As Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Austin Davis prepare for their inauguration in January, they are putting together a diverse team of leaders.

Today, the Governor-Elect and Lieutenant Governor-Elect announced their Inaugural Committee, the group that will help lead and plan the execution of their upcoming inauguration.

The Committee consists of 18 individuals from all walks of life and career paths. Two of the members are Latina leaders who have made an indelible mark in the Philadelphia region — Varsovia Fernandez and Carolina DiGiorgio.

Fernandez is the executive director of the PA CDFI Network. 

In leading the Network, Fernandez has helped distribute more than $250 million among more than 14,000 small businesses across the Commonwealth’s 67 counties. 

A dedicated Latina originally from the Dominican Republic, Fernandez has spent her career being a valued voice for the Latino and diverse communities that make up the Philadelphia region and beyond. 

She has made her impact felt in the banking world and the tech space, in addition to the venture funding and nonprofit sectors. 

DiGiorgio is the President & CEO of Congreso de Latinos Unidos, leading one of the top 25 Latino-focused nonprofits in the entire nation.

Congreso’s mission is to enable individuals and families in predominantly Latino neighborhoods to achieve economic self-sufficiency and well-being through a variety of services, including education, employment & training, health & safety, housing, and more. 

DiGiorgio was born in Honduras before immigrating to the United States with her family as a child. She eventually would earn a law degree from Rutgers University.

Prior to joining being named Congreso’s CEO, DiGiorgio served as the Director of Commerce for the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners — a role she took after a recommendation from none other than Governor-Elect Shapiro. 

The complete list of the Shapiro-Davis Inaugural Committee members can be found here.

Later this week, the Shapiro-Davis Transition will announce Advisory Committees of policy and professional experts, community advocates, and business, industry, and labor leaders to help the incoming Administration prepare to advance its top priorities.

Those priorities include growing our economy, making our communities safer, and ensuring all Pennsylvania students receive a high-quality education. 

The inauguration will take place Jan. 17, 2023.