Recognizing and Honoring Wanda D. Paul for Her Extraordinary Dedication, Tireless Advocacy and Lifetime of Service for the Citizens of the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Paul was born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection and is a proud graduate of the Temple University Fox School of Business; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Paul began her career as an auditor with Deloitte Haskins and Sells in 1979, and later went on to serve under the Administration of Philadelphia’s first African American Mayor W. Wilson Goode from 1983 to 1985, before transitioning to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB); and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Paul has represented the City of Philadelphia with distinction for nearly 30 years as a leader with PHLCVB, the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia across the globe. Mrs. Paul currently serves as Senior Vice President, where she is responsible for administration of the PHLCVB budget, oversight of the organization’s financial operations, technological improvements, and personnel administration, among other responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Paul uses her time and talents to improve the quality of life in the City she loves. She serves on the boards of several organizations impacting Philadelphians, including Steppingstone Scholars, Broad Street Ministry, the National Adoption Center and the Urban League of Philadelphia Advisory Board, and is also a member of the International Association of Hospitality Accountants, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Community Service Partnership, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and the Destination Management Association International; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Paul showed particular devotion in advancing the cause of the Urban League of Philadelphia, a historic civil rights organization celebrating its centennial year in 2017. Mrs. Paul is a lifetime member of the League and the first and only woman chairperson of its Board of Directors. Mrs. Paul has received the organization’s Whitney M. Young Community Service and Volunteer of the Year awards and will be a Centennial Honoree at the Urban League’s 2017 Empowerment Dinner; and

WHEREAS, The extraordinary contributions of Mrs. Paul has led to the receipt of numerous awards and accolades, including the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Distinction Award, the International Visitors Council Citizens Diplomacy Award, the Urban Education Gimper Award, the Temple University Hall of Fame Award; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor Wanda D. Paul for her extraordinary dedication, tireless advocacy, and lifetime of service for the Citizens of the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Wanda D. Paul as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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