I build things that didn’t exist yesterday. Over twenty years I’ve stepped into newly created roles and turned ambiguous concepts into working programs: a citywide ambassador corps, a university-wide international risk office, a study abroad exchange portfolio, and a college global office.
Today I’m the Phambassador Program Director at the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. I designed the Phambassador program and launched it in April 2025, ahead of Philadelphia’s 2026 tourism year. We recruited over 10,000 Phambassadors in the first year, a goal we had set for two. During the summer of 2026, the Phambassors represented Philadelphia at all of its major events – the FIFA World Cup, the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the MLB All Star Game. It was my job to make sure the Phambassadors were excited about Philadelphia and could translate that excitement into a hospitable, welcoming environment for visitors.
Before that, I spent almost nine years at Temple University, rising from Director of Global Opportunities at Klein College to Senior Director of Global Health, Safety, and Security. I supported 2,500+ international travelers a year and led the response on the university’s international travel portfolio during COVID-19, including campuses in Rome and Tokyo, as a contributor to the Presidential Cabinet team.
My earlier work includes leadership programs for Irish and Northern Irish students at the Washington Ireland Program, site leadership for 115 first-year students in Dublin with Northeastern University, and exchange programming at George Washington University.
The thread through all of it: a clear strategy, strong partnerships, and an experience people remember.
What I’m known for
- Starting from a blank page and finishing with metrics
- Partnerships that outlast the launch
- Calm, practical decisions in a crisis
Education
- Master of Science in Travel and Tourism, Temple University
- Master of Public Policy, George Washington University
- Bachelor of Arts in History, Temple University
