Megan Martin loves her new job. Learn why.

Megan Martin is the Commonwealth Foundation’s chief operating officer and general counsel. 

Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Megan served as the vice president and general counsel of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the state’s largest business advocacy organization, with nearly 10,000 members. She is also the first and only woman to serve as the Secretary-Parliamentarian for the Pennsylvania Senate, which unanimously elected her five times to this ceiling-shattering role.  

We sat down with Megan to discuss her journey to the Commonwealth Foundation.

Tell us more about your professional background.

I have dedicated the last three decades of my life to improving the lives of Pennsylvanians. I’ve been blessed to have a truly one-of-a-kind career, where I had the opportunity to serve in all three branches of our state government and as a civilian lawyer for the U.S. Navy. Most recently, I served as the PA Senate’s Secretary-Parliamentarian, where I worked at the heart of the legislative process. I was in the room where it happened for more than a decade.

All that said, I understand government—for better or worse. More importantly, I understand Pennsylvania.

You also ran for statewide office. How did that experience shape your worldview?

Yes, I had the honor of being a statewide judicial candidate, which had a profound impact on me. During my campaign, I traveled to all 67 counties in Pennsylvania—twice. I listened to the good people of our great commonwealth who told me what was on their minds and in their hearts.

No matter where I went, from corner to corner and everywhere in between, the issues were the same: Pennsylvanians want family-sustaining jobs, a good education for their children, safe communities, and a government that stays out of their lives.

Not once did I meet somebody who wanted fewer jobs, less freedom, failing schools, more taxes, or more government in their lives.

What inspired you to join the Commonwealth Foundation?

Definitely the mission. I firmly believe that our mission to transform free-market ideas into public policies will empower Pennsylvanians and improve their lives.

This mission drives our approach to every issue, such as school choice.

School choice is personal for me—just like it is for so many Pennsylvania families. My dad, who grew up during the Great Depression, always told me that his education was his ticket out of poverty. My dad said if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work hard, you can be anything in America.

It’s people like my dad whom the Commonwealth Foundation helps. By empowering parents with choice, we can help Pennsylvania’s children trapped in failing schools.

And it’s not just education. The Commonwealth Foundation strives to empower people to blaze their own trail toward prosperity.

Any other policies?

The Commonwealth Foundation also shines a bright light on government excess and overreach while also championing fiscal responsibility. By reining in government spending, we safeguard Pennsylvanians from out-of-control spending and future tax hikes. 

Energy is another big one. Pennsylvania is a leading energy producer, and market-driven energy policies will benefit all Pennsylvanians. These policies must prioritize reliability, affordability, fairness, competition, and innovation. When Pennsylvania embraces all its energy resources, we can unlock its full economic potential.

Criminal justice reform is another key issue for me. The Commonwealth Foundation is also a huge force in criminal justice reform, encouraging work and entrepreneurship, which help all Pennsylvanians become self-reliant. These reforms preserve public safety, save taxpayer resources, and promote true rehabilitation.

Why do you consider your job so important?

I told my kids I am a freedom fighter. I like to think that my colleagues and I are in the business of saving the world.

The Commonwealth Foundation wants to write the next chapter in Pennsylvania’s future—and I wanted to help them write it. Our vision is to make Pennsylvania the leading state for opportunity and prosperity through our impact as the most effective policy think tank in the United States.

Everyone should agree that good policies transcend political parties. We should work with anybody who wants to advance our core issues. That understanding, together with my personal commitment to improving Pennsylvania and my love of collaborating, brought me to the Commonwealth Foundation.

And this effort is bigger than our state. The commonwealth is the largest swing state in the nation, so our local efforts resonate regionally and nationally. When we transform Pennsylvania, we will save America.

Cick here for more information about Megan.