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Philly’s nonprofit, nonpartisan economic policy think tank announced a series of leadership changes this week.
On the one hand: after around 12 years in his position as managing director Nick Frontino has left Business League of Philadelphia for a chance at a consulting firm McKinsey & Co.
He will take on an engagement manager role at McKinsey, having served as project manager and then executive director of the Economy League since 2010, according to the organization. Frontino wrote in an email to colleagues and friends in March that he “thoroughly enjoyed” his experience fueling the growth and expansion of opportunity for people in Philadelphia and throughout the region during his tenure.
“The passion and tenacity of Philly’s civic leaders is unmatched and has left a lasting impression on me both personally and professionally,” he wrote.
Economy League communications manager Under Aiyegbusi told Technically that after a “quick but thorough search process” to fill Frontino’s role, the org was “thrilled” to promote from within: J’nelle Lawrence, previously the orgs’ program director Philadelphia Anchor for Justice and Growth (PAGE), is now Deputy General Manager of the Economy League. The newly created role replaces the position of chief executive and assumes most of its responsibilities, Aiyegbusi said, including managing employees, programs and partnerships. Jeff Hornstein remains managing director.
Lawrence began her role on March 15 University of Villanova previously worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia as a purchasing specialist and at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals as Global Supplier Diversity Manager. Lawrence began working with the Economy League in early 2020.
Lawrence’s appointment has left her role open to be filled by current program staffer Kenyatta James. Accordingly, the role of the PAGE Supplier Diversity Community Manager is now open.
The leadership changes also include former Economy League project manager, Mike Shieldswho has been promoted to Director of Research: “I look forward to building and leading a new research agenda and expanding our team in the near future,” Shields recently wrote on LinkedIn.
The Department of Commerce elected a new director
In other economic policy news, formerly Temple University VP Anne down was elected the city’s new commercial director. Replaced Nadol, who started the job last week Michael Rashid, who resigned in December after reportedly making anti-Semitic remarks and insulting ministry officials. He has been with the department since late 2020.
The department hasn’t had a permanent head for a few years. Rashid had taken over Sylvie Gallier Howardwho officiated the department trade director for about nine months if Harald T Epps left the role in February 2020.
Nadol will be responsible for policies that support the city’s small businesses, startups, and larger corporations. The pandemic-related economic recovery will continue to be monitored.
“I am honored and honored to help support Philadelphia’s small businesses, which are the backbone of communities across the city,” Nadol said in a statement. “As the engine of the city’s economic development, the Department of Commerce is just one critical part of the larger business ecosystem, and it will require increased and focused collaboration across sectors as we work to drive an inclusive and just recovery.”
It is not down‘s first appointment to the government: she served in the city government during the tenure Ed Rendell in the 1990s and worked at the US Department of Commerce before joining Temple two decades ago.
AT&T has appointed a new Regional Director of External Affairs
On April 1st AT&T Pennsylvania welcomed La Tara Harris as the new director of foreign affairs in the region. Harris has been with the company in the Baltimore and DC area, where she is a native, for almost a decade. She will manage external affairs, local government affairs, public policy liaison, corporate social responsibility and be the daily liaison for the Philly community.
Harris comes to the org after serving as the director of partnerships and public relations for the organization Maryland Business Roundtable on Education. She was recognized as one of the 100 Best Women in Maryland in 2015 and a Minority Business Leader in DC in 2017.
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