Metro Philadelphia Power Women 2022

Mary Gay Scanlon was sworn into the US House of Representatives in November 2018 following a special election, and currently represents Pennsylvania’s fifth Congressional District. Her legislative priorities include voting rights, access to justice, education, supporting economic growth, common sense gun safety, and ending hunger. A graduate of Colgate University and University of Pennsylvania law school, Mary led the national pro bono program at a major US law firm for 15 years before being elected.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
Dr. Ala Stanford and Hawa Salih–both women who care passionately about their communities and are willing to keep showing up and doing the hard work to make lives better.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?Affordable and accessible child care. The pandemic exposed how a lack of affordable quality child care negatively impacts women and our economy. Also, there needs to be pay equity. The chronic wage gap compounds throughout a woman’s career, creating a long-term wealth gap.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Having to create space for women in institutions designed and run by men. And once I got in those rooms, the work wasn’t over. I had demanded not just a seat at the table but one in the middle of the table to ensure my insight and expertise were heard.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to claim that seat at the center of the table. It’s also incredibly important to always invest in relationships with other women and all those who will collaborate with and support you.

Having led the marketing and business development efforts for some of the area’s premier cultural attractions, Amy Shearer has been a powerful force helping to transform the region’s economic and tourism profile. As Philadelphia Zoo’s chief experience and marketing officer, Shearer serves as the ‘visioneer’ behind the organization’s feature and special experiences as well as oversees its innovative and creative communication, marketing, and sales teams. 

 “Philadelphia is the ‘it’ city on the east coast, so it’s a joy to help the region shine as bright as possible. But what’s also been so fulfilling is elevating the Zoo’s profile on both a national and international stage in a way that shares how we can care for this amazing planet we all call home.”

Amy’s deep passion for the cultural experiences this region has to offer has been pivotal to her success in highlighting them, and the Zoo, to the world.  “We are an incredible city of firsts…many generations of pioneers have come before us and many continue to propel us forward. It’s an honor to be part of such a tremendous team at America’s first zoo. We’ve accomplished so much over the past 160+ years, and yet…well…I think we’ve just begun.”

Lauren Renée Shifman is an organizational effectiveness professional with more than a decade of leadership experience in the nonprofit world. Originally from the Carolinas, she’s driven organizational excellence in North Carolina, Cincinnati, Ohio, and now Philadelphia in areas ranging from food insecurity to preschool access to sustainable economies. Lauren lives in South Philadelphia with her husband Jay Shifman and their dog and roommate, Nell. She spends her community time working for a fairer and more accessible legal system and tree equity in the city.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My best friends. They’re brilliant and talented; it’s inspiring to see them chart lives with real balance. We were raised to peg our identities to our work, but we’re going another way, finding career success that doesn’t consume us. They model it well.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace? Acknowledge and compensate the “glue work” that often falls to women (and ensure it’s not just done by women); address the pay and power disparities between roles typically held by men versus women; focus on leadership; don’t just focus on gender, bring an intersectional approach.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Don’t be afraid to speak truth to power…tactfully. Do your best, and then try not to bring it home with you.

Honorable Karen Yvette Simmons was elected to the Philadelphia Municipal Court in 2005 and continues to bring honesty, integrity, and fairness to the bench. She graduated from Rutgers-Camden University law school, and is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. Judge Simmons was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the inaugural Continuing Judicial Education Board of Judges. She is a past chair of the Clifford Scott Green Chapter of the NBA-Judicial Council and on the advisory board of the Barristers Association of Philadelphia. She’s the board chair of Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
My Mom, Frances Williams. 

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?Giving women the same opportunities as men, and having women in places and positions of power where decisions are actually being made.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
My challenges are multiplied because I’m a Black woman who is hardworking and extremely competent, and refuses to be silenced. Men with less intellect and experience continue to excel ahead of us more qualified women.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Be fierce and do not let your circumstances define you. Your experiences in life are never a failure, but always a lesson to be learned. You must strive to be better than everyone around you, because you must be great! This world needs you!

Evelyn F. Smalls is the president and CEO of the United Bank of Philadelphia, a minority-owned full service commercial bank. She has over 30 years of experience in banking and community development, and her leadership has helped the bank achieve consecutive “outstanding” ratings from the Federal Reserve and FDIC. Evelyn also serves on several boards, including the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers, and the American Bankers Association.

Leslie Smallwood-Lewis is the founder and co-owner of Mosaic Development Partners, a real estate development firm established in 2008. Prior to this, she worked for the Goldenberg Group, a regional real estate development firm, beginning as an associate development director and eventually achieving the position of senior vice president of development. Since it was founded, Mosaic Development Partners has developed over $120 million in real estate projects, as well as creating 100 full-time jobs and over 200 construction jobs. 

Dee Spagnuolo is a partner at Ballard Spahr LLP, one of the 100 largest US law firms, where she represents companies and individuals in internal investigations in educational, nonprofit, and corporate settings. Dee is the leader of the firm’s Title IX Team and is co-leader of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Counseling Team. She is Ballard Spahr’s partner in charge of Attorney Career Advancement, and a member of the firm’s executive team.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
Since 2015, I have had the honor and privilege of representing the Women’s National Hockey Team, and they continue to inspire me every single day. In 2017, they risked their careers by boycotting the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships to call public attention to gender inequities in the game. That courageous act resulted in a historical contract with USA Hockey and changed the game forever. On the ice, these talented and devoted women are among the most accomplished and decorated hockey players in the world. Off the ice, they work tirelessly to better the game and ensure that the next generation of girls and women have the opportunity to simply compete without the parallel need to fight for equitable treatment at every juncture.   

