In a world where crises have become the new norm, bold and innovative leadership is required to take on a role like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) But former head of Philadelphia’s Republican Party, Joe DeFelice, Esq.,’00, is up for the job. Appointed as the Mid-Atlantic regional administrator of HUD by President Trump earlier this year. DeFelice was literally rolling up his sleeves within weeks of being on the job, touring a flood-ravaged area of West Virginia. “These people’s lives were taken away from them,” he says. “Some lost all of their belongings and are starting from scratch.”

I graduated in 2002 with a degree in Public Relations and Mass media writing, as well as a double minor in English and History. After graduation, I took a job at a law firm, as an office manager. I took a job in the building of a PR firm that I knew I wanted to work at, and it is always easier to get a job while you have one. So I spent a year managing a law office, as I applied for a job at the PR firm, The Star Group, which was the only female run advertising agency in the city.

I taught high school science at Upper Dublin High School from 2007-2008. Then I went to physician assistant school for a master’s in medical science at Arcadia from 2009-2011. I have been working as a physician assistant since 2011 – currently, I am a hospital medicine physician assistant at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pa. Also, I am currently married and have two daughters, Arya who will be three years old soon & Melody who is seven months old.