Brad Vassallo is the Pop Up Market Place (PUMP) Project Manager for Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM). Despite having only recently graduated from Temple University’s Community Development program, Brad has accumulated some substantial experience along the way.

Beginning with his time at Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation as Supervisor of their Neighborhood Youth Employment Program, he has sought to achieve a diverse range of challenging experiences. Last year, he and a colleague at Temple were finalists in Mayor Nutter’s semiannual Public Policy Case Competition, an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students from across Philadelphia to propose solutions to specific issues of social justice. Their proposal for the “Emerging Leaders Initiative” took 2nd Place in the Spring 2015 iteration.

Now a part of APM’s Department of Community & Economic Development department, Brad has worked to advance the organization’s mission of strengthening families in Eastern North Philadelphia and allowing them to reach their greatest potential.

At only 22 years old, Brad has made a habit of being the youngest person in the room. It is his creativity and innate desire to be a driving force against social inequity that has propelled him forward over the past few several years, and he has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.