The City of Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia announced today that Anne Bovaird Nevins will be departing from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. (PIDC).

Bovaird Nevins had been with the organization since 2007 in a variety of roles, including her most recent one as President since January 2020.

“It has been the highest honor of my career to serve PIDC and Philadelphia over the past fifteen years, and especially leading the organization as President,” said Bovaird Nevins in a statement.

She was appointed president of the organization during a very critical period in the city and nation, and was integral to the pandemic response. She faced the arduous tasks of restarting the economic momentum of the city and positioning Philadelphia to recharge and reimagine the city’s economic future.

Under her leadership, PIDC has deployed over $71 million in COVID-19 relief to more than 5,200 small businesses — serving more businesses over these past two years than the organization had in the prior 40 years. 

Bovaird Nevins was also instrumental in structuring new programs with government partners, such as the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as supporting new partnerships such as the Pennsylvania CDFI Network.

“I’m so proud of what our team has accomplished, including providing critical funding to Philadelphia’s small business and non-profit community through the unprecedented economic crisis brought on by the pandemic,” said Bovaird Nevins.

“At the same time, we have made tremendous progress in advancing long-term projects and initiatives that will drive future job growth, wealth creation, and economic impact across the city,” she continued. 

During her tenure, PIDC invested more than $32 million in 16 commercial and mixed-use projects led by diverse developers throughout Philadelphia. Nevins also oversaw the selection of Ensemble/Mosaic as the new development partner for 109 acres at the Navy Yard, which will deliver $2.5 billion of investment, more than 4.5 million square feet of commercial and retail development, and more than 4,000 units of residential development.

This project stands as a representation of the organization’s unprecedented commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Mayor Jim Kenney praised the work Bovaird Nevins has done “through periods of prosperity and immense challenge.”

“With her passion and ingenuity, Anne has helped lead the talented PIDC team working to deliver resources to businesses and spur development projects, which will have a lasting and positive impact for years to come,” said Kenney. 

Prior to being appointed as President, Bovaird Nevins served as PIDC’s Chief Strategy and Communications Officer and also was Senior Vice President for Marketing and Business Development. 

“Anne has been an outstanding transformational leader for PIDC during a particularly challenging time for Philadelphia,” said Sal Patti, Chair of the PIDC Board of Directors. “We are grateful to Anne for her commitment and leadership.”

Patti will lead the process to identify a new President, which will be guided by an Executive Committee-level Selection Committee and supported by a professional executive search firm.