millennial childhood on TV \u2013 from the Columbine school shooting to 9\/11 \u2013 Amanda Brothman Jumper always dreamed of being a broadcast journalist. \u201cI wanted to be Katie Couric and just tell people stories,\u201c says the York native.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Jumper achieved her dream, studying communications at LaSalle University and working for over a decade as a TV producer. She covered the Freddie Gray manslaughter trial in Baltimore and the Jerry Sandusky and clergy sex abuse investigations in Pennsylvania, and she relished the adrenaline of election nights.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>But moving into her parenting years, Jumper was ready for a less stressful, more nurturing role \u2013 and she found it as communications director for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m still doing that storytelling,\u201c explains Jumper, now 38 and a mother of two, \u201cand having an impact if the information that I\u2019m sending out tells even one person, \u2019Hey, if you feel discriminated against, there\u2019s this organization that can help you.\u2019\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Her career shift came during a moment of profound transition, in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, a presidential election year and Jumper\u2019s pregnancy all felt \u201clike a lot,\u201c she recalls. She first tried politics, working as a media specialist for the state House Democratic Caucus.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As it turns out, the commission offered a \u201cfulfilling and mission-driven\u201c middle ground between journalism and advocacy. \u201cAchieving a leadership role at a state agency has been a big accomplishment for me,\u201c reflects Jumper. \u201cIt\u2019s something I don\u2019t take for granted.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"emily-kendall-brown\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#emily-kendall-brown\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Emily Kendall-Brown<\/p>\n<p>Manager, Housing &amp; Data Analytics, LeadingAge PA<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689386_337_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Emily Kendall-Brown<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Giffen Photography<\/p>\n<p>When Emily Kendall-Brown was elected as a GOP committeewoman in her native Fulton County, she was in familiar company: Both her mother, the county auditor, and her aunt, the county prothonotary, have long been involved in local politics.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>But Kendall-Brown, 28, has carved out her own political identity as a lobbyist. She currently manages housing and data analytics for LeadingAge PA, the state branch of a national senior-care advocacy organization, where she concentrates on senior affordable housing.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnce you see the need out there, you can\u2019t unsee it,\u201c explains Kendall-Brown of Pennsylvania\u2019s growing elderly population. \u201cAdvocating for those who don\u2019t have a voice \u2013 that is really why I got into politics.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The Fulton County native studied political science and earned an MPA from Shippensburg University, in the town where she still lives. She honed her policy skills working at the state House of Representatives, including as a legislative research fellow for then-Majority Leader Bryan Cutler.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>More recently, Kendall-Brown was thrilled to promote LeadingAge PA\u2019s agenda during the Harrisburg roundtable on senior affordable housing convened by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Her priority right now is securing greater state funding for on-site advocates within senior housing communities.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy grandparents, growing up, were my everything,\u201c Kendall-Brown notes. \u201cEvery older adult has a story to tell; they have so much wisdom. Ultimately, we want to see them live their best lives.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"sarah-kinter\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#sarah-kinter\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      \u200b\u200bSarah Kinter<\/p>\n<p>Head, Operations &amp; Procurement, Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689386_470_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              \u200b\u200bSarah Kinter<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Jon Ferreras<\/p>\n<p>Sarah Kinter\u2019s career path was inspired by hearing about the \u201cKids For Cash\u201c scandal during her childhood in Luzerne County; she was outraged to learn about judges receiving kickbacks for funneling youths into prisons. Inspired to read more local news, \u201cI became very aware of the decisions and the personalities in government that make the engines run,\u201c Kinter recalls. \u201cI thought, \u2019I want to be a part of making these things better.\u2019\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Today, the 37-year-old is improving government through digital solutions. As head of operations and procurements for the commonwealth\u2019s Office of Digital Experience, known as CODE PA, she oversees a team of project managers and Scrum Masters who facilitate digital ways for Pennsylvanians to get benefits, permits and other state services.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Kinter, who holds an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh, already had a track record of similar work. As director of that city\u2019s permits and licensing department, she led overhauls that made it easier for contractors and tradespeople to obtain and renew licenses, and raised continuing-education standards to keep professional quality high.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In Harrisburg, Kinter has guided the launch of a digital tool to facilitate small-scale procurements for digital-service vendors, such as website designers, who work with the commonwealth.