The Team
Equitable Cities Collaborative is honored to partner with a diverse group of associates and partner firms.
Sylvie, Founder & CEO
Sylvie Gallier Howard has extensive experience leading organizations and diverse teams in the non-profit, private and public sectors. In her most recent tenure at the Department of Commerce as part of the leadership of Philadelphia’s City government, she spearheaded strategic planning and implementation processes for the City in areas of inclusive growth, workforce development, equitable entrepreneurship and economic recovery. Just weeks after the COVID-19 shut-downs and the successive civil unrest, she oversaw the creation of two distinct emergency grant programs to support small, Black and brown businesses. Other notable accomplishments include serving as co-lead for the city’s bid for Amazon’s HQ2, spearheading the development of a public-private partnership to develop the region’s global identity and overseeing the City’s first comprehensive incentive analysis. She also initiated the launch of Kiva City Philadelphia, a zero-interest micro-business loan program, and was part of a small team that led the City’s successful effort to become the first World Heritage City in the U.S.
Prior to joining government, Sylvie spent her career in the non-profit sector and running her own small business. For six years, Sylvie was the Principal and Founder of Clementine Consulting, providing guidance to non-profits and social enterprises working in areas such as education, social justice, economic development and immigration. Sylvie has also served as the Executive Director of two community-based non-profits in Philadelphia: The Northwest Fund and The Empowerment Group. At the Empowerment Group, Sylvie started Philadelphia’s first bilingual Spanish-English entrepreneurship training program.
Sylvie has a passion for education and serves on the board of directors of the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. She has a B.A. in International relations from Barnard College of Columbia University and an M.A. in Sociology from Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) in Ecuador - a graduate school started by the United Nations Development Program to promote development in Latin America. Sylvie is fluent in Spanish and French and is the mother of four boys – including twins.
Vaughn, Associate & CEO, Rvesta Consulting.
Vaughn Ross is an associate with Equitable Cities Consulting. He served as First Deputy Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney from 2016-2021. In his time with Mayor Kenney, he retained a portfolio of departments focused on economic development including the department of Planning and Development, Commerce Department, and Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability. On behalf of the Mayor’s office, he maintained relationships with a number of external, quasi-governmental, and non-profit partners including: the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Equity Alliance, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, SEPTA, DVRPC, and the Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia. Vaughn has extensive experience working with Philadelphia community-based organizations such as registered community organizations, business improvement districts, community development corporations, neighborhood violence prevention partners, and faith-based institutions.
Prior to joining municipal government, Vaughn spent five years as a fundraiser for political campaigns in and around Philadelphia. He led successful fundraising efforts, culminating in Mayor Kenney’s 2015 victory and oversaw direct donor outreach, principal management, and financial compliance.
Vaughn serves on the board of directors of the Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia, a city-associated non-profit organization that both serves as a financial administrator for donor-restricted grants and administers a board-directed targeted community grant program. He also serves on the board of PHL Soccer 2026, the non-profit bid committee devoted to securing Philadelphia’s place as a host city in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has a B.A. in International Relations from Lehigh University. He resides in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
Anjali, Collaborator and CEO, Anavi Strategies
Dr. Anjali Chainani has worked in the local government and non-profit industries for over 20 years, gaining experience in evidence-informed policymaking, municipal budgeting and finance, applied behavioral insights research, and strategic change management.
Dr. Chainani served as the policy director for the Mayor's Office in the City of Philadelphia from 2016 -2020, and previously worked as a Philadelphia City Council staffer for 10 years. During her tenure as Director of Policy for Mayor James F. Kenney, Dr. Chainani contributed to the historic passage of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax (PBT), the Mayor’s signature policy initiative and economic development tool that generated $244M in revenue over a 3-year period for education initiatives and community infrastructure projects. During COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, Dr. Chainani served on the city’s Recovery Steering Committee, developed several COVID-19 surveys to inform the city’s resource allocation strategy to support small businesses and non-profit organizations, and evaluated several federally funded efforts including the city’s small business relief grants and the COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program.
As a seasoned local government leader, Dr. Chainani is passionate about advancing the practical use of data and public sector innovation and has been recognized as a local government innovator after establishing the GovLabPHL initiative in the City of Philadelphia, and as a co-founder of the Philadelphia Behavioral Science Initiative. She brings forth a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates social work, and public health, behavioral insights, and racial equity.
Dr. Chainani now manages her own social impact consulting firm, Anavi Strategies, based out of Philadelphia, PA and serves as a Senior Advisor for Equity in Government for Results for America. Dr. Chainani teaches at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government and Widener University’s School of Social Work. Dr. Chainani holds a PhD in Health Policy, and a double master’s in public health and social work.
Maurice Jones, Collaborator and CEO, FirstGen Forward
Maurice A. Jones is the CEO of FirstGen Forward, the only national organization solely focused on creating transformational change for FirstGen students across institutions of higher education.