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?More generous and inclusive parental leave and childcare policies—a change that requires a commitment beyond employers. As the mother of four, I am fortunate that Ballard has a flexible and gender-neutral parental leave policy that allows parents to take up to 24 weeks of leave following the birth or placement of a child, including the ability to bank some of that time to use within five years of that life-changing event. As for childcare, those demands fall disproportionately on women, and especially working class women who lack resources to meet the onerous financial burden associated with childcare. If our society is to truly level the playing field for women in the workplace, we must commit to offering greater subsidized childcare options for families, and while employers can help lead in that space, progress should not fall primarily on employers. Change must occur at the societal and governmental levels.

What are some challenges you have faced as a woman in the workplace/in general?
Despite graduating from law school in equal numbers, women continue to be underrepresented in the legal industry, especially as equity partners and in the highest levels of firm leadership. The lack of representation and low visibility of women in positions of power and authority send subtle messages to young women just launching their legal careers that the law is not a place where they can rise to the top of the profession. The reality that “we cannot be what we cannot see” creates an often unspoken barrier to the advancement for women in the law and beyond.  That challenge is not insurmountable, but it does require thoughtful and intentional steps to equalize opportunities for women to truly advance in the workplace.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Relationships matter and can be a difference maker in your career. Engage with mentors, supervisors, and peers. Build relationships and strong teams because no one meets with success on her own. Behind every leader—regardless of gender—is a village that inspired, guided, or trained her to reach her full potential. Lean on those networks during the trying times and give thanks for their support at every milestone.

Dr. Ala Stanford is the regional director for the US Department of Health and Human Services for Region Three, which serves Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. She gained national recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic using the infrastructure of her pediatric surgery practice to provide nearly 100,000 tests and vaccinations for communities in Philadelphia. Her focus on the most vulnerable populations saved lives. She is a trusted messenger and national public health leader.

Amanda Staples started Germantown Kitchen Garden with her ex-husband 13 years ago, when it was a sea of multiflora rose and porcelain berry vine. Growing veggies in whatever new area they had cleared of brambles, their mini CSA grew into a curbside stand with a few neighbors and passersby. After their separation, she decided to try to make a living from this half acre parcel. Cultivating all available space on the farm, Amanda now sells her vegetables, seedlings, and perennial plants to hundreds of delighted customers at her weekly farm stand. 

Leslie Stiles is currently board president of the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, an event initiated to broaden the outreach to women across the Commonwealth. Now in its 20th year, this day of personal and professional development draws up to 11,000 attendees, and has become the premiere event for women in the State. From January 2003 to February 2011, Leslie served as executive director for the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. Appointed by Governor Rendell, she acted as a state government’s advocate for all issues as they impacted women and girls.  Leslie used her innovative and creative leadership style to promote PCW priority issues such as healthcare, economic stability, and education. She is a vigorous and outspoken advocate for women in government and women’s healthcare.  Prior to her appointment as executive director, Leslie served as director of marketing for the National Constitution Center, as the vice president of marketing at First Union Bank and Corestates Bank, and the president of Stiles and Co.

Throughout her career, Leslie has been active in the realm of public outreach.  Her Board affiliations include the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania. She has also served on the Boards of the Marion Anderson Award, and a Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Philadelphia Affiliate. She participated on the American Heart Association’s Go Red Leadership Team, PCAR’s Vision of Hope Executive Board, the Kimmel Cancer Center Advisory Board, and she was also the chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy. Leslie is also a member of the Forum of Executive Women.

A breast cancer survivor herself, Leslie has received significant recognition as an honoree for her work with the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Buddy Program.  She received the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition’s Pink Tie Award, and Komen’s Woman of Power Award. Leslie has also been honored with PWR’s Power Award, the Myrna Bradwell Award from the Women’s Law Project, the Pathways Pennsylvania Trailblazer Award, and KYW’s Women’s Achievement Award. In 2019, Governor Wolf honored Leslie as a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania.

Who is a woman that inspires you?
Actually, two women I met at our Pennsylvania Conference for Women come to mind. Gloria Steinem is one of the most insightful and inspirational feminist leaders of our time.  She is wise and passionate about women’s rights, with an abiding hope for our future. She remains a force for positive change. Amal Clooney is a human rights lawyer who shines a light on some of the darkest places in the world for women. She is fearless and genuine. Her brilliance and empathy are brought to bear on marginalized people all over the world who cannot fight for themselves.

What do you think needs to be done to level the playing field for women in the workplace?Women have to work for equality, it is not going to just evolve.  They must form advocacy groups that can partner with the government to make laws that stipulate parity for major for-profit and nonprofit boards. Women also have to come to terms with the fact that this is not the post-feminist era–the fight for that level playing field is ongoing. Today, on average, a woman makes 82 cents for every dollar a man makes. Improving work-life balance is also essential. If it doesn’t exist in your workplace, institute shared parental leave, and keep the work-from-home model that COVID-19 has necessitated. If you haven’t already, initiate skills-based assessments in the workplace.

Above all, make sure that there are visible role models–women in leadership who can motivate and inspire the next generation in terms of the inequity surrounding today’s workplaces. As Gloria Steinem says, “If young women have a problem, it’s only that they think there’s no problem.”

What are some of the challenges you faced as a woman in the workplace, in general?
I would like to add that these issues are still alive and well today: the gender pay gap; women being equally represented in leadership positions; and a woefully small percentage of women on major for-profit and nonprofit (Medical and Educational) Boards.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Learn to listen. It is the most valuable skill you can have. Communicate; speak out – you cannot solve problems till others acknowledge that they exist. It takes creativity to be a changemaker. So, don’t rely on rhetoric…make a plan and act.  Finally take time to breathe, learn to prioritize, and hug those dearest to you often.