The Team

Delaney is a dynamic and innovative researcher who loves talking to new people and learning fresh ideas. The Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, native studied political science, economics and German at Temple University as an undergraduate and continued at Temple to earn a 4+1 Master of Public Policy degree in 2021. As a student, Delaney interned with the Office of Violence Prevention in Philadelphia to support anti-violence initiatives through grant funding and led a major project to advise the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability on how to reduce traffic fatalities in Philadelphia. Post-graduation, she worked as a political consultant in Philadelphia with a specialization in campaign finance. During the last two years, while bartending in Philadelphia and Ireland, she has hosted and produced the public policy podcast MindCruncher. Outside work, she enjoys urban exploring, listening to podcasts and catching up with her seven older brothers and sisters.

Susan is a Delaware native and lifelong First State resident with more than 20 years of experience in media and public relations and marketing communications and seven years as a member of the news media. She is a past president and 15-year member of the Junior League of Wilmington and led its advocacy to pass Erin’s Law in Delaware. Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in English-journalism and American studies, a master’s degree in communication and a certificate in social media marketing, all from the University of Delaware.

Erica Crell has experiences spanning various business types in medical/sciences, entrepreneurial and business. With DESCA, Erica helped launch the first STEM Talent Conference and ChemTech Conference in Delaware. With the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, she conceptualized, developed and launched programs that generated $68.8 million in revenues for the county. Erica has worked with Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies forecasting and managing projects generating over $1.4 million in annual revenues while assisting management with sales and increasing company profit by more than 30% annually. Erica previously worked as a medical editor for four major medical publications and is a two-time published author. She graduated from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., and is the youngest athlete to be inducted into her high school Athletic Hall of Fame for field hockey.

Becky has significant experience and expertise in economic development. Becky has worked extensively with site selectors, coordinated corporate site tours, international reverse investment programs and successfully recruited new businesses that added jobs and capital investment to the North Florida region. Most recently, Becky practiced commercial real estate in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic area. She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration and from the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma. In her spare time, Becky enjoys spending time with her family and exploring Delaware’s scenic state parks and beaches.

As the head of DPP’s research and business intelligence functions, Chris ensures that the team and external partners have the information they need to promote prosperity and economic wellbeing for all Delawareans. Before joining DPP Chris was an Associate Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration where he conducted engaged public service research to support government officials and other key stakeholders in addressing the issues faced by their communities. Chris received his B.A. in Political Science from Mercyhurst University and his Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. In his free time, he enjoys visiting all of the great restaurants and parks across the state with his family.

Megan is an experienced economic development, government relations, and public affairs specialist who has worked in the private, government, and non-profit sectors. Most recently, she worked in Government Affairs for Arconic, a spin-off of Alcoa. Prior to that, she spent six years working for the Embassy of Canada, promoting investment in Canada and advocating on trade policy issues in the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Megan graduated from Florida International University with a MA in International Relations and from Old Dominion University with a BS in Political Science and Sociology. She is a competitive Masters swimmer and a committed YMCA volunteer.

Joseph L. Lewis III is an award-winning television producer with more than 25 years of experience working for non-profits and creative enterprises. Joe’s nonprofit work includes the YMCA of Philadelphia, The Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The Kelly Strayhorn Theater and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Most recently, Joe served as Executive Director of the Jazz Bridge Project Inc. As an advertising and marketing professional, Joe has worked for Beach Advertising, HealthQuest: the Publication of Black Wellness, Correctional Healthcare Solutions, Mullen Advertising, Community Marketing Concepts, Landesberg Design and Aloysius Butler & Clark. He is a graduate of Duquesne University.

Andy has been hired as an economic development contractor to assist in working with site managers and organizations seeking to relocate or expand their business in Delaware. Andy has served as the Director of Real Estate for the University of Delaware. He was responsible for the development of the former Chrysler assembly site into the University’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus (STAR). With Andy’s guidance, the property was transformed into a transit-oriented research epicenter. Most recently, Andy worked closely with the Delaware business community and state government to ensure that two of Dow/DuPont’s business entities remain in Delaware.

