Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative

Jennifer Clendening serves in a research and project management role for Pew’s Philadelphia research and policy initiative, focusing on health, housing, and civil legal system issues in the city. She previously worked for various workforce development and health policy organizations, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. Clendening holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Muhlenberg College and dual master’s in public administration and bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Gilda Grant provides administrative, technical, and training support to Pew’s Philadelphia program, including The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, civic initiatives, and the Philadelphia research and policy initiative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from Drexel University.

A founding member of Pew’s Philadelphia research team, Thomas Ginsberg focuses on economic and business development, city finances, and immigration issues in Philadelphia through data and policy analysis. Before joining Pew, Ginsberg was a longtime journalist and editor. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a certificate from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Maridarlyn Gonzalez is a senior researcher with Pew’s Philadelphia research and policy initiative, focusing on immigration, equitable infrastructure, and the annual State of the City report. Gonzalez has prior experience in housing, transportation, public engagement, and community development. Before coming to Pew, she worked in shelters and managed a bi-state housing and energy conservation program. Gonzalez also worked at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, supporting transportation and English proficiency initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geoscience, energy, and policy from the Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in geospatial technology and geodesign from Thomas Jefferson University.

Rishaun Hall is responsible for communication and coordination among Pew’s policy and research team in Philadelphia, the City Council of Philadelphia, and other city stakeholders. Hall has been an advocate for the Philadelphia community since the age of 14; he served as chair of the Philadelphia Youth Commission and was a national leadership council member of Generation Progress. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wheeling Jesuit University (now Wheeling University) and is pursuing a master’s in public policy from West Chester University.

Jun Ho Phue is an associate with Pew’s Philadelphia research and policy initiative, where he focuses on research into housing affordability. Before joining Pew, he was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer at the Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development, assisting with housing policy research. Phue holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland.

Alix Sullivan is an officer with Pew’s Philadelphia research and policy initiative. Her work focuses on the city’s fiscal health and government performance. Before joining Pew, Sullivan worked at a Philadelphia-based consulting firm on projects covering those same topics, as well as housing and economic development, in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Sullivan holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from James Madison University and a master’s in social policy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Catie C. Wolfgang is an officer with Pew’s Philadelphia research and policy initiative, focusing on workforce and economic development. Before joining Pew, Wolfgang held multiple roles in city government, including as Philadelphia’s inaugural chief service officer, and most recently as the senior director of workforce policy and strategy in the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. She has a long-standing passion for education and has taught at all levels, from elementary school to college. She previously served as executive director of Big Picture Philadelphia and associate director of the University Community Collaborative at Temple University. Wolfgang holds a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University and a master's degree in urban education from Temple University. She is a Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumna and a long-time champion of Students Run Philly Style.