Guest commentator: Siah McCabe, MHSA, MBA, Senior Strategy Consultant, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals & Board Chair of YPC, and Shawnna Williams, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP & Vice Chair of YPC.
We do not take lightly that we are the first two Black women to hold both Chair and Vice Chair positions at the same time. For young professionals, there is a need for representation in leadership spaces, which is not lost on us. The opportunity we have been given to make history is one we cherish, and throughout this year, we will use our platform to improve, uplift and encourage. We plan to lead with inclusivity and empathy, and with the intention to leave a legacy defined by positive impact, passion and determination.
Siah McCabe, Chair – A daughter of Liberian migrants, a healthcare administrator, a transplant to Philadelphia by way of Ohio, a leader in my new city. I joined YPC in November of 2017, a suggestion made by my graduate school professor, when I expressed the need for social interaction with my peers. I initially joined to make friends and I have stayed because I quickly realized this was the best way to take control of my professional growth and expand my network. Starting with the Professional Development committee, my participation and commitment to the organization has grown exponentially. I went on to be one of three recipients of the inaugural Spotlight Award, a member of the Advisory Board, the first Black woman to hold the Vice Chair position, and now first Black woman to hold the Chair position.
I have made friends and gained mentors through the Chamber of Commerce – individuals who have been a support system, advocates, and beacons of accountability as I’ve grown into the leader I am today. I’ve had the opportunity to expand past my immediate professional goals and tap into YPC to explore personal endeavors. Joining this group has been the crux of my love for Philadelphia as well as my understanding of how I fit into making it even better. It was a pleasure to serve as Vice Chair to my predecessor, Jessi Sheridan, an influential leader in all the spaces she exists. Through that experience, I learned what passion for people looks like and how that fuels a leader to keep pushing.
This year, as Chair, my priority is to re-establish structures that were lost due to the pandemic. I am excited to lead the FY23 Advisory Board in taking autonomous action for positive change. Lastly, I am most excited to work alongside my Vice Chair, Shawnna Williams. Shawnna has helped me grow as a leader through her own empathy, inclusivity, and consideration of others. I am looking forward to serving YPC with my best foot forward and cannot express enough how grateful I am for this opportunity.
Shawnna Williams, Vice Chair – As a Philadelphia native, my introduction to YPC began in 2015 as a Chamber of Commerce employee, serving as the YPC Liaison for the Volunteer Committee as part of my responsibilities. Communicating and collaborating with fellow staff and members of YPC and the Chamber was a mandatory element of my work, but very quickly, my passion for volunteering, community engagement, and DEI cross-industry, have led me to build and pursue relationships that have been, and continue to be, instrumental to my personal and professional development.
After partnering with a YPC Advisory Board member to create the first Connect for Community Day in 2016 (formerly known as the YPC Volunteer Fair), I formally began leading the Chamber’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative, including DEI programs, events, and projects (such as the Evaluating Equity Report), with colleagues and DEI Committee members. During my leadership, I worked to create the first YPC DEI Committee Liaison position – a bridge between the Chamber’s DEI happenings and the YPC Advisory Board. Before my departure from the Chamber in March 2020, I led discussions to create the YPC Advisory Board’s DEI Subcommittee.
I started my new position at Morgan Lewis remotely, at the very beginning of the pandemic. Although I created new relationships filled with camaraderie and support, I missed the diversity of experiences that came with being involved with the Chamber. I am extremely grateful to have been surrounded by Chamber and Morgan Lewis peers, allies, mentors and sponsors who have pushed and encouraged me to lead. Following a suggestion, I applied to the YPC Advisory Board in January 2021 with a desire to see my DEI efforts for YPC through – especially during Jessi Sheridan’s and Siah McCabe’s leadership as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. That dynamic duo is a hard act to follow, and as the new Vice Chair, I am excited for the meaningful work ahead. I often describe Siah as the extrovert to my introvert, adding her to the amazing group of people who elevate not only me to lead, but all of YPC’s Advisory Board and Membership at-large. As we continue to historically serve in these roles together, I look forward to lifting others as we climb along the way.
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