The Honorable Robert W. O'Donnell is a Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Bob is a Philadelphia-based attorney and a former Democratic Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. As a member of the House for 19 years, Bob rose through the ranks of leadership, serving as caucus chairman, majority whip, majority leader, and Speaker of the House. While in public service, he developed a reputation as a thoughtful, dynamic, and intellectually honest member of the House. He has been a consistent advocate for equality of opportunity including supporting school choice throughout his tenure in the legislature.
Bob has served as a member of Public Employees Retirement Study Commission, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, the Mayor's Tax Budget and Advisory Committee (Philadelphia), the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the General State Authority, the Mayor's Economic Recovery Task Force (Philadelphia), the Milrite Council, and the Philadelphia Port Corporation Board of Directors.
Bob is a graduate of Temple University and its law school, and attended The Hague Academy of International Law. Honorary degrees have been awarded to Bob by Arcadia College and Philadelphia University. He has received many public awards including citations from the Pennsylvania League of Cities Service and Common Cause. He resides in Chestnut Hill with his wife, Dr. Donna Gentile O'Donnell.