In November, Mayor Jim Kenney appointed Sheila Hess to the role of City Representative in the Office of City Representative, the ceremonial and special events department, which serves as the City of Philadelphia’s events, marketing, promotion, production, public relations and hospitality-tourism arm. Sheila has been an effective leader and champion in the community participating in an array of causes benefitting the homeless and children in need.

Driven by purpose and passion, she has been a staunch steward of change contributing her time and talents to forwarding the philanthropic missions of the area’s Variety The Children’s Charity, which provides assistance to children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities, and Fred’s Footsteps, an nonprofit established by the family of the late President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross G. Fred DiBona Jr. The nonprofit serves families with ill and injured children through financial assistance. She also is active on the Advisory Board of Back on My Feet Philadelphia and a board member of LEADERSHIP Philadelphia, Visit Philly, the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Historic Philadelphia, PHLCVB Executive Committee, DNC Host Committee and the Marian Anderson Awards.

Sheila, 47 joins the city after a successful career as the Director of Independence Blue Cross Foundation & Community Affairs, responsible for the company’s charitable $65 million private foundation. Designed as a national role model, the highly regarded charitable private foundation creates sustainable solutions to improve the health and wellness of our neighborhoods.

Sheila was the first female chair of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’ Young Professionals Network (YPN). She was United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) and an executive board member of Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Young America Political Action Committee (PAC). She is a Temple University graduate and recipient of the Diamond Excellence Award presented by Temple University Young Alumni. Hess currently serves on a variety of non-profit boards in the community, where she has earned a reputation as a stellar coalition builder and compassionate, energetic advocate for the disadvantaged and underserved.

A difference maker, Sheila has been recognized as the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” for her business excellence and endeavors in 2007, and as one of the city’s “Top 101 Emerging Connectors” by LEADERSHIP Philadelphia. Sheila is married and is a lifelong resident of South Philadelphia.