Women Leading the 175th Honorees

In honor of Women's History Month, I'm hosting my annual Women Leading the 175th recognition program to honor the dedication and impact of women across the 175th legislative district. These women were chosen due to their invaluable service and contributions in our communities and throughout our great city.

This event serves as a reminder to take time and celebrate the women in your life and throughout history who have made waves, built bridges, shattered glass and have contributed to the betterment of our society as a whole.

 

Jessica Cosmé Platt

Jessica Cosmé Platt

Jessica Cosmé Platt, President of Bellevue Public Affairs, is public affairs professional who began her career in politics working for the top elected officials in Pennsylvania and has since worked with non-profits, labor unions, and the biggest companies across the country. A member of the Executive Team of Pennsylvania’s largest minority owned and operated Public Affairs firm, Jessica focuses on bridging the relationship and communication gaps between business, higher education institutions, nonprofits and elected officials and the media, specializing in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Jessica currently lives in Philadelphia with her young family. In her free time, she enjoys reading, and returning Puerto Rico to visit her family.

 

Monique Mason

Monique Mason has been a leader in the local salon industry for over 30 years. Monique’s passion for eco-conscious beauty started early. Surrounded by family in the beauty industry, she intuitively prepped herself for a career that reflected the sensory memory of her childhood. She went on to become a student of aromatherapy and Ayurveda, inspired by the principles taught by Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher.

In 2008, she opened Moko Organic Beauty Studio, becoming a fixture in the Old City neighborhood in Philadelphia. Her many contributions to Old City include co-founding the Old City Business Collective and working in many initiatives for the betterment of this vibrant enclave in the city. Among her achievements, Monique has earned Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” award for women’s haircuts and has been a contributor to American Salon Magazine.

 

Erika McLeod

Erika McLeod is a healthcare advocate, youth advocate, and philanthropist. Her professional background in clinical health and patient advocacy has made her passionate about engaging underserved communities to break the cycle of health disparities. Upon graduating from the University of Virginia, Erika planned to enter medical school, however, fate stepped in with a medical setback that left her paralyzed and completed reshifted her focus on how to help others navigate when life redirects their plans.

In 2020, Erika and her husband, Rodney McLeod, co-founded the Change Our Future Foundation to empower people through education, advocacy, and awareness of youth development, healthy lifestyles and community enrichment. As part of her focus on helping the community, Erika created the I “AM” Youth Leadership Summit designed for high schoolers in the Philadelphia community to help bridge the gap between academics and personal development.

Most recently, Erika created the STEAM Fusion (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Program for the foundation to ignite curiosity and inspire passion for career opportunities in the STEAM and Future Tech industries. The STEAM Fusion Empowering the Next Gen's Innovators Workshop Series was designed for middle school students in the Philadelphia area to empower students with the knowledge, mentorship, and exposure needed to thrive in the post-secondary landscape.

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon travels as a flight attendant, as well as her international culinary background, exposed her to a world of flavors by the time she opened Kalaya in 2019. Since then, the restaurant named for her mother has thrust Suntaranon into the spotlight and made her a fixture in the culinary scene of her home, Philadelphia, and across the country. The restaurant features recipes which Suntaranon learned growing from her mother, who would sell curry paste in food markets in her hometown of Trang in South Thailand.

Kalaya was a 2020 James Beard Award Nominee for Best New Restaurant, and Suntaranon brought home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2023, her second time being nominated for the award. Kalaya was also named Esquire's Best New Restaurant in America and selected as one of the nation's best by Food & Wine magazine in 2020. After 3.5 years in business, Kalaya closed the doors to its original location in order to prepare for a newer, significantly larger space in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, which opened in late November 2022. This September, Kalaya was recognized by The New York Times as one of the 50 places in the United States they’re most excited about in their annual “The Restaurant List.”

