Power Women 2024

As chief operating officer and chief technology officer of Firstrust Bank, Peggy Leimkuhler ensures secure, reliable operating infrastructure and strategic technology investments to evolve with customers’ changing needs and expectations. She is highly engaged in the community on various boards and committees with a focus on civic engagement, most recently recognized with appointment as the first woman to serve as board chair of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I’m so fortunate to be a leader in an entrepreneurial and innovative business, and I’m currently leaning into strategy for how Firstrust, Philadelphia’s largest privately held bank, is investing in digital technologies shaping the future of banking. I’m working directly with our West Coast subsidiary bank to explore how advanced and emerging technologies can better meet the demands of business and individual customers, with a key priority to make banking more accessible and inclusive.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Be relentless in the pursuit of continuous learning. Invest in yourself and your skill sets. Plug into the networks, leaders, mentors and nonprofit boards that are readily available to you here in Philadelphia and extend beyond your chosen industry. Work hard. We all want to be liked and respected – but to grow as a leader, being respected is more important than being liked.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Acknowledge that the work here is not done. Many industries – including my own! – still do not have parity broadly with female leadership representation. Convene public and private partnerships to continue progress with board and legislator representation. Keep attention focused on equitable access to education, internships, training and experiences so all industries can better harness the power and perspective of female leadership!

Dr. Rachel Liebman, D.O. is state medical director for InnovAge LIFE – Pennsylvania. She has a keen interest in the “Mind, Body, and Spirit” approach to health and well-being. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Temple University honors program in psychology, then worked in an adult partial care and crisis center. Dr. Liebman earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her training at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I volunteer as a guardian for those that are incapacitated in New Jersey. I also am an avid crossfitter!

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Be your authentic self. Lead by example and know your worth.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Advocate for women in leadership and girls in leadership. We need to make sure that girls know being assertive is an asset and not a hindrance.

Council Member Lozada has represented the 7th District since November 2022. She is a life-long resident of the 7th and has lived in Hunting Park, Juniata Park, and now Northwood where she has raised two exceptional children. Her career is dedicated to service; before becoming a council member, she served as chief of staff to the former 7th District council member and as the vice president of community engagement and organizing for the North Philadelphia based nonprofit, Esperanza.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I ran for this office to improve the quality of life for the people of the 7th Council District. This district is full of communities with rich character and history but have been subject to generational disinvestment. It is my duty to provide a seat at the table for the residents of these communities and uplift them through advocacy, legislation, and leadership.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Do not allow anyone else’s idea of who you are limit you as an individual. Whether it is your gender, race, age, level of education, amount of experience, or anything else people will make assumptions of your ability and put you in a box. Every day you need to remind yourself that you were put where you are for a reason.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
We need to continue to invest in young women and foster their ability to lead. One thing that I have seen over my lifetime is an increase in women in positions of leadership and decision making; the product of that change has been positive and we are still continuing to see its benefits.

Dr. Michele Marcolongo is the Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering at Villanova University and has served as such since 2020. Before Villanova she was a faculty member at Drexel University College of Engineering for more than 20 years, spending six of such as department head and professor of materials science and engineering. Dr. Marcolongo has spent her career advocating for inclusivity in engineering education, supporting and mentoring female faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in STEM. The author of “Academic Entrepreneurship: How to Bring Your Scientific Product to a Commercial Discovery”, Dr. Marcolongo is a successful entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of three biomedical technology startup companies and co-holder of 15 patents/patent applications.

Lorina Marshall-Blake is the president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, a charitable, private foundation founded in 2011, and vice president of community affairs at Independence Blue Cross. She leads strategic, programmatic, and operational efforts to fulfill the foundation’s mission to lead sustainable solutions that improve the health and wellness of the community. Under her leadership, the foundation has established itself as a collaborator, innovator, and thought leader in addressing emerging health needs in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
At the Independence Blue Cross Foundation we launched an innovative initiative to grow the nursing field by supporting military veterans who want to become nurses. The IBX Foundation Service Scholars Program offers area nursing schools funding to enhance educational benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. Through this program, veteran students can receive scholarships and non-tuition aid along with support beyond the classroom including career development and one-on-one mentoring.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
My advice is simple: embrace the positive and learn from the negative. Your attitude is crucial to everything you do in life. While you can’t always choose what happens to you, you can choose how you feel about it and what you do. A positive attitude is contagious. No matter what obstacles you face, try not to dwell on negative experiences. Instead, learn from them and see them as gifts that will make you stronger.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Our policymakers can help shape and champion the debates on education, care for children, seniors, and pay equity. Last year, the Equal Pay Act celebrated 60 years, and while there have been many improvements, there is still a gender wage gap, especially for Black women and Latinas. Women make on average 83 cents to the dollar compared with what men are paid. Pay equity will benefit not just women, but their families and communities.

Elected to serve communities in Philadelphia and Delaware County in 2015, Joanna McClinton became Pennsylvania’s first woman speaker of the house in February 2023. A southwest Philadelphia resident and Grace Temple Christian Academy, LaSalle University, and Villanova University School of Law graduate, she was a public defender and chief counsel to Senator Anthony Williams before being elected. McClinton has earned several distinctions including City and State Pennsylvania’s “40 Under 40” and Politico Recast’s Power List.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I’m working every day to help Pennsylvania’s seniors, students and working families. My top priorities include fully funding our schools, increasing the minimum wage, enacting policies that make our communities safer, ending discriminatory practices in Pennsylvania, and protecting reproductive rights for future generations.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Believe in yourself, you can do it. Often women need to be convinced to take a leap into a leadership role. I know this firsthand. It helps to seek guidance from a mentor you can trust and be passionate about what you do.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Pennsylvania women are making history. From Philadelphia’s first woman mayor to the women leading the state House, Senate and Supreme Court. We need to continue to create opportunities and mentor young women and girls to encourage and cultivate the next generation of women leaders. We also need to support policies to help all women, like closing the wage gap, ending discriminatory policies, like hair discrimination, and helping our working families with affordable housing and childcare.

A national leader in higher education, first-generation college graduate and certified public accountant, Dr. McConnell is also the first woman to lead Saint Joseph’s University. Prior to her appointment, she served in a number of academic leadership roles ranging from professor to dean to provost in her 35-year career in Jesuit higher education. Most recently, she led Saint Joseph’s through two historic acquisitions, adding two new schools and expanding academic programming in health and sciences.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
Saint Joseph’s has been strategically growing its health care portfolio and is now a regional health care education leader with programs in nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more. We are regularly engaging with health care executives to assure we provide the right programs needed now and in the future. Health systems have an urgent need to recruit and retain great workers and our programs – built on the Jesuit tradition of academic rigor, critical thinking and compassionate care – are vital.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Early in your career, develop your expertise so your value shines. As you continue, say yes to opportunities presented because those opportunities will build your experience and leadership skills. In addition, always invest in yourself. I would not be where I am today without taking on challenging opportunities and committing to continuous professional development.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
Policy issues that are critical to women in Pennsylvania include:

• Equitable, quality healthcare
• Increased access to paid family leave and sick leave
• Increased support for female entrepreneurs, who are commonly underrepresented and underfunded
• Increased support and resources for victims of domestic, sexual and dating violence, and stalking

Dr. Kimberly McGlonn is an advocate for the common good, advocacy that informs her approach to leadership of Grant Blvd. Outside of this role, Kimberly leads as founder of Blk Ivy Thrift and as vice president of social impact at Fitler Club. Her work has been featured in Fast Company and Essence, and in 2022 she was named the Black Enterprise “Business Disruptor of the Year”. In 2023 she was named “150 Most Influential Philadelphians”.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
My first company, Grant Blvd, is piloting a program called “Fashion the Future Forward” which aims to teach creative skills, professional development, and wellness practices to women whose lives have been impacted by the criminal system. I’m really proud of our incredible partners (West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and the Department of Commerce), and our focused efforts to collaborate and to innovate. We’re leading and learning, together.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Tend to your own wellness and make time for stillness so that you can lead with tenderness.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
I’d like to see Pennsylvania policymakers advocate more firmly for living wages and to fully fund more maternity supports for women, particularly those that foster positive mental health outcomes.

LaNeshe Miller-White has dedicated nearly two decades to Philadelphia’s arts scene. As the executive director of Philadelphia Young Playwrights, she champions student voices through playwriting. Formerly leading Theatre Philadelphia and a Temple University alum, she co-founded Theatre in the X, an organization dedicated to breaking the barriers to theater. She is a Parent Artist Advocacy League advisor, adjunct professor at Drexel University, a performer, and winner of the Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival 2022 Story Changers Award.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I will be directing Theatre in the X’s OG Reading Series reading of Renee Lucas Wayne’s willwrite4food on April 15th. Philadelphia Young Playwrights will be having an Open Mic and Student Showcase April 11th.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women leaders?
Don’t be afraid to make your own table. You’d be surprised how many doors open after you’ve been successful doing your own thing and making your own moves.

What can Pennsylvania policymakers do to support the interests of women across the commonwealth?
The arts and culture sector has a high percentage of women leadership. Support arts and culture and our ability to to change lives, tell stories, and solve problems through the arts.

Joann Mitchell serves as the University of Pennsylvania’s first-ever chief diversity officer. Since 2017 she has worked to make the University of Pennsylvania a preeminent leader in campus diversity and inclusion. She is a recipient of the outstanding Legacy Award from the Women of Color at Penn. Ms. Mitchell was instrumental in creating the Office of the Sexual Violence Investigative Officer, which now reports to her. Within her capacity as chief diversity officer she oversees Title IX compliance, the office of affirmative action and equal opportunity programs and the African-American resource center.