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Kinter\u2019s work is personal. \u201cI\u2019m a lifelong Pennsylvanian,\u201c she explains. \u201cI\u2019ve lived across the state. Grew up in Northeastern PA, spent a decade in Western PA, now I\u2019m living in the middle of the state \u2013 and I wouldn\u2019t want to live anywhere else.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"kristen-molloy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#kristen-molloy\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Kristen Molloy<\/p>\n<p>Corporate Director, Government &amp; Community Relations, Penn Medicine<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689387_673_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Kristen Molloy<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Dan Burke<\/p>\n<p>Like her father, Kristen Molloy is a lobbyist. But at 39, Molloy brings a millennial perspective to her work directing government and community relations for Penn Medicine.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe pace of change, socially and politically, is far more rapid than in earlier generations,\u201c explains Molloy. \u201cIt\u2019s a different world of political influence and communication than it was when everyone read the newspaper \u2013 and it\u2019s more important than ever to meet people where they are.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0Molloy grew up in Swarthmore, her interest in politics fueled by a steady diet of \u201cThe West Wing.\u201c After Northwestern University, she zeroed in on health policy working for then-U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, who, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, was deeply involved with Medicare. \u201cI realized that health care touches every life,\u201c Molloy reflects. \u201cPolicymaking that impacts lives was what brought me to government in the first place.\u201c\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Molloy felt that impact while working on successful efforts to defeat attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act alongside U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine. At Penn Medicine, she makes the case for a $12 billion enterprise that ranks among the nation\u2019s most important health institutions.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0She met her husband, who works in political communications, on Capitol Hill, ensuring another generation of dinnertime political chatter. That suits Molloy, who loves translating health innovations \u201cinto language that legislators understand \u2013 so they realize the importance it has.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"samuel-morris\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#samuel-morris\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Samuel Morris<\/p>\n<p>Legislative &amp; Policy Analyst, Saxton &amp; Stump<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689387_52_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Samuel Morris<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Saxton &amp; Stump<\/p>\n<p>After years of solving constituent problems at state Rep. Craig Staat\u2019s Bucks County district office, Sam Morris now seeks policy solutions for clients at Saxton &amp; Stump in Malvern, where he is a legislative and policy analyst with the Regulatory and Government Affairs Group. \u201cInstead of helping the public directly, you\u2019re helping businesses succeed \u2013 so it\u2019s a lot of the same aspects,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0One thing that is very different: Morris\u2019 public-sector stint spanned the COVID-19 pandemic. That unique challenge, he says, prepared him to nimbly handle the unexpected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>For every role he\u2019s held, the 30-year-old draws on his passion for history and the critical-thinking skills he honed earning two degrees in the subject, both from Shippensburg University. \u201cLooking at today\u2019s society, I can see how history impacted today,\u201c Morris explains.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>And studying history, \u201cyou really learn how to research,\u201c adds the Montgomery County native. \u201cNow I have to research bills on different issues, across different industries. Sometimes I have to go back five or 10 years to figure out what the legislature in Harrisburg did to solve an issue.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In his spare time, Morris encourages friends, family and anyone who will listen to educate themselves on issues and vote. \u201cI think people need to pay more attention to politics, whether at the federal, state or local level,\u201c he says. \u201cI\u2019m always trying to foster civic engagement \u2013 and a better understanding of how our past shapes the future.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"katie-park\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#katie-park\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Katie Park<\/p>\n<p>Communications Manager, Center for Rural Pennsylvania<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689388_141_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Katie Park<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Commonwealth Media Services<\/p>\n<p>Like many who find their niche in policy and communications, Katie Park got her start in journalism. \u201cThere were lots of things to cover in rural Appalachia \u2013 like an in-depth look at intergenerational coal mining,\u201c recalls Park of her early TV news career in West Virginia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>That work on social issues ultimately propelled Park back to her native Pennsylvania and its state House of Representatives \u2013 where, as communications chief, she got a front-row view of budgets and redistricting. Since 2023, Park has managed communications for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bipartisan, bicameral research agency.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>There, the York native has worked on policy related to the center\u2019s 25-year state population projection, which spurred creation of the Rural Population Revitalization Commission. It may seem ironic that a 26-year-old is so involved in efforts to manage policy around a rapidly aging demographic \u2013 \u201cbut what I find most rewarding is being a voice for those who aren\u2019t heard,\u201c says Park. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of rural communities that don\u2019t get the same attention that a bigger city would around lack of health care, lack of workforce.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>That sense of purpose, she adds, is what drives her generation\u2019s civic engagement. \u201cI am very about empowering other young women, and younger people in general, especially in rural areas,\u201c Park says. \u201cBecause there\u2019s not enough young people staying and wanting to make an impact in their community. That\u2019s the message I hope to spread.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"joe-picozzi\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#joe-picozzi\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Joe Picozzi<\/p>\n<p>State Senator<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689389_176_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Joe Picozzi<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Gene Smirnov<\/p>\n<p>A few months after winning a longshot race to become Pennsylvania\u2019s youngest state senator and turning 30 \u2013 in that order \u2013 state Sen. Joe Picozzi was back home in Philly, throwing out the first pitch for the Somerton Spartans youth baseball team\u2019s Opening Day. \u201cI was overshadowed by the Phanatic, who\u2019s more of a celebrity,\u201c he laughs.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Maybe not for long. Part of a national wave of young, digitally savvy politicians, Picozzi is leading his generation\u2019s charge in the commonwealth against an erosion of \u201cthe American Dream that we grew up believing we\u2019re going to have,\u201c he says, citing the affordability crisis. \u201cBut there\u2019s hope for political change \u2013 and leadership to set us up for that future.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Picozzi resolved early to be part of that leadership, inspired by parents who modeled public service: his father was a firefighter and his mother worked in special education. After serving on the Philadelphia Youth Commission as a teenager, Picozzi studied politics at Georgetown University, where he gained insights on Capitol Hill, and at the Manhattan Institute. He then became the first Republican in a generation to hold his Northeast Philadelphia Senate seat last November.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Championing public safety, transit and civic engagement, Picozzi brings next-door friendliness to both Harrisburg, where he praises the generosity of his senior colleagues, and to his youngest constituents, who enthusiastically follow him on Snapchat when they\u2019re not high-fiving at the park. \u201cSomething about our campaign really connected with the kids,\u201c he says. \u201cIt means a lot to me. You want to be a role model.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"alex-prough\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#alex-prough\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Alex Prough<\/p>\n<p>Chief Commercial Officer, Medical Guardian<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689390_741_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Alex Prough<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Medical Guardian<\/p>\n<p>Alex Prough watched his grandmother suffer from cancer before dying at 61. He also witnessed his uncle\u2019s struggles with cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy \u2013 first-hand challenges that, Prough says, drew him into the medical services industry. He is currently the chief commercial officer for Medical Guardian, a company that partners with government and health insurance outfits to provide remote patient monitoring and telehealth.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a passionate area for me,\u201c says the 37-year-old, who grew up in Michigan and now lives in Philadelphia. His entire 15-year career has been devoted to organizations that help deliver care at home, \u201cwhich is where everybody wants to be,\u201c Prough says. \u201cParticularly for folks that might not have access normally to these types of technologies and solutions, we want to help them age in place and in the community.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>At Medical Guardian, he strategized partnerships with Medicare and Medicaid; nearly 1 in 6, or 90,000, of the company\u2019s members live in Pennsylvania, and many are enrolled through Medicaid\u2019s long-term care programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Prough is also an acknowledged expert in finding new pathways to reimbursement, making technology-enabled services more financially accessible. He is proud of Medical Guardian\u2019s recent rollout of a member engagement initiative that has yielded 95% member-satisfaction scores and a 50% reduction in hospital re-admissions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u201cWhat gives me the most satisfaction is expanding access to technology that might not otherwise be available to the individuals we serve,\u201c he says. \u201cI definitely feel we make a difference.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"lana-rendon\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#lana-rendon\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Lana Rend\u00f3n<\/p>\n<p>Coordinator, PHL Life Sciences &amp; PHL Diversity, Philadelphia Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689391_413_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Lana Rend\u00f3n<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>For Lana Rend\u00f3n, community, diversity and the promise of knowledge have always been central.