Corridor Manager
On-Boarding Program

A comprehensive 6-month professional development program for newer Commercial Corridor Managers in Philadelphia.

Program fees:

No Cost
For PACDC members in good standing, and/or organizations contracted to provide Corridor Management services through the Commerce Department TCMP Program.
$3,600
For organizations who are not PACDC members or contracted TCMP providers.

Build thriving corridors, boost your career

Are you looking to make a big impact in your community and jumpstart your professional development?
PACDC's Corridor Manager On-Boarding Program is your gateway to success!
PACDC's Corridor Manager On-Boarding Program offers hands-on training, personalized coaching, and a supportive network of peers and experienced professionals. You'll gain essential skills in community economic development, business support, and equitable neighborhood revitalization. With a mix of in-person workshops, online resources, and real-world application, you'll be equipped to tackle the challenges of corridor management with confidence!

Join the Next Cohort!

application deadline: friday 9/5/2025

Participants

We encourage applications from Commercial Corridor Managers (or similar staff roles) who are paid staff of community-based organizations, and have been in their roles for less than two years. For questions about eligibility, contact jwinchester@pacdc.org.

Supervisors

Supervisors are required to confirm that they will support their corridor manager's participation, and will take part in two half-day supervisory workshops. If the supervisor form is not submitted, the participant application will not be considered complete.

Coaches

Economic development professionals with a background in corridor management and over 5 years of experience may be engaged as paid coaches to support cohort participants.  For prior year coaches, the application form is abbreviated.

6 monthly half-day workshops with your peer cohort

1:1 coaching with an experienced practitioner

self-paced online course materials & resources

in-person site visits to philly corridors

2 workshops & coaching for your supervisor

Framed & digital certificates upon completion

What's included?

In-Person Workshops

Monthly interactive sessions featuring industry experts, fostering hands-on learning and peer networking.

One-on-One Coaching

Personalized guidance from seasoned professionals, tailored to your career goals and on-the-job challenges.

Self-Paced Online Content

Comprehensive digital resources including videos, case studies, and toolkits for in-depth, flexible learning.

Online Learning Modules

Continue to explore corridor management concepts when you want, where you want.
Self-paced modules are made available to On-Boarding Program participants monthly, following each in-person session. Participants continue to have ongoing access to this content after program completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Participants
For Supervisors
For Coaches
General Information

Program Overview:

What is the Corridor Manager On-Boarding Program?
This is a comprehensive six-month professional development program designed specifically for new and emerging corridor managers working in Philadelphia's community development corporations (CDCs). The program combines monthly workshops, personalized coaching, online resources, and peer learning to build essential skills for managing commercial corridors in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Who should apply for this program?
This program is ideal for:
  • Newer corridor managers (less than 2 years in the role) working for community-based organizations
  • CDC or nonprofit staff transitioning into corridor management responsibilities from other staff roles
Please note that this program is not designed for volunteers, job seekers, or corridor managers with 3+ years of experience in their role.
What makes this program different from other professional development opportunities?
  • Practical tools you can implement immediately
  • Philadelphia-specific information and resources that apply to your work
  • Building relationships with peers facing similar challenges
  • Ongoing support through coaching and supervisor engagement
  • Flexible learning options that respect your busy schedule
  • Opportunities to network with experienced practitioners (guest speakers, coaches)

Time Commitment & Schedule:

How much time will I need to dedicate to this program?
The program requires approximately:
  • 4-5 hours per month for in-person workshops (one half-day session per month)
  • 1-2 hours per month for one-on-one coaching
  • 2-5 hours per month for self-paced online learning
  • Total: 60-70 hours over 6 months (about 10-12 hours per month) 
When and where are the monthly workshops held?
In-person workshops are held at CIC (3675 Market Street), on Tuesday afternoons from noon-4:30. Lunch is provided at the start of every workshop.
Our tentative 2025 workshop dates are:
  • Tues. Sep. 30 - 12pm-4:30pm
  • Tues. Oct. 21 - 12pm-4:30pm
  • Tues. Nov. 18 - 12pm-4:30pm
  • Tues. Dec. 16 - 12pm-4:30pm
  • Tues. Jan. 27 - 12pm-4:30pm
  • Tues. Feb. 24 - 12pm-4:30pm
  • Graduation & Celebration Luncheon - Tues. Mar. 10 - 12pm-2pm
What if I have to miss a workshop?
We understand that emergencies happen. We will provide session materials and can schedule a time for a one-on-one session to review learnings from the workshop. Since workshops are designed to be highly interactive, it is impossible to fully replicate the experience, but we will do what we can to make sure that you have access to the same information and can recommend additional resources or supplementary skill-building.

Please note that participants who miss more than one in-person session or who do not complete at least 8 coaching sessions will not receive a certificate of completion.
Is the program entirely in-person?
The program uses a hybrid model:
  • Monthly workshops are in-person to facilitate networking and hands-on activities
  • Coaching sessions can be in-person or virtual based on preference and availability
  • Online content is available 24/7 for self-paced learning

Program Content & Learning

What topics does the program cover?
Our curriculum covers a wide range of topics including:
Community & Economic Development Foundations
  • Neighborhood Economic Development 101
  • Asset-Based Community Development & Asset Mapping
  • Corridor Manager Core Competencies
  • Equitable Development & Anti-Displacement Strategies
  • Community Development Histories
  • Community Organizing 101
  • Strategies for Inclusive Engagement
  • Power Mapping & Corridor Strategy Development
Small Business Support
  • Business Assistance Programs & Resources
  • Engaging & Building Trust with Business Owners
  • Resource Navigation & Managing Referrals
  • Intercultural Competency
  • Small Business Stabilization
  • Working with Legacy Businesses
  • Basics of Small Business Financials
Safety, Cleanliness & Placemaking
  • Corridor Cleaning & Anti-Litter Strategies
  • Addressing Nuisance Businesses & Problem Properties
  • Creative Placemaking & Arts-Based Strategies
  • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
  • Sustainability & Green Initiatives for Corridors
  • Crisis Management & Disaster Preparedness
Real Estate & Physical Development
  • Corridor Real Estate Markets & Addressing Vacancies
  • Working with Property Owners & Developers
  • Navigating Zoning, RCO, and Development Processes
  • Commercial Leases & Engaging Landlords
  • Corridor & Storefront Design Principles
  • Streetscape Improvement Strategies
Professional Skills
  • Career Planning & Professional Development
  • Project Management for Corridor Initiatives
  • Self-Care & Avoiding Burnout
  • Time Management Strategies
  • Data Analysis & Metrics for Corridor Success
  • Planning Effective Meetings
  • Technology Tools for Corridor Management
Corridor Promotion & Advocacy
  • Corridor Brand Identity, Storytelling & Communications
  • Corridor Event Planning
  • Social Media Management
  • Funding Sources & Grant Writing Basics
  • Advocacy & Local Policy Landscape
  • Building & Managing Partnerships
How will this help me in my day-to-day work?
Every session focuses on practical application. You'll leave each workshop with:
  • Templates and tools you can use immediately
  • Strategies tested in similar Philadelphia neighborhoods
  • Connections to peers who can offer ongoing support
  • Action plans for implementing new approaches
Do I need any specific background or education?
No specific degree is required. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences. Basic computer skills and a commitment to equitable community and economic development are the primary requirements.

Support & Resources

What kind of coaching will I receive?
Each participant is matched with an experienced economic development practitioner who provides:
  • 10 one-on-one coaching sessions (one hour each)
  • Corridor walk-through with your coach
  • Email/phone support between sessions
  • Connections to additional resources and networks
What online resources are available?
The online platform includes:
  • Self-paced online course modules
  • Downloadable templates and tools
  • Resource library
  • Discussion forums for peer support
  • Self-assessment tools
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, participants who complete the program will receive a framed certificate as well as a digital badge that can be added to your LinkedIn profile and resume.

Program Value & Impact

How will this program benefit my organization?
Your corridor manager will return with:
  • Practical tools to improve corridor management effectiveness
  • Expanded professional network for problem-solving
  • Increased confidence and strategic thinking skills
  • Better understanding of citywide resources and opportunities
  • Fresh ideas from peer organizations and industry experts
What's the return on investment for this program?
Past participants and supervisors have reported:
  • Increased efficiency in daily operations
  • Stronger relationships with corridor businesses
  • More successful events and activations
  • Better data collection and reporting
  • Enhanced ability to secure corridor funding

Supervisor Responsibilities

What's expected of me as a supervisor?
Your role includes:
  • Completing the supervisor form as part of your corridor manager's application to the program
  • Attending two half-day workshops (in-person) on supervisory and management skills tailored to corridor management program, with a trauma-informed lens
  • Monthly check-ins with your staff member about their learning
  • Providing time for program participation and support for implementation of new strategies
  • Sharing your feedback with PACDC program staff through surveys and/or one-on-one conversations
  • Attending the closing certificate ceremony to celebrate your staff member's accomplishment
Do I need to attend the sessions with my corridor manager?
No, you only need to attend the two in-person supervisor workshops. However, you're welcome to access the program's online resources and modules to better support your employee's learning journey.
How can I best support my employee's participation?
Key strategies include:
  • Protecting their time for workshops and coaching
  • Discussing how they'll apply new learning
  • Connecting program content to organizational goals
  • Celebrating their progress and achievements
  • Being patient as they test new approaches

