Zach Wilcha
“Any position of leadership within the queer community must be influenced by innovation because our community – and each of the rights pertaining to us – evolves at such a rapid pace.”
Zach Wilcha is, in every sense, a leader in Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community. As the first-ever Executive Director of the Independence Business Alliance--the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Zach has cultivated programs such as the Intersections initiative, TransWork, and Emerging Queer Leaders. He is a founding member of Philadelphia’s Community Leadership Pipeline Initiative, which trains and places folks from marginalized LGBTQ+ communities onto Philadelphia-area nonprofit Boards. A native of northeastern Pennsylvania, he graduated with a B.A. in International Relations from Saint Joseph’s University and a Juris Doctor with honors from Villanova Law School. An attorney, activist, and fundraiser, Zach speaks regularly on issues such as LGBTQ+ affairs, fundraising and development, and diversity, inclusion, and equity. Bringing a rare combination of corporate, business, and legal skills to the issues facing marginalized communities, he also organizes for change at the grassroots level. It is little wonder he was named 2019 Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Gay News and received a Philadelphia 76ers Game Changer Award.
how does innovation influence your work?
“At its core, any position of leadership within the queer community must be influenced by innovation because our community (and each of the rights pertaining to us) evolves at such a rapid pace. Particularly over the past couple years of shifting political landscapes, we’ve had to be nimble to adjust and fight for the things to which we’re entitled, and we’ve done that by constantly adding more seats and welcoming more voices and ideas to the proverbial table. Specifically, I’ve been energized by having a leadership position that allows us to look at an entity with preconceived notions like a Chamber of Commerce and ask ourselves what kind of organization we could truly be if we dare to innovate. How do we serve more people? How do we use the power of business to uplift community? How do we use our platform to center and celebrate all voices in the community? How do we inspire and contribute to difficult, necessary conversations? The evolving answers to these questions require constant innovation, especially in difficult times like we face right now.”
What big ideas have propelled your career?
“I believe we should all throw that rope back over the wall to help the next person climb over it. I’m not particularly religious, but I’ve always been intrigued by some sacred or spiritual concepts about service and community that you can apply to the secular parts of your life, like a career. Whether it’s “doing all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can” or simply being a “person with and for others,” I’ve always tried to find ways to apply these notions to the framework of whichever job that I’m in, admittedly with various levels of success. I also believe strongly that making deep, sincere connections with people is a vital part of career development. People on my journey, very often when they had no reason to, have given me chances at leadership or been generous with their time, wisdom, and experience because of the personal connections we’ve made with one another. The best part of my job is helping facilitate similar connections for people every day.”
Who are your local heroes?
“I’m constantly in awe of folks, especially queer ones, who are brave enough to be themselves and use their platforms to create conscious and active communities.”
Biography:
Zach Wilcha is the first-ever Executive Director of the Independence Business Alliance, the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Under his leadership, the IBA has experienced growth in membership, an increase in Board and member diversity, and innovative, award-winning programming, including the Intersections initiative, TransWork, and Emerging Queer Leaders. An attorney, activist, and fundraiser, Wilcha has been a regular speaker on a number of issues including: LGBTQ+ Affairs, fundraising and development, relationship building, supplier diversity, program development, and diversity, inclusion, and equity. Zach was named 2019 Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Gay News, is a Philadelphia 76ers Game Changer Award recipient for community service, and was recently appointed to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce National Affiliate Chamber Council Leadership. He is a founding member of Philadelphia’s Community Leadership Pipeline Initiative which trains and places folks from marginalized LGBTQ+ communities onto Philadelphia-area nonprofit Boards. He has sat on the Boards for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s Young Professionals and the Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association. Combining earnest grassroots organizing with corporate, business, and legal acumen, Zach is passionate about bringing compassion, inclusion, and representation into all areas of his personal and professional life. Wilcha graduated with a B.A. in International Relations from Saint Joseph’s University and a Juris Doctor with honors from Villanova Law School. He is a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania and currently resides in the Spring Arts District of Philadelphia where in his spare time he’s an avid runner, reader, and book matchmaker.