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Partnering Organizations African American Chamber of Commerce CREW Greater Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Irish American Business Chamber & Network Professional Women's Roundtable The Walnut Club
Jessica Kartalija Anchor, CBS 3 1555 Hamilton Street Philadelphia, PA 19130 philadelphia.cbslocal.com @JessKartalija
Jessica Kartalija is co-anchor with Ukee Washington of CBS 3’s Eyewitness News at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. and Eyewitness News at 10 p.m. on The CW Philly 57. She joined the channel 3 team in the fall of 2018.
She came from WJZ, the CBS owned station in Baltimore where she was from the summer of 2006 until joining CBS3, KYW-TV.
She came to Baltimore from the southwest, where she worked in Albuquerque, N.M. anchoring KASA FOX 2’s News at Nine, and reporting for sister station KOB-TV. She was promoted at KOB-TV, anchoring the station’s 4 p.m. news while continuing to serve as a reporter for other newscasts. Prior to moving to New Mexico, she worked as the weekend anchor and reporter for KYMA-TV in Yuma, Ariz. While there, she won first place in the “Hard News Feature” category from the Associated Press.
While in Albuquerque, Jessica worked with the Special Olympics, teaching athletes public speaking skills. She is very involved with the House of Ruth Maryland, where she is a board member and part of the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) at Kennedy Krieger Institute. She was recently named a recipient of The Daily Record’s Leading Women Award for 2014, which celebrates women under 40 for their professional accomplishments, community involvement, and commitment to inspiring change. She was also named a Baltimore Rising Star from the Living Classrooms Foundation, is a member of the American News Women’s Club and National Press Club and is on the Board of Trustees at the Irvine Nature Center.
Although Jessica was born and raised in San Diego, Calif., her family is originally from the East Coast. She headed there for college, graduating from The Pennsylvania State University where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and minored in Spanish. While in college, she completed a semester abroad, living in Sevilla, Spain, and became fluent in the language.
She also gained hands-on experience in broadcast journalism prior to graduating by interning at KFMB in San Diego and WRC in Washington, D.C.
In 2016, Jessica earned a master’s degree in communications from Johns Hopkins University.
When not working, she enjoys golf and loves to ski and travel. She lives with her husband and son.
Judge Renée Cardwell Hughes President and CEO Philadelphia Opportunities Industrial Center 1231 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 215-236-7700 [email protected] philaoic.org @philadelphiaoic
Renée Cardwell Hughes is a highly experienced executive. She focuses on strategy, leadership development and change management. She is the President & CEO of Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. dba Philadelphia OIC, a workforce development nonprofit corporation that impacts 1,500 individuals annually. She manages a staff of 41 and oversees business development for adult training programs, programming and support services for returning citizens and an alternative public high school for over-aged and under-credited students. Before joining Philadelphia OIC, she served as CEO of The Hughes Group where she led a team of business advisors who helped employees, management and Boards internalize, own and execute their Mission and Values by revitalizing their corporate culture. Prior to founding the Hughes Group, she was the CEO of the fourth largest market in the American Red Cross (ARC) for more than six years. As CEO of The ARC of Eastern Pennsylvania, she was responsible for a region which services 6.2 million Pennsylvanians between the New York State and State of Delaware borders. Renée was responsible for the region’s strategic vision, annual operating plan and budget, donor funding program, team leadership, governance and partnerships with local, state and federal government and business alliances. The American Red Cross is a $3billion global not-for-profit humanitarian and disaster relief agency. programs, and support members of the Armed Forces. Additionally, she was responsible for the Region’s highly regulated blood supply. Her team responded to 7-10 fires daily in partnership with regional Fire Departments and in partnership with federal, state and local officials handled the emergency needs arising from large-scale disasters. As a change manager, Renée successfully spearheaded the merger of 17 counties to condense operations and the integration of the Blood/Biomedical and Humanitarian Services divisions to deliver enhanced service offerings and more efficient funds deployment. Her team founded and operated the only Red Cross House in the nation, a unique facility which provides care and recovery for over 3000 people annually, who have been displaced by fire, floods or other disasters. Renée was a trial judge for more than 15 years before joining the American Red Cross, where she handled both complex civil and criminal cases. She specialized in homicides; handling some of Philadelphia's most notorious cases. She founded the City's mental health court and co-authored a book on witness intimidation. Renee began her career as a successful corporate attorney. Renée received her legal degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. She has received numerous awards for her leadership, courage, and community involvement. She was inducted into the International Women in Homeland Security and Emergency Management 2013 Hall of Fame. She was recognized in 2013 and in 2017 by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Minority Business Leader; in 2014 Philadelphia Style Magazine named her one of the City’s Power Women, and in 2016 Renée was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Woman of Distinction. Renée was selected as the Pearl S. Buck International 2018 Woman of Influence.
