PHILADELPHIA – Today the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
(PHLCVB) announced Karen Dougherty Buchholz as the new chair of its
board of directors. She serves as executive vice president of
administration for Comcast Corporation, headquartered in Philadelphia.
Buchholz will succeed longtime PHLCVB chair Nicholas DeBenedictis,
chairman emeritus of Aqua America.
“Thanks to a unique combination of experience working with the PHLCVB
and our hospitality community on major events, as well as developing
Comcast’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program, Karen is perfectly
positioned to lead the board of directors into the future,” said Gregg
Caren, president, and CEO of the PHLCVB. “I look forward to working
with the board under her proven leadership and vision. I am also deeply
grateful to Nick for his insightful and steadfast support over the
years, not only during my tenure but with colleagues who have led the
organization before me.”
During her more than 20-year tenure with Comcast, Buchholz has held
several positions with the organization. Early in her career with
Comcast, founded the organization’s first corporate communications
infrastructure, unifying communications for Comcast’s family of
companies. Buchholz was also responsible for the development of both
corporate headquarters, the Comcast Center, and neighboring Technology
Center.
“I am honored to serve as chair of the Philadelphia Convention and
Visitors Bureau’s board of directors” said, Buchholz. “The
the organization plays a critical role in supporting Philadelphia’s
economy by driving the city’s tourism and hospitality industry, and I
look forward to contributing to the continued success of the PHLCVB and
it’s business divisions.”
Buchholz led Comcast’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for
nearly 10 years, at one point serving as a chief diversity officer. Under
her leadership, Comcast launched employee resource groups and drove
progress in supplier diversity, diverse programming, and community impact
initiatives.
Prior to joining Comcast Corporation, Buchholz was president of
Philadelphia 2000, the organization that secured Philadelphia as a host
the city for the 2000 Republican National Convention and served as the
City’s official host committee.
In addition to the PHLCVB board of directors, she also serves on
several other boards, including the Board of Directors, Museum of the
American Revolution; Board of Trustees, Drexel University; Global Board
of Directors, Women in Cable Telecommunications; and WSFS Financial
Corporation and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB Board of Directors.
Buchholz is a graduate of Dickinson College and the Dickinson Center for
European Studies in Bologna, Italy. She holds a master’s degree from
the University of Pennsylvania.
“I have enjoyed every one of my 18 years serving as chair,” said
DeBenedictis. “It has been an honor to lead the PHLCVB board of
directors all these years and I know Karen will be extraordinary in this
role, taking our destination to even greater heights.”
DeBenedictis was instrumental in working with the PHLCVB to attract
national events such as the Republican and Democratic National
Conventions, the World Meeting of Families and Papal Visit, the NFL
Draft and most recently FIFA World Cup 2026. DeBenedictis was also
involved in the planning that helped trigger the expansion of the
Pennsylvania Convention Center and steered the PHLCVB through challenges
presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