 

Donna E.M. Bailey

Donna E.M. Bailey is a distinguished professional with a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to making a difference in the healthcare industry. As the Interim CEO at Community Behavioral Health (CBH), a 501(c)3 behavioral health managed care plan serving more than 750,000 Medicaid members in Philadelphia, Donna combines her deep dedication to service with a unique blend of expertise and empathy.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, Donna's primary focus is on fortifying CBH's core business functions through the strategic utilization of technology and data-driven decision-making. Her dedication ensures that CBH's priorities remain aligned with its unwavering commitment to its members, providers, and staff. Donna is resolute in her pursuit of forging partnerships that enhance member access to essential behavioral health supports, especially in light of the current staffing shortages.

She firmly believes that building a more resilient and effective behavioral health system necessitates collaboration between managed care organizations, policymakers, providers, and advocacy groups.

Donna's leadership approach is rooted in her core belief that every individual deserves an opportunity to thrive. Her extensive professional, volunteer, and philanthropic work exemplify her steadfast commitment to supporting marginalized communities. Recognizing the pervasive impact of trauma in Philadelphia, she emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care, also extending its reach to the well-being of healthcare professionals who may be affected by exposure to clients' traumatic histories and their own.

Donna's journey in health and human services wasn't initially planned, but she was inspired by colleagues and mentors who recognized her immense potential for service. In turn, she pays it forward by energizing and supporting team members and colleagues in their career endeavors.

Before returning to CBH in 2023, Donna served as the Chief Integrated Health Services Officer at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing integrated health services with a focus on quality, access, and accountability. Her leadership extended to primary care and behavioral health services and programs within PHMC and its subsidiaries.

Donna held various roles throughout her nine-year tenure at CBH, prior to her time at PHMC. She served as Compliance Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer, and Interim Chief Executive Officer—a position to which she has returned.

Donna's extensive career also includes roles as the Assistant Managing Director for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunity, Housing Director for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and Assistant Managing Director in the Office of Supportive Housing for Philadelphia County.

During her tenure with the City, she played a pivotal role in facilitating major housing initiatives that resulted in 2,500 new housing options for low-income and disabled Philadelphians. Additionally, she established the City’s Housing Clearinghouse unit, providing housing resources and service linkages to more than 1,200 individuals transitioning out of homeless and behavioral health systems.

Donna holds a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College, an MBA from Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. A proud Philadelphia native, she resides in Mount Airy with her husband. Donna's multifaceted background and unwavering dedication make her a true asset to the healthcare industry and the Philadelphia community she serves.

 

Shaily Dadiala

Shaily Dadiala is a Choreographer, Dancer, Cultural Producer, and Instigator based in Philadelphia. Born and raised in India where she acquired her dance education, she creates and performs original works rooted in the techniques of the Indian dance style Bharatanatyam as a soloist and with Usiloquy, the nonprofit dance company she founded in 2008.

As a multihyphenate Punjabi-American immigrant, her strategies delve into points of intersection within and in relation to the South Asian diaspora, interpreting the grid formed by intersections of migration, race, and gender.  Audience communities are led to embrace new modalities of ancient arts, expression of global art forms with local roots, and discovering unique perspectives of viewing events that shape our society.

Besides several performances in Philadelphia, Wilmington Fringe, (2009), Indo-Caribbean Women’s Empowerment Summit, Queens Museum of the Arts, Queens, NY (2011), Roots, Rites, ‘N’ Rhythms festival at the Mann Center for the Performing arts, Philadelphia (2012), Asian Pacific American month celebration at the Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA (2019) are some notable performances.

Shaily is a part of The Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

Maggie O’Brien

Throughout the years I have been involved in many community organizations, programs and events.  In the 1990’s I was the President of the Fishtown Recreation Center Advisory Council where we initiated a championship tumbling program, raising thousands of dollars to purchase gymnastics equipment for the children of our community.  In the late 1990’s and through the beginning of the 2000’s I was an organizer of Celebrate Fishtown Day, an annual event celebrating our community each September.

