Estelle Richman of Philadelphia, PA is an exceptional leader in the area of human services, and began her job as Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2010. Prior to this federal appointment, she was named by Governor Edward G. Rendell to become the first woman Managing Director of Social Services for Pennsylvania. A year later she was appointed to the position of Pennsylvania Department of Welfare Secretary. Gifted with intelligence, judgment and steady temperament, she has introduced and implemented social services to serve highly vulnerable populations. As her numerous awards suggest, her reputation for fairness and integrity has raised her high in the opinion of government officials and in the community of families and children.