Kara Beem of Keystone Ingenuity named Chamber Board Chair; Shawn Leppo of McNees Wallace & Nurick named CREDC Board Chair
Harrisburg, Pa. (January 21, 2025) – The Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors and the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) Board of Directors announced the organizations’ 2025 Board Chairs and new board members. Kara Beem of Keystone Ingenuity will serve as the Harrisburg Regional Chamber Board of Directors Chair and Shawn K. Leppo of McNees Wallace & Nurick will serve as the CREDC Board of Directors Chair.
“Kara and Shawn’s leadership and commitment will undoubtedly drive our organization forward this year as we continue to support the growth and success of our region,” said Chamber & CREDC President & CEO Ryan Unger. “Their willingness to serve exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and commitment that makes our region stronger. We look forward to the future with their guidance as we enter the Chamber’s 140th year.”
Beem is the president of Keystone Ingenuity, a state and local government affairs firm. With close to 30 years of experience as a state lobbyist, her drive is to personalize the approach, improve legislative relationships, and elevate her clients’ legislative objectives with key decision-makers. Throughout her career, she has advanced key policies and defended against detrimental policy proposals for her clients. She began her career with the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association as Government Affairs Director, where one of her significant achievements was revamping Pennsylvania’s Right to Know law. Before launching Keystone Ingenuity, she worked as a contract lobbyist at two Harrisburg-based lobbying firms, helping numerous clients navigate all levels of government in areas such as healthcare, human services, education, and transportation.
Beem also serves as an advisor to the YMCA’s Youth and Government Club at the Camp Hill School District, helping to shape the next generation of leaders. She earned her undergraduate degree from Trinity University in Washington D.C. and her Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law.
“I am truly honored to take on the role of Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors,” Beem said. “With its rich history and strong track record of supporting the growth and success of our community, I am thrilled to contribute to the Chamber’s continued impact. I look forward to working alongside a dedicated group of leaders to build on the Chamber’s legacy, fostering innovation, collaboration, and progress for the region.”
Leppo is a patent attorney and Co-Chair of the McNees Intellectual Property Group. His practice covers all aspects of intellectual property law, with a focus on patent matters. His practice is international and he routinely works with an extensive group of foreign counsel around the world to help manage clients’ portfolios worldwide.
Leppo regularly speaks and writes on patent law and intellectual property topics, and his work has been featured in the PA Legal Intelligencer, JD Supra, and the American Corporate Counsel Association. He is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Susquehanna Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Leppo also serves on the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America, New Birth of Freedom Council. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and a J.D. from William & Mary Law School.
“I am honored to take on the role of Chair of the CREDC Board of Directors,” Leppo said. “As a catalyst for economic growth and opportunity, CREDC has a remarkable track record of making a positive and lasting impact on our region. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to continue advancing initiatives that foster job creation, support local businesses, and drive sustainable development, all of which contribute to the prosperity of our region.”
The additional slate of 2025 Harrisburg Regional Chamber officers is as follows:
- Vice Chair: Alisa Harris, PA State Association of YMCAs
- 2nd Vice Chair: Abigail Fortino, Conrad Siegel
- Treasurer: Alison Bernhardt, Select Medical
- Secretary: Mike McHenry, Ainsworth
- At-Large member: Greg Mitstifer, UPMC Central PA
The additional slate of 2025 CREDC officers is as follows:
- Vice Chair: Beth Peiffer, Ralph E. Jones, Inc.
- 2nd Vice Chair: Jeff Smith, Alexander Building Construction
- Treasurer: Andrew Hetrick, M&T Bank
- Secretary: Alex Reber, Miller Dixon Drake PC
The Chamber & CREDC boards also added new directors. The new board members elected for 2025 include the following.
Chamber Board of Directors:
- Sara Bozich, Cheers Harrisburg
- Thomas Bream, Presence Bank
- James Mackrell, Highmark Blue Shield
- Kristi Wasson, GraphTech
- Adam Weikert, M&T Bank
CREDC Board of Directors:
- Sheilah Borne, Penn State Health
- David Callejo Perez, Penn State Harrisburg
- Kelly Palmer, PPL Electric Utilities
A complete list of board members may be found at https://www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/about/board-of-directors/.
ABOUT HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC
For 140 years, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has served as a catalyst for dynamic job creation that seeks to improve economic growth, mobility and vitality while enhancing the quality of life in our region: Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. The organizations provide a unique blend of business, community/economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost the economic vitality and livability across our region. The Chamber has been accredited with five stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce—a distinction achieved by less than 5 percent of chambers across the nation.
