We’re pleased to share the news of three promotions within our University City District team. Chris Richman has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Margaret Starke has earned a new title of Director of Programs & Partnerships, and Joe Dizenhuz is now our Manager of Research & Transportation Planning. Read on to learn more about these new roles and responsibilities, and visit our staff page to meet our complete teams at University City District and The Skills Initiative.
Chris Richman has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Communications. Chris has long played a vital leadership role at UCD, and in this expanded position, he will oversee all aspects of the UCD brand from a strategic and execution perspective. Chris will provide guidance to UCD’s departments and act as the primary internal resource for messaging support, directly overseeing activities that promote, enhance, and protect UCD’s brand reputation. The promotion follows a year in which Chris, with integral support from his colleagues, helped launch a rebrand for The Skills Initiative and the new University City District website. Chris has been with UCD since May of 2014 and is looking forward to continuing to serve as the organization’s primary communicator, media representative, and emcee at Movies in Clark Park, among many other duties.
Margaret Starke has been promoted to Director of Programs & Partnerships. This new title reflects the role that Margaret has long played as a bridge and connector, ensuring that local businesses and organizations are linked to UCD, to one another, and to the resources that they need to thrive. Margaret will continue to lead UCD’s signature events including the Dollar Stroll, Movies in Clark Park, University City Dining Days, and the Summer Series with her trademark excellence while also expanding UCD’s small business services portfolio in close collaboration with our Small Business Services team. Since first joining UCD in April of 2014, Margaret has helped grow UCD’s reputation by developing deep and meaningful relationships with hundreds of stakeholders, neighbors, non-profit organizations, performers, small businesses, and more.
Joe Dizenhuz’s title is being updated to reflect the addition of a new area of focus. As Manager of Research & Transportation Planning, Joe will build on his existing data and research expertise while taking a more active role in shaping transportation strategy in support of our work with key transit and institutional partners. Joe’s new duties will include close collaboration with SEPTA and the City, supporting activities of the Transit Management Association (TMA), and translating his research findings into projects that serve communities, institutions, and the city as a whole. Joe celebrated his first full year with UCD in July of 2025 and has quickly established himself as a key member of the Strategic Advancement team.