Organizational Considerations

How do I justify the time away from daily tasks?
For starters, this program is supported by the Commerce Department as a valuable resource for the community-based organizations they contract for corridor management work. But if that's not enough, you can think about this program as an investment that will:
  • Reduce time spent on problem-solving through peer support
  • Increase efficiency through better systems and tools
  • Prevent costly mistakes through shared learning
  • Build capacity for long-term organizational growth
Can multiple staff members from my organization participate?
Yes, we enjoy having multiple participants from an organization in the same cohort, since it can help to reinforce learning and implementation during their day-to-day work. If you do have multiple staff members participating, we will match them each with their own coach and we will ask you to complete separate feedback surveys related to each participant's experience and outcomes.
What if my employee leaves during or after the program?
This program is designed to support the professional growth of individual participants while also strengthening the entire community development sector. We know that many CDCs—especially smaller ones—have limited capacity to offer structured career advancement opportunities. That’s why PACDC invests in leadership development as a sector-wide strategy: building talent across organizations helps everyone.

While we hope participants remain with their organizations to apply what they’ve learned over a long tenure, we also recognize that staff transitions are a reality. Many program alumni continue to contribute to the field and maintain relationships that benefit their former and current organizations.

For member organizations experiencing staff turnover, PACDC also offers advisory services to help assess and address factors that may be driving staff departures. If this is of interest, please contact Joanna Winchester at jwinchester@pacdc.org or call 267-634-3399.

Coach Role & Expectations

What does being a coach involve?
Coaches provide:
  • 10 one-on-one coaching sessions with assigned participants (each session is one hour)
  • One on-site tour of the assigned participant's commercial corridor (usually 2-3 hours)
  • Availability for questions between sessions (email/phone)
  • Sharing of relevant resources and connections
  • Feedback on participant projects, challenges, and professional development goals
  • Attendance at coach orientation, two coaching group check-ins, and the closing certificate celebration 
What's the time commitment for coaches?
Coaching engagements for this program typically require between 30-35 hours spread over 6 months. You should plan on spending about 5-6 hours per month working with your participant, including:
  • Preparation and coaching sessions
  • Email/phone support
  • Submitting session notes and program feedback to PACDC
  • Corridor site visit
  • Coaching group orientation and check-ins
How many participants will I coach?
You will work with one participant during a given cohort, matched based on expertise and participant needs.

Qualifications & Selection

What qualifications do I need to be a coach?
Ideal coaches have:
  • 5+ years of corridor management or related experience
  • Experience in Philadelphia's neighborhoods
  • Strong listening and mentoring skills
  • Commitment to supporting emerging professionals
  • Understanding of equity and inclusion principles
Do I need formal coach training?
While helpful, formal training isn't required. We provide:
  • Coach orientation session
  • Online coach training resources
  • Coaching program resources and guidelines
  • Ongoing support from PACDC program staff
  • Access to coach peer network
How are coaches selected?
Section considerations include:
  • Relevant experience and expertise
  • Coaching/mentoring track record
  • Availability and commitment
  • Likelihood to match well with a current cohort participant
  • Ability to relate to diverse participants
  • Knowledge of Philadelphia's community and economic development landscape

Support & Benefits

Is this a paid position?
Yes! Coaches receive a stipend in recognition of their time and expertise. Details are provided in the application materials available on this website or on PACDC's Commercial Corridor website page: https://pacdc.org/commercial-corridors/corridor-manager-on-boarding-program
What support will I receive as a coach?
Coaches receive:
  • Comprehensive orientation
  • Coaching toolkit and resources
  • Regular check-ins with program staff
  • Access to workshop content and materials that participants receive
  • Connection to coaching group peers and alumni
How will this benefit my own professional development?
Coaching offers opportunities to:
  • Develop mentoring and leadership skills
  • Expand your professional network
  • Stay current with sector challenges and innovations
  • Give back to the community and economic development field
  • Enhance your resume

Equity & Inclusion

How does the program address equity and inclusion?
Equity is woven throughout the curriculum and program design:
  • Content addresses anti-displacement and equitable development
  • Diverse coaches, facilitators, and speakers, with a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise
  • Accessible meeting locations
  • Accommodation for different learning styles
Are accommodations available for participants with disabilities?
Yes, we're committed to full accessibility. Please indicate any accommodation needs in your application or contact us directly to discuss.

