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,” says 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 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, she 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,” says Buchholz. “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 its business divisions.”
Buchholz led Comcast’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for nearly 10 years, at one point serving as 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 host 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 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,” says 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 expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and steered the PHLCVB through challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
