Born and raised in Alexandria, Philomena is all about building up her hometown. As the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Manager at AEDP, she helps entrepreneurs access free resources, turn bold ideas into reality, and grow with confidence. Since 2020, she has organized educational programming, supported small business grant efforts, and launched the ALX Open Rewards pilot, which generated 22x return for local businesses. She also bridges AEDP with Virginia Tech’s MBA program and ACHS’s entrepreneurship classes—giving tomorrow’s business leaders a head start.
A proud graduate of Alexandria City High School, Philomena now coaches the women’s varsity field hockey team and co-founded AVA Magic, the City’s first and only field hockey club for young girls. She holds a BA in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross (with a minor in Dance and a concentration in Africana studies!), and lives in Del Ray where her passion for community and small business runs deep.
Contact Philomena for help navigating Alexandria’s small business ecosystem, connecting with expert advisors, or finding the right tools and programs to start or grow your business.