Keith Leaphart
{{short description|American entrepreneur}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox politician
| name = Keith Leaphart
| image = Keith Leaphart Speaking (3x4a).png
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1975|02|09}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| nationality =
| known_for =
| office1 = Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
| governor1 = Josh Shapiro
| term_start1 = July 5, 2023
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Wadud Ahmad
| successor1 =
| education = Hampton University (BS)
Saint Joseph's University (MBA)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
| alma_mater =
| employer =
| occupation = Entrepreneur
philanthropist
physician
| spouse = Ebonne Ruffins
| children = 2
| parents =
| relations =
}}
Keith Leaphart (born February 9, 1975) is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, physician and politician. Leaphart is the Chair of the Lenfest Foundation, CEO of Replica Creative and founder of Philanthropi, a fintech company. He is also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Early life
Leaphart was born and raised in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia by his mother, Etheyln, who worked as an administrative assistant at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Leaphart's father, Frank, worked as an electrician and left when Leaphart was a baby, but the two remained close.{{Cite web|url=https://generocity.org/philly/2016/03/11/keith-leaphart-lenfest-foundation/|title=Why Lenfest protege Keith Leaphart fights for at-risk youth|website=Generocity.org|date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=June 24, 2020}} Starting at the age of 10, Leaphart was used by drug dealers as a runner, but by age 12, Leaphart had become a Paperboy.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B7HmDAAAQBAJ&dq=keith+leaphart&pg=PT41|title=Learning to Be Useful: A Wise Giver's Guide to Supporting Career and Technical Education|website=Philanthropy Roundtable|date=September 2016 |publisher=The Philanthropy Roundtable |isbn=9780986147470 |access-date=June 24, 2020}} As part of a desegregation program, Leaphart and his sister were bused to an elementary school in Northeast Philly. Leaphart was a student in the School District of Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School.{{Cite web|url=http://replicacreative.com/keithl|title=Replica Creative-Keith Leaphart|website=Replica Creative|access-date=June 25, 2020}}
Leaphart received a scholarship to attend Hampton University where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in biology. In 2003, he graduated from Saint Joseph's University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine with a dual degree.{{Cite web|url=https://alumni.sju.edu/s/1378/16/interior.aspx?sid=1378&gid=1&pgid=4797&cid=9440&ecid=9440&crid=0&calpgid=3&calcid=13773|title=Keith Leaphart, D.O. MBA '01|website=Saint Joseph's University|access-date=June 25, 2020}} He served as an administrative intern at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and served his residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://gmillietv.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/meet-a-brother-making-a-differencedr-keith-leaphart-man-up/|title=Meet A Brother Making A Difference, Dr. Keith Leaphart|website=Ask G Mills|date=May 18, 2010 |access-date=June 25, 2020}} Upon graduation, Leaphart worked as a long-term substitute at George Washington Carver High School for Engineering and Science.
Career
Upon completing his residency, Leaphart aimed to become the CEO of a hospital. However, he had already founded a successful cleaning company while in medical school. While running the cleaning company, Leaphart was cleaning the office of Philadelphia billionaire and philanthropist, Gerry Lenfest. They then became good friends and business partners.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/h-f-lenfest-made-fortune-on-cable-then-focused-on-giving-most-of-it-away-1533911401|title=H.F. Lenfest Made Fortune on Cable, Then Focused on Giving Most of It Away|website=Wall Street Journal|date=August 10, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |last1=Hagerty |first1=James R. }}
In 2007, Leaphart explored running for Congress and had an exploratory committee funded by Lenfest. However, Leaphart opted not to run and instead focused on ways the private sector can help Philadelphians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local-protege-reflects-on-legacy-of-gerry-lenfest/article_40e600cd-9b2f-5ae9-8906-c16315f1dcc6.html|title=Local protege reflects on legacy of Gerry Lenfest|website=Philadelphia Tribune|date=August 9, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2020}} Leaphart served as an executive on loan to the city of Philadelphia where he advised Mayor Michael Nutter on programming to help men who had served time in jail.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/homepage/20130414_Lenfest_s_protege_set_for_next_role.html|title=Lenfest protege's next role|website=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=April 14, 2013 |access-date=June 26, 2020}}
With a loan from Lenfest, Leaphart bought Replica Creative, a design and print firm, in 2009. He turned the company into a leading competitor in the digital economy and Replica Creative was recognized as a leading small business in Philadelphia by Mayor Michael Nutter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/young_artists_and_entrepreneurs/An-interview-with-Keith-Leaphart-of-Replica-Creative-.html|title=An interview with Keith Leaphart of Replica Creative|website=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://mainlinetoday.com/life-style/removable-wall-dcor-keith-leapharts-replica-creative/|title=Removable Wall Décor: Keith Leaphart's Replica Creative|website=Main Line Today|date=July 17, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}
Since 2013, Leaphart has served as the chair of the Lenfest Foundation, where he works to help disadvantaged youth in Philadelphia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lenfestinstitute.org/profile/keith-leaphart/|title=Keith Leaphart|website=Lenfest Institute|access-date=June 25, 2020}} Similarly, Leaphart serves on the board of the Philadelphia Media Network, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitor Bureau and Comcast's external Joint Diversity Advisory Council.{{Cite web|url=http://www.flyingkitemedia.com/innovationnews/leaphart011216.aspx|title=Meet Keith Leaphart, 21st century polymath and entrepreneur extraordinaire|website=Flying Kite Media|access-date=June 25, 2020}}
Leaphart's accomplishments in helping Philadelphia's youth and local economy were recognized when he was awarded the Vision for Philadelphia Award in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phillymag.com/the-scene/2013/11/25/2013-vision-for-philadelphia-award/|title=2013 Vision for Philadelphia Award|website=Philadelphia Magazine|date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}
In 2018, Leaphart launched Philanthropi, a fintech company that helps donors track their charitable contributions and find new charitable causes to support.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phillytrib.com/news/business/new-startup-allows-people-to-track-their-charitable-efforts/article_2be87c82-b260-5af4-bc53-a136af64b65c.html|title=New startup allows people to track their charitable efforts|website=Philadelphia Tribune|date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2020}}
Leaphart was nominated as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2023. He was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to this position on July 5, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2023/07/06/dr.-keith-leaphart-confirmed-as-pa-turnpike-s-newest-commissioner|title=Dr. Keith Leaphart Confirmed as PA Turnpike's Newest Commissioner|website=Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission|date=July 6, 2013 |access-date=September 16, 2023}}
Personal life
Leaphart is still a licensed physician and works at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital during the nights and weekends. He lives in Overbrook Farms, Philadelphia and has two sons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/print-edition/2013/06/21/ceo-file-dr-keith-leaphart.html|title=CEO File: Dr. Keith Leaphart|website=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=June 25, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/article/Kimmel-Center-Board-of-Directors-Welcomes-Four-New-Board-Members-127-20101207|title=Kimmel Center Board of Directors Welcomes Four New Board Members 12/7
|website=BroadwayWorld|access-date=June 25, 2020}}
References
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Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople
Category:African-American investors
Category:Businesspeople from Philadelphia
Category:21st-century American businesspeople
Category:Physicians from Philadelphia
Category:Hampton University alumni
Category:Saint Joseph's University alumni
Category:Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni