Estelle B. Richman is a former American government official, who served as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare from 2003 to 2009.

[3][6] As Welfare Secretary, Richman oversaw agency efforts that resulted in an increased percentage of foster children finding permanent homes, a drop in the waiting list for mental-retardation services, improved child-support collection programs, and the creation of the state's first Bureau of Autism.

[3] Prior to her job with the state Public Welfare Department, Richman held several offices in Philadelphia, including Managing Director, Director of Social Services, Commissioner of Public Health, and Deputy Commissioner for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

She resigned her post on December 31, 2009 to take a position as chief operating officer of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf then nominated her to join the Philadelphia School Reform Commission on October 28, 2016.