Executive Director
Bill McKinney
Dr. Bill McKinney joined NKCDC as the Executive Director in 2020 after more than 25 years leading in nonprofits and public and academic institutions, A longtime resident of Kensington, Dr. McKinney has researched, written and presented extensively on Philadelphia and Kensington on a variety of issues related to race, equity and economic justice. His expertise spans food access, educational opportunities, community institutions such as libraries and settlement houses, incarceration and re-entry, addiction and recovery, emergent non-profit support, gender pay equity, and the effect of race and ethnicity on the economic status of women.
From 2014 to 2019, Dr. McKinney served as executive vice president and director of research and evaluation at The Food Trust, a nationally recognized nonprofit based in Philadelphia, dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. From 2003 to 2013, he was deputy director and then director of the Howard Samuels Center at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, focusing on research and public policy to increase civic engagement and community participation.
With decades of experience working and leading on a variety of issues impacting Philadelphia and Kensington, Dr. McKinney also serves on several boards, including for r the Pennsylvania Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC), Fab Youth Philly, the Gay and Lesbian AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI), the Health Federation of Philadelphia, and Neighborworks Capital.
Dr. McKinney received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Temple University, a Master’s in Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Cleveland State University. In keeping with NKCDC’s vision for trauma-informed community development, he has certifications in Trauma Informed Care and Enhanced Trauma Awareness.
Administrative Staff
Dr. Bill McKinney joined NKCDC as the Executive Director in 2020 after more than 25…
Executive Director
Bill McKinney
bmckinney@nkcdc.orgOffice: x113 Cell: (267) 822-2048
In her spare time, Nicole assembles Ikea furniture and tries not to kill house plants.
Deputy Executive Director
Nicole Westerman
nwesterman@nkcdc.orgOffice: x136 Cell: (267) 400-1693
Vice President of Real Estate and Economic Development
Ariyeh Miller
ariyehmiller@nkcdc.orgOffice: x 164 Cell: 215-960-5867
Vice President of Programs
Debra Ortiz-Vasquez
dortiz-vasquez@nkcdc.orgOffice: x126 Cell: 215-668-1424
Lisa was born and raised in Olde Kensington.
Morning Receptionist
Lisa Burgos
lburgos@nkcdc.orgOffice: x100 Cell: (267) 314-0249
Civic Engagement
Vice President of Programs
Debra Ortiz-Vasquez
dortiz-vasquez@nkcdc.orgOffice: x126 Cell: 215-668-1424
Rodney backpacked/rock climbed 100+ miles in 30 days in the Rocky Mountains at age 16.
Civic Engagement Coordinator
Rodney Mobley
rmobley@nkcdc.orgOffice: x125 Cell: (267) 314-0488
Economic Development
In her spare time, Nicole assembles Ikea furniture and tries not to kill house plants.
Deputy Executive Director
Nicole Westerman
nwesterman@nkcdc.orgOffice: x136 Cell: (267) 400-1693
Vice President of Real Estate and Economic Development
Ariyeh Miller
ariyehmiller@nkcdc.orgOffice: x 164 Cell: 215-960-5867
Commercial Corridor and Small Business Support Manager
Jennie Nam
jnam@nkcdc.orgOffice: x160 Cell: 215-668-1430
Brian is a musician and a pool player.
Lead Commercial Corridor Steward
Brian M. Cooper
bcooper@nkcdc.orgOffice: x175 Cell: (267) 314-2969
Food Systems
Nutrition and Food Access Program Manager
Morgan Rust
mrust@nkcdc.orgOffice: x130 Cell: (267) 606-5927
Diabetic Lifestyle Coach and Nutrition Education Coordinator
Jena Harris
jharris@nkcdc.orgOffice: x143 Cell: 240-936-8581
Diabetic Prevention Community Engagement Specialist
Carmen Tejada
CTejada@nkcdc.orgOffice: x159 Cell: 215-490-1801
Community Farmer & Urban Agriculture Program Manager
Catherine Reuter
Office: x171 Cell: (215) 668-1382Workforce Development & Community Health
Vice President of Programs
Debra Ortiz-Vasquez
dortiz-vasquez@nkcdc.orgOffice: x126 Cell: 215-668-1424
Community Health Workers Program Coordinator
Gwendolyn Collier-Jefferson
gcollier-jefferson@nkcdc.orgOffice: x103 Cell: (267) 606-3951
Cure Violence
Housing Services
Joe plays classical guitar.
Manager of Housing Services
Joseph Filipski
jfilipski@nkcdc.orgOffice: x102 Cell: (267) 398-2404
Housing Services VISTA
Esteban Vazquez Freire
Real Estate Development
In her spare time, Nicole assembles Ikea furniture and tries not to kill house plants.
Deputy Executive Director
Nicole Westerman
nwesterman@nkcdc.orgOffice: x136 Cell: (267) 400-1693
Vice President of Real Estate and Economic Development
Ariyeh Miller
ariyehmiller@nkcdc.orgOffice: x 164 Cell: 215-960-5867
Redheads with blue eyes make up only 1% of the world’s population.
Real Estate & Resident Services Manager
Renee Horst
rhorst@nkcdc.orgOffice: x115 Cell: (267) 314-0270
Real Estate & Open Spaces Manager
Justin Santiago
jsantiago@nkcdc.orgOffice: x161 Cell: (267) 202-1390
Landscaper
Izeem Whitaker
Office: x140 Cell: 267-605-0064Board of Directors
All NKCDC Board members live within our service boundaries.
Frank Iannuzzi, Esq.
President, Executive Committee
Board member since 2019Ralph Whitfield
Vice President, Executive Committee
Board member since 2019Deborah McColloch
Treasurer, Executive Committee
Board member since 2016Michael Alles
Secretary, Executive Committee
Board member since 2021Angel Rosa De Jesus, MSW, MPA, LSW
At-Large, Executive Committee
Board member since 2022Keiko Tsuruta
Board member since 2017Michael Acciani
Board member since 2021Reverend Richard Harris
Board member since 2019Carlos Masip
Board member since 2017William Pace, MD
Board member since 2017Wes Willison
Board member since 2022Richard Freeh
Board member since 2023Caitlin Shuler, Esq.
Board member since 2020Molly Reingold, M.S.
Board member since 2025Natalie Shaak
Board member since 2025Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee
The Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee (NAS) is part of NKCDC’s contract with the Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development. Through the NAS, neighbors come together to discuss community needs, brainstorm solutions, and share resources. The group’s work includes community safety, zoning, sustainability, and other issues that matter to the area. NAS members serve a two-year term, attending 10 monthly meetings per year. For more information, contact Rodney Mobley at (267) 314-0488 or rmobley@nkcdc.org.
2026 NAS elections are upcoming. Do you live in our service area? You can run for NAS elections and join our NAS advisory board! Follow us on social media at Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and BlueSky for updates on the upcoming NAS election.
In Memory of Felix M. Torres-Colon
Felix Torres-Colon was a veteran leader in the community development field with decades of real estate development experience at NeighborWorks America organizations. NKCDC remembers his charismatic and courageous leadership of NKCDC from 2017 to 2020.