Lisa Surma Borick
was recently appointed Nazareth Downtown Manager by the Nazareth Downtown Economic Commission. Lisa, a 20 year resident of Main Street comes to the NEDC from the Easton Redevelopment Authority where she is the Housing Program Manager. Responsibilities there include grant writing and management, preservation and development of housing, landlord training and numerous other community and economic development activities. She has held that position for the last seventeen years. Previously, she was employed by the City of Green Bay, WI in the same capacity. Prior to Green Bay, Lisa worked as the Environmental Planner for the Monroe County Planning Commission in Stroudsburg, PA. She earned her BS in Environmental Science from East Stroudsburg University. Lisa grew up in Pittston, PA a small town much like Nazareth. She sought to plant roots in a place similar to where she grew up and once she set foot in Nazareth, she knew she was home. Lisa has watched Nazareth experience many changes over the years and is very excited to help guide and grow her new hometown. Lisa is married to Christopher Borick, has two sons, Sam and John and a dog Marty. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys reading and tolerates running.
John O’Brien
joined the West Chester Business Improvement District in July 2020. Prior to joining the BID as executive director, John worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for nearly 10 years specializing in communications and legislative policy. During his time in the House, John focused on helping to craft the annual state budget. John wants to use his legislative experience to help leverage grant opportunities for the town, advocate to our elected officials on behalf of the business community, and promote sustainability and growth in the borough. John received his undergraduate degree from West Chester University in 2010 and completed his MBA from West Chester University in 2016. As a lifelong resident of the West Chester area, John is passionate about serving his community. Since 2003 he has been an active member of First West Chester Fire Company and currently serves as a Lieutenant with the West Chester Fire Department.
Lucy Pratt
is a native Gettysburgian and is ecstatic to have her first non-profit job back in her own hometown. Lucy received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019. Originally, she planned to attend law school, but since graduating has been inspired to pursue public service in other ways. Over the years Lucy has performed environmental conservation work with the National Park Service, researched historical and social explanations for food insecurity in rural areas, and explored her interest in the legal system through volunteering at law firms and non-profits. She is excited to learn all she can in this new chapter of her life and hopefully give back to the town that raised her in return.
Susan Williams
is the new Executive Director for Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. in Schuylkill County. She replaces Mary Luscavage who retired in December 2020 after 14 years of leading the nonprofit organization. Susan a resident of Schuylkill County brings more than 30 years of marketing, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit experience to DSI. She has worked with the DSI team over the past few years on a variety of projects and looks forward to continuing fulfilling the organization's mission. "I look forward to working with the Shenandoah and Schuylkill County communities to develop partnerships, strengthen existing programs and continue the progress of The Center for Education, Business and Arts (CEBA). CEBA, is an innovation center where entrepreneurs and community members can acquire affordable education, business space, and valuable resources they need to start and grow their businesses. "When a community comes together, great things will happen and representing DSI on initiatives like CEBA is a perfect example," Williams said.
Sadiyah Sabree
serves as The Enterprise Center’s Commercial Corridor manager for 52nd Street in West Philadelphia, a corridor with a historic legacy as a place of arts and culture in Philadelphia. A Philadelphia native, Sadiyah holds a Master of Science degree in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Columbia University. She is excited to be back in her hometown and working on various community development initiatives to strengthen and revitalize the 52nd Street corridor. Outside of work, Sadiyah volunteers as a running coach for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, hosts a weekly workshop on leadership development for high school students, and is a budding abstract artist.