In late 1999 a group of neighbors and myself met in a friends kitchen and discussed the declining state of Fishtown.  Drugs, abandoned cars, trash were overtaking the best efforts of neighbors.  We got little to no help from the City of Philadelphia. We were on our own, so we needed to come together to save our community.  In our first month as an active organization we had over 200 abandoned cars towed from our streets. We formed Safety, Beautification, Zoning and Youth/Education committees.  We tirelessly did fundraising to help make improvements to the community (buying cleaning supplies & trash bags, planting flowers, etc) and to offer our children events and programs to keep them involved and interested.  We started a Town Watch, sent out newsletters to keep neighbors informed and offered activities and programs for children. Dealing with a drug epidemic we raised funds to institute an anti-drug program which was called Whatever It Takes (instituted by AJ Thomson) to educate children about the dangers of drugs, we began (also headed by AJ) a Fishtown Spelling Bee and March Academic Madness to show our children it is cool and fun to do well academically.   With little money, and only the love of community to power us through, we began the Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA)  which is still active today.

In 2007 a group of neighbors and myself supported the building of Sugar House Casino (Rivers) Because the FNA stood in opposition and would not allow the Sugar House management team to address our community, we formed Fishtown Action (FACT). We recognized that the City was determined to build a casino somewhere within the River Wards and we wanted to be prepared.   We were able to gain the support of Holy Name of Jesus and Saint Laurentius parish pastors and members. That support allowed us to hold community meetings in the Church Hall at Holy Name and to utilize the two parish offices equipment to reach the larger community.   We wanted to have a Community Benefits Agreement with Sugar House that would protect our community and also be an asset to our neighborhood.  At that time our neighbors were in need of jobs, community organizations were in need of funding and we saw the building of Sugar House as an asset to Fishtown and the surrounding communities.  Once the legal challenges to the construction were met, we formed Penn Treaty Special Services District, writing by-laws and beginning the process of distributing much needed funds to the community.  Over 18 months we, along with our attorneys drew up the beginnings of PTSSD.

My children (and now my grandchildren) attended Saint Laurentius School.  An amazing school in our community that offers children the opportunity to grow and learn in a loving environment and offers a long history of academic excellence.  I have been involved at Saint Laurentius since the late 1980’s and because this school is something I strongly believe in I am still an active member of the Development Committee. In that capacity, I help to raise funds for the school and more recently to raise our visibility in our changing community.  With the gentrification of Fishtown, this is the last Catholic School remaining in our community.  The majority of our students come from blue-collar families and we work to provide them with the same tools and experiences that better funded schools provide.  We also work to have our students engage in community activities and events helping them to become community service focused.

In 2019 I was asked to return to the FNA as the Outreach Chair. I was asked to take this position as a founding member of FNA and a long time resident.  I have worked to have the organization become more inclusive of both residents and other community groups. 

 

Ping Lee

Ping Lee is a Program Manager at PCDC, which focuses on protecting, preserving, and promoting Chinatown. She began her career as a volunteer in 2013 and transitioned to the full-time Main Street Manager later that year. Her restaurant experience gave her the credibility to engage with small businesses. In 2014, she became industry certified to provide Homebuyer Education and Counseling and transitioned her role to direct services. Ping was promoted to Program Manager. Under her management, the programs have developed to meet the most pressing needs of immigrants and low-income residents. She manages the day-to-day operations of the Family Service program, which includes Housing Counseling, Benefits Access, Neighborhood Energy Center (NEC), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), as well as the English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. In addition to her supervisory role, she continues direct counseling services. She gets joy from helping clients secure basic needs and get on the path to financial self-sufficiency. She has also earned a professional certificate in “Financial Capability.” In 2023 Ping received the “Best Housing Counseling Specialist Award” from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).

She has a BA in Computer Science from Drexel University. Outside of the office, she is a mother of 3 young children, as well as a dedicated youth volleyball coach and a collegiate referee in the Philadelphia area.

 

Sarah McAnulty

Growing up in Bucks County, Sarah McAnulty had her first close encounters with marine life when she visited the New Jersey State aquarium as well as explored the drainage ditch creek in her Bensalem neighborhood. However, it was a National Geographic Kids video featuring a cuttlefish that set McAnulty’s professional path towards marine biology. After graduating from Central Bucks High School West in 2007 and earning her bachelor’s degree in marine biology at Boston University, McAnulty spent two years working in molecular biology labs in Germany before earning her doctorate in molecular and cell biology at the University of Connecticut.

