Deborah has led Campus Philly since 2010. During her tenure, Campus Philly has grown from 15 to 35 regional college and university partners and has created a corporate partnership program that includes more than 50 regional employers. Research by Campus Philly shows that 54% of college students stay in Philadelphia after graduating and the city has doubled the number of 25-34 year olds with college degrees. Deborah speaks nationally about talent attraction and retention strategies for cities, at conferences such as City, Nation, Place and CEOs for Cities and as a featured speaker at city forums throughout the country. Deborah began her career as a college professor, teaching political philosophy at Columbia University and Bryn Mawr College. She built a career in market research first at The Melior Group, then as the first director of research and strategy at Visit Philadelphia. Deborah holds a BA in political science from Bryn Mawr College and an MA and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. She serves as the board chair for the Greater Philly Hillel Network.
The growth that Philadelphia has experienced in population, in jobs, in reputation, are all a result of the offices the mayor proposes to cut or eliminate, says guest columnist Deborah Diamond.