About PARC

Staff

ALEX BALLOON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alex Balloon is the third executive director of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation. He has worked in Philadelphia neighborhood development for more than 15 years, with a focus on commercial corridor revitalization. Prior to joining PARC, Alex was the executive director at an award-winning Main Street program in the Tacony neighborhood of Philadelphia. He has a master's degree in historic preservation and urban redevelopment from the University of Pennsylvania. Alex is a Certified Main Street America Revitalization Professional (MSARP).

Board of Directors

ALEX FELDMAN

MEMBER

Alex Feldman is a Managing Director at U3 Advisors. Passionate about cities, Alex has led a number of the firm’s engagement providing expertise in strategic planning, economic development, campus edge planning, and real estate strategy since joining U3 Advisors in 2009. Alex earned his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. He received a Masters Degree in City Design and Social Science from the London School of Economics, as well as a Masters in Architecture and a Certificate in Real Estate Development from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining U3 Advisors, Alex worked with KPF Architects in London and New York City, working on large- scale master planning and design projects in Moscow, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong.

DIMITRIA DAVENPORT

MEMBER

Dimitria is a seasoned excutive with over 25 years in the financial services industry advocating, equipping and empowering people to acheive financial success. She currently serves as the Vice President of Community Banking and Compliance at United Bank of Philadelphia. Her passion for community development extends beyond her work at United Bank. Dimitria is an advocate for financial and physical wellness. She is actively involved with Black Girls Run (BGR) where she served in a leadership position and currently serves as a Run Coordinator helping transform the lives of woman who are seeking to make wellness a way of life. She maintains several board affiliations including The African American Chamber of Commerce and The City School. Dimitria earned her bachelor's degree in Economics from West Chester University.

JENNIFER DOUGHERTY

MEMBER

Jennifer is a life-long Philadelphia and lives in East Passyunk Square with her husband, son and two cats. Jen works in the Strategic Planning & Analysis Department at SEPTA where she serves as liaison with municipalities, planning commissions and community organizations. She also works on various large planning efforts including the Cycle Transit Plan, Trolley Modernization, and Comprehensive Bus Network Redesign. Prior to joining SEPTA in 2013, Jennifer worked at the Philadelphia City Planning Commission for seven years as a community planner specializing in civic engagement and comprehensive planning. Jen is also the Chair of Feet First Philly, Philadelphia's pedestrian advocacy group.

MARIA SOURBEER

MEMBER

Maria Sourbeer has made a career out of bridging the gap between her capabilities as an architect/developer and her responsibilities as a community member. She believes that a beautiful and well-designed space has a positive influence on a basic human level. She's carried this idea through from her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer, to her current position as Senior Vice President of Development for Mosaic Development Partners.

ANDREW STOBER

MEMBER

MATTHEW STEIN

MEMBER

Matthew Stein serves as Vice President and Director of MSC University, a retail advisory services firm in Philadelphia. Matthew helps redefine campuses and business improvement districts all over the country to attract students, secure alumni engagement, retain talent, and engage the community. Mr. Stein’s diverse experience with higher education was developed during a 9 year career at American Campus Communities, where he held various positions in both management and development.

BRANDON TUBBY

MEMBER

Brandon lives in East Passyunk with his dog Rooney. He works as the Director of Impact Analysis at PIDC where he measures and reports on the outcomes of PIDC's financing, land use, and redevelopment activities. He volunteers as the Corresponding Secretary and a zoning board member for the East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association. Previous to PIDC, Brandon worked as a consultant for public housing authorities, where he provided programmatic and accounting support for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Brandon moved to the neighborhood in 2022 after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Master of Accounting and a BA in Public Policy & Urban Studies.

JULIE DONOFRIO

MEMBER

Julie is an urban planner and designer specializing in developing equitable processes for community engagement. Julie is widely-recognized for her relationship-building, project management, and communication skills, and possesses a strong technical background in urban planning, design, research and policy. She has been responsible for leading planning projects ranging in scale from regional and city plans, to public space and parks planning, using qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. Throughout her work, she is committed to the equitable transformation of practice and place through thoughtful collaborations, purposeful, and sustained community partnerships, and overcoming systemic inequities through wealth building and leadership development.

MAX SILVERSTEIN

MEMBER

Max Silverstein is a Philadelphia-based real estate developer with over 15 years of industry experience ranging from ground-up construction to property management and maintenance to finance. Max pursues new development and commercial renovation projects in infill locations across the metro area as the co-owner of Kenzo Industrial and Maestro Development. Max thrives on bringing good people together to solve problems in buildings and places collaboratively. Max graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis. He lives in South Philadelphia with his wife and children.

LAURA SPINA

MEMBER

Laura is a results-oriented, recognized thought-leader in urban planning. She joined Michael Baker International as a Planning Department Manager in 2024 after 28 years in the public sector with the Philadelphia Historical and City Planning Commissions. She has led various initiatives and projects to revitalize communities, including comprehensive city plans, community plans, active and multimodal transportation, historic designation and planning, and stakeholder outreach. She has served on numerous, multi-agency projects and understands the complexities of working with various stakeholders. She has experience working with elected officials at all levels, fostering inclusive solutions through strong communication and community engagement. Laura has been a resident of the East Passyunk neighborhood with her husband and daughter for the last 15 years.

KARA MARKLEY

MEMBER

Kara has been an outgoing and enthusiastic resident of Passyunk Square for 12 years. It’s very likely you’ve met Kara and her smiling pitbull, Olive, in Columbus Square Park or on a walk down Passyunk Avenue, where Olive insists on visiting all of her favorite businesses. Kara is an Associate Broker with Compass RE, specializing in residential real estate, particularly South Philadelphia row homes. Prior to her career in real estate, Kara was a graduate of Wake Forest University and then a Federal economist for 16 years, which sharpened her expertise in trend analysis and data visualization, as well as a knack for simplifying and distilling information. Kara and Olive also actively foster pups and fundraise for PAWS, and love recognizing beautiful home fronts around the neighborhood by heading Passyunk Square Civic Association’s Step of the Month program. In her free time, Kara loves hiking, wandering around Philly, paddleboarding at the beach, practicing yoga on the roof, and repurposing materials into fun crafts.