Michael Newmuis (BA ’21) has been appointed Philadelphia’s 2026 Director by Mayor Cherelle Parker (MPA ’16) to lead the city’s preparation for a trio of major events this year, including the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, and the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. He brings experience from tourism, nonprofit, and community investment roles, including leadership positions at FS Investments and Visit Philadelphia. Newmuis aims to make the economic impact of these major events more equitable by activating celebrations and opportunities in neighborhoods beyond Center City. He said the 250th birthday celebration is a unique opportunity to position Philadelphia on a global stage and honor both the city’s history and its diverse communities and plans to support inclusivity with vendors, contractors, and small businesses across all events.
