Meet PIDC’s New Team Members – Summer 2026

by Rachel Hazzard
July 8, 2026

Explore Categories

At PIDC, our work is powered by people who are passionate about creating opportunities for Philadelphia’s businesses, neighborhoods, and residents. As we continue to expand our impact across the city, we’re excited to welcome several new team members whose talents, experiences, and perspectives will help advance that mission.

From seasoned professionals to interns beginning their professional journeys, each new addition strengthens our ability to serve Philadelphia’s business and development community. Join us in welcoming these talented professionals and emerging leaders to PIDC. Together, they represent the future of our organization and the next chapter of our efforts to create opportunity and strengthen communities across Philadelphia.


Staff

Image of person.

Stephanie Colzie

Hometown:
Philadelphia, PA

Role at PIDC:
Human Resources
Director of People & Culture

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

As the new Director of People & Culture, I am excited to support PIDC’s mission of driving equitable economic growth throughout Philadelphia. My focus is on building a strong, inclusive workplace culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. By investing in our people, strengthening leadership, and fostering collaboration across the organization, I look forward to helping PIDC continue creating opportunities that positively impact communities across the city.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because it offers a unique combination of rich history, diverse neighborhoods, vibrant culture, and growing economic opportunities. The city’s strong sense of community, world-class educational institutions, thriving business environment, and commitment to innovation make it a place where people can build meaningful careers while enjoying a high quality of life. Philadelphia’s energy, resilience, and diversity are what make it such a special place to call home.

Image of headshot.

Kristen Dittrich

Hometown:
Blue Bell Hill, PA

Role at PIDC:
Navy Yard
Executive Assistant to the EVP, Navy Yard

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

As Executive Assistant to Kate McNamara, Executive Vice President of the Navy Yard, my role is to support her, helping to keep track of projects so that important details do not fall through the cracks. I also schedule,  help plan, and support visits and tours with stakeholders that help to promote the growth of the Navy Yard. Additionally, I serve as a liaison between Kate and PIDC colleagues, helping to make sure important items are brought to her attention, and that deadlines are kept. 

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because the energy here is contagious, and the people here are so passionate. Whether rooting for the Eagles, Phillies, or any of our teams here, choosing a cheesesteak from Pat’s or Geno’s (or Dalesandro’s, my personal favorite from when I lived right around the corner), or their love of Wawa, Philly people are not afraid to speak their mind and to share their love of all things Philly with the world. 

We have amazing restaurants, breweries, nightlife, theater, culture, and not just in Center City, but throughout the entire city itself.  The diversity of people, neighborhoods, and businesses here is incredible, and we are all striving for one common goal—to make this city the best that it can be. I take so much pride in being from Philadelphia. From birth I was raised a Philly fan, not just of sports, but of the city itself. I truly love this city, and I am so happy to be a part of the PIDC team.

Image of headshot.

Cassidy Martin

Hometown:
Lancaster, PA

Role at PIDC:
Marketing Communications & Government Affairs
Policy Analyst

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

My work in policy, government affairs and advocacy allows me to interact with our City, State, and Federal elected officials, giving us the opportunity to highlight PIDC’s impact across Philadelphia and build support for initiatives and projects to drive economic growth. PIDC’s work touches every Council District in Philadelphia, making our mission relevant at every level of government. It’s an incredible opportunity to collaborate and come up with unique solutions with many different elected officials and their staff.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because of block culture and walkability! The way neighbors look out for one another and build true community in Philadelphia is so special and unique. There is a strong sense of pride and connection that exists block by block and neighborhood by neighborhood. I live on the best block in the city that is walkable to work, restaurants, public transit, parks, and cultural institutions. It’s something incredibly special that I do not take for granted!

Image of headshot.

Jackie Tammaro

Hometown:
Pottstown, PA

Role at PIDC:
Navy Yard
Director of Marketing & Communications

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

The Navy Yard is such an interesting, dynamic campus, and I’m excited to tell all the amazing stories PIDC does for it.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

It has a little bit of everything! Art, great food, parks, it’s walkable, and sports teams that keep you on your toes.


Interns

Image of headshot.

