For the last 25 years, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia has advanced a just, green, and thriving economy in the Greater Philadelphia region. On Thursday, May 28, Philadelphia City Council, sponsored by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, will present SBN with a resolution honoring the organization’s 25 years of impact. Following the resolution, SBN will host a press conference at Reading Terminal Market to recognize independent businesses and announce the next chapter of SBN’s work, followed by an open lunch where attendees support the Market’s vendors directly. As part of this celebration, we’re spotlighting the leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs who will take the mic. Meet the press conference speakers below and learn how each is shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for Greater Philadelphia.
Nima Etemadi
SBN Board Chair; Co-Founder and CEO, Cake Life Bake Shop
Nima Etemadi grew up in Vancouver as a first‑generation North American, shaped by his Iranian heritage and a love for both French cuisine and Southern food traditions. After early culinary work and meeting future business partner Lily Fischer at Sarah Lawrence College, he briefly shifted into work at Aperture as an assistant editor before returning to train in pastry arts at the French Culinary Institute.
In 2012, Etemadi moved to Philadelphia to found Cake Life Bake Shop with Fischer, first located in the Globe Dye Works building before moving to its flagship location in Fishtown. A proud transgender business owner, he hopes to see more members of the lgbtq+ community start businesses of their own.
Hesham AlBarouki
Owner, Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties
Every night Kamal AlBarouki soaks dried chickpeas and fava beans in water, and every morning when he arrives at his stand he grinds them into a paste, adding parsley, onion, and spices. Since 1981, Kamal and his wife, Esra, have been frying up spoonsful of this green paste into the popular falafel that they sell at Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties. Though the Barouki family—which now includes three adult sons and a daughter, all of whom have at some point worked in the family business—is originally Syrian, their food takes a broad Middle Eastern approach. Their menu has something for everyone, whether in need of a quick lunch of shawarma or a full spread of mezze. Fresh ingredients make their way into baba ghanoush, hummus, eggplant stew, Moroccan chicken, kibbeh, a huge amount of tabbouleh and spinach and feta pies. They’ve been blending smoothies and juicing vegetables since well before juices became trendy, so you can either choose one of their tried-and-true combinations or come up with your own. And if you’d rather do the cooking yourself, feel free to pick up some Middle Eastern ingredients like harissa or rosewater, and throw in a few of their traditional honeyed pastries for desse.
Zach Wilcha
CEO, Independence Business Alliance (IBA)
Zach Wilcha is the first-ever Chief Executive Officer of the Independence Business Alliance (IBA), the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, recently named National LGBTQ+ Chamber of the Year for 2025. Under his leadership, the IBA has experienced growth in membership and staff, an increase in Board and member diversity, and innovative, award-winning programming, including the TransWork program – the nation’s first trans economic uplift program run out of a Chamber of Commerce. An attorney, activist, and fundraiser, Wilcha has been a nationally recognized speaker, panelist, and writer on a number of issues, including LGBTQ+ Affairs, fundraising and development, relationship building, supplier diversity, nonprofit program development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Christopher Cruz
Founder, Taíno Studios
Christopher Cruz is the founder of Taíno Studios, a Philadelphia-based photography and video production studio rooted in cultural storytelling, creative collaboration, and community-centered media. Through Taíno Studios, he supports entrepreneurs, nonprofits, artists, and mission-driven organizations with visuals that help them be seen, understood, and valued. He is building Taíno Studios as a creative hub where storytelling, business development, and cultural identity come together. As a member of SBN, Christopher is proud to stand alongside local businesses working toward a more just, sustainable, and connected Philadelphia.
Lou Rodriguez
CEO and Founder, Rodriguez Consulting
Lou Rodriguez is a civil engineer, entrepreneur, and the founder of Rodriguez Consulting, a Philadelphia firm focused on water, sewer, stormwater, land surveying, and GIS. Over the past two decades, he has built a company known for its practical approach to infrastructure and its commitment to public service. He created Rodriguez University to open doors for local residents who want to enter the engineering field, offering structured training that mirrors real city work and prepares graduates for municipal careers. Lou’s work blends technical expertise with workforce development, giving people a path to stable jobs while supporting the region’s infrastructure needs. His leadership centers on investing in people, strengthening communities, and helping public agencies make informed decisions about their systems. He remains committed to Philadelphia, its neighborhoods, and the next generation of infrastructure professionals.
Zoraida Cordero
Executive Director, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN)
Zoraida Cordero is an equity-driven leader with more than a decade of experience advancing shared opportunity across the government, nonprofit, and private sectors. A U.S. Army veteran, civic educator, and macro social worker, Zoraida’s career spans program development, community revitalization, and systems-building that expands access and strengthens institutions for long-term impact. As Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN), she leads with a mission to build a just, green economy where sustainability, equity, and opportunity intersect, and where local businesses anchor transformation for people and the planet. Her work is guided by the belief that no one should be left behind for lack of knowledge, access, or opportunity.
Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier
District 3
Jamie R. Gauthier represents West and Southwest Philadelphia as the City Councilmember for the Third District. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier fights for her constituents’ right to live with dignity and remain in the neighborhoods they’ve called home for decades. She is the only elected official in the City of Philadelphia with a planning degree, offering her a unique perspective on social and economic issues.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s agenda prioritizes creating and preserving affordable housing, combating gun violence, empowering young people, connecting residents to family-sustaining jobs, protecting our environment, advancing small businesses, and investing in public spaces. She is the Chair of the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless and the Committee on the Environment.
Meet Our MC
Jennifer Guzman
Founder, Josie’s Chance
Jennifer Guzman was born and raised in Philadelphia and has always had a deep passion for serving her community and supporting young people. Through her work as both a dedicated volunteer and a Collective Impact Coordinator at Safe-Hub, she has helped create meaningful opportunities and safe spaces for children and families.
Known for her energy and heart, Jennifer has also served as an MC for community events, bringing people together through connection, encouragement, and celebration. She is the founder of Josie’s Chance , an organization focused on creating positive impact and uplifting children through community-driven programs and support. Through every role she takes on, Jennifer remains committed to inspiring hope, building stronger communities, and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people.
