PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2024 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

by Rachel Hazzard
September 24, 2024

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PIDC is proud to announce the sixth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walter D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership at PIDC; his many years of service to Philadelphia’s business, civic, and governmental communities; and his support for people across the profession. We also want to acknowledge the entire D’Alessio family, as Walt passed away in July, leaving an incredible legacy in Philadelphia.

In a recent PIDC town hall, former PIDC intern and current Senior Analyst at PFM Trae Jordan announced a $3,500 donation to our D’Alessio scholarship fund. This contribution will allow us to continue to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance.

At PFM, they believe that, in a changing world, doing meaningful work is more important than ever. Their financial advisors and consultants partner with clients large and small to transform their world. Beyond superior financial advice, they offer tailored creative consultation that empowers, mobilizes and educates—which, in turn, ensures sustainable outcomes. Simply put, they provide visionaries the lens to a brighter future.

For the sixth year of the scholarship, we have selected Brianna Belo and Elam Boockvar-Klein as our scholarship winners. Scholarship recipients will each receive a $2,500 scholarship and a paid PIDC  internship. Read on to learn more about our new scholarship recipients

Brianna Belo

she/her/hers

Hometown:  Philadelphia, PA

Education: Master of City and Regional Planning, University of Pennsylvania, expected 2025
Health Promotion Management Master of Science, American University, 2019
Public Health Bachelor of Arts, American University, 2018
Episcopal Academy, 2014

I am so grateful that PIDC is making this investment in students at the graduate level. Opportunities like this are difficult to come by, and yet when they are found, are truly a testament to institutions that seek to support individuals who are pursuing professions that will better our cities and connect our communities.” 


About Mimi

Brianna Belo is a Philadelphia native with a health focused background and strong interest in human-centered design. She attended American University in Washington D.C where she obtained her undergraduate degree in public health and a masters degree in health promotion management. Brianna’s professional career spans the private, government and non-profit sector. Subject matter Brianna is experienced with includes health equity, home based care, chronic conditions, sustainability, and DEI.

Brianna, also known as Bri, aspires to build a career that reconciles individuals’ relationships with themselves, others, and their surrounding environments. She envisions building communities that create space for individuals to live their highest quality of life and reach their full potential. At the heart of her desire to pursue a career in Planning lies the intention to design in a manner that centers the voices, legacies and lived experience of disenfranchised communities in the practice. Brianna’s aim is to weave her interests in culture and belonging with traditional planning and urban design methods to create a practice that advances restorative, justice centered design for humans and the natural environment. As a result, she has an interest in Community and Economic Development and is pursuing an urban design certificate to become equipped to practice reparative, well-rounded placemaking.

Fun Fact

I have a twin sister currently living in Paris, and she is my best friend!

Elam Boockvar-Klein

he/him/his

Hometown:  New York City, NY

Education: Master’s of City Planning, University of Pennsylvania, expected May 2025
BA in Sociology, Colorado College, May 2020

I am deeply honored to be a recipient of the 2024 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development! This award will support my endeavor to pursue a career in the equitable development of urban neighborhoods, in Philadelphia and beyond. As part of the scholarship, I will also participate in an internship at the Navy Yard, gaining one-of-a-kind exposure to large-scale industrial redevelopment. I am excited to learn from PIDC’s cutting-edge, equity-centered work, and am again deeply grateful to the entire team for this amazing opportunity!


About Elam

Elam Boockvar-Klein is currently pursuing a Master’s in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, where he examines the transformative possibilities associated with creative, equitable development in historically under-resourced neighborhoods. Prior to returning to school, he worked for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, expanding the impact of the organization’s affordable homeownership efforts through strategic partnerships with diverse businesses and mission-aligned institutions.

Fun Fact

I’m a big foodie, and enjoy exploring the city in search of everything from the best bagels to pizza to hoagies. I’m always looking for the next mouth-watering hole-in-the-wall – let me know what I’m missing!


SCHOLARSHIP INFO 

Learn more about PIDC’s scholarship opportunities. Check back for the 2025 application, which will open in late January 2025.

READ ABOUT PAST RECIPIENTS

September 24, 2024

PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2024 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

PIDC is proud to announce the sixth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walter D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership

Read More

September 18, 2023

PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2023 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

PIDC is proud to announce the fifth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walt D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership

Read More

September 26, 2022

PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2022 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development

PIDC is proud to announce the fourth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walt D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership

Read More

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