While she was working on her doctorate, McAnulty founded Skype a Scientist in 2017. After completing her doctorate in 2019, McAnulty took her Squidmobile on a “Squids Across America Tour” to science centers and universities across the country to talk about squid. Skype a Scientist has connected thousands of scientists across all disciplines, from jellyfish to geology, with classrooms around the world. McAnulty also tries to pair STEM scientists from underrepresented groups with classrooms of a similar background to encourage diversity and representation in science now and in the future.

The mission of Skype a Scientist is simple, yet impactful: to make science accessible and fun through personal connections with scientists. Their core values are education, succinct and clear communication, inclusion, diversity, and honesty, and they attempt to address intentional scientific miseducation, a lack of diversity in scientific disciplines, a lack of trust in experts and science in general, and a lack of communication skills in many science professionals through our services and organization.

Sarah McAnulty resides in Fishtown and serves as President of Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA). She is dedicated to engaging Philadelphians from all walks of life with science and has collaborated in unique public projects such as a prominent marine mural featuring fish found in the waters surrounding her neighborhood. 

Anna Jenkins

Anna has served as the principal of Alexander Adaire School since 2013. Under Anna’s leadership, Adaire received a certificate of achievement for most improved in ELA on the PSSA during the 2016-17 school year. That same year, Adaire was one of two schools in its Learning Network that achieved all four district anchor goals. Anna received a Principal Achievement Award during the 2015-2016 academic year for Adaire’s achievement in math education. Adaire has doubled its English Language Arts Proficiency from 35% to 71%.  Math proficiency has increased from 18% to 49%.  Adaire was recently selected as a Pre-Kindergarten site to include and develop young learners.  

Anna has been an educator since 1988. Prior to becoming a principal, Anna served as a teacher and assistant principal. She also served as principal at Cook-Wissahickon School and Southwark School where her accomplishments included increases in attendance and community engagement as well as recognition for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Anna grew up in Philadelphia and attended St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls.

LaToya Monroe

LaToya Monroe is a mulifaceted leader renowned for her dedication to community empowerment and education. Monroe is the founder and CEO of three early childhood learning centers throughout the city of Philadelphia. With a heart of service, she is dedicated to providing the highest quality education and learning environment for Philadelphia's youngest children.

She is a witness to the educational process, having spent the majority of her career in education, her mission in creating Early Literacy Academy Childcare Center is to provide a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for children six weeks to five years old. Her centers provide children with research-based learning opportunities designed through inquiry and play that capitalize on a child’s natural curiosity and excitement. The centers focus on all aspects of a child’s development including language, social, emotional, physical and cognitive behaviors, while fostering partnerships with families and the surrounding community that set the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being.

Monroe is not only a visionary entrepreneur but is also a political figure committed to volunteering and giving back to her community in various ways. As the President of the Yeadon Borough Council, she exemplifies a commitment to progress and inclusivity, ensuring the voices of all constituents are heard and represented.

For 4 years, Monroe served as an inaugural Convener for the Delaware County Black Caucus, which is a non-profit organization established to positively impact and improve the lives of African Americans in Delaware County. Monroe also serves on the Board of Directors of the Bridge Founda0on, which is a non-profit organization that provides support for young people and families in recovery.

Monroe is deeply engaged in philanthropy and advocacy, working to bridge gaps and create opportunities for underprivileged communities particulary focusing on the advancement of women, children, and minoriites. Her efforts extend far beyond her local sphere, resonating with a broader audience who admires her unwavering dedication to social justice and equality.

Monroe’s academic journey is a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge and experience. She is a distinguished alumna of The Johns Hopkins University holding a Bachelor's Degree. She has also earned a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and Organizational Management from Springfield College, along with a Certification in Human Resource Management from Villanova University.

Her educational background not only equips her with the skills necessary for effective leadership but also underscores her deep understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. As a champion of women, children, and minorities, LaToya Monroe stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, advocating tiressly for a more equitable and inclusive society.

