A Season of Gratitude: Thanking the PIDC Clients Who Make Philadelphia Great

by Lashay Smith
November 13, 2025

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The season of gratitude is here, and at PIDC, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible clients and partners who help make Philadelphia the vibrant, innovative city we all love. This year, our team members shared shoutouts to the PIDC clients and partners who continue to drive positive change, foster collaboration, and strengthen our neighborhoods. Their dedication and hard work is a powerful reminder of the passion fueling Philly’s business community. 

Join us as we share a few of the shoutouts and reasons why our team members continue to do the work they do for Philadelphia’s business community during this season of thanks and all year long.

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Marla Hamilton

SVP Client Engagement

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

Becoming a trusted advisor as they navigate the path to creating wealth & community building.

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

I would like to give a shout out to all of our PIDC clients. Keep up the good work! You all are deserving of a shout out during this season of gratitude and all year long. 

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Ricky Huynh

Senior Loan Officer

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

The business community is filled with resilient, hard-working, and creative people. Nothing will keep them down.

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

Covenant House Pennsylvania

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Jackie Dolopei

Events & Engagement Manager

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

Seeing businesses grow inspires me.

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

I’d like to give a shoutout to Weaver’s Way! I love the expansion in Germantown but Mt. Airy has always been my favorite of the three locations.

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Alicia Santiago

Director, Navy Yard Planning & Capital Projects

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

I love being a loyal customer somewhere – it makes me feel good when I walk into a place and the people working there recognize me. It makes me feel closer to my community.

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

Triple Bottom Brewing! They hosted a great talk over the summer with Morgan Cephas (chairwoman of Philadelphia House Delegation) and 5th Square, where we spoke about the importance of fully funding SEPTA. I am inspired by TBB’s business model!

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Rachel Hazzard

Events & Engagement Manager

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

Philadelphia’s small businesses are what make our city special. I’m so thankful to be able to share their stories of growth and success. I’ve worked in economic development for over five years and it’s been truly wonderful to watch businesses grow from small, one-person organizations into institutions in their communities.

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

Mural City Cellars is in my neighborhood and is the perfect spot for an after-work drink. Their product is exciting and their story is unique!

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Lashay Smith

Marketing & Events Coordinator

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

What inspires me the most while working in economic development during the season of gratitude is seeing how passionate the business owners are. No matter what stage their business can be in, the business owners show up to our workshops with a passion and energy to learn how they can increase their revenue, open a new location or even  develop a new marketing strategy. With that being said I would like to give a shout out to all of the PIDC clients. Continue to make Philadelphia’s business scene thrive with all that you do to keep your businesses up and running!

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

I would like to give a shoutout to Denise’s Delicacies. Their pastries and cakes have been a part of my family’s gatherings and traditions since I was a little girl and to see that they are still thriving with the help of PIDC and their donuts and cookies continue to be a customers favorite is great.

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Nayana Santana

Marketing Intern

What inspires you most about working with Philadelphia’s business community during this season of gratitude?

Seeing how people show up and support small business wins is inspiring and wholesome and makes me want to be more involved in the community. 

Which PIDC client would you like to give a shoutout to during this season of gratitude?

I would like to give a shoutout to Good Karma Cafe. Over the summer while filming a reel to complement our Beat The Heat blog, we had the opportunity of visiting one of their locations to grab a few beverages to keep us cool during the summer heat.

Get to Know Our Clients

PIDC has clients all across Philadelphia! Whether you are looking for restaurants, ice cream shops, wellness opportunities and more, learn more about some of our clients and their success stories to find your next favorite spot in Philadelphia!

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