Education and social work are the driving forces behind Zoraida Cordero, who currently serves as the executive director of The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN). Although she grew up in New York, she has found her home in Pennsylvania. Her experience in the Big Apple, however, allowed her to witness at a very young