Her visionary leadership, coupled with her passion for education and community development, continues to leave an indelible mark on the world around her, inspiring positive change and progress at every turn. Monroe has been happily married since 2007, and together, she and her husband have one daughter who attends Pennsylvania State University.

Sara McCorriston

Sara McCorriston is the co-owner of Paradigm Gallery + Studio and director of Paradigm Art Advisory. She has worked with her business partner, Jason Chen, since 2010 and the two have curated exhibitions in Philadelphia and for art fairs and museums worldwide. Sara has had the honor of guest-curating and jurying exhibitions for arts institutions and museums as a representative of the current pulse of the international art scene. Sara also has experience building corporate art collections and organizing and executing public art projects through HAHAxParadigm. As an art advisor, she manages private and public commissioned artwork, from murals to hotel collections to outdoor sculpture. She works with artists to create meaningful collaborations between creators and clients. Through her process, she navigates the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities of each project, ensuring that everything is tailored to her client’s individual needs, on time and on budget. Recent clients include Hotel Revival Baltimore, Gerber Group (12 Stories DC), Marriott, South Street Headhouse District, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, CBRE, PRDC Properties, National Real Estate Development, LDV Hospitality (Dolce Italian, W Philadelphia), Elwyn Children's Behavioral Health Services, and Sonder Hospitality Company. Sara and Jason recently opened a new 5-story arts space, the Paradigm Arts Building, which houses all of their artistic projects under one roof in Old City, Philadelphia.

 

Patricia Ma

Through her work with local and national non-profit organizations focused on direct service, innovation and policy, Patricia (Pat) Ma has cultivated expertise in big-picture thinking, designing programs for impact, and finding the philanthropic resources to move initiatives from idea to reality. In August 2022 she joined Nationalities Service Center (NSC), a multi-service organization that welcomes and empowers immigrants and refugees to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. Pat works on strategic initiatives and manages NSC’s institutional funding and data compliance areas. Previously she has designed and evaluated youth and workforce development initiatives; implemented programs for Philadelphia schools; and secured major funding for environmental, community-based arts, education and health efforts with Green Building United, Moore College of Art & Design, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, and Asian Arts Initiative. In every project, Pat is motivated to help align the needs of passionate doers with partners interested in investing in fresh ideas and thoughtful enhancements for challenging problems. Pat received her B.A. in economics and Chinese from Wellesley College and her master’s in public policy from the Kennedy School Government at Harvard University.

Rebecca Brett

Rebecca Brett has called Philadelphia home for the past two decades and is Founder and Owner, Minnow Lane. Her journey began with a passion for the art and design, leading her to pursue a BFA from Tyler School of Art, where she studied Art History and Photography. Following her studies, Rebecca held positions with various Philadelphia art institutions where she dedicated 15 years of her career. Rebecca opened Minnow Lane in 2015 after being faced with the challenge of easily finding healthy, ethical and sustainable products for her young new family. She embarked on a quest that ultimately led to the realization of a significant need in her neighborhood. Determined to fill this void, Rebecca envisioned a local haven for eco-conscious parents—a brick and mortar shop in Fishtown, PA offering carefully curated, earth-friendly products. In addition to retail, Minnow Lane serves as a hub for education and community engagement. From infant CPR training to childbirth and newborn preparation classes, Rebecca and her team offer a diverse array of workshops catering to new and expecting parents. The shop's inviting ambiance, complete with cozy seating and a communal kitchen, fosters connections among neighbors and provides a welcoming respite for families on the go. Over the past 8 years, Minnow Lane has flourished alongside its vibrant neighborhood. Beyond promoting sustainability, her most cherished aspect of the business lies in the relationships forged with customers and neighbors alike—a testament to her commitment to fostering a supportive community rooted in conscious living. Rebecca lives in Fishtown with her husband and daughter.

Iveliz Crespo

Iveliz R. Crespo is DEI executive with over a decade invested in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, their journey has been a tapestry woven with multifaceted programs and impactful projects. Being at the forefront of initiatives focused on fostering belonging and embracing differences has been both a passion and a commitment for them. Their expertise lies in not just spearheading these initiatives but in crafting strategies that resonate across functions, touching every aspect of the organization. 

