PASL Honors Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia CEO Madeline Bell
On February 26, 2026, the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders welcomed Madeline Bell, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), as the featured guest for its February Dinner with a Decision Maker, a signature component of the Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership. The event took place at The Pump House in Bala Cynwyd, gathering Fellows, alumni, community partners, and civic leaders for an evening focused on leadership, vision, and impact.
Each year, the Dinner with a Decision Maker convenes distinguished leaders from across sectors to deepen Fellows’ understanding of leadership, systems change, and the responsibilities of serving Philadelphia’s children. Baretta Massey (2024 Neubauer Fellow, Cohort 8), Principal of Alain Locke School, and Dr. Lauren Overton (2018 Neubauer Fellow, Cohort 4), Principal of Penn Alexander School, facilitated the thoughtful fireside chat.
The evening opened with a welcome from PASL Executive Director Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, followed by remarks from Joseph Neubauer of the Neubauer Family Foundation. Together, they underscored the importance of creating spaces where Philadelphia’s principals can learn directly from those who guide major institutions shaping the Philadelphia region.
Shining Light Awards
PASL also presented two Shining Light Awards, recognizing exemplary leadership in service to Philadelphia’s students, families, and communities.
This year’s honorees were Dr. Pauline Cheung (2019 Neubauer Fellow, Cohort 5) and Principal Bahir Hayes (2024 Neubauer Fellow, Cohort 8), who have demonstrated transformational leadership in their school communities. Dr. Cheung was celebrated for leading academic gains, improving attendance, and revitalizing critical learning spaces at Francis Scott Key School, while Principal Hayes was honored for reopening William C. Bryant School’s library, strengthening partnerships, and building a school culture grounded in dignity and strong relationships.
Shared Responsibility for Philadelphia’s Children
During the fireside chat, Ms. Bell shared her journey from pediatric nurse to CEO of one of the world’s most prominent children’s hospitals. She reflected on leading through the COVID‑19 pandemic, describing the responsibility of supporting clinicians and staff during moments of deep uncertainty. Bell spoke about the importance of steadiness and emotional resilience in leadership
Throughout the conversation, Bell described the central idea that guides her decision‑making at CHOP: “The most important thing is the guiding principle that the child is at the center.”
Bell highlighted the close connection between CHOP and Philadelphia’s schools, noting that both institutions serve the same families and often confront similar challenges. She discussed CHOP initiatives designed to address community needs, including: home‑based asthma interventions, Food Pharmacies where clinicians prescribe healthy food, and a new 24/7 behavioral‑health crisis center available without a referral.
She emphasized that supporting children requires understanding their full context: “You cannot just take care of what happens in the hospital. It’s their whole life: their home, their community, their safety, their food.”
Bell also described her commitment to staying close to frontline staff through executive rounds and small‑group conversations: “I have to get out of my office and hear what people are concerned about.” Her comments drew clear parallels between healthcare and education, particularly the shared responsibility to build trust, respond to community needs, and create conditions where children can thrive.
The conversation was guided by two Fellows whose leadership is shaping their respective school communities. Baretta Massey, Principal of Alain Locke School, is known for her vision‑centered leadership and commitment to integrating academics, family engagement, wellness, and community partnerships. Dr. Lauren Overton, Principal of Penn Alexander School, is known for building strong school culture, deep family engagement, and high levels of student belonging and achievement. Their thoughtful questions connected Bell’s insights to the realities of school leadership in Philadelphia.
The dinner exemplifies PASL’s commitment to equipping principals with opportunities to learn from accomplished leaders whose work strengthens communities across the region. Bell’s reflections affirmed the critical role that school leaders play in supporting children’s wellbeing and shaping their future opportunities. Strong leadership, whether in hospitals or schools, helps build a healthier, more hopeful future for all Philadelphia children.
