Philly Works Taps Health, Youth, City Leaders to Fortify Board

PHILADELPHIA, PA – May 26, 2026 – Philadelphia Works, the city’s workforce development board, has announced a significant strategic enhancement to its leadership, appointing three high-profile executives from the region's most critical sectors to its Board of Directors. The new members are Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System; Andrea R. Muhammad, Vice President of NextGen Leadership at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA; and Camille A. Duchaussée, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Philadelphia.

These appointments, effective for three-year terms from March 2026 to March 2029, represent a calculated move to embed top-tier expertise from healthcare, youth development, and municipal administration directly into the city's primary workforce engine. The decision comes as Philadelphia continues to navigate a complex post-pandemic economy marked by both promising growth in sectors like biotechnology and persistent challenges in unemployment and skills mismatches.

A Strategic Infusion of Expertise

The move aims to create a powerful synergy between the city's largest employment sector, its pipeline of future workers, and the municipal government that oversees public policy. Philadelphia Works, which is responsible for guiding and investing public funds into workforce solutions, is positioning itself to address the city’s economic needs with a more integrated and potent approach.

"Kevin, Andrea, and Camille bring exactly the kind of cross-sector leadership that our mission demands," said Patrick Clancy, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works, in the official announcement. "Their combined experience in health equity, youth workforce development, and public administration will strengthen our ability to deliver results for Philadelphia's workers and employers. We are proud to welcome them to our board."

The board, whose members are appointed by the mayor, plays a crucial role in steering the organization's financial and strategic direction. By adding leaders who are actively shaping policy and operations at Penn Medicine, the YMCA, and City Hall, Philadelphia Works is deepening its institutional connections and its capacity to design programs that reflect the on-the-ground realities of the city's employers and job seekers.

Addressing Philadelphia's Core Workforce Challenges

The new appointments are not merely symbolic; they are a direct response to Philadelphia's most pressing labor market issues. While the city has seen job growth, adding over 37,000 jobs in the year leading up to late 2024, its unemployment rate has remained a concern, hovering at 4.4% in October 2024 and rising to 5.7% in the third quarter of 2025. These figures point to an ongoing disconnect between available jobs and the skills of the local labor pool.

Key challenges include significant skilled labor shortages, particularly in healthcare and technology, and persistent disparities in employment opportunities across different communities. The new board members' backgrounds align precisely with these areas of need. Their collective expertise is expected to inform Philadelphia Works' High Priority Occupation List and other data-driven initiatives aimed at closing these critical gaps.

The Power of "Eds & Meds"

The appointment of Kevin B. Mahoney places a leader from Philadelphia's dominant economic engine—Education and Health Services, or "Eds & Meds"—at the center of its workforce strategy. Penn Medicine, which Mahoney has led as CEO since 2019, is one of the largest private employers in the region, with seven hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities.

Mahoney's leadership has been characterized by a focus on expanding access to care and addressing the social determinants of health. Critically, he has also been at the forefront of tackling the healthcare industry's own workforce shortages. Under his guidance, Penn Medicine has launched innovative programs like the Early Career Learners Healthcare program, a partnership with Heights Philadelphia that creates direct pathways for high school seniors into entry-level jobs with career coaching and advancement opportunities. His expertise will be invaluable in scaling up solutions to meet the insatiable demand for skilled healthcare professionals, a sector that consistently provides the most jobs in the city.

Cultivating the Next Generation of Workers

While Mahoney represents the city's largest employment sector, Andrea R. Muhammad represents its future. As Vice President of NextGen Leadership at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA, Muhammad spearheads programs designed to equip young people with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the modern economy. This focus is vital for a city striving to reduce youth unemployment and create long-term economic mobility.

The YMCA's initiatives under her purview are extensive and targeted. The Teen Workforce Development Program provides comprehensive support from 9th grade through graduation, covering career skills, financial literacy, and hands-on work experience. Other flagship initiatives like the Achievers program and the Out of School Time (OST) program offer structured pathways for teens to explore careers and prepare for post-secondary education. By bringing this deep experience in youth engagement to the board, Muhammad is positioned to help Philadelphia Works build more effective and scalable pipelines that connect the city's youth directly to emerging career opportunities.

Modernizing from Within the City's Core

Camille A. Duchaussée brings the crucial perspective of the municipal government itself. As Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Philadelphia, she is responsible for the internal mechanics of the city's own workforce, including modernizing government operations and overseeing labor relations. Her work is central to Mayor Cherelle Parker's vision of a more efficient and responsive government.

Duchaussée's involvement signals a tighter alignment between Philadelphia Works and the city's internal strategies. Initiatives she oversees, such as the "City College for Municipal Employment," which provides job training and professional development for city employees, demonstrate a commitment to upskilling from within. Her expertise in public administration and labor relations will be critical in navigating the complexities of public-private partnerships and ensuring that workforce development is embedded in the city's core operational strategy. This alignment promises to streamline efforts and leverage municipal resources more effectively to support the entire Philadelphia workforce.

Together, the addition of Mahoney, Muhammad, and Duchaussée represents a formidable consolidation of influence and expertise. Their presence on the Philadelphia Works board signals a unified and strategic effort by the city's leading institutions to collaboratively shape the future of work in Philadelphia, building a more resilient and equitable economy for all residents.