Phillip Berkaw

Background

About Phillip Berkaw

As Senior Director of the DC Community Anchor Partnership, I lead economic development initiatives that leverage institutional procurement to strengthen DC's small business ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships with universities, health systems, and public agencies, we have increased sourcing from local firms from $59M to $663M over the course of my tenure. I am also passionate about advancing place-based innovation and economic development. As a Program Director at the National League of Cities, I led the strategy, daily operations, and financial management for the City Innovation Ecosystems Program, a coalition of 150+ cities, entrepreneurship support organizations, and national nonprofits. Previously, as a Program Manager, I convened governments, nonprofits, and industry leaders to shape an innovative program that helps cities implement new initiatives that increase access to capital, contracts, and customers for entrepreneurs and small businesses. I hold a Master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan.