Join Fels Distinguished Fellow Joseph Pierce for an Executive Leadership Dialogue with special guest Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Southeastern Pennsylvania at Highmark Blue Shield and SEPTA board chair.
About Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr
In this key leadership role, to help create remarkable health experiences in southeastern PA (SEPA) as Highmark Blue Shield's Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Highmark Blue Shield, Ken guides a comprehensive strategy to advance Highmark’s commitment to the region’s communities and strengthen its local presence. He works closely with the Segment President, Highmark’s Government Affairs, Community Affairs, Social Determinants of Health, and Corporate Communications departments, in addition to collaborating with strategic external stakeholders throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.
Ken has an established track record of serving and improving communities across the Commonwealth. He most recently served as chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, the legislative and executive arm of Pennsylvania’s third-largest county that oversees more than 2,800 county employees, a $500-plus million budget, county property, and health and human services programs. Prior to that, Ken enjoyed a successful decade-long tenure at Temple University during which he was VP of Alumni Relations and SVP of Government, Community and Public Affairs. He also founded and operated the consulting firm Public Affairs Strategies and held managerial positions with Merck & Co. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Temple University and master’s degree in public administration from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ken currently serves as Chair of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board of Directors, the Board of Visitors for the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University, and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation. Previously, he served as chair of the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board and treasurer of the Schuylkill River Passenger Authority. He also served on the boards of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association. He has invested his time as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, Committee of Seventy, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), and Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau.
About the Series: Executive Leadership Dialogue, a lunch series hosted by Fels Distinguished Fellow Joseph Pierce, introduces students to public sector leaders who will share their perspectives on leadership, mentorship, and executive management. The lunches are small by design and include both MPA and EMPA students, allowing them to gain insight and learn valuable lessons on public sector leadership.
