Meet the Staff

Philip Dawson serves as the Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Business District.  Mr. Dawson is a city planner with a track record of successful community and economic development work who is committed to building on Chestnut Hill’s value as a historic, thriving, and choice Philadelphia neighborhood.  As Executive Director, Mr. Dawson has focused on attracting new customers by promoting Chestnut Hill as a destination, implementing streetscape improvements to the business district, and expanding the benefits of Business Association members.

Prior to his work in Chestnut Hill, Mr. Dawson served as Executive Director of Housing and Economic Development for Esperanza, a large Philadelphia non-profit.  He has a special passion for small business development and downtown management, having previously worked as a neighborhood commercial corridor manager and for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Classic Towns Program.  Mr. Dawson is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies and Spanish. He went on to earn a Masters in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design, with a concentration in Community and Economic Development.  Mr. Dawson has served as three-term Chairman of SEPTA’s Citizen Advisory Committee and was one of six citizens selected to serve as a face of the city’s UnLitter Us campaign for his work to encourage recycling in Philadelphia.

As Director of Operations Kate O’Neill engages in research and planning activities, to maintain and improve the Chestnut Hill shopping district.

As Director of Finance Peg Miller oversees all payroll activities and risk management functions, issues financial reports, and oversees expenditures and reports on all grants for the Chestnut Hill Business Association, the Chestnut Hill Business Improvement District and the Chestnut Hill Community Development Corporation.

Andrea comes to the Chestnut Hill Business District after spending the last 25 years of her career in a corporate environment. Andrea has held roles in Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Operational support, and is also experienced in project management. Andrea attended LaSalle University, where she earned her Bachelors in Science in Accounting, and later went on to attend McGill University, where she earned her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Andrea and her family are long-term residents of Chestnut Hill, where she also sits on the Home & School Board of Our Mother of Consolation Parish School.