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Her father, a Colombian immigrant, met her mother at Temple University, where Rend\u00f3n herself earned degrees in communications and Spanish. She grew up going to the Puerto Rican Day parade, Fourth of July celebrations and other communal events in her native Philadelphia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>So promoting the city\u2019s burgeoning life sciences sector and its cross-cultural efforts, as she does for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, \u201creally brought those worlds together,\u201c says Rend\u00f3n, who coordinates the PHL Life Sciences and PHL Diversity initiatives. \u201cBeing Latina and from Philadelphia, along with my strategic communications background and my passion for hospitality and welcoming,\u201c makes her a natural for the role, says Rend\u00f3n, whose CV also includes restaurants.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Her enthusiasm and local pride have yielded benefits for the bureau, where she directs the only life sciences division within a U.S. destination marketing organization. The model is evidently working: Approximately 40% of meetings organized through PCVB are now life sciences-related. Rend\u00f3n\u2019s division has also won awards for its innovation, including one from the Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As she works to connect conference visitors with local venues and talent, Rend\u00f3n prioritizes inclusion. \u201cI try to bridge the gap \u2013 between life sciences and diversity, and between the generations as well,\u201c she says, \u201chighlighting our similarities rather than our differences.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jordan-rogers\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jordan-rogers\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      \u200b\u200bJordan Rogers<\/p>\n<p>Director, Archer Public Affairs<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689391_409_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              \u200b\u200bJordan Rogers<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Archer &amp; Greiner<\/p>\n<p>If Jordan Rogers were a member of an older generation, he probably wouldn\u2019t use his personal experience managing his bipolar symptoms with cannabis as a policy talking point. But Rogers, a director at Archer Public Affairs, is a \u201cprime millennial,\u201c he affirms \u2013 which means he brings his whole self to work.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>It seems to be paying off. The 33-year-old concentrates his advocacy on health care organizations and, in particular, cannabis legalization \u2013 the topic of his Drexel University public health master\u2019s thesis. \u201cI love using my connections to advance policy that helps out nonprofits and getting legislation passed that really helps people,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Rogers grew up in a civically engaged Philadelphia family and credits his early interest in health to his mother\u2019s nursing profession and his own lifelong passion for lacrosse. After beginning his career with Philadelphia\u2019s Public Health Management Corporation, he headed community relations for then-state Rep. Brian Sims and worked at the Fairmount Community Development Corporation, \u201cwhich was very rewarding, because the area they serve is where I live \u2013 my own community,\u201c he notes.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Rogers also served as Southeastern Pennsylvania political director for John Fetterman\u2019s U.S. Senate campaign, where he headed its cannabis legalization coalition. \u201cWe\u2019re the most educated generation that\u2019s ever lived,\u201c he says of his fellow millennials. \u201cI think we bring passion to government \u2013 and I\u2019m excited to see what that looks like in the next couple of years.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"jamison-s-rogers\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#jamison-s-rogers\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Jamison S. Rogers<\/p>\n<p>Chief of Staff, Philadelphia Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689392_622_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Jamison S. Rogers<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              TML Communications<\/p>\n<p>After an illustrious career with the Chester Police, Jamison Rogers was thrilled to become the City of Philadelphia\u2019s first-ever investigations director \u2013 and now, chief of staff at the Philadelphia Sheriff\u2019s Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>So while he\u2019s still just 39 years old, Rogers has plenty of wisdom to share with the next generation \u2013 and he does so gladly. \u201cAny person that has an interest in law enforcement, I really try to mentor them,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Under Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, Rogers is proud to be part of an office that has introduced digital inventory technology and become a role model for autism awareness in law enforcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were the first and only law enforcement agency in the commonwealth to be certified in autism,\u201c notes Rogers. \u201cWe\u2019ll hopefully set the example for other agencies to follow our lead, making sure their officers are trained for when they\u2019re interacting with people on the spectrum.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>No stranger to innovation, Rogers previously inaugurated the role of Philadelphia director of investigations, where he prioritized transparency between law enforcement and the community. He began his career as a patrol officer and retired from the Chester Police as a corporal detective in major crimes and homicide investigations.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In Philadelphia, Rogers employs his experience in the service of public safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhether a person in custody, a witness or a victim of a crime, you need to go into that courthouse and feel safe,\u201c Rogers says. \u201cI\u2019m humbled to be in a position to lead and instruct.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"andrew-m-salerno\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#andrew-m-salerno\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Andrew M. Salerno<\/p>\n<p>Adviser, Government Relations, Buchanan Ingersoll &amp; Rooney<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689392_407_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Andrew M. Salerno<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Camera Box<\/p>\n<p>As a child in Harrisburg, Andrew Salerno was out to dinner with his parents when he spotted then-Gov. Ed Rendell eating barbecue. \u201cThere was an energy surrounding him. Everyone around him seemed to want to be around him, talk to him,\u201c recalls Salerno, now 30.