Bryan Mack is a Business Development manager with the DPP team.  A native Delawarean, Bryan lives in his hometown, Rehoboth Beach.  His professional experience includes work in both the government and higher education sectors. He served as the Director of Scheduling for Senator Tom Carper’s Washington D.C. office and most recently as the Community Relations Coordinator at Delaware Technical Community College. Bryan earned his BA from the University of Delaware.   When Bryan is not busy crisscrossing the state for DPP’s business development efforts he enjoys running, playing soccer, surfing, skiing, and relaxing on the beach with friends and family.

Charles has more than 20 years of personnel and operations management experience. He has held senior management roles in both the non-profit and government sectors, chiefly responsible for resource development, strategic planning, project management and external relations. Charles was appointed by New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer to serve as the Chief Officer for Community Impact and most recently served as the Executive Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Affairs with one of Delaware’s largest non-profits. For over a decade, Charles served as the Executive Director for the Wilmington HOPE Commission. In this role, he was responsible for a $2M capital campaign, general construction management, program design, operational management and partnership development for the Achievement Center. Charles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and a Juris Doctorate. He currently serves on the Boards of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Teach for America, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA), and is a Trustee for Christiana Care Health System (CCHS).

Christina Marconi is a native Delawarean with over 15 years of experience in the state’s nonprofit sector. She comes to Delaware Prosperity Partnership from Philanthropy Delaware and prior to that served as project manager for education and research and as special projects manager to the Board at the International Literacy Association (ILA). While there, Christina shepherded the development of professional learning programs; the re-visioning of project and program related practices; as well as governance, committee, and task force initiatives. She also managed the 30K+ membership organization’s annual Board election and lead cross-functional project teams. Christina spent several years at the Rodel Foundation of Delaware working with its Board and leadership, and before that served in roles at both W.L. Gore and DuPont.

Michael Marquardt is a German-American entrepreneur who has been actively involved in global trade and economic development in Europe, Asia and the United States over the past 25 years. He has led four companies as the chief executive and has been advising the government of the State of Delaware on international matters and foreign direct investment opportunities since 2010. Michael served as an advisor to the Delaware Department of State’s “Global Delaware” initiative since its inception and continued his role as a global advisor to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) when the organization was established in 2017. In addition, Michael currently serves as a corporate director in the United States, in France, and in Indonesia. He is a frequent speaker on global issues at conferences and events around the world. In addition to his corporate board service, Michael has served on five non-profit boards over the past 20 years, including the American Cancer Society where he currently serves on the audit and the governance committees. Michael has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and the United States and is fluent in his native German.

Noah Olson, Director of Innovation, is a lifelong Delawarean with professional experience in the public and private sector. Working for local elected officials both in Delaware and Washington, D.C., has allowed Noah to develop a deep understanding of the different communities and relationships that are impactful to our state. While working for an advisory services firm in Wilmington and earning an MBA, Noah developed an affinity for the entrepreneurial spirit and excels at creative problem solving for startups and fostering important connections to move business forward. Noah earned both his BA and MBA from the University of Delaware and lives in Pike Creek with his family. When not at work, he enjoys getting outdoors, playing sports and finding new books to read.

As DPP’s Team & Operations Coordinator, Dalia keeps the DPP team’s busy schedules aligned and provides integral high-quality support for the DPP team’s varied administrative, and operation needs.

Throughout her career, Dalia has supported former City of Wilmington Mayor Sill’s administrative Office during Wilmington’s early revitalization efforts and served with Verizon Communications for several decades. In her free time, Dalia uses her keen photographic eye to capture Delaware’s beauty visiting the state’s seemingly endless trails. As a first-generation Delawarean, Dalia is equally proud of her Puerto Rican heritage.

David’s commercial career spanned over 50 years during which time he worked for multi-nationals and SME’s as well as building a successful consulting practice, that represented local and state governments. His experience was earned living on 3 continents in 5 different countries where he conducted transactional business in over 60 countries helping firms and state organizations build and develop their market presence; this includes over the last 20 years helping a number of US states with their economic development efforts in Europe -and beyond – thus growing their footprint in the wider world.