Corinne O’Connell, a Jenkintown native (above left), and Melissa Palat Murawsky, a Huntingdon Valley native (above right), have each been named to The Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2026 “Women of Influence” list.
From O’Connell’s biography:
Corinne O’Connell took the helm of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia nine years ago in a return to the organization. In 2009, she served as its director of development, helping launch its Building Hope Luncheon that brings together community and faith organizations and volunteers to celebrate and support first-time homebuyers in their homeownership journeys. To date, the program has raised more than $7 million. After a few years in roles in the Pacific Northwest, O’Connell came back to the region and to Habitat for Humanity to expand affordable homeownership and crucial home repairs across the city by guiding program growth, partnerships and advocacy and community impact. In her more than nine years as CEO, she has led Habitat for Humanity’s growth into an organization with a $15 million operating budget and over 80 employees.
From Palat Murawsky’s biography:
Melissa Palat Murawsky is a securities and corporate lawyer who focuses on capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, governance and executive compensation. She advises both public and private companies in industries including manufacturing, insurance, life sciences, technology, retail, financial services and e-commerce. Palat Murawsky has advised on transactions totaling more than $6.75 billion, with her recent work in the life sciences space allowing for clients to receive capital needed to advance preclinical and clinical-stage programs, as well as fund research and development. Her work not only elevates Blank Rome’s capabilities, it also directly supports the abilities of emerging companies to fund innovation and reach key development milestones.
The program honored 37 women across Greater Philadelphia at an awards ceremony on October 15.
In July, Cara Martino, a Glenside native and senior vice president for clinical improvement and transformation for Jefferson Health, was named a 2026 “40 under 40” honoree by The Journal.
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Photos: Blank Rome, Harcum College