Ebony Wortham:
Program Director

Ebony Wortham is a dedicated public servant with a notable career in law, government, and community engagement. She currently serves as the executive assistant United States attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where she leads strategic partnerships between law enforcement and communities to enhance public safety and well-being.

Previously, Ms. Wortham was a senior managing consultant at PFM’s Center for Justice and Safety Finance, where she advised government agencies on strategies to enhance public safety and optimize criminal justice system resources. Before that, she spent over fifteen years as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, managing thousands of cases across juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony divisions while working closely with social services and law enforcement to promote public safety and well-being.

Beyond her professional roles, Ms. Wortham is deeply committed to the arts, civic engagement and mentorship. She serves on the boards of and volunteers with organizations such as the Quintessence Theater Group, the Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill, Youth Action, Teenshop, Inc., and the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia.

A Philadelphia native, Ms. Wortham is a graduate of Central High School and holds degrees from Temple University, Delaware Law School, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government, where she served as President of the Women of Fels. She is an active member of the Forum of Executive Women, the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, and The Links, Incorporated.

Beth Specker:
Executive Director at the Rendell Center for Civics & Civic Engagement

Beth Specker:
Executive Director at the Rendell Center

Beth Specker is the founding Executive Director of The Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement, where she has worked closely with Judge Marjorie Rendell and former Governor Edward Rendell to establish the organization. In this role, she also serves as chief administrator for The Rendell Center’s Summer Teacher Institutes, overseeing all aspects of the events from program development, to marketing and logistics, as well as financial planning. Ms. Specker was Chief of Staff to First Lady of Pennsylvania, Judge Marjorie Rendell. In that role, she was responsible for oversight of Judge Rendell’s initiative to restore the civic mission of schools, which required her to work with K-12 schools throughout the Commonwealth as well as national organizations such as iCivics, the American Bar Association and the Civic Mission of Schools. Ms. Specker began her career in civics education at the Freedoms Foundation, a national, non-profit organization providing a wide range of educational and awards programs for students, teachers and citizens. During her 19 years at there, Ms. Specker oversaw all aspects of running 48 educational conferences each year, including graduate programs for teachers and programs for international students. Ms. Specker holds a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a master’s degree in Non-Profit Management from Eastern University.

Colleen Bonner:
Associate director of the Fels Institute of Government

Colleen Bonner:
Associate director of the Fels Institute

Colleen Bonner is the Associate Director of Career Services at the Fels Institute of Government. Before joining the Fels team, Colleen served as the Career Development Coordinator for Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. At Walnut Hill, she provided comprehensive career services to both students and alumni. Her role included teaching a career development class, resume review, and job placement services.

Colleen received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Villanova University and a master's degree in counseling psychology from Immaculata University. She has a background in private practice counseling and has also served as the Clinical Director at Pathways to Housing PA, a nonprofit serving the city's homeless population.

Colleen resides in Delaware County and spends much of her free time with her husband and their blended family including seven children and one grandchild.

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Copyright © 2026 Emerge Youth Leadership Program

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Copyright © 2026 Emerge Youth Leadership Program

All product names, logos, brands and other trademarks or images shown or mentioned are the property of the respective brand owners