The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) selected Cassandra Coleman as Executive Director for the America250PA initiative in September, 2019. 

Cassandra Coleman most recently served as Special Advisor to the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, and previously served as Director of Governor Wolf’s Northeast & Central offices. In this role, she was responsible for intergovernmental and constituency services on behalf of the Governor in 28 counties. Ms. Coleman previously served as Finance Director and Deputy Campaign Manager, respectively, for the Tom Wolf for Governor campaign from 2013-2015. She has also served as Deputy Finance Director for United States Senator Bob Casey from 2010-2013. 

In 2014, Ms. Coleman founded and served as President of Coleman & Associates, a company engaged in charitable, private and political creation of fundraising networks and community and political event planning. Coleman & Associates maintained a client base of state, county and local political candidates, large and small companies, and non-profit organizations. 

Ms. Coleman has spent a lifetime in public service beginning at a very young age. At the age of twenty, Cassandra was appointed Mayor of her hometown of Exeter Borough to fill her late grandfather, Mayor Joseph Coyne’s unexpired term. Following her appointment, Cassandra was re-elected Mayor twice and left office to join the Wolf Administration. In addition to serving as Mayor, Cassandra served as a Junior Council Representative for Exeter Borough during her junior & senior years of high school. 

Ms. Coleman was one of the youngest female mayors in the history of the United States. She was featured in Oprah Magazine in a segment titled “Women Who Defy Age.” Cassandra was also featured in a national NBC segment called “The Smart Woman”. The Times Leader Media Group honored Cassandra twice for her accomplishments; in 2008 as a Top 40 under 40 recipient and named her in 2019 as one of 14 Distinctive Women. Also in 2019 she was honored to be chosen one of Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business. 

In her community, Cassandra is a Board Member of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, Junior Leadership of Wilkes-Barre and Children’s Service Center. 

Ms. Coleman is a 2010 graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre where she earned a degree in Political Science and was chosen to receive the 2018 Leo Award which is bestowed upon an alumnus/alumna within fifteen years of graduation who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in his/her professional or community activities. Named for the King’s mascot, it suggests the energy, pride, and sense of purpose which the recipient personifies. She is also a 2006 proud graduate of Wyoming Area High School in Exeter, PA, where she frequently returns to talk to high school students about Government and their roles in their communities. 

Ms. Coleman can also regularly be found at her family’s Italian restaurant, Vino Dolce, in Hanover Twp, where, over 18 years in business she held every position in the establishment, from salad maker to eventually manager to assist her parents. She truly enjoys all their customers, especially their “regulars” who have become more like family. 

Cassandra is the proud mother to Jimmy IV and continues to reside in Exeter, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. CASSANDRA COLEMAN Executive Director America250PA.

Wendi Thomas is a longtime Northampton Township resident, experienced business executive and dedicated public servant who served her community as a school board director for the Council Rock School District prior to being elected to the state House of Representatives in 2018 for the 178th District. In 2020, she was elected to her second term. 
 
 She serves on the Insurance Committee, the Children and Youth Committee, the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, and the Professional Licensure Committee. 
 
 Thomas began serving her community as a volunteer in her local parent-teacher organizations that led to her being named to the Council Rock School Board where she was re-elected three times. While on the school board, she was chosen as president and vice president, and served as the chair of the Finance and Academic Standards committees. She serves on the Children and Youth Committee, the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, the Professional Licensure Committee, the Local Government Committee, and the Insurance Committee. 

Wendi also serves on The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA). This commission comprises current and past leaders of Pennsylvania, private citizens, and industry leaders, celebrating the rich history and diversity of the state. To learn more, please visit: 

https://www.america250pa.org/the-commission

 Thomas’s work on the school board was enhanced by her extensive business experience. Before joining the board, Thomas worked for a small start-up company in the health care industry that ultimately grew into a national firm. While at Healthcare Advocate of Plymouth Meeting, Thomas rose from Account Manager to Senior Vice President. 
 
 Prior to joining Healthcare Advocate in 2005, Thomas worked as a project manager at Axis Inc. from 2001 to 2005, and as a district manager at Aetna, from 1987 to 2000. 
 
 Wendi has been married to her husband, John—known as J.T.-- for 30 years. They met in their senior year at Gettysburg College. They have lived in Northampton Township for 26 years and are the parents of three children: John III, Justin and Stephanie, all graduates of Council Rock High School. 

The Honorable Alison T. Young is a dynamic executive with over 20 years of government and private sector leadership experience on the world’s largest stages. Ms. Young’s unique combination of public and private sector roles, along with her significant financial and budgetary experience and national network of collaborators; make her a highly sought-after advisor, speaker, and partner.

A nationally recognized expert on civic engagement and leadership, Ms. Young is Managing Partner of Red, White and Blue Strategies (RWB), founding RWB’s strategic consulting and leadership training practice group; and serving on the firm’s executive team. 

Ms. Young is a former senior White House official, having served as Special Assistant to the President George W. Bush and Acting Director of the White House Office of USA Freedom Corps (USAFC). She also served as the White House Liaison and Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency overseeing AmeriCorps, VISTA and Senior Corps. 

In 2010, she was recruited to Philadelphia to become the Vice President of External Affairs for the National Constitution Center and then served for five years as Managing Director of Leadership & Civic Engagement at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. 

In January 2020, Ms. Young was named a National Review Institute Regional Fellow, focusing on preserving and buttressing the foundations of our free society and conserving our inheritance from America’s Founders. She is on the faculty of The Campaign School at Yale University, currently appearing on television as an expert analyst and strategist on ABC, FOX, and BBC; and is a frequent speaker at corporate retreats and international conferences focused on civic engagement, women, and leadership. 

Check out a detailed version of Ms. Young’s extensive resume at chanelandmuckboots.com!

Websites: https://www.rwbstrategies.com/, https://www.america250pa.org/about-us

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atyoung131/