Power Women 2024

Nina Ahmad, Ph.D., believes in the power of people to make positive change and advocates for equity for all. Dr. Ahmad was honored to win one of the seven at-large seats on city council on November 7, 2023. Having a science background, Dr. Ahmad is data-driven, and evidence oriented in her advocacy and public service. She is the first ever South Asian American, first Muslim woman, and immigrant in recent history to serve on Council.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
We have just introduced a resolution authorizing hearings to examine proposed solutions addressing the maternal mortality rate in Philadelphia. This is an issue that has been steadily worsening since 1987, the first year after the implementation of the Pregnancy-Related Mortality Surveillance System. I’m committed to exploring this issue further, continuing both state and locally led efforts to finding long-term solutions to a problem that disproportionately affects Black and brown women and birthing people.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
To our future female leaders, both here in Philadelphia and beyond, I say to them that you matter, you are valued, you belong, regardless of your background or zip code, and you can do and be absolutely anything you want to. You only need to make yourselves seen and demand your voices are always heard at every table, in every space life brings you to for the sake of effecting long-term, equitable change.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
State legislators can help ensure commonwealth programs are more widely marketed, particularly with regard to Medicaid. For instance, doula care was just added as part of its coverage, which is something many individuals don’t have access to or can’t afford. Having this component of prenatal and postpartum care is something research has shown can make a huge difference in maternal mortality rates. We must make sure those who really need it know about it!

As the regional director of marketing and communications for Prime Healthcare Pennsylvania Region, Michelle Aliprantis draws on nearly two decades of experience in health care strategy, business development, marketing, and communications. She is responsible for leading the marketing initiatives of four organizations within the region: Lower Bucks Hospital, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Roxborough School of Nursing, and Suburban Community Hospital. She holds a master’s degree in health care administration and achieved summa cum laude honors. with a perfect 4.0 GPA from Gwynedd Mercy University. Her undergraduate education was completed at Immaculata University, where she pursued a dual major in science and business. Since joining Prime Healthcare in 2018, she has implemented several measures to increase market share and expand regional brand recognition. The changes she initiated in the region were focused on digital and media advertising.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
At our health care facilities, we understand the importance of creating a warm and welcoming environment for our patients. In addition to providing top-notch medical care, we are also working on adding a human element to our brand by incorporating elements that make our hospitals feel less sterile and more inviting. Unfortunately, most people associate hospitals with white, sterile environments, but we want our patients to feel comfortable and confident in our care.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
My recommendation for aspiring women in leadership roles is to pursue their interests and cultivate a growth mindset. Continuously develop knowledge and resist settling for the status quo. Learning when to contribute meaningfully and express opinions candidly has paved the way for my progression from contributor to respected leader, fostering achievements anchored in sound decision-making. And remember to take a moment to breathe deeply and have faith in your intuition.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Despite significant progress made in America over the past few decades, women still face numerous challenges that hinder their career advancement. These challenges include unequal pay and a lack of opportunities for professional growth. To overcome these obstacles, it is essential for policymakers to create opportunities for women that provide equal pay and a sustainable long-term income. Additionally, policymakers need to introduce targeted policies aimed at reducing age discrimination and promoting diversity in various industries.

Anita Allegrezza has over 25 years of experience in sales, service, claims, and operations in the insurance industry. She started Freedom Insurance Group from scratch in an empty office with just a folding table and fax machine. Twenty years later, she is proud to say that Freedom boasts a 97% renewal rate. Her independent agency represents over 20 A+ rated companies, such as Progressive, Safeco, Travelers, The Hartford, AARP, Allstate, and more. The business even won the President’s Award from Safeco in 2020 and 2021. Anita and her team love serving this community.

Sheila Ballen has decades of experience working in senior-level communication and government relations’ roles for non-profit organizations, city and state governments and political campaigns. Striking out on her own in 2016, she chose to work with nonprofit organizations on issues and causes that are mission-driven, in the public interest and part of her world view. Preferring to work behind the scenes and through collaboration, engagement and well-established relationships, Sheila delivers results for her clients.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I am currently working with the Pennsylvania School-Based Health Alliance (PSBHA) advocating for school-based health centers (SBHCs). Grounded in equity and inclusion to advance racial and social justice, SBHCs represent a shared commitment to improve health care access for underserved communities. SBHCs are staffed by medical providers who can diagnose, treat and prescribe. Bottom line, students in schools with SBHCS have improved health, decreased absenteeism and increased academic achievement.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Network, network, network. You never know when someone you meet in your 20s may be someone you work with in your 30s. Do not burn bridges. Philadelphia is a big small town and folks have long memories, do not give anyone ammunition to derail your dreams. Find mentors, you can learn so much from others. Lastly, always amplify women. The world will be a better place when women are in charge.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Support for women across the commonwealth should be a holistic strategy to include one’s social, economic, educational and health needs. First, guarantee a woman’s right to choose. Full stop, no exceptions. Close the gender pay gap. Ensure that Pennsylvania’s government includes women, and, especially women of color, in leadership roles. Expand and improve access to affordable and high-quality childcare, subsidize public transportation and expand family leave. Respect, listen, learn and empower women.