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Then and there, Salerno decided he\u2019d someday be part of that political orbit. A few years later, after the Rendell encounter, Salerno started cold-calling the office of Philadelphia state Sen. Vincent Hughes, the chamber\u2019s longtime appropriations chair. \u201cOn the fourth time, his chief of staff answered: \u2019You obviously care, so we\u2019re gonna let you intern,\u2019\u201c he recalled.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>That internship gave Salerno his first taste of working on health care legislation \u2013 an area that is counted among his specialties at Buchanan Ingersoll &amp; Rooney, where he is now a lobbyist in his hometown. Salerno went on to work for another governor, Tom Wolf, and worked for the state Department of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>As a lobbyist with the Rooney Novak Isenhour Group, Salerno helped secure state funding for a veterans\u2019 organization that cares for people with brain injuries. More recently, he has facilitated hundreds of millions of funding dollars for school safety and mental-health services and worked with Equifax on government software. \u201cI\u2019m very proud of my work in winning procurements,\u201c says Salerno, \u201chelping people secure line items for worthy causes.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m super passionate about helping people who need help,\u201c he adds. \u201cThat\u2019s really why I got into politics.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"olivia-scanlon\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#olivia-scanlon\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Olivia Scanlon<\/p>\n<p>Chief Advancement Officer, The Tree of Life<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689393_970_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Olivia Scanlon<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>Olivia Scanlon is leading a $60 million campaign to launch the first American museum dedicated to the history of antisemitism: the Tree of Life.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Scanlon, 33, is the chief advancement officer for the exhibition, worship and educational center replacing Pittsburgh\u2019s original Tree of Life synagogue \u2013 which, in 2018, was the site of a major antisemitic massacre. The effort is typical of her project-based work: \u201cI love campaigns \u2013 they have a beginning, middle and end \u2013 and nonprofit projects that have a very clear goal,\u201c says Scanlon, who has also led advancement for the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and is a Democratic committeeperson.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Scanlon grew up in a politically involved Albany family \u2013 she remembers presidential candidate Howard Dean visiting the house during his 2004 run \u2013 and studied the politics of social change at New York University. She worked on Hillary Clinton\u2019s 2016 presidential run before settling in Philly \u2013 which she calls her \u201cforever city\u201c \u2013 to work on then-Gov. Tom Wolf\u2019s reelection campaign (she commutes as needed to Pittsburgh).<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Fundraising has been central to her work, most notably the PHL COVID-19 Fund, which raised nearly $18 million in four months. \u201cIt was long hours,\u201c recalls Scanlon, who worked at the mayor\u2019s office. \u201cBut I was just so grateful to feel like I was contributing to a solution during a scary time. I\u2019ve been drawn to projects that I see as opportunities for different people to really work together to tackle problems we\u2019re facing, whatever the scope.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"john-scott\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#john-scott\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      John Scott<\/p>\n<p>Director, Government Relations, Reworld<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689394_291_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              John Scott<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>Some young policy professionals move from job to job. Not John Scott: He has devoted his decade-long career to a single company \u2013 Reworld, formerly known as Covanta \u2013 where he heads government relations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Reworld is a sustainable materials management company that helps businesses and municipalities meet sustainability goals. \u201cBeing able to walk into communities and help change them in a meaningful way \u2013 that\u2019s what makes it rewarding,\u201c explains Scott.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Now 35, he grew up in Maryland with a political bent. Scott served on the Prince George\u2019s County Youth Commission and the Maryland Youth Council and was a page at the Maryland Senate. After graduating from Lincoln University, he earned a master\u2019s in management from Fordham.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Scott is proud of having helped grow Reworld and its team of professionals. He began his career in sales for Covanta\u2019s electronic waste recycling division, later transitioning into local government relations, where he eventually covered the mid-Atlantic region. He now works with local and state lawmakers on a variety of environmental issues; most recently, Scott lobbied to get permits passed to expand Reworld\u2019s Environmental Services business unit.