Lourdes Swarts
President

Lourdes has been working in the nonprofit sector on issues related to the family for over three decades. A native of Brazil, Lourdes experienced early on the difficulty of growing up in a one-parent household, where as a young teen, living in poverty, she had to take responsibility to raise her four younger siblings. Without the love and care of a father, and needing to work at a young age to make money so her siblings could have food to eat and books for school, Lourdes experienced first-hand the hardships a child and young adult can go through. She now works tirelessly to bring awareness to the importance of parents, healthy families, and the ideal of a two-parent home.

Prior to becoming President of the Pennsylvania Family Coalition, Lourdes has served as Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Family Coalition, and developed the Pennsylvania Parents Day Program, which is held annual to recognize outstanding parents. She is a presenter of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families program and helped to develop the Family Code of Ethics.

Lourdes is the founder of a speakers bureau (www.greatamericanspeakers.com) and has traveled extensively around the world in her nonprofit and corporate roles. She has been married to Dr. Frederick Swarts for over 30 years and they are the parents of four children. 

. 

Phyllis Bennett

Vice President

The Honorable Phyllis Bennet is the president of PIB & Associates.  She is a dedicated community leader with over 50 years of experience working to empower and strengthen the family. Ms. Bennett is a mother and a grandmother and she serves as the MLK DREAM Artists Showcase director.  She works countless hours to support our youth from across our state. Ms. Bennett served as the Faith Based Liaison for Governor Tom Ridge and is a retired Judge.

Karen Lewis

Secretary/treasurer

Karen Lewis is a dedicated volunteer at her church and serves as the Pennsylvania Family Coalition treasurer. Karen is the mother of two daughters and has been married to William Lewis for over 30 years.

Sam Sharma

Chairman of the Board

Mr. Sam Sharma is a businessman and married for over 30 years to Dr. Ranjana Sharma,an ER doctor based in New Cumberland.  They have two children, both physicians.  Mr. Sharma's passion is driven by his love for America.  As a native of India, Mr. Sharma sees America as the great nation that stands for freedom of religion and the beacon of hope for people all around the world that wants to come to America and build their dream.

Board of Advisors:

Rod Cameron, Pocono Family Ministries, Pocono Mountain

William Devlin, Founder, Urban Family Council, Philadelphia

Hon. Julio A. Guridy, President, Allentown City Council

Keith Harvey, Parents Day Coordinator, Harrisburg

Brian Hewitt, Youth Educator, Shippensburg

Brandi Husband, Character Counts, Greencastle

Ray Lipowcan, Pittsburgh Family Advocate

Rev. Oscar Rossum, Founder, Lincoln Charter School, York

Thomas Russell, Harrisburg Channel 28 TV Personality

 Keith Harvey honoring his mother at the Hershey Country Club event