Before joining the Center in April 2024, Maurice founded MJConnects, a professional and business services firm that provides customer acquisition, fundraising, economic mobility, and other services to government, nonprofit, and for-profit clients. Prior to launching MJConnects, Maurice was the CEO of OneTen, a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire, and promote one million Black individuals who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining jobs. During his time at OneTen, the coalition grew to more than 70 companies and partners with links to more than 100 talent development organizations, leading to more than 65,000 people being hired into fulfilling careers with another 19,000 promoted into such positions.
Previously, Maurice was the President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the country’s largest organizations supporting projects to revitalize communities and catalyze economic opportunity for residents. During his time at LISC, Maurice grew the company’s annual investment from one billion dollars to over two billion dollars. He also increased the economic development investments of LISC throughout the country, including launching a subsidiary company dedicated to small business lending.
Maurice has held numerous careers in the public sector including serving as Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, Deputy Chief of Staff to then-Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner, Special Assistant to the General Counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department, Legal Counsel to the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, and Director of the Fund during the Clinton Administration.
A FirstGen student himself, Maurice received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College and attended Oxford University in England on a Rhodes Scholarship, where he received a Master of Philosophy in International Relations. He later received a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia.
Samuel, Associate, CEO, GloWood Solutions, LLC
Samuel Chueh brings extensive expertise in immigrant-focused and international economic development. With multi-lingual and multi-cultural background of Chinese, English, Japanese, and Russian, Samuel has devoted himself to supporting immigrant entrepreneurship and international businesses for over a decade. He served as Director of International Business & Global Strategy and Business Services Manager at the Commerce Department, City of Philadelphia from 2011-2022. During his 11-year service at the municipality, Samuel created new initiatives including Passport Philadelphia, Global Business Hours, Trade Information Sessions, and City’s Africa Strategy to support immigrant businesses and promote export activities. He also supported Philadelphia International Airport and Philadelphia Port Authority to develop direct services between Philadelphia and overseas destinations. Representing the City of Philadelphia, Samuel visited over 10 foreign cities, built global ties, and facilitated local organizations to establish relationships with international partners. Working with diplomatic agencies including sister cities, consulates, embassies, and international institutions, Samuel successfully helped the City receive and/or purchase thousands of PPE at the outbreak of the pandemic.
Samuel has both a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan and a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration on Global Marketing, from Drexel University. With a passion to help immigrants and international students like himself, Samuel founded SAV Global Management to provide multilingual housing services for international students and professionals. He serves on the advisory board of American Center for Asian Students and on the board of Amitabha Buddhist Society of Philadelphia.
Shannon, Exuective Assistant & CEO, Lifetime Stress Relief
Shannon South is the Executive Assistant to CEO, Sylvie of Equitable Cities Consulting. Shannon is a #1 Best Selling Author, has a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, and worked as a Certifying Scientist for 4 years before starting her first business. Shannon has taught courses on memory and stress relief on the college level, and started her Virtual Assistance & Online Business Management business, Lifetime Stress Relief, in 2019. Shannon decided to start Lifetime Stress Relief as a way to connect with incredible business owners to help bring their projects to life without all the frustration and time required for the more tedious tasks. She has a special love and talent for creating systems, SOPs, organizing, and supporting others. She loves helping business owners focus on creating and serving their customers and clients, without getting stuck in administrative tasks or email inboxes. Lifetime Stress Relief works with businesses in all industries, assisting with coordinating international scheduling, program management, rental property management, personal tasks, and email organization.
Shannon lives in Michigan with her boyfriend and puppy, and loves to watercolor paint, slackline, surf, and read novels. Traveling and learning new languages are her favorite activities.
Sylvia, Collaborator & Principal, Connect the Dots
Sylvia Garcia-Garcia is a highly skilled Principal at Connect the Dots, with expertise in private, public, and nonprofit social impact management, holding a Master's degree in Strategic Thinking from Tec de Monterrey, a Master’s degree in Law, Economics, and Management from Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Universidad de Monterrey. Since April 2022, Sylvia has played a pivotal role in operations and inclusive engagement at Connect the Dots, managing key projects, co-leading business development, and overseeing efficient service delivery. Passionate about inclusion, Sylvia holds a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and serves on the Advisory Council of The Welcoming Center, promoting inclusive economic inclusion of immigrants and refugees while prioritizing relationship-building.
Marie, Finance Manager & CEO of Maison Zwes
Marie-France Cyr founded Maison ZWES in order to help non-profit and small businesses, in the Arts and Culture industry, streamline the time spent on their finances. With her team of bookkeepers, she provides sound advice on cash flow management as well as day to day bookkeeping services. Her goal is to help organizations manage their finances efficiently in order for them to focus on their mission. Marie is a Quickbooks Certified Pro Advisor, Gusto People Advisor and a member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
Maison ZWES services are offered virtually nationwide.
Anne, Collaborator and CEO, Anne Harrison Consulting
Anne Harrison is a seasoned consultant and the Principal of Anne Harrison Consulting, where she brings over a decade of expertise in capacity building for small and medium-sized nonprofits and mission driven business’. Anne specializes in program design, organizational infrastructure, and staff engagement. She is skilled in community engagement, strategic planning, and stakeholder cultivation, leveraging her background in both executive leadership and hands-on program management.
