aBOUT NEIL MAKHIJA
Neil Makhija has served as a President of Indian American Impact, the nation’s leading South Asian civic organization and a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Neil ran for Commissioner with a focus on protecting voting rights, leading on climate, advancing criminal justice reform, and making investments in mental health services. As the son of immigrants who made Pennsylvania home, Neil is passionate about enfranchising underrepresented communities. Upon taking office, Neil will become the first Asian-American County Commissioner in Pennsylvania history. Neil lives with his wife, Dr. Rachel Nash, an internal medicine physician, in Lower Merion. They welcomed their first child, Avinash, earlier this year.
aBOUT JAMILA WINDER
Jamila Winder is the current Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners and is the first African-American woman to serve as a Commissioner in county history. With experience working for organizations like Drexel University, Laureate Education, and FullBloom, Jamila currently leads the US operations for an international digital medical education company. Her passion for equity and diversity, coupled with a commitment to public service, drove Jamila to run for Commissioner. Her previous service on both the Norristown Area School Board and the East Norriton Township Board of Supervisors reflects her long-standing commitment to her local community. Jamila lives with her husband and son in East Norriton.
Meet Our Steering Committee
Nelly Jimenez
Executive Director and CEO of ACLAMO
Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr.
Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
Mark Lynch
Business Manager, IBEW Local 98
Rev. Marshall Mitchell
Senior Pastor, Salem Baptist Church of Abington
Allyson Schwartz
former U.S. Representative - Montgomery County
Dr. Ala Stanford
Founder, Center for Health Equity
Stephanie Sun
Director Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB),
League of Women Voters - PennsylvaniaLynne Viscio
Councilmember, Plymouth Township
Sarah Charles
Director of Public Engagement
Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralSteve Cozen
Founder & Chairman, Cozen O’Connor
Linda Fields
Founder and Co Director of the Montgomery County Pennsylvania Black Caucus
Joe Foster
Temple University Professor, Civic Leader
John Fry
President, Drexel University
Robert Hart
Township Manager, East Norriton Township
Turea Hutson
PhD Candidate, Former School Director,
Norristown Area School DistrictDr. Francis Jeyaraj
Founder, Intl. Spring Festival & Retired Pediatrician
Gerald Lawrence - Steering Committee Chair
Shareholder and Chief Operating Officer, Lowey Dannenberg
The Steering Committee will play a crucial role in supporting Moving Montco Forward. Together with staff, our Steering Committee will help guide our Advisory Committees in developing a report of actionable recommendations.
In the coming weeks, Moving Montco Forward will release the additional names of community members who will serve as members of our Advisory Committees. These committees will look at our key priorities and provide valuable guidance on actions we can take to serve the people of Montgomery County effectively in our first 100 days in office.