Katherine Gilmore Richardson Councilwoman At-Large City of Philadelphia Room 581, City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-686-0454 [email protected] phlcouncil.com/katherinegilmorerichardson/ @CouncilwomanKGR
Katherine Gilmore Richardson is serving her first term as Councilwoman At-Large for the City of Philadelphia. Gilmore Richardson’s demonstrated track record of service and leadership within the community helped her to become the youngest woman ever elected City -wide and the youngest African American woman ever elected to Philadelphia City Council in November 2019. Gilmore Richardson previously served as a staff member for Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for 11 years in roles ranging from Constituent Services to Chief of Staff. During her tenure, she helped secure passage of progressive policies affecting and advocating for women, children, people of color and more.
Previously, Katherine served in healthcare at Pennsylvania Hospital where she created a transitional work program, and at Overbrook High School where she taught math and computer science.
A lifelong Philadelphian, Katherine was born to a teenage girl in South Philadelphia and adopted by her loving parents James and Pastor Lorraine Gilmore who taught her the values of hard work, perseverance and reaching back to help others.
Katherine is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls and West Chester University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Master of Science degree in public administration. She also completed the Women's Campaign School at Yale University, the Center for Progressive Leadership and the Zeta Organizational Leadership Program.
Katherine resides in Wynnefield with her husband David and their three children. She serves as a 52nd ward committeeperson and Board Member of Wynnefield Residents Association. Katherine is a proud life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and most recently served as Vice President of the Philadelphia Young Democrats.
Jodie Milkman Executive Vice President Delaware River Waterfront Corporation 121 N.Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-629-3216 [email protected] DelawareRiverWaterfront.com @DelRiverWfront
For more than 28 years, Jodie Milkman has been integral to the growth of Philadelphia’s Waterfront through her steadfast dedication to creating a world-class experience for the city’s residents and its visitors. In her current position as Executive Vice President of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) – the nonprofit whose mission is to design, develop, program, and maintain public amenities along the central Delaware River Waterfront – Milkman works in tandem with the president, board of directors, and staff to plan, implement, and maintain key elements of the Master Plan for the Central Delaware. This includes the creation and maintenance of permanent and seasonal parks, trails, streetscape improvements, and public programming. Milkman began her career in Philadelphia and has extensive experience in public relations, programming, sponsorship, stakeholder relations, event production, marketing, and strategic communications. As she worked her way through the ranks at DRWC, one of her crowning achievements has been the creation of the Blue Cross RiverRink, a family-friendly, award-winning summer and winter destination that is celebrating 27 years on the Waterfront. A fan and producer of the annual dazzling New Year’s Eve fireworks along the Waterfront, Milkman led the effort that doubled its hospitality opportunities and economic impact in the city. Milkman is the proud parent of three children and lives in Lafayette Hill, PA with her husband, Sam.
Carol Wong Executive Director Chinatown Learning Center 1001 Vine Street 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-922-4227 [email protected] chinatownlearningcenter.com www.facebook.com/ChinatownLC
Carol Wong is the Executive Director of the Chinatown Learning Center It’s a high-quality Keystone Star 4 bilingual preschool and after-school facility that she founded over 27 years ago. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Pennsylvania State University. In addition, Carol received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Director’s Credential Certificate from West Chester University. She also completed a Business Certificate from the government through the Small Business Administration.
As a Philadelphia-area resident for many years, the Philadelphia community is a crucial part of Carol's life. Over time, Carol has served on many boards including: • Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs for 2 terms (4 years) • Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia • Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC), which addresses affordable housing and community development issues in Chinatown • Philadelphia SUNS (Lion Dance & Asian Athletic Youth group) • Asian American Women's Coalition (AAWC) • National Association for Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), Philadelphia • On Lok House senior housing and community center • First UP (formally DE Valley Assoc. for the Educ. of Young Children, DVAEYC)
Carol believes in helping children and all her students prepare for school and learn life skills. She mentors many children and young adults, helping them bridge and appreciate the best of both cultures and deals with social and emotional skills, as well as academics. Family, community, and friends are very important to her.
Carol has been recognized for her advocacy and community work with several awards:
• 2016 Asian American Chamber of Commerce Business Award • 2016 Global Philadelphia Award for Community Leadership • 2017 Voice for Children Award by the PA Assoc. for the Education of Young Children • 2017 6abc Asian American Heritage Award • 2017 Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction Award • 2018 Minority Enterprise Development Award – Office of Economic Opportunity, Philadelphia Department of Commerce • 2019 National Association of Asian American Professionals/Phila. (NAAAP) Award Republic Bank is one of the largest Philadelphia-based retail banking PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development institutions with 25 locations located in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and corporation. Our mission is to spur investment, support business Gloucester Counties in New Jersey and Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania. 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