Phil Berkaw is a leader in economic development, inclusive growth, and cross-sector collaboration. As Senior Director of the DC Community Anchor Partnership (DCAP) at The Coalition, he leads cross-sector efforts to expand opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs and strengthen the region’s economic ecosystem. Under his leadership, DCAP has grown its network of local universities, hospitals, and infrastructure partners, and significantly increased investment in local small and medium-sized businesses. He launched the DCAP Portfolio, a flagship program that connects high-performing entrepreneurs with institutional opportunities and business development support, and secured major investments to align local businesses with emerging industries such as green infrastructure.

Previously, Phil was Program Director of the City Innovation Ecosystems program at the National League of Cities, where he helped over 150 cities design and implement inclusive, entrepreneurship-led economic development strategies. He led fundraising efforts, secured over $4 million to expand local innovation programs, and played a key role in winning NLC’s first federal grant focused on regional economic resilience.

Phil began his career as a high school science teacher and department chair in New Orleans, where he extended his Teach For America commitment to help transform outcomes in under-resourced schools. He has authored national publications on inclusive economic development and shared his insights through panels and forums.

He holds a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where he earned distinction for his thesis on equitable smart city development, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.