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Leading community and stakeholder engagement is also a crucial aspect of his job: He serves on the boards of the Delaware County Riverfront Alliance, the Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Go Green Initiative; he also regularly meets with neighborhood associations and environmental justice advocates. \u201cWe talk about \u2013 and achieve things \u2013 that are in the best interests of our communities,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"justin-severe\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#justin-severe\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Justin Severe<\/p>\n<p>Political Director, Pennsylvania House Republican Campaign Committee<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689394_178_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Justin Severe<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Nate Kresge GK Visual<\/p>\n<p>That slimmest of Democratic majorities in Pennsylvania\u2019s House of Representatives is a challenge that Justin Severe eyes with relish. Political director since 2023 for the state House Republican Campaign Committee, Severe, 30, notes that that 102-101 majority came down to just 500 votes and a single seat last November. \u201cI learned a lot, and I\u2019m looking to build on that this cycle,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>A decade or so ago, Severe was a pre-med student at the University of Scranton in his hometown. But politics had caught his attention during the 2012 presidential election \u2013 and a few government classes later, he switched his major to political science and interned with the GOP. Hired as a field staffer for the 2016 Trump campaign, he ended up as a deputy state director for the party, rallying conservative voters in the traditionally Democratic stronghold of Lackawanna County.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou could see on the ground that Trump was doing way better than a Republican has ever done, just from yard signs and going door to door,\u201c recalls Severe of his home territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>With continued effort, Severe is confident his neighbors in Scranton and across the commonwealth will see what drew him to the GOP: lower taxes, abundant energy and optimism for the future. \u201cWhen I got involved in Republican politics, it was because I believe our policies work,\u201c he says. \u201cI\u2019m doing the best I can to make that generation after me better off.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"raymond-smeriglio\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#raymond-smeriglio\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Raymond Smeriglio<\/p>\n<p>Senior Manager, Lift Zones, Comcast NBCUniversal<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689395_581_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Raymond Smeriglio<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Kea Dupree Photography<\/p>\n<p>After starting his career in fundraising and communications, Raymond Smeriglio took a turn toward social action during the pandemic \u2013 and never looked back.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Now 32, he is in his second high-impact role bettering his adopted hometown of Philadelphia (Smeriglio is originally from Harrisburg). He raised over $30 million for parks, recreation centers and libraries as chief of staff for the city\u2019s Rebuild initiative. Now, as he puts it, he\u2019s \u201cbrought that community mindset\u201c to Comcast\u2019s Lift Zones team, opening 1,250 community centers (and counting) nationwide, each equipped with free WiFi and digital skills training.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been exciting to see the impact in places like Oakland or Houston or Georgia, but also here at home in Philadelphia,\u201c says Smeriglio, a communications graduate of Temple University who returned to teach the subject. \u201cWhen large organizations like Comcast or the City of Philadelphia make big investments, it really opens up unlimited opportunities for folks.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Having found opportunities of his own in the higher education, public and private sectors, Smeriglio gives back by serving on Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s Commission for LGBTQ Affairs, as well as the board of directors of the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation, \u201craising critical funds so that more Philadelphians can pursue their educational dreams,\u201c he notes. \u201cThose are two things that I really enjoy doing \u2013 and am blessed to do.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Now newly engaged, \u201cI\u2019m really looking to now grow where I\u2019m planted,\u201c he adds, \u201cusing those skills and trying to make a little bit of a difference every day.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"tiffany-smith\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#tiffany-smith\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Tiffany Smith<\/p>\n<p>Director, Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689396_143_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Tiffany Smith<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Rebuild Philadelphia<\/p>\n<p>Tiffany Smith understands the importance of having a fulfilling career. After all, that kind of sums up her job: As director of workforce development for the City of Philadelphia\u2019s capital programs office and its Rebuild initiative, Smith shepherds Philadelphians into skilled trade programs that lead to stable careers.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn workforce development, you\u2019re working for the people you know,\u201c she says. \u201cI serve at the pleasure of Philadelphia communities \u2013 for the economic growth of the city and the empowerment of our people, and allowing them to have family-sustaining wages that enable them to contribute to society.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Smith holds a bachelor\u2019s in accounting from Georgia State University. She followed up with an MPA concentrating in finance and nonprofit administration, \u201cbecause I\u2019ve always just seen myself helping people,\u201c she explains.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Smith came to Rebuild from Montgomery County, where she spearheaded youth training programs. In her current role, she has transformed pre-apprenticeship programs, achieving a 70% placement rate and cultivating relationships with the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, unions and area employers.