Jane Leader Janeczek Elected Commonwealth Foundation Board Chair

Daughter of Former Governor Brings Passion for Reform to New Role

May 24, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously elected Jane Leader Janeczek as Board Chair, effective July 1, 2016. Janeczek, who joined the Board in 2012, is an executive with Country Meadows Retirement Communities, a company founded by her late parents, former Governor and First Lady George and Mary Jane Leader.

“I am deeply honored to succeed David Barensfeld as chair of the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors,” commented Janeczek. “Commonwealth Foundation is spearheading the reforms that will open the floodgates of opportunity for all Pennsylvanians—from education and pension reform to prison reform, the issue that first ignited my passion for the organization. Never before have I been associated with a team as dedicated and high performing as the Commonwealth Foundation’s. I am excited to lead such a dynamic Board, and I eagerly anticipate the successes yet to come.”

A longtime community advocate, Janeczek joined her father to drive the creation of a transpartisan coalition that catalyzed Pennsylvania’s historic 2012 criminal justice reforms, which were passed unanimously by the General Assembly, signed by Governor Tom Corbett, and praised more recently by Governor Tom Wolf. At Country Meadows, she is continuing the legacy her parents began more than 50 years ago of delivering compassionate and enriching senior care.

Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matthew Brouillette issued the following statement:

I am thrilled that Jane Leader Janeczek will take the reins of leadership of the Commonwealth Foundation Board. Jane personifies the fact that the Commonwealth Foundation is all about transforming Pennsylvania into a place where all people can build a future for themselves and their families, regardless of party, politics, or predispositions.

Commonwealth Foundation President-Elect Charles Mitchell added: “Jane’s contributions as a Board Member have already been tremendous. I speak for everyone at the Commonwealth Foundation in saying we are delighted she has chosen to share her time and her talent as our new Board Chair.”

Janeczek will succeed David Barensfeld, who has resigned effective June 30 to move into his new role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, an organization launching on July 1 under the direction of Brouillette.

Barensfeld commented: “Jane’s energy and passion for good public policy are an incredible asset to Commonwealth Foundation and to all of us who are working for a better Pennsylvania for our grandchildren. I am supremely confident I will leave the Board in the hands of an outstanding Chair.”

Jane Leader Janeczek, Matthew Brouillette, and Charles Mitchell are available for comment. Please contact Gina Diorio at 862-703-6670 or gld@commonwealthfoundation.org to schedule an interview.

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The Commonwealth Foundation transforms free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish.