The Pennsylvania Policy Center has appointed Felicity A. Williams as its new executive director, the organization announced Thursday. Williams will assume leadership of the Harrisburg-based progressive think tank on 20 January.
Williams, who most recently served as deputy chief of staff for the City of Pittsburgh, succeeds Marc Stier, the organization’s founding director, who will transition to an emeritus role.
The appointment comes as Pennsylvania prepares for critical elections in 2026, including races for governor, the General Assembly, and several US House seats. The Pennsylvania Policy Center focuses on economic and racial justice, tax policy, and issues affecting working families across the Commonwealth.
“This is a defining moment for Pennsylvania and for our country,” Williams said in a statement. “We are being called to lead with courage and clarity as we work to build a truly multiracial democracy and a Commonwealth that works for all.”
In Pittsburgh’s city government, Williams oversaw communications, workforce development, and intergovernmental affairs. Throughout her career, she has worked with state and federal officials to advance policy alignment across jurisdictions.
Williams will also lead Pennsylvanians Together in Action, the policy center’s affiliated advocacy organization. The two groups work on research, policy development, and grassroots organizing across Pennsylvania.
Stier, who led the organization since its founding, expressed confidence in the transition. “She has the perfect combination of attributes for this position: She is deeply committed to social justice and she’s an energetic and experienced leader in community organizing and public policy,” he said.
The selection followed a national search conducted by the organization’s board of directors. Williams’s appointment positions the Pennsylvania Policy Center for what leaders describe as its next phase of growth, with plans to expand fundraising, strengthen partnerships, and continue policy advocacy across the state.