The third annual AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event serves to highlight and showcase some of the most diverse and impactful young professionals across the Philadelphia region. 

At this year's event, taking place Friday, Aug. 26, Stephen Maccari will be one of the 40 honorees. 

Biography

In his role as Fiscal Manager at the City of Philadelphia, Stephen Maccari oversees the budget and fiscal management of a number of programs, including PHLpreK, Community Schools, Out of School Time, Foster Grandparents, and Adult Education.

Maccari also serves as Compliance Officer on the executive board of Prospanica Philadelphia, a role he’s held since 2021. A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he is also an Ambassador for Out Professionals Philadelphia. He is heavily involved with service and giving back to those suffering from addiction.

Maccari is a graduate of DeVry University, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Finance. He is continuing his education, currently pursuing a Master's in Public Administration. 

As part of the lead-up to the AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event, AL DÍA asked each of the honorees a set of identical questions and collected their responses. 

Here are Stephen Maccari's responses: 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your professional career? 

One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my professional career has been that I get stuck in my own head. I have parts of my past that I am not proud of which always made me feel like I wasn’t deserving enough or smart enough to apply for some of the jobs I found interest in. I also didn’t have a college degree until a few years ago so when I saw positions that said degree preferred, I wouldn’t apply even if I had all the skills necessary just because I thought there would always be a better candidate out there so why bother. So I think my biggest challenge was just getting out of my own way and taking chances.

What are steps that can be taken to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in your industry? Why is it important to do so? 

Some steps I feel that can be taken to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in my industry are consistently training and engaging with employees regarding DEI and also conducting reviews to ensure pay equity. By consistently training and engaging with employees it brings awareness to all and helps employees to hold others accountable. Conducting pay equity reviews are important to ensure that all employees in the same type of position are being paid based on the same scale as their peers.

What does being a leader mean to you? 

To me being a leader means you are someone who supports and encourages others. You are able to give direction, acknowledge achievements, identify shortcomings, and set goals. I think a leader should be someone who people can look up to and be proud to follow but also not someone who thinks they are above everyone else. I feel like to be a good leader you need to be approachable and listen to feedback.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

In five years, I will have finished my Masters in Public Administration and see myself as a Director of Finance within a city agency or as Chief Financial Officer for a nonprofit who works in the Philadelphia community to help build better communities for the future of the city.

The 2022 AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event will take place Friday, Aug. 26 at The Vie at Cescaphe. To learn more or purchase your ticket, click here.