megan martin

Megan Martin

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Megan Martin is a seasoned executive, legal and public policy professional dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Pennsylvania. Her broad expertise encompasses state and federal administrative law and litigation, constitutional law, appellate advocacy, legislative processes and procedures, government contracting, and a wide array of complex legal and policy matters.

Megan is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free market think tank. As a strategic executive leader, she directs key organizational functions including Public Affairs, Policy, Government Affairs, Human Resources, and Legal Strategy—driving operational excellence and integrating cross-functional teams around a shared vision.

Megan’s work is grounded in the principles of educational choice, free enterprise, individual liberty, and limited government. She champions stewardship, integrity, and the belief that people matter—building systems that promote accountability, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability. Megan is passionate about cultivating a high-performance culture rooted in servant leadership and values-based management. Whether aligning strategy across departments or enhancing internal communication, she focuses on clarity, collaboration, and principled impact.

Prior to joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Megan was 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. Before that, Megan broke the glass ceiling at the Pennsylvania Senate to become the first and only woman to serve as the Secretary-Parliamentarian. Her reputation for innovation, success, and fiscal responsibility—underlined by fair and impartial conduct while leading the 80-member team—resulted in the Senate unanimously electing her as Secretary-Parliamentarian five times.

Notably, Megan’s distinguished three-decade career of service includes all three branches of state government, as an attorney for the U.S. Navy, and serving in the private sector and academia. Her work evidences a deep, one-of-a-kind understanding of Harrisburg’s complex legislative process and a proven track record in legal and regulatory compliance, as well as the policy and operational issues facing Pennsylvania’s state government, businesses, and citizens.

Energy

Electricity Bills Too High? Bad Energy Policies Are to Blame.

  • Megan Martin
  • August 18, 2025

Originally published by RealClearEnergy. Hot enough for you? If this muggy Pennsylvania heat doesn’t have you sweating, your monthly electricity bills will. Power usage surged during…

Media Hit

Read More: Electricity Bills Too High? Bad Energy Policies Are to Blame.

Education

Where Is Gov. Shapiro’s Leadership on the State Budget?

  • Megan Martin, Stephen Bloom
  • June 19, 2025

Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro once said, “Leaders have a responsibility to speak truth.” Yet, truth be told, the governor’s lack of leadership on this…

Media Hit

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Gov. Shapiro Needs to Serve Students, Not Supporters

  • Megan Martin
  • June 12, 2025

Two years ago, Governor Josh Shapiro boldly promised to save Pennsylvania’s children trapped in failing schools. When asked on Fox News about the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS), also…

Media Hit

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Education

Shapiro Must Lead, Not Litigate

  • Megan Martin
  • May 30, 2025

Originally published by PennLive. Gov. Josh Shapiro seems less interested in governing and more interested in reliving his days as attorney general. A federal judge recently …

Media Hit

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Republicans are Keeping Their School Choice Promise

  • Megan Martin
  • May 27, 2025

Originally published by the Washington Examiner. Republicans in Washington are on the verge of keeping a historic promise to America’s families. In the “one big, beautiful bill”  that…

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Energy

State High Court Should Confirm Unconstitutionality of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

  • Megan Martin
  • May 11, 2025

Originally published by LNP/Lancaster Online. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday on Pennsylvania’s controversial and unconstitutional membership in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This multistate cap-and-trade program—illegally…

Media Hit

Read More: State High Court Should Confirm Unconstitutionality of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative