HARRISBURG – Governor-elect Josh Shapiro has announced three key cabinet appointments: Dr. Khalid Mumin to be Secretary of Education, Nancy Walker to be Secretary of Labor and Industry, and Neil Weaver to be Secretary of Administration.
These individuals will bring decades of experience – from teaching and school administration, to labor advocacy and workers’ rights, to state government leadership – to the table as they join the Shapiro Administration.
“I’m proud to nominate Dr. Khalid Mumin, Nancy Walker, and Neil Weaver to key cabinet posts in my Administration – they are important members of the diverse and experienced team of Pennsylvania leaders and policy experts who will be joining my Administration to tackle the challenges facing our Commonwealth today,” said Shapiro. “I am ready to work with all three of them to create real opportunities for our children, build an economy that works for everyone, improve our schools, and lead the Commonwealth’s more than 75,000 employees. With these accomplished public servants in my cabinet, we will be ready to get to work to meet this moment and move our Commonwealth forward.”
Dr. Khalid N. Mumin
For over 25 years, Dr. Khalid N. Mumin has served in various capacities as a teacher, dean of students, principal and central administrator. Most recently, Dr. Mumin served as the Superintendent of Schools at Lower Merion School. Prior to Lower Merion, Dr. Mumin was the Superintendent of Reading School District for 7 years. Beginning as a second grade English teacher in Scotland, Pennsylvania, in 1997, Dr. Mumin rose through the leadership ranks of the education system in Pennsylvania. Mumin is committed to promoting and sustaining student achievement, equity and access to educational programming for all students, as well as creating plans that are fiscally responsible. He has been recognized nationally as a “School Board Savvy Superintendent,” and is the author of the book entitled Problem Child: Leading Students Living in Poverty Towards Infinite Possibilities of Success.
Mumin earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Education in Teaching & Curriculum from Pennsylvania State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from Shippensburg University, and an Associate of Arts in English from Northeastern Christian Junior College.
“It is an honor to serve Governor-Elect Shapiro and the people of Pennsylvania as Secretary of Education and help him carry out his vision so every child in Pennsylvania — regardless of race, class, or zip code — receives a quality education and the opportunity to shape their own future,” said Mumin. “For over 25 years, I have served as a teacher, dean of students, principal, and school superintendent – and I know firsthand what it takes to move our education system forward. I look forward to working with the Governor-Elect to fully fund our schools, make our students’ mental health a priority, and empower parents and guardians to ensure their children receive a quality education.”
Nancy Walker
Nancy Walker served as the first Chief Deputy Attorney General of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s newly created Fair Labor Section since 2017. Under Walker’s leadership, the Fair Labor Section has worked on behalf of workers and law-abiding employers across Pennsylvania to ensure they are being treated fairly and lawfully and has served as lead counsel in matters of national importance, including lawsuits bringing Administrative Procedure Act challenges to amendments to the tip and joint employer rules, and has led a successful criminal wage and benefit theft investigation resulting in a $21 million dollar plea deal, the largest case of its kind in the country.
Prior to her appointment as Chief Deputy, Walker focused her private practice on labor and employment law throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies, and in arbitration and mediation proceedings. She is licensed to practice before state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and State of New York, is a Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and was a long-time volunteer with the Support Center for Child Advocates.
Walker comes from a family of teachers and steelworkers. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
“Pennsylvania workers drive our economy and power our Commonwealth – and I am honored that the Governor-Elect has entrusted me with this great responsibility to serve as Secretary of Labor and Industry,” said Walker. “At the Office of Attorney General, I’ve seen Governor-Elect Shapiro’s commitment to working people first hand, and as Secretary, I look forward to continuing that work to protect and expand workers’ rights. Together, we will advance the Governor-Elect’s agenda to grow our economy, expand Pennsylvania’s workforce, and create real opportunities for our workers to succeed.”
Neil Weaver
Neil Weaver currently serves as Acting Secretary at DCED, functioning as the chief executive of an agency that is responsible for administering grants, loans and tax credits that spur economic growth, community revitalization, and job creation throughout the state by providing strategic technical assistance, training, and financial resources to help our communities and industries flourish.
Prior to his current role, Weaver served as Executive Deputy Secretary at DCED, Director of Communications and Press Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and has worked in the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf where he established and developed the Office of Performance Through Excellence.
Weaver’s experience in the private sector includes work at two national environmental firms specializing in client management, government, communications and community relations, and a position as a national fundraising manager for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Bethesda, Maryland.
Weaver has served as vice secretary-treasurer for the York City General Authority and is currently a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors where he serves as vice chair of the University Success Committee. He graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for PennWest University.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the Governor-Elect and the people of Pennsylvania as Secretary of Administration,” said Weaver. “With over a decade of state government experience – I know how important it is to ensure our state government is running effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of Pennsylvanians. I look forward to advancing the Governor-Elect’s agenda by working to ensure Pennsylvania state government is effectively serving the people of this Commonwealth, each and every day.”