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In her spare time, Smith volunteers as a reading captain with Read by 4th, an early-literacy organization, and as a counselor with the Breastfeeding Resource Center. \u201cI speak on behalf of diverse communities in Philadelphia \u2013 and people who are trying to get into an industry (skilled trades) that traditionally has not been for people of color and women,\u201c says Smith. \u201cI don\u2019t ever want to get too high up on the food chain to be relatable.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"curtis-voelker\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#curtis-voelker\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Curtis Voelker<\/p>\n<p>Executive Director, College Relations, Central Penn College<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689397_213_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Curtis Voelker<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Central Penn College<\/p>\n<p>Curtis Voelker likes to joke that he went to Central Penn College \u2013 and never left.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>The first in his family to attain higher education, Voelker almost didn\u2019t get there at all \u2013 and he has stayed to ensure that other disadvantaged Pennsylvania students get a similar opportunity to realize their promise. \u201cThere are plenty of other stories like mine on our campus,\u201c says Voelker, who originally planned to follow his military relatives into the Air Force.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Today, as the director of college relations, he cultivates the local partnerships that make CPC such a special place. They include a program allowing 100 GIANT Company employees thus far to graduate with management certificates, as well as the CPC Gives Back program, which has raised $20,000 in three years for local nonprofits.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Voelker also helps area youth to imagine bigger, more fulfilling lives. That was a challenge for the Adams County native, who \u2013 at the suggestion of his football coach \u2013 applied two months shy of high school graduation to the only campus he knew, thanks to his participation in annual Future Business Leaders of America competitions at CPC. \u201cI had gotten to meet the faculty, so I already had that sense of home and family I was looking for,\u201c he recalls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Small classes grew Voelker\u2019s sense that he mattered \u2013 and set him on a trajectory that has led to a master\u2019s degree and a popular TEDx talk. \u201cNow I have the opportunity to give back,\u201c he says, \u201cand make a brighter future for other students like me.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"anchor\" id=\"alain-xiong-calmes\"\/><\/p>\n<p>      <a class=\"powerlist-entry-date\" href=\"#alain-xiong-calmes\"><br \/>\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cityandstatepa.com\/static\/base\/svg\/chain-link-icon.svg\" alt=\"Permalink\" class=\"powerlist-entry-permalink\"\/><br \/>\n      <\/a><br \/>\n      Alain Xiong-Calmes<\/p>\n<p>Public Policy Manager, Airbnb<\/p>\n<p>          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img lazy-img-placeholder-24x11 powerlist-post-img\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750689398_766_610xh.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>              Alain Xiong-Calmes<br \/>\n              \/<br \/>\n              Provided<\/p>\n<p>For Alain Xiong-Calmes, \u201cthe through line is how I can effect positive change for other people,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>His policy career \u2013 most recently, he joined Airbnb as its public policy manager \u2013 has enabled Xiong-Calmes to do just that. A highlight was helping manage the state\u2019s COVID-19 pandemic response while working for then-Gov. Tom Wolf: \u201cIt taught me about the need to step up in a crisis \u2013 how it\u2019s a real test of how a team functions,\u201c says Xiong-Calmes, 29. \u201cAlso, figuring out how to push through uncertainty.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>Xiong-Calmes\u2019s social consciousness was shaped early by his parents, both union musicians; his mother was also an immigrant from communist China. The family struggled to afford broadband internet, which led to Xiong-Calmes\u2019 lifelong fascination with technology. He grew up an accomplished cellist, as well as a Type 1 diabetic \u2013 and President Barack Obama\u2019s efforts to pass the Affordable Care Act galvanized him to political action.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI realized that politics is the way to make a positive change,\u201c reflects Xiong-Calmes. \u201cAnd that we all do better when we all do better.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>After studying political science at American University, Xiong-Calmes was thrilled to meet his childhood idol as an intern with the Obama Foundation. He also held regional leadership positions with Chamber of Progress, a tech policy organization, and Kamala Harris\u2019 presidential campaign.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<p>In every role, he draws on his natural positivity. \u201cIt sounds a little corny,\u201c Xiong-Calmes says, \u201cbut that\u2019s what allows me to have hope \u201cand persistence.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jon Anzur Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, PA Chamber Jon Anzur \/ Provided When he started out as&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8215,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5132],"tags":[5229,1448,2830,1311,9494,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":["post-8214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-america","tag-pa","tag-pennsylvania","tag-philadelphia","tag-power-list","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114733186724345892","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8214\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}