Throughout her career, Anne has led impactful initiatives, from revitalizing a youth workforce organization for youth aging out of foster care during the pandemic to managing substantial citywide programs and budgets, including Philadelphia’s Out of School Time initiatives. She has developed successful programs, strategic visions, and leadership structures, all tailored to strengthen organizational resilience and drive mission-centered growth.
Anne’s consulting work emphasizes collaborative, outcomes-driven strategies that foster sustainable growth and operational excellence for nonprofits. She is passionate about empowering teams and leaders through facilitation, coaching, and systems thinking, helping organizations maximize their impact in the communities they serve.
Kersy, Collaborator and CEO, Balance Consulting Group
Kersy Azocar is the Principal and CEO of Balance Consulting Group LLC, specializing in economic development. In 2021, her firm managed the $17M Pennsylvania COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program. Previously, Kersy spent 13 years as Sr. VP of Microlending at a Philadelphia CDFI, where she led the organization to become the top SBA Microlender in the region and a top 10 nationwide for a decade.
Kersy is also the founder of Greenline Access Capital, an emerging CDFI, established in 2021 in Philadelphia, PA to address the continued and persistent gap in access to capital to financially underserved business owners, with a particular focus on the need for culturally relevant and appropriate solutions to support entrepreneurs in advancing economically. Greenline has helped over 60 small businesses connect with $7Million in Grants and Loans, including 35 Loans from Greenline’s loan funds, totaling $599K.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Kersy prides herself on being able to address the needs of emerging entrepreneurs providing a hands-on approach rarely encountered in the industry, as it is based on catalyzing and fostering not only the business, but the individual financial growth.
Lorelei, Collaborator
Lorelei Gauthier is a seasoned management professional with a successful track record of leading organizations, boards and departments in operational and strategic capacities. Her most recent work experiences include serving as the Chief of Staff for the City of Philadelphia’s Office of the Managing Director, where she managed operational initiatives for the largest department in Philadelphia city government, including projects related to COVID response.
Prior to joining the City, she served as Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers’ Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for creating and maintaining strategic partnerships to further FIGHT’s programmatic and clinical work; and she is a founding member/former co-chair of the Technology Learning Collaborative, Philadelphia’s first professional development association for digital equity professionals and advocates. Lorelei’s career experience includes project management of large-scale, federal and privately funded programs for youth and adults, resource development, program evaluation, strategic planning, board development and operations management in the non-profit, government and health care sectors.
Lorelei holds a B.A. in Media Studies with a minor in Visual Arts from Fordham University, an M.A. in Media Studies from the New School, and a Certificate in Fundraising from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she has worked as a Program Officer for Public/Private Ventures, an Associate Director for the Asian Arts Initiative, and is a 2010, 2012 and 2013 photography grantee for the Leeway Foundation. She is currently residing in the Cleveland, Ohio area and is the parent of a very enthusiastic toddler.
Nat, Comms Guru
Nathinee Chen is a first-generation immigrant who grew up in Wyoming, graduated from high school and college in Canada, taught at a university in Bangkok, and gave birth to her first daughter in Johannesburg. She is a development editor with over 15 years of experience helping leaders craft content across a wide variety of disciplines. She currently serves as an Associate Director in the Wharton Communication Program at the Wharton School and is the course head for the program’s entrepreneurial communication courses for MBAs. She has taught courses and workshops in writing and persuasive speaking to undergrads, MBAs, and business leaders. She is passionately devoted to parenthood, teaching, travel, cross-cultural understanding, and helping leaders find their voice and shape their story.
Nat applies her editorial and creative chops to Equitable Cities Consulting blogs, op eds, speaking engagements and reports.
Nic, Collaborator & CEO, Founder, Circa Technologies
Nic Esposito is a writer, publisher, entrepreneur, urban farmer and circular economy professional. Nic served as the City of Philadelphia's Zero Waste and Litter Director from 2016-2020. He is currently the Director of Policy and Engagement for Circular Philadelphia and is the founder of Circa Technologies, which is dedicated to building the circular retail platforms of the future. Nic also founded the non-profit bookstore and publishing company The Head & The Hand and co-manages Emerald Street Community Farm in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Nic was named one of the top 150 most influential Philadelphians by Philadelphia Magazine.
Joey, Research Consultant & Founder, J3 Strategies
Joey Jung is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Urban Studies and Political Science. He founded J3 Strategies to provide research and consulting services to governments, nonprofits, and other organizations focused on public policy, social impact, and urban affairs.
Joey recently worked at the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Econsult Solutions, and the Charter Cities Institute. His research has touched on topics including smart cities, gentrification, and community benefits agreements. He has been recognized as a Council of Korean Americans Emerging Leader, Penn Institute of Urban Research Fellow, and World Cities Summit Young Leader.
Outside of work and school, he is active as a 27th Ward Committeeperson, Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer, and member of an odd assortment of clubs. His hobbies include running, blogging, dreaming, and spikeball-ing.