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This headshot of co-executive editor Roxanne Patel Shepelavy accompanies her bio on The Philadelphia Citizen's mastheadRoxanne Patel Shepelavy oversees the workings of The Citizen, including its editorial content.  She also writes and edits stories about solutions to problems in Philly.

Roxanne has been a Philadelphia journalist for more than two decades. She’s an award-winning magazine writer whose work in national and regional magazines explored the effects of war; the moral and literal cost of healthcare; kick-ass female athletes; art capers; self-help scams; and a range of women’s and social issues.

Roxanne is passionate about Philadelphia, a city she loves and worries over in equal measure.

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Stories by Roxanne Patel Shepelavy:

Citizen of the Week: Vivek Babu

Thanks to the efforts led by Drexel’s undergraduate student president, the university will for the first time give students the day off for voting and engagement on Election Day 2024, the latest in a string of election advocacy successes.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Is the PPD Transparent Now?

In the aftermath of January’s police killing of Andrew Spencer, the Philadelphia Police Department did something kind of unheard of in the recent past. Could this be … change?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Citizen of the Year Awards: Mike Innocenzo

For his work helping to stand up the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, the PECO CEO and Chamber of Commerce Board Chair is this year’s Lewis Katz Corporate Citizen of the Year

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

LISTEN: Who is Richard Vague?

The banker, policy advisor, author and all-around renaissance man on how he got to where he is — and why he’s obsessed with personal debt

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Three Quick Wins for Cherelle Parker

Here’s how our new mayor can make friends with her constituents right quick

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

The Historic, Wacky, Disappointing, Rage-Inducing, Hopeful Year that Was … 2023

Whether you’re happy to see the back of 2023, or it was your best year ever, Philadelphians cared, as always, about the things that mattered — and some that didn’t. Here’s what it means for 2024

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

The Citizen Recommends: Development … for Good — Built to Heal

In the next in our “Development … for Good” event series, the internationally-renowned architect will explore how buildings can be vessels for reconciliation and change

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Working While Menopause-ing

One in four women leave the workforce because of symptoms related to menopause, a life milestone that has been woefully under-researched. Help may, finally, be on the way

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

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