Susan Jacobson to Receive Chamber’s William Penn Award

PHILADELPHIA (November 10, 2026) -The Greater Philadelphia Chamber has announced that Susan Jacobson, President of Jacobson Strategic Communications and co-founder of Praxtera AI Institute, will receive the prestigious 2026 William Penn Award, the Chamber's highest honor for a business leader.

Jacobson is just the sixth woman to receive the William Penn Award since its inception in 1949. The award recognizes outstanding professional achievement, civic leadership, and lasting contributions to the growth and vitality of Greater Philadelphia.

"I'm deeply honored to receive the William Penn Award," said Jacobson. "This recognition belongs to so many people who believed in me and worked alongside me during one of the most challenging periods in our region's history. Together, we showed what's possible when business, government, nonprofits and our major institutions come together to take action. I'm proud of what we accomplished, and I'm eager to keep working together to make Greater Philadelphia an even stronger world-class region."

As Chamber chair from 2020 to 2022, Jacobson helped mobilize the region's business community during the COVID-19 pandemic, uniting businesses, government, nonprofits and major institutions to address urgent challenges and lay the groundwork for Greater Philadelphia's recovery.

During her tenure, Jacobson spearheaded several major initiatives to support the region's recovery and long-term economic growth. These included Recharge and Recover, which convened more than 150 CEOs to help the region navigate the pandemic and plan for recovery; a first-of-its-kind collaboration among financial institutions to expand access to capital for small businesses, which eventually grew into the $118 million GRIT Fund; and Ready.Set.Philly!, a public-private initiative to bring workers, visitors and economic activity back to Philadelphia.

She also helped advance historic business and wage tax reductions, including bringing Philadelphia's Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) net income tax rate below 6% for the first time since 1988. Jacobson also championed international business development, leading a trade mission to Canada to strengthen business relationships, attract investment and expand economic opportunities for Greater Philadelphia.

Chellie Cameron, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber, highlighted Jacobson's ability to bring organizations together and deliver results during the pandemic.

"Sue took the helm as the pandemic upended our region's economy. She asked our members to prioritize the region, and they answered. Under Sue's leadership, the Chamber showed what it can be at its best: not just a voice for business, but a force for all of Greater Philadelphia," said Cameron. "As we look ahead to the next chapter of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber, we hope to elevate more leaders like Sue who work alongside us to make our region a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth. I'm thrilled to celebrate her as the 2026 William Penn Award honoree."

"Sue brought us hope and leadership during one of the most difficult periods in our region's history," said John Fry, president of Temple University and a former William Penn Award recipient. "At a time when so much was uncertain, she had an extraordinary ability to bring people together, build confidence and turn ideas into action. Sue's leadership helped us not only navigate the crisis but emerge stronger."

David L. Cohen, former U.S. ambassador to Canada and a past William Penn Award recipient, also recognized Jacobson's record of civic leadership.

"Sue skillfully led the Chamber through the pandemic. Her signature initiative was Recharge and Recover, in which she repeatedly convened the region's most influential leaders and transformed those gatherings into meaningful action and lasting results. Few leaders of any organization can point to a record of civic impact as broad and consequential as hers," said David L. Cohen, former chair of the Chamber and former U.S. Ambassador to Canada.

"As the first woman to chair the Chamber in nearly two decades, Sue broke barriers and set a new standard for leadership. She is one of our region's great leaders, someone who leads with authenticity, determination and a genuine commitment to making a difference," said Judee von Seldeneck, Chair of DSG Global and past William Penn Award recipient.

Beyond her Chamber leadership, Jacobson has built a distinguished career spanning business, government and civic service. She is president of Jacobson Strategic Communications, a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree, and CEO and co-founder of Praxtera AI Institute, which helps organizations develop practical, responsible AI skills. The company received a national Platinum Pinnacle Award for excellence in AI training.

Earlier in her career, Jacobson served as deputy chief of staff to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell.

She has also lent her government expertise to transition teams for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Pennsylvania Governors Ed Rendell and Josh Shapiro.

Jacobson currently serves as vice chair of the National PBS Foundation Board, a founding board member of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives and a member of the Mayor's Business Action Roundtable.

She has been recognized for her leadership with numerous awards and distinctions, including the Chamber's 2024 Paradigm Award, Global Philadelphia's Globy Award for Corporate Leadership, United Way's Women United Award, the Urban Affairs Coalition's Living Legacy Award and the Salvation Army's "Others" Award. She has also been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Most Admired CEO and among its Power 100 and Women of Distinction honorees.

The award will be presented at the William Penn Award Gala in April 2027.

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About The Greater Philadelphia Chamber

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber works together with members, investors, and stakeholders, to realize our bold vision: Greater Philadelphia is a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth. As the metro-regional chamber of commerce serving the 11-county, tri-state Greater Philadelphia region, we are the premier organization to convene and connect business, government and civic leaders to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.

Media Contact:

Shannon McLaughlin, [email protected],
The Greater Philadelphia Chamber