Meet 2026 Happening Woman Liz Cammarota

Liz grew up in Warrington, PA and was educated at Gettysburg College and Widener University School of Law. Liz practiced law until following what people say is her true calling – being an advocate and a super mom. Liz Cammarota established Do Better 4 Steve to honor her son Steve Cammarota’s legacy. Despite being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease as a young child, Steve made it his mission to serve others and make a difference and to “do better”. The disease ultimately took his life, but his memory lives on. Do Better 4 Steve aims to inspire others to Do Better, as Steve wanted. The organization’s mission is to help disabled and disadvantaged youth in our community achieve their fullest potential in a world stacked against them.

What has inspired you to pursue your current career and or passions?

The death of my oldest son Stephen on August 25 2019 has inspired me to “do better.” I was lost in my grief and had no place to put my anger, sadness, and anxiety. At his Celebration of Life, many friends and family approached my husband and I to share stories of how Stephen had changed their life. It truly was a celebration of a young man’s life. In my grief fog I quickly realized I had to turn this devastating loss into purpose before spiraling downward. But what did that mean? Stephen had shared stories of helping the homeless man outside of the CVS and assisting the woman with her baby and carriage on a train despite having almost missed his own. Random acts of kindness was the way he lived. Rather than start a foundation around the rare immunological disease that took his life, we decided to create a foundation that honored his legacy. Giving back to the disabled and disadvantaged youth within our community . That is how Do Better 4 Steve was born.

Can you share a defining moment in your career or life that shaped your path?

While Stephen’s passing was a devastating loss, the birth of our  third child Sam in 2003 was a pivotal moment that changed our family’s trajectory. His prognosis at birth was dim. He was not expected to survive the birth and if he did, we were told he would not be able to breathe, eat, or see. We were sent home with hospice expecting the worst. Instead of waiting for Sam to pass, we lived. We celebrated his first week of life with a cake, we took him to an Eagles game and to the beach. This experience shaped how our family reacts to adversity. We chose to laugh instead of cry, to live fully and love hard.

How do you define success?

Success is not measured by the number of people we help, but by the impact of that help. We are successful when we help a teenager with autism find a camp that supports his strengths, or when we provide tools such as computers and college services for disadvantaged youth so that they can get into that school that may have been out of reach. We are also successful when we create a safe, inclusive workspace where people of all abilities can learn from their experiences and grow with every cup of coffee served.

What values guide your personal and professional decisions?

Honoring Stephen’s legacy of giving back and helping others are our guiding principles…. And you don’t have to have a foundation to make a difference. We achieve this daily by holding a door, complimenting a smile or listening to a friend or stranger. Everyone has a story to tell. I also value authenticity- it took me a long time to realize the importance of simply being yourself.

What are you most proud of today?

When reflecting on what I am most proud of, I think of the launch of the Do Better 4 Steve Coffee Cart at the Ambler YMCA this past fall. This enterprise was created to empower adults with disabilities by teaching valuable work skills and fostering independence. It also promotes community and inclusion by bringing together people of all faiths, ages, abilities, and ethnicities.

On a personal level, I am most proud of having emerged from Stephen’s passing with a stronger and more persuasive voice. I can finally say that I have found my voice.

What does leadership mean to you and how do you embody it in your work?

I believe that leadership is defined by staying true to oneself and accepting that failure is a part of the journey. Through my experience delivering speeches on behalf of the foundation, I have learned that honesty and vulnerability resonate far more with an audience than gregariousness or inauthenticity.

People connect through shared experiences, and it is this common story that brings us together—whether we are seeking to engage volunteers, sponsors, or clients.It is this common experience that connects us.