Paige Braunlich

Hometown:
Havertown, PA

Role at PIDC:
Navy Yard
Events & Communications Intern

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

I’m really excited to learn more about event planning and community engagement, and to get hands-on experience helping put together events that bring people together across Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

Of the culture and love the people who live here have for this city.

Image of headshot.

Ava Corr

Hometown:
Newtown Square, PA

Role at PIDC:
Marketing Communications & Government Affairs
Marketing & Communications Intern

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

I am very excited to learn more about how marketing and communications strategies come together behind the scenes, especially for projects that have an impact on my own community! I am also looking forward to getting hands-on experience and collaborating with the team.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

Philadelphia has such a strong sense of community, culture, and history. There is always something happening, and the city has a really unique mix of creativity, authenticity, and opportunity. I am always excited to be a part of the tight-knit community that Philly offers

Image of headshot.

Gelila Getachew

Hometown:
Trenton, NJ

Role at PIDC:
Real Estate Services
Real Estate Services Intern

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

I’m most excited to work on projects that have a tangible impact on communities in Philly and learn how they contribute to economic growth.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

There’s many things to do, so much history, and a strong sense of community throughout the city.

Image of headshot.

Lynsey Hobbs (Madison)

Hometown:
Havertown, PA

Role at PIDC:
Legal
Legal Intern

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

I am most excited to learn about community and economic development, and how investments in communities can create lasting, generational change.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

The people have heart. They are real and ready to work to release the city’s full untapped potential. Who wouldn’t want to live and work in a place like that?!

Image of headshot.

Jared Macario

Hometown:
Trenton, NJ

Role at PIDC:
Legal
Legal Intern

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

I am most excited to learn from a great team of legal professionals who will help further my understanding of the law, while also allowing me to gain hands-on experience in a professional legal environment. I am also excited to connect with other members of the PIDC community and build meaningful relationships throughout my internship experience.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

It is a city filled with amazing people from diverse backgrounds that shape the culture and identity of the city. The city is deeply rooted in rich history, yet it continues to offer countless opportunities for people to create their own history. Philadelphia has a charm like no other. With a plethora of things to do, see, and eat, Philly truly has it all!

Image of headshot.

Kai Puyat

Hometown:
Blackwood, NJ

Role at PIDC:
Marketing Communications & Government Affairs
Graphic Design Intern

What role will you play in helping PIDC drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia? 

I am excited to learn more about responsibilities and workflows of an in-house design/marketing team and how we coordinate with other teams.

Philadelphia is a great place to work and live because…

It’s so varied; there’s a great food scene, it’s walkable, there’s active night life, nice parks, lively creative community, energetic sports scene, and it’s more affordable than other cities.


Get to know the PIDC team

Learn more about the dedicated professionals driving PIDC’s mission forward and creating impact throughout Philadelphia.


Read more about other PIDC team members

May 27, 2026

The People Behind the Projects: PIDC’s Lending Team

When people think about business growth in Philadelphia, they often picture storefronts expanding, new equipment arriving, or a long-envisioned project finally breaking ground. But behind each of those milestones is something less visible but absolutely essential—capital. PIDC’s Lending Team plays a central role in making capital accessible for business owners across the city.  They’re problem-solvers,

Read More

February 24, 2026

Celebrating 31 Years: A Q&A with Sam Rhoads on His Retirement from PIDC

After more than three decades of service, Sam Rhoads, Executive Vice President of PIDC, is retiring on May 15, 2026, closing a 31-year chapter defined by innovation, leadership, and lasting impact on Philadelphia’s economic landscape. Since joining PIDC in 1995, Sam has played a central role in shaping some of the city’s most transformative development

Read More

February 9, 2026

The People Behind the Projects: Meet PIDC’s Marketing Communications & Government Affairs Team

At PIDC, every project tells a story—of opportunity, growth, and collaboration across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and industries. Behind that work are the people who share those stories, build partnerships, and connect resources to the communities that need them most. Meet PIDC’s Marketing Communications & Government Affairs Team, the storytellers, strategists, and relationship-builders who help ensure PIDC’s

Read More

Explore Categories