Iveliz currently serves as the Director of DEI and Talent Development at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP where they lead the firms DEI and talent development efforts for both attorneys and professional staff. 

Prior to entering the Diversity and Inclusion field, Iveliz worked as a civil litigator in various non-profits representing some of the most marginalized communities. They have advocated on behalf of migrant farmworkers and LGBT clients, representing them in civil rights, human trafficking, and employment law matters. 

Cait Allen

Soon after moving to Queen Village in early 2019, Cait Allen wanted to help build pride in, and better, her neighborhood. After volunteering as a writer for the community magazine and participating in neighborhood cleanup events, Cait was elected to the Board of the Queen Village Neighbor’s Association (QVNA) and then to the offices of Treasurer, Vice President, then now President. In her new role, Cait led the formation of new coalition of neighboring registered community organizations, including Bella Vista, Wash West, Pennsport, and Society Hill.

One of Allen’s top priorities has been revitalizing Queen Village’s commercial corridors. She has dedicated significant time to making South Street a more inclusive space that can be enjoyed by both tourists and residents from the surrounding neighborhoods. Another priority has been strengthening bonds between the Courtyard Riverview Apartments, the affordable housing development located within Queen Village, and the rest of the neighborhood. Lastly, a top priority has been beautifying public spaces. While Queen Village boasts several parks, many need resources beyond the reach and scope of their Friends groups to ensure these spaces remain a safe, clean place for everyone to enjoy.

One year into her presidency, some of Cait’s key accomplishments are: (1) creating a pathway to business growth on South Street through fostering entrepreneurship, encouraging a diversity of business offerings, and increasing enforcement against unsafe conditions that harm the viability of a vibrant business district; (2) working with Courtyard leadership to launch a reimagined summer camp program for at-risk youth while also helping to improve safety and reduce violence in the community at large; and (3) revitalizing Bainbridge Green by seeking transformative external funding to redeploy the space for increased public use, organizing several comprehensive cleanups, and installing new furniture in partnership with the city.

Abby Guido

Abby Guido, an associate professor and communication designer, exemplifies the synergy between design, education, and community involvement. Her work, grounded in human-centered design principles, challenges and enriches the graphic design landscape through her teaching and creative projects. Abby's dedication to fostering empathy and collaboration in the design process is highlighted in her podcast, "Design Together," where she explores the significance of collaboration and leadership in the creative industry.

Abby serves as an associate professor with tenure in Graphic and Interactive Design at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University, where she brings her real-world experiences into the classroom. She holds an MBA with a Human Resources Concentration and a BFA in Graphic and Interactive Design, both from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As the President of Friends of Hackett, Abby, alongside a committed team of board members and volunteers, passionately supports the Horatio B. Hackett School. Their collective efforts focus on creating a nurturing and academically stimulating environment for students, staff, and the wider school community through various initiatives and events designed to engage and support the school's needs.

Abby's engagement with the community extends beyond her work with Friends of Hackett. She played a role in PhillyRow, a project that explored the architectural and cultural significance of Philadelphia's rowhouses. Her commitment to civic engagement is also demonstrated through her volunteer work at local polls.

Living in Kensington with her husband Chris and their two children, Ayla and Remy, Abby embodies the spirit of community and family. Her life and work reflect a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of those around her through education, design, and public service.

Rebecca Cordes Chan

Rebecca Cordes Chan is the Executive Director of the Friends of the Rail Park, the organization dedicated to bringing the Rail Park– a vision for a 3 mile greenway and infrastructure reuse project–  to life. Rebecca brings her experience in creative placemaking and community development to steer an equitable and inclusive approach to the design, planning and operations of the Rail Park. Prior to joining the Rail Park, Rebecca was the program officer for the National Economic Development and Creative Placemaking programs at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), where she managed a portfolio of projects focused on using arts- and culturally-based strategies as tools for inclusive economic development. She received her MS from the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design, and a BA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.