Christa Barfield is the founder and CEO of FarmerJawn, a working urban farm, modeled to enable regenerative organic food production by and for underserved communities. Now working with 128 acres across 3 counties in Pennsylvania, Barfield has built FarmerJawn with an equitable focus on “Food is Medicine” and is leading conversations locally and nationally on how to take a “Farm First” approach to America’s relationship with food and health. Barfield considers her business a reincarnation of her previous health care career, with a focus on regeneration and nutrition security. FarmerJawn is the largest Black-woman owned regenerative organic produce farm in America.

Council Member Cindy Bass represents District 8 and serves as deputy majority whip and chair of the parks, recreation and cultural affairs committee and the public health and human services committee. Bass is an advocate for reforming the city’s tax structure so that people do not get taxed out of their homes, particularly in gentrifying neighborhoods. She also recognizes the distinct power of an organized community and local participation to make neighborhoods destinations of choice. Bass is a lifelong Philadelphian. She grew up in North Philadelphia, graduated from its public schools, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Temple University.  She has lived in East Mount Airy for more than three decades and is the proud mother of a teenage daughter. 

Helen Bowman leads all financial, budget and planning, and investment operations at Drexel University and oversees critical administrative functions including human resources, compliance, IT, auxiliaries, real estate and facilities, business services and public safety. Bowman came to Drexel in 2011 with decades of experience providing strategic and financial leadership and analysis in corporate finance, banking, business re-engineering consulting, and higher education. She was named CFO of the year by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2017.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
The higher education landscape post-COVID is very challenging due to the country’s shifting demographics and shifting perceptions of the value of a college degree. To acknowledge and confront these challenges, I am working very hard with a strong leadership team and bold vision to set Drexel University apart as a nimble institution with a powerful value proposition: We provide a modern curriculum coupled with real-life experiences to help today’s students become tomorrow’s global change agents.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
This one is easy for me: Find your voice early. Women are strong, insightful, and intelligent; do not ever be hesitant to show off your talents. The best way to be impactful is to continuously challenge your comfort zone. You will not become your best self without putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to challenge yourself professionally. Do not be afraid to fail, as you will likely learn more from your failures than your successes.

Kate Boylan holds degrees both in the biological sciences and in creative writing. Kate utilizes her comprehensive background in autoimmunity testing to help researchers locate patient samples and clinical data that will advance diagnostic studies. She is committed to developing her company, Plasma Services Group, into a leading diagnostic Biobank with access to rare patient cohorts that often go overlooked and underfunded.

Lori leads more than 50 scientists, conservationists, fundraisers, marketing and operations staff who lead with bold strategies and deliver big impacts contributing to The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) ambitious 2030 goals. She works with partners across the region to build cross-boundary approaches to ensure effective conservation in the face of large-scale threats like climate change and biodiversity loss and drives private and public support to advance the most critical organization-wide projects and strategies in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
Conservation happens close to home. In Philadelphia, TNC is partnering with neighborhoods and communities to increase tree cover and install green stormwater infrastructure to mitigate flooding and reduce polluted runoff into creeks and rivers. These nature-based solutions will help cities adapt to a changing climate and become healthier, more sustainable places to live.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Never let anyone tell you can’t do something because you’re a woman; embrace your superpower. Actively seek ways to empower others. A good leader not only inspires her team but also inspires the world. Leadership is a learning journey that requires courage. Accept that you won’t always get it right; important lessons can be learned from our failures. Use your talents to be creative and make positive changes in your life, work, and community.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
I’m fortunate to work alongside women who serve on fire crews, who advocate in the legislature, and steward our forests and rivers every day. Investments in conservation, restoration, and recreation mean opportunities for more women to lead us to a future where people and nature can thrive. I would love to see additional opportunities to amplify the voices of these outstanding women leaders and provide education, training, mentorship, and leadership development for the next generation.

Kendra Brooks is minority leader and council member at-large from North Philadelphia. She is the first Working Families Party member ever elected to city council. She has a background in organizing for social movements, public school advocacy, gun violence prevention, and restorative justice, all of which inform her priorities as an elected official. Some of her recent accomplishments include championing eviction prevention; guaranteeing emergency paid sick time for frontline workers; and protecting neighborhood-led community gardens.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I would love for folks to check out my “Plan for Philly Families”, which shows why working families must be at the center of our approach to governing in Philadelphia. The plan encompasses all the things that families need in order to thrive: affordable housing, neighborhood safety, protections for workers, accessible health care, and opportunities for young people. You can find the Plan for Philly Families on my website at: https://phlcouncil.com/kendrabrooks.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
I want to remind young women leaders to take care of each other. Being a woman leader in our society can be very draining – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many of the women I know are phenomenal leaders, who bring so much wisdom and care to their communities, but we also have to be mindful of the burdens we carry as women and save time and space for ourselves and for each other.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
As the mother of four daughters, this question is constantly on my mind! There’s so much that policymakers in Pennsylvania can do (and are doing!) to improve women’s lives. That includes protecting our right to make decisions about our own bodies, funding childcare and childcare providers, addressing disparities in maternal mortality, and tackling the problem of period poverty. Thanks to generations of women leaders, these issues are finally getting the attention they deserve.