Kayla Anthony

Kayla Anthony, originally from Johnstown, PA, has called Philadelphia home since 2011. In February 2017, she joined the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (PhilaLandmarks) as the Development and Programs Manager. She was appointed Executive Director in 2019. PhilaLandmarks is a 94-year-old private nonprofit that stewards four 18th century historic house museums: the Powel House, Grumblethorpe, Hill-Physick House and Historic Waynesborough.

Under her guidance, the institution has reinvigorated its commitment to increasing public understanding of history, including supporting historical scholarship, enhancing its education programs for young people, attending to critical and significant preservation work on the organization's historic houses, and fostering new and existing community partnerships. 

She graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2011 with a dual degree in Theatre Arts and French and in July 2023 received the NY Community Trust Edward Maverick Fund Scholarship to complete the prestigious Attingham Trust Summer School program -- an intensive study of the English country house in the United Kingdom. She has also appeared on C-SPAN to talk about Elizabeth Powel's friendship with George Washington in partnership with George Washington's Mount Vernon and can be seen in a lottery commercial or two.

In addition, Kayla serves on the Union League Founding Forward Historic Preservation Committee, the Program Committee of the Acorn Club of Philadelphia, and is a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America and SAG-AFTRA. She enjoys acting, theatre, live music, yoga/Pilates, and traveling, and lives in Society Hill with her German Shepherd, Huxley, and her cat, Hugo. 

Lily Fischer 

After studying music at Sarah Lawrence College (where she was the lead singer of a Stevie Wonder cover band!), native Philadelphian Lily Fischer worked as a preschool teacher before enrolling in the Philadelphia Art Institute’s Baking and Pastry Program.

A winning performance on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars led Lily to reconnect with college best friend and fellow pastry chef Nima Etemadi to co-found Cake Life Bake Shop together in the thriving Fishtown neighborhood in 2013. Since then, Lily has taken home gold on two additional baking competition shows: Winner Cake All and Cookie, Cupcake, Cake. 

Lily is an avid gardener and mother of two rambunctious tots, who now considers sleeping a hobby she enjoys in her spare time. 

Janneken Smucker

Janneken Smucker is an award-winning historian specializing in public, digital and oral history, with expertise in American quilts and quilt making. Her publications include Amish Quilts: Crafting an American Icon (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013) and A New Deal for Quilts (International Quilt Museum, 2023, Living New Deal Book Award), exploring the federal government’s practical and symbolic uses of quilts during the Great Depression.

She was a curatorial consultant for Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 2024, and author of the book of the same name. As a professor at West Chester University, she integrates technology and the humanities, working with students to create digital projects, including the award-winning Goin’ North: Stories from the First Great Migration to Philadelphia and Philadelphia Immigration.

She lives in Fishtown with her 14-year-old daughter, where she is an avid cyclist, yogi, and participant in civic life, serving as a committeeperson in the Democratic 18^th Ward and a member of the Fishtown Neighbors Association Zoning Committee.  

Rosemary Connors

Rosemary Connors is the Director of Relationships and Strategic Opportunities at Old Pine Community Center (OPCC), located at 4th and Lombard streets in Philadelphia.  

Since 1977, OPCC's mission has been to enrich the lives of neighbors through programs and services focused on addressing food insecurity, supporting children and families, and building community engagement. OPCC’s work is responsive to and informed by the community, addressing unmet or under met needs. 

A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, Rosemary has worked in the cultural and educational nonprofit sectors since graduating from St. Joseph's University with a degree in English.  She has brought to OPCC four decades of professional experience in program development, marketing, fundraising, special events, and volunteer management. 

Throughout her career, she served in the alumni offices of several area colleges and universities, including Widener and West Chester universities, Peirce College, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  Prior to coming to OPCC in 2022, she was the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement at Temple University.  

Rosemary also serves as a wedding and funeral officiant, collaborating with individuals, couples and families to create ceremonies that bring meaning and honor to significant life occasions. All of Rosemary's work revolves around the living out of her personal motto: "Telling Stories. Connecting People. Changing Lives.”

Dr. Cora Turpin 

Dr. Cora Turpin has been a champion in addressing the quality of life in her community for many years. Dr. Turpin earned her Doctorate in Science Education at Temple University in 1976. As a lifelong educator and activist, she has been a member and president the Democratic Women of Philadelphia, a member of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, a Committee person for 45 plus years , Judge of Elections, Community Activist for “Teens for Good” gardening program, Pennsylvania State Science Educator facilitator, Advisory Board member and featured Science teacher for  15 years at the Franklin Institute, won several  awards at the Junior Flower Show coaching high-risk high school students, and has actively  held positions with East Poplar NAC, Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association, Friends’ Neighborhood Guild and West Poplar Registered Community Organization(RCO).

