Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP) welcomes 10 new members to its board of directors, bringing the number of members to 13. 

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NSNP’s new Board Members are Ash Richards, Devin Jackson, Diamante “Dimo” Emilia Ortiz, Edurne “Eddie” Irizarry, Frederick “Fred” Durham Jr., Jacquelyn “Jackie” Maria Saez, Leonor Marion-Landais, Martha Hanna, Wilfredo Hernandez, and Dr. Yonaira Rodriguez. On November 15, 2025, they were welcomed to the board.

As board members, they are responsible for the organization's overall policy and direction, and for delegating responsibility for day-to-day operations to staff and committees. Board members also support fundraising strategies and financial contributions, such as attending fundraising events, inviting individuals to donate, and more. 

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Ash (they/them) is the Director of Urban Agriculture within the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, where they lead the Farm Philly Program and the City’s first Urban Agriculture Plan, Growing from the Root (2023). They are an equity-driven food systems leader, committed to advancing transparency, community stewardship, and sustainable management of public agricultural spaces and city infrastructure.

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Jackie (she/they) leads with compassion and accountability, enabling her to excel in her role as Director of Food Systems at New Kensington Community Development Corporation. With an extensive background in food distribution, she helps people access healthy, regular food and meals.

Board Chair Steve Dolph (he/him) shares, “Ash and Jackie bring a wealth of passion and community knowledge for food and land justice issues impacting our community. Their talents will empower our land stewardship initiatives.” 

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Devin (he/him) is a highly skilled accountant with experience in auditing, public accounting, and management. He is a United States Air Force (Air National Guard) veteran who received the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal and the Distinguished Graduate award. Devin has a passion for learning and taking on new challenges, which enables him to work well in diverse environments.

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Fred (he/him) cares deeply about making a positive impact in his community and uses his analytical skills and financial background to excel as an Associate Leasing Broker at JLL. He works with diverse clients, including nonprofits, local businesses, and investment firms, giving him a unique perspective on the real estate industry. 

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“Every small nonprofit organization needs financial experts on their team,” said Steve, “For a grassroots  organization in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, Devin and Fred offer essential real estate know-how and financial expertise.”

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Dimo (she/her) currently serves as the Communications Director for One PA, a statewide political action organization. As a seasoned communications strategist, she provides tailored specialization in strategic planning and assists movement-based organizations in developing marketing, public relations, and social media presence. Dimo’s goal-oriented strategies are rooted in community building, uplifting the Race Class Narrative, and promoting anti-racist work cultures, which draw her to work to organize people impacted by gentrification, environmental injustice, and unfair wages. 

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Eddie (she/her), a licensed social worker and philanthropic professional with a deep understanding of the philanthropic/nonprofit landscape, is committed to empowering communities and enhancing the effectiveness of community-based organizations. She currently works for the Gender Justice Fund and has previously worked for organizations such as United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia Foundation. 

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Wilfredo (he/they) is a cultural producer and community leader whose 23-year career spans from community theatre to Broadway, and from nonprofit leadership to international narrative change efforts—including founding the Drag Arts Oral History Project, producing community programs at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and serving as Interim Executive Director of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where he studies Arts, Culture, and LGBTQ+ Philanthropy and is working to establish funding models that support the holistic well-being of drag artists across the U.S.

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When looking to the future of NSNP, Steve said, “As we begin strategic planning in early 2026, the talents of Dimo, Eddie, and Wilfredo will be linchpins in developing a vision for the next 50 years of this organization.” 

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Leonor (she/her) is an established Philadelphia-based artist, educator, and organizer. She has an immense background in ceramics and teaching art to adults and youth, with experience teaching at places such as the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University and the Clay Studio. 

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Martha (she/her), while currently working as Associate Council for The Campbell Soup Company, has a dedicated and expansive background in law. She is local to the Norris Square neighborhood and has been a devoted supporter of NSNP over the years. 

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Yonaira (she/her) is a proud Puertorriqueña educational leader, advocate, and scholar dedicated to creating equitable learning environments. As the respected Principal of William Cramp Elementary in the School District of Philadelphia, Yonaira actively serves her community by driving academic excellence. Beyond her principalship, she shares her expertise as an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Pennsylvania and Saint Joseph's University.

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“Our values are rooted in the lived experiences of youth and families in West Kensington, and Leonor, Martha, and Yonaira, as educators, advocates, and residents in our neighborhood, bring invaluable insights into navigating community concerns,” said Steve. 

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NSNP is excited to work alongside this strong and established board of directors for years to come. While we have appointed 10 new board members, Board Chair Steve Dolph, Secretary Roman Perez, and Treasurer Kim Jordan continue their dedication and service to NSNP. 

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NSNP also wants to thank the outgoing board members, Andrés Celin and Rebecca Miller, for their time and dedication over the years to our mission and pillars. 

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