Andrew Lewis

President & CEO, The Commonwealth Foundation

Andrew Lewis is the President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation.

As a former state legislator, business executive, entrepreneur, and decorated Army combat veteran, Andrew brings a wealth of diverse experience to his role leading Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank.

Andrew is a tireless champion of individual liberties, free markets, and limited government. During his two terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, he led the fight to pass universal school choice and empower parents. And he actively advocated for the Taxpayer Protection Act, which would have limited the growth of state government spending through constitutional amendment.

In the private sector, Andrew spearheaded the growth of two small businesses into successful companies before leading a key division at one of the premier regional homebuilding companies in the United States.

Andrew is an Iraq War veteran with almost ten years of active duty in Army reconnaissance and counterintelligence. He received five commendation medals, and his assignments included posts in South Korea and at the White House Military Office. He currently serves in the Army Reserve as a Civil Affairs Officer.

He holds a BA in political science from Thomas Edison State University, an MBA from Temple University, and a Master’s in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. In addition, he is a graduate of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Entrepreneurial Bootcamp at Syracuse University.

Andrew, his wife, Ranae, and their three boys reside in the State College area.

Nicole Stallings

President & CEO, The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

Nicole Stallings is president and CEO of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), one of the nation’s largest state hospital associations. The association is Pennsylvania’s chief advocate for hospitals and their patients, representing their interests with state and federal leaders, the business community, and other stakeholders. HAP works with
more than 235 member hospitals and health systems to support access to high-quality healthcare in Pennsylvania communities.

Drawing on more than two decades of strong experience in health care advocacy and policy development, Stallings is elevating HAP’s work to address a historic health care workforce crisis, secure the sustainability of hospital care throughout the commonwealth, and support hospitals
in improving maternal health and advancing health equity.
Before joining HAP in June 2023, Stallings served as chief external affairs officer for the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA), leading efforts supporting hospitals in addressing workforce shortages, responding to COVID-19, enhancing behavioral health care, reducing readmissions, and improving care coordination. She also represented the hospital community
during negotiations for Maryland’s all-payer hospital waiver contracts with the federal government and on public-private work groups focused on value-based payment models and statewide population health efforts.
At MHA, Stallings also held the roles of senior vice president, government affairs and policy; vice president, policy and data analytics; and assistant vice president, quality, policy and advocacy. She previously served as senior policy advisor to the Maryland Secretary of Health and chief of government relations and special projects for the Maryland Health Commission. She
started her career with the New Jersey Hospital Association working on policy and legislative advocacy.

Stallings holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Tech and a master of public policy degree with a concentration in health care from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Due to the weather conditions, the Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon on Monday February 23rd, has been CANCELED.

We are working on a reschedule of our guest and will keep you posted.

Meanwhile, if your attendance was paid by check, we will rip it up.  If you were paying by credit card, it has not and will not be charged.

Thank you.  Please stay safe and stay home if you can!

Cassandra Colemen

America250PA – Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial  (America250PA) appointed Cassandra Coleman as Executive Director for the America250PA initiative in September 2019, making Ms. Coleman the longest serving state 250th Director in the nation.

Prior to her appointment, Cassandra served as Special Advisor to Governor Tom Wolf and 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. 

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.

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. In addition, she has been chosen one of Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business, named by City & State PA as a Top 40 under 40 in PA and Impact Awardees and honored with the Young Professional Women’s Leadership Award by Athena International.

In her community, Cassandra serves on the Board of Directors for her alum, King’s College, where she chairs their Red & Gold Gala Committee, Leadership Northeast, Children’s Service Center and Junior League of Wilkes Barre. She has also previously served as President of the Wyoming Area Foundation. 

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 a proud 2006 graduate of Wyoming Area High School in Exeter, PA where she created a scholarship in honor of her grandfather for graduating seniors pursuing careers in public administration or government.

Cassandra is the proud mother to Jimmy IV, age 11, and continues to reside in Exeter, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.