Staff


Steven T. Wray
Executive Director

Steven T. Wray was named Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia in 2006. The Economy League is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and analysis of the region’s resources and challenges with the goal of promoting sound public policy and increasing the region’s prosperity. He reports to a board of more than 60 senior, private sector leaders from the region’s leading companies and institutions.

As Deputy Director from 1995 to 2006, he managed the Economy League's research projects and staff and was Project Director of IssuesPA, an award-winning public engagement project that combines research and analysis, the Internet, and televised events in a first-of-its-kind effort to increase the coverage and attention to statewide issues. Prior to the Economy League, Wray served as Policy Director to Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Mark Singel, Associate with Jones Lang Wootton USA in New York, and Consultant to the Executive Director of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development in Pittsburgh.

Wray is a Trustee of the Governmental Research Association and a member of the International Economic Development Council and of the Urban Land Institute, Philadelphia Chapter. He also serves on the board of the Health Care Improvement Foundation. Wray is a 2008 Ford Foundation Fellow of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' Regional Sustainable Development program.

Wray received a Master of Science in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. from Duke University.

Meredith L. Garfield
Administrative Associate

Meredith L. Garfield assists the Executive Director and staff in all aspects of office and project operations. She brings 15 years of financial, customer service, and production management experience, having spent 10 years in the metal industry - distribution and manufacturing. Prior to her arrival at the Economy League, Garfield worked for the City Controller's Office as assistant to the First Deputy Controller.

Alison Gold
Deputy Director for Strategy & Operations

Alison Gold is responsible for the development, strategy and management of Economy League initiatives as well as building and maintaining partnerships with other organizations to achieve common goals. Prior to moving to Philadelphia, she worked in Washington, D.C., as the Program Manager for the Greater Washington Board of Trade's CEO leadership forum, the Potomac Conference, and as the Associate Director for Membership and Events at the American Constitution Society. A native of Chicagoland, Gold holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Columbia University.

Robert Lee Gordon, IV
Research Associate

Rob Gordon works in research and manages IT systems for the Economy League. Prior to moving to Philadelphia, he worked in Trenton, NJ, as the New Jersey Field Organizer for the Democratic National Committee. Gordon holds a B.A. in Political Science from Villanova University where he also conducted Pentagon-funded research and SAS analysis for the Base Realignment and Closure program at the Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis on the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.

Erik Johanson
Project Manager

Erik Johanson works primarily in the areas of transportation, infrastructure, and innovation policy. His recent work has included a benchmarking analysis of Pennsylvania transportation funding and policy, an economic impact study of SEPTA’s FY2008 budget scenarios, and an analysis of the Philadelphia Gas Works. Appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter, Johanson serves as a Philadelphia Representative on the SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee. Johanson holds a B.A. from Tufts University, where he graduated cum laude.

Allison Kelsey
Director of Communications

Allison Kelsey manages all forms of messaging, events, and publications for the Economy League. In Philadelphia, Kelsey has been senior director of marketing and communications for University City District, account director at T2 Group LLC, and consultant to corporate and small business clients, including Advanta Corporation's sponsorship of the Salvador Dali exhibition. Prior to the move to Philadelphia, she was international sales manager at Facts On File, Inc., New York. She earned an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Brown University. Kelsey serves on the Communications Committee of the Community Design Collaborative.

Christy Kwan
Graduate Research Intern

Christy Kwan provides support for various research projects. She is in her second year of study in the University of Pennsylvania's Master of City Planning program, where she is specializing in community and economic development. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a Department Grant Administrator at UCLA's Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology and earned her B.A. at UCSD in Sociology and Critical Gender Studies.

Jennifer Ping
Project Manager

Jennifer Ping brings a diverse professional background to the position of Project Manager. Her experiences include leading neutral convening efforts around issues such as regional planning and public safety, overseeing research projects ranging from workplace literacy to housing affordability, and managing a direct service project aimed at increasing the economic stability of working families. Jennifer holds a B.A. in History from Indiana University and a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University.

Christopher Scoville
Communications & Development Associate

Christopher Scoville supports the implementation of Economy League's communications and development strategies. He brings a diverse background in non-profit work to the organization, including assignments in South Africa and Malaysia. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he graduated manga cum laude from Duke University with a B.A. in Public Policy.

 

Richard M. Stein
Director of Research

Richard M. Stein comes to the Economy League from KLIOS, Inc. a New Jersey-based economic research and strategy consulting firm that he founded in 2000. Stein has over twenty-five years experience, and he began his career at Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates in Philadelphia. He has worked in the public sector and in private consulting with the venture capital, banking, environmental, life sciences, and transportation sectors. Prior to KLIOS, Stein was Vice President for Research and Information at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Before that, he was Vice President and Economist at CoreStates Financial where he specialized in regional economic analysis. Stein’s expertise includes economic and policy analysis and entrepreneurial business strategy. He holds degrees from Wharton and The London School of Economics.

Judith E. Tschirgi
Senior Executive Fellow

Judy Tschirgi brings 30 years of executive experience in Financial Services and Telecommunications to her role as the Economy League's first Senior Executive Fellow. She serves to assist various project teams, advise the Executive and Deputy Directors, and act as a sounding board for research projects. Prior to this role, she was the Chief Information Officer at SEI Investments and a member of the Economy League Board of Directors, a position she retains as Senior Executive Fellow. She is also a business consultant and a Principal in the New York-based executive coaching firm, Workplace Relationships.