Janet has enjoyed a four-decade career in social work and public administration. She was the founding director of the Project Against Sexual Abuse of Appalachian Children, executive director of Girls Clubs of Dallas, and research analyst for the New Jersey Department of Human Services. She served for nine years in the cabinet for Mercer County, NJ, as the human services director and spent seven years as the executive director of the New Jersey chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, before serving for four years as the Vice President, Research and Programs for Prevent Child Abuse America.

Samantha Porter is the Community Engagement Advisor and Outreach Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in the Community Development and Regional Outreach Division of Public Affairs. Prior to joining the Federal Reserve, she spent three years working in the administration of Mayor Jim Kenney. In 2017, Porter served as Director of Place Based Initiatives for the West Philadelphia Promise Zone and Choice Neighborhoods Initiatives.

Joe has dedicated his career to advancing systemic change and social justice through nonprofit and educational leadership. He began his career as a seventh and eighth grade English teacher in Philadelphia, where he built a deep commitment to educational equity and a strong belief in the unlimited potential of all young people. Beyond the classroom, Joe worked to expand educational opportunities at Teach For America, where he served as Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Philadelphia, Founding Executive Director for Delaware, and Chief of Staff for Regional Operations.

Robert A. Nixon is the founder and president of State House Strategies, a government affairs consulting firm in New Jersey. He also serves as Director of Government Affairs for the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, New Jersey’s largest law enforcement officer union. Since becoming a lobbyist in 1995, Mr. Nixon has made a name for himself as one of Trenton’s leading legislative lobbyists and strategists.  

Rachel Meadows is the Chief of Staff to Philadelphia City Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker. She is responsible for advising the Councilwoman while developing and implementing her policy initiatives, performing policy research and drafting legislation, and analyzing the annual budget proposal for the City of Philadelphia. Prior to working for the Councilwoman, Rachel worked on strategic communications, policy outreach, and strategy for PolicyLab, a research center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Prior to that, she held other jobs in both city government and the nonprofit sector.

Naomi is the Chief of Staff to the Superintendent and Chief Talent Officer at the School District of Philadelphia. In those roles, she is responsible for creating a culture of change that leads to an equitable and functional school system for the 130,000 children in traditional public schools in Philadelphia.

John Kromer is a housing and development consultant who specializes in strategic planning, public agency capacity building, and program and policy development for urban communities and metropolitan regions.

Dr. Anjali Chainani has worked in the local government and nonprofit industries for more than 20 years, gaining experience in evidence-informed policymaking, municipal budgeting and finance, applied behavioral insights research, and strategic change management.

Elizabeth Vale is currently a Senior Managing Director at Promontory Interfinancial Group working with corporate clients. Previously, she served as a Senior Advisor and the Business Liaison for Elizabeth Warren’s Senate campaign. She was responsible for strategizing, designing, and executing the campaign’s engagement with the business community throughout Massachusetts and nationally.

Melissa Neuman is a policy analyst in the Budget Analysis Branch in the Budget Review Division of the Office of Management and Budget, where she is responsible for matters related to governmental receipts, mandatory spending, and broader fiscal policy goals and outcomes.