For Immediate Release: January 20, 2026
Contact: Kerry Mallett, kmallett@seventy.org, 201-669-7943
Philadelphia, PA – The Committee of Seventy, Pennsylvania’s leading nonpartisan advocate for good government and civic engagement, this week announced its ninth cohort of the prestigious Buchholz Fellowship. These individuals represent leaders across the public and private sectors in Philadelphia who have demonstrated impact in their communities. The cohort is:
- Hakim Belembaogo – Product Manager for JP Morgan & Chase
- Sarah Boorboor – Director of Communications and Strategic Events for the Forum of Executive Women.
- Daecia-jamè Borgia – Destination Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Visit Philadelphia
- Elizabeth Burdett – Account Executive for Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
- Steven Chintaman – Vice President of Government Affairs at the Pennsylvania Apartment Association
- Catherine Dillingham – Associate Director for Public Service and Policy Initiative, University of Pennsylvania
- Frankie Garland – Deputy General Counsel for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Rachael Garnick – Pennsylvania Coalition Manager for Teach Plus
- Mari Gonzalez – Research Officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts
- R.J. Kline – Investments Associate for Brandywine Realty Trust
- Rachel Kurlander – Associate Director in the Office of Government and Community Affairs for the University of Pennsylvania
- Becky Leimkuhler – Associate Partner at Deloitte Consulting LLP
- Christina O’Malley – Head of Digital and Emerging Care Transformation at Penn Medicine
- Ala’a Quniebi – Civic Action Support Specialist at The Welcoming Center
- Ben Rush-Goebel – Director of Programs at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
- Geoff Stewart – Vice President, Graham Capital Investments
“The 2026 Buchholz Fellowship cohort is our largest ever, and is a remarkable group of leaders from a wide range of industries across Greater Philadelphia. Thanks to new support from Tabor Services Foundation and Bentley Systems, we were able to expand the scope and impact of the fellowship program this year. I look forward to seeing the meaningful difference this cohort makes on the Committee of Seventy and in the community,” said Lauren Cristella, President and CEO.
For biographical information on each of our cohort members, you can visit https://live-c70.pantheonsite.io/buchholz-fellows.
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About the Buchholz Fellowship:
Launched in 2017, the Buchholz Fellowship was created by the Committee of Seventy to build a pipeline of young leaders interested in improving the governance of our city, state, and region. The Fellowship honors Carl Buchholz, a committed Seventy Board member who died too soon but who served in significant public, private, and civic sector leadership roles.
The Fellows represent emerging leaders working in the private or nonprofit sector who embody the qualities that Carl Buchholz exhibited in his life and work: personal and professional integrity, a strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, a superior intellect and a passion for improving his community.
During their year, Fellows participate as non-voting members in all Board and Policy Committee meetings and are full participants in Seventy’s conversations, discussions, and debates around governance and public policy issues facing Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They are matched with Seventy Board members who advise and mentor them during their Fellowship year.
Learn more at https://live-c70.pantheonsite.io/buchholz-fellows.
About Committee of Seventy
The Committee of Seventy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has promoted, supported and facilitated government ethics and election integrity for more than a century. Seventy advocates for more free, fair, safe and secure elections and works to ensure that every eligible voter votes, is informed when they vote, and votes with confidence. For more information, visit: https://live-c70.pantheonsite.io/.