For 127 consecutive years, The Pennsylvania Society has held an annual dinner that brings together politicians, business leaders, and community members for civil discussions, networking, and charitable activities. For 2025, December 13 has been selected as the date for this important gathering, which will once again take place at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, where Ambassador David L. Cohen will receive the Gold Medal. The organization is estimated to have about 2,000 active members.
The Society was founded in 1899 in New York by historian James Barr Ferree and was incorporated in 1903 as a nonprofit organization that connects Pennsylvanians around the world, with an emphasis on community, charity, and civility—its guiding motto. It is the oldest organization of its kind in the country.
The event began as a private gathering of elites to discuss politics and business, later evolving into a charitable nonprofit organization. Each year, high school juniors from across Pennsylvania compete for the Society’s Benjamin Franklin Academic Award, an essay contest.
You can read: Lozada, Burgos and Sabir: Tribute from Hispanic Media and El Sol Latino Newspaper
As this year’s honoree, David L. Cohen will have the important responsibility of selecting a Pennsylvania-based charitable organization to receive a donation from the Society.
Beyond the main gala, which drew roughly 1,500 attendees in 2005, much of the real action and behind-the-scenes negotiations take place at private dinners and receptions held throughout the weekend. These invitation-only events—sponsored by major corporations, political candidates, and lobbying firms—are considered the true heart of this high-level networking weekend.
To maintain relevance and attract attendees, the organizers have brought in major political and media figures over the years. Past guest lists have included celebrities such as comedians Jon Stewart and Lewis Black, and even former President George H. W. Bush, who was a speaker in 2003.
Gold Medal
David L. Cohen is a highly influential figure in American politics and business, with a long and diverse career. Most recently, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada from 2021 to 2025, after being nominated by President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. He is the recipient of The Pennsylvania Society’s 2025 Gold Medal.
His diplomatic appointment marked the culmination of a career defined by impact in both corporate and governmental spheres. Before his ambassadorship, Cohen spent more than two decades at telecommunications giant Comcast NBCUniversal, where he served as Senior Executive Vice President and chief adviser to the CEO. His broad portfolio included communications, legal affairs, government relations, and community impact. He is also recognized as the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer.
Ambassador Cohen is a veteran of Philadelphia politics as well, having served as Chief of Staff to Mayor Edward G. Rendell from 1992 to 1997. His résumé also includes serving as partner and chair at the law firm Ballard Spahr.
His influence extends into the civic and nonprofit sectors, having chaired the boards of the University of Pennsylvania and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, while also contributing to organizations such as City Year and UnidosUS. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College and holds a summa cum laude law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Satellite Events
The dinner is not the only event taking place that weekend. Celebrations and gatherings will be held across the state and elsewhere in the country.
Among them is the “Honoring Excellence: People of the Year 2025” reception, organized by Hispanic Media and El Sol Latino Newspaper. This year’s honorees are Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada; State Representative Danilo Burgos; and Omar Sabir, Chair of the City Commissioners. The event will be held on Thursday, December 11, at the Intercontinental Club in New York.
Although Saturday’s dinner is the main attraction, the weekend also includes the PNC Breakfast, the University of Pennsylvania Breakfast, as well as other receptions, seminars, and luncheons.
The Leadership of Patricia D. Wellenbach
The Pennsylvania Society is currently chaired by Patricia D. Wellenbach, Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, the city’s 100th mayor. In 2023, she received the Directorship 100 Award from the National Association of Corporate Directors.
From 2015 to 2025, she served as President and CEO of the Please Touch Museum, an international leader in early childhood learning through play, where she stood out for guiding organizational transformation and ensuring long-term sustainability. From 2021 to 2025, she chaired the board of Thomas Jefferson University, becoming the first woman to hold that position in its 200-year history. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her visionary leadership and civic contributions, including the 2023 Directorship 100 Award.
In contrast, Evan Frazier, President and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)—an organization dedicated to cultivating African American executive leadership to strengthen businesses, institutions, and communities—serves as Vice Chair.
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