She completed fellowships at the University of Texas El Paso, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Haverford, and Temple. Her many honors include the Head Start Community Service Award, State Representative Community service award for the 181^st Legislative District, Philadelphia Public School Retired Employee Association (PPSREA) service award, and Berean Institute Woman of the Year award.

Dr. Turpin has lived in Northern Liberties since 1977. Several of her hobbies and interests include quilting and gardening, as well as playing Pinochle and Scrabble.  She is a mother of two, grandmother of eight, and a great grandmother of six to date. 

Ashlei Tracy

Ashlei Tracy (she/her) was born and raised in Lenapehoking, in the Coatesville area of Pennsylvania. She is a Black, queer environmentalist with a background in biology and environmental policy. In her work as Deputy Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Bipartisan Climate Initiative, she uses that knowledge to advise and advocate for bipartisan environmental issues, particularly around land-use policy.

She is actively engaged in advocacy, currently serving on the Policy Committee at Young Involved Philadelphia as well as on the board of the Fishtown Neighbors Association. She is a happy wife and cat mama of two.

Sydney Rexroad

As new Philadelphia residents looking for a neighborhood to call home, Sydney Rexroad and her husband knew they'd found the place after falling in love with Liberty Lands, a park they discovered on a morning stroll. After moving to Northern Liberties, Sydney quickly began volunteering at the park, organizing and promoting monthly community cleanups with the Liberty Lands committee. 

This work introduced Sydney to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA), the civic organization that owns and operates Liberty Lands as a public park. She found a place among the passionate volunteers dedicated to making Northern Liberties a special place to live, work and visit. 

Sydney had the opportunity to join the NLNA as the Executive Director, the organization's only full-time position, in January of 2024. In this position, Sydney has grown the NLNA's community programming, expanded use of the Community Center and implemented I Love Northern Liberties, a monthly membership program. She looks forward to building a new playground at Liberty Lands, growing the NLNA's volunteer base and continuing to create new community events. 

Sydney resides in Northern Liberties with her husband, son and cat. 

Janay Green

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Janay M. Green-Olkus is a proud community advocate and a dedicated Democratic Committeeperson for Ward 18, District 18. A graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls (250) and Temple University (BA, Communications), Janay previously enjoyed a successful career as a Studio Producer specializing in television commercials and photography.

Since 2014, Janay and her husband, Brendan, have owned and operated Saint Lazarus Bar, playing an integral role in the growth and vibrancy of the Fishtown/Northern Liberties community. Her contributions to the Fishtown corridor have earned her the honor of serving as President of the Fishtown-Kensington Business Improvement District Board, where she works to support local businesses and foster economic development.

Through the years, Janay has led multiple community cleanups -- utilizing the amazing resources provided by CLIP, hosted annual family-oriented block parties with Saint Lazarus Bar, prepared holiday dinners for the 26th Police District, and spearheaded countless other initiatives. One of her greatest accomplishments was petitioning for speed cushions along the 2nd Street corridor, successfully making it safer for neighbors to travel through its many busy intersections.

As a mother of two young children, Wolfgang and Isla, Janay actively engages in their education and school communities, serving as a dedicated member of their Parent-Teacher Associations. She and her husband graciously support various charitable organizations, demonstrating their deep commitment to community service.

For Janay, leadership blossoms in the positive change you create—whether through advocacy, service, or the small, everyday actions that strengthen a community. With persistent dedication, she continues to champion local businesses, foster neighborhood connections, and drive meaningful change in the city of Philadelphia and beyond.

Madison Kaplan

Madison Kaplan is the owner of Madison K Live Life Fun and Madison K Cookies in Northern Liberties. For Madison, Philadelphia is her favorite place. Madison grew up right outside of the city in Bucks County where her mom was an artist and small business owner.

After her high school graduation, Madison took a gap year to figure out her next step. She ended up in New York City working three jobs and exploring her passion. After a few years in Los Angelos and the acting world, Madison was ready to come back to Philadelphia. Shortly after, she met the love of her life and, following in her mom’s footsteps, opened Madison K World, a niche boutique in Northern Liberties. For the past seven years, Madison has combined her two favorite things, beauty and baking, to create two beautiful small businesses filled with love.

