Anne Bovaird Nevins is a senior economic and community development executive with two decades of experience in the field.  Anne currently serves as Chief of Economic and Community Impact with Accelerator for America (AFA). AFA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan “Do tank” that delivers solutions, connections, and resources to mayors and other local leaders working to create greater economic mobility in underserved communities. 

Under Anne’s leadership of Economic and Community Development initiatives, AFA helps local leaders advance more prosperous and equitable communities through strategic economic and community development by providing resources and support to lay the foundations of economic mobility – housing affordability, thriving small businesses, vibrant neighborhoods, access to capital, and career pathways in growth industries. We identify and share innovative solutions, create collaborative learning communities supported by national experts, and deliver specialized technical assistance that drives meaningful local impact. 

Prior to joining AFA, Anne served as President of PIDC, Philadelphia’s official economic development corporation, founded by the City and Chamber of Commerce more than 60 years ago with the mission to spur investment, support business growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive inclusive growth to every corner of Philadelphia.  Anne held a variety of senior roles over 16 years with the organization, including leading PIDC throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Anne’s leadership was integral to Philadelphia’s efforts to respond to the pandemic, restart the economic momentum of the city, and position Philadelphia to recharge and reimagine the city’s economic future. Under her leadership, PIDC deployed over $71 million in COVID-19 relief to more than 5,200 small businesses – serving more businesses over these past two years than the organization had in the prior 40 years. Over 65% of the COVID-19 small business relief dollars through PIDC were delivered to minority-owned enterprises. 

Anne also ensured that PIDC advanced critical, long-term priorities to drive equitable and inclusive economic growth in Philadelphia. During her tenure, PIDC invested more than $32 million in 16 commercial and mixed-use projects led by developers of color throughout Philadelphia. Anne also oversaw the selection of Ensemble/Mosaic as the new development partner for 109 acres at the Navy Yard, which will deliver $2.5 billion of investment, more than 4.5 million square feet of commercial and retail development, more than 4,000 units of residential development, and represents an unprecedented commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under Anne’s leadership, PIDC recently announced the search for a new development partner for the Lower Schuylkill Biotech Campus to develop 40 riverfront acres in Southwest Philadelphia that will catalyze inclusive economic growth. 

Anne is an inaugural member of the International Economic Development Council’s Redefining Equitable Economic Development Advisory Committee and serves as a Senior Advisor to Econsult Solutions, a Philadelphia-based consultancy. Anne previously served as co-chair of the Racism and Economic Development Committee of IEDC, co-managed Philadelphia’s Amazon HQ2 bid, and created PIDC and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia’s partnership on the future of work and its impact on industrial and commercial land.  

From 1999 to 2001, Anne served in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs, which is responsible for coordination between the President and all cabinet agencies.  She then joined the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and managed the logistical and hospitality arrangements for all U.S. dignitaries attending the Olympics.  Anne then managed corporate sponsorships for the Kimmel Center, the regional performing arts center in Philadelphia. She next served as Director of Development for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and raised substantial funds to renovate Franklin Square, an 8-acre urban park in the center of Philadelphia’s historic district.   

Anne has a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.  She lives with her family in the Tampa, FL region.