People & Partners
University City District:
Parent Organization
University City District is a partnership of world-renowned anchor institutions, small businesses, and residents that creates opportunity, and improves economic vitality and quality of life in the University City area of West Philadelphia. UCD’s primary mission is community revitalization. We work within a place-based, data-driven framework to invest in world-class public spaces, address crime and public safety, bring life to commercial corridors, connect residents to careers, and promote job growth and innovation.
Our Team
Matt Bergheiser (he/him)
President of University City District
Matt leads University City District (UCD), a partnership of anchor institutions, business leaders, and community groups invested in the shared vitality of the 2.4 square mile area of Philadelphia.
A.J. Adams (he/him)
Manager of Partner Services
Adrian “A.J.” Adams develops and executes all workforce programming at the Navy Yard and works to expand WPSI’s regional impact within the Life Sciences through business engagement and training efforts.
Patrick Bayer (he/him)
Senior Manager of Economic Mobility
Patrick oversees WPSI’s data systems, and works to assess the program’s overall effectiveness through the development of formal evaluation metrics.
Lauren Bishop (she/her)
Senior Manager of Employer Services
Lauren maintains and grows WPSI’s employer relationships, manages targeted recruitment efforts, and lends her expertise to grow our impact within our employer partners’ organizations.
Morris Burns (he/him)
Manager of Applicant Experience
Morris provides direct support to program applicants by guiding them through the application process and identifying areas for improvement to make the process more efficient and equitable.
Caitlin Garozzo (she/her)
Executive Director
Cait oversees the overall management, strategy, and operations of the organization to fulfill its mission and achieve its goals.
Fontaine Gutierrez (she/her)
Manager of Communications
Fontaine develops the communications strategy and content to amplify the WPSI story.
Mimi In (she/her)
Data Quality & Relationship Manager
Using Salesforce, Mimi is the primary data manager for the Good Jobs Challenge EDA Grant and the Recruitment Team.
Joshua Park (he/him)
Senior Manager of Strategy and Partnerships
Josh fosters WPSI’s relationships with employers, funders, and other workforce organizations to open new career pathway opportunities for talent across Philadelphia.
Jazzmin Prosper (she/her)
Manager of Alumni Development and Continuing Education
Dr. Romaine Thrower, Ed.D (she/her)
Director of Programs
Dr. Romaine serves as an expert on instructional design methodologies that allows her oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of key aspects of WPSI’s nationally recognized job training program.
Giftie Umo (she/her)
Program Manager
Giftie is responsible for implementing WPSI’s signature cohort-based program, demonstrating a deep commitment to empowering individuals through skill enhancement.
Funders
- Lenfest Foundation
- JPMorgan Chase
- Bank of America
- Citizens Bank
- Connelly Foundation
- Lincoln Financial Foundation
- LISC Philly
- Pew Charitable Trusts
- United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey
- William Penn Foundation