Madison K Live Life Fun was her first venture. It sells all their favorite beauty brands and accessories. Then came Madison K Cookies, which specializes in custom desserts for all life’s special occasions, including decorated cookies, cakes, cupcakes and candy!

Both atmospheres bring out her inner child and create a fun, magical place to shop and enjoy!  In the world of online shopping and Amazon, Madison has strived to create small business magic with Madison K twists, of course! 

Margaret Wible  

Maggie was born and raised in Philadelphia.  She is the oldest of six children. Most of her brothers and sisters are still in the area, with one brother in Reading. She is still very close to her brothers and sisters, and they are supportive of each other.  Her husband passed away 26 years ago. She is a mother of two -- a son and daughter. Maggie has five grandchildren, around 18 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

While she was raising her children, she worked in factories in the neighborhood. Her husband would work the day shift ending at 3:30 and she would work starting at 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. and then get up to get the kids to school.

Maggie has been working at Lutheran Settlement House for over 20 years and loves every minute of it. When she started, she worked in produce. She was concerned that not everyone was getting food that came in later in the day. To help with distribution, she started pre-bagging the food, and in this way more people could get food. She also participates in events at the Elm Tree Post 88, originally with the Women’s Auxiliary. She helps with the Night at the Races, Good Friday Fish Fry and annual Memorial Day service event. What brings her happiness is making sure people are happy and fed.

Dr. Aurelia Nicole Bizamcer

Dr. Nicole Bizamcer was born in Bucharest, Romania, in a family of four, with her being the youngest. She obtained her medical degree from the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania and worked as an academic Psychiatrist. She moved to the United States, for her graduate studies, and received a master’s in public health and then a PhD, also in Public Health both from the Temple University College of Health Professions, with a focus on developing integrated behavioral health services in Ukraine. Her studies were part of a grant from the American International Health Alliance.

She completed her residency, in Psychiatry at Temple University Hospital and continues to work there, to this day. She has been a Director of the Outpatient clinic and has trained 17 generations of clinicians. She is not only an excellent teacher, but an excellent clinician. Patients have said, “Dr. Aurelia Bizamcer is an excellent doctor, and she has not only saved my life, but given me a brand-new life.”

Outside of work, she enjoys going to the theatre, folklore, folk art and algebra.

Inez L. Green-Hatcher (Kandi)

Inez L. Green-Hatcher, Affectionately known as Ms.Kandi throughout the city of Philadelphia. She is a passionate advocate and compassionate leader and is a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Ms. Kandi has dedicated her life to serving as a volunteer, board member, and President of Southwark Development Corporation (SDC). This Not-for-Profit organization service and advocate for the Courtyard and neighboring communities. She joined the organization in 1993 until present day. She has been a cornerstone of support for countless individuals and families, under her leadership SDC. SDC provides essential services to Philadelphia residents. This includes distribution of approximately 20,000 plus meals to not only Courtyard residents also the surrounding neighborhoods since before 2020 until present day.

Kandi’s unwavering commitment to advocacy for disenfranchised is so deeply rooted in both her personal actions and her role as a community leader. Kandi currently serves as a member of the Courtyard Resident Association leadership with Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). She is also Emeritus Vice President for Queen Village Neighborhood Association (QVNA). She is a driving force behind initiatives that uplift and empower the underserved, blending her natural compassion with a fierce dedication to social equity through her leadership.

She along with her Courtyard family she has  spearheaded Senior Program, After School Program, and Girls Mentoring Program. Her Partnership with QVNA has grown into one union for the community. Through these relationships came the Summer Enrichment Program and The Courtyard Mentoring Network/KB Foundation our Boys Mentoring group has more than 20 members currently and has sent more than 12 young men to the Ivory Coast the continent of Africa over the past years. She proud to say Jalen Hurts is our Grand Ambassador, Sponsor and Mentor. 

Ms. Kandi community involvement extends far beyond her organizational duties. She has actively participated initiatives such as the Sunny Hill Basketball League and an inner-city cycling team dedicated to raising cancer awareness by helping to arrange cycling teams ride across the Ben Franklin Bridge to Atlantic City. Using her energy and enthusiasm to inspire others to join the fight for this critical cause. Known for her caring, supportive nature for South Philadelphia her ability to connect with people on personal levels combined with her tireless efforts to improve the lives of others cements her legacy as a cherished leader and advocate for change. 

Kandi has a large loving family that she also supports with her whole heart and soul. She is a Wife, Mother of 4 Children 3 birth one bonus Daughter. Proud Ya Ya (grandmother) of 7, youngest sister of 5.