Application Process

What's involved in the application?
The application includes:
  • Complete the online application form, which asks questions about your role, background, and learning goals, as well as basic logistical information (such as contact info and food restrictions)
  • Confirm your supervisor's availability and willingness to participate in the supervisor workshops
  • Provide your resume or brief work history, bio, and photo (we can help with creating these during the program if you don't have something current)
  • Respond to initial participant survey to help us gather baseline data (we use this to measure growth over the 6 month program period)
  • Provide an organization chart for your nonprofit, as well as any neighborhood plan or corridor strategy documents (we share these with your coach as well to help them understand how your role fits into the broader organization and community goals)
When is the application deadline?
Applications are currently open, with an August 15 deadline.
How competitive is the selection process?
Cohort sizes can range from 6-12 participants. We do our best to accommodate as many eligible candidates as possible each year. Selection prioritizes:
  • Geographic diversity across Philadelphia
  • Mix of backgrounds and experiences
  • Organizational commitment to the participant's growth
  • Organizational commitment to corridor program success
  • Clear learning goals aligned with program offerings
Is there a cost to participate?
Thanks to funding support from the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, the program is offered at no cost to participants whose organizations are either: (1) funded to provide corridor management services through the Commerce Department Targeted Corridor Manager (TCMP) program, or (2) a current member organization of PACDC. 

For organizations who are not currently contracted through TCMP, and are not a member organization of PACDC, the cost to participate is $3,600 (or $600 per month). This fee partially contributes toward our actual program expenses for: 6 half-day cohort workshops, 10 one-hour coaching sessions and a 2-3 hour corridor walkthrough with a coach, two supervisor workshops, and a supervisor coaching session -- as well as all online resources and templates.

Contact & Next Steps

Who can I contact with additional questions?
Please contact Joanna Winchester, Director of Training & Technical Assistance, at jwinchester@pacdc.org or call 267-634-3399.
Where can I find the application?
Application materials are available via the buttons at the top of this page, or on the PACDC Commercial Corridor website page - https://pacdc.org/commercial-corridors/corridor-manager-on-boarding-program
Are there information sessions about the program?
This year, we are not hosting live info sessions. Instead, you can find the same materials and information that we have shared in past years in the presentations available just above our FAQs, or on the PACDC Commercial Corridor website page - https://pacdc.org/commercial-corridors/corridor-manager-on-boarding-program
If you would like to have a more in-depth discussion about the program, please reach out to Joanna Winchester, Director of Training & Technical Assistance, at jwinchester@pacdc.org or call 267-634-3399.
Can I talk to program alumni?
Absolutely! We're happy to connect you with past participants who can share their experiences. Contact us to arrange a conversation.

Meet the Corridor Managers:

2024 Cohort
2023 Cohort
2022 Cohort
2021 Cohort
Ángel Ballesteros
Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia
AminatA Calhoun
Centennial Parkside CDC
Sydney Camisa Deas
Mt. Airy CDC
Meredith Ellison
Fairmount CDC
Josh Harris
Kensington Corridor Trust
Alec Hersh
City Ave Special Services District
Carmen Hubbard
ACHIEVEability
Anthony Lugo
Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance
Darlenys Melo
Esperanza
Haoyi Shang
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
Jamar Smith
The Enterprise Center
Cheryl Wiltshire
N. 5th Street Revitalization Project
Dominic Brennan
SEAMAAC
Addelin Ceballos
HACE
Aubrey Fink
Germantown United CDC
Mónica Parilla
Esperanza
Amarynth Ruch
Tacony CDC
Samantha Thompson
South Street Headhouse District
Gloria Cartagena-Hart
New Kensington CDC
Vanahi Diaz
N. 5th Street Revitalization Project
Matthew George
Germantown United CDC
Ivana Gonzalez
Esperanza
Marlene González
Oxford Circle Christian Comm. Dev. Assoc.
Julia Marchetti
Fairmount CDC
Anthony Miller
New Kensington CDC
Mariame Tadjiddine
ACANA
Amanda Vaden
LA21
Jamar Bordley
Village of Arts & Humanities
Michael Colon
HACE
Taliya Davis
N. 5th Street Revitalization Project
Magaly Hernandez
Oxford Circle Christian Comm. Dev. Assoc.
Dante Leonard
People's Emergency Center CDC
Ibriz Muhammad
Germantown United CDC
Lee Nentwig
New Kensington CDC
Sadiyah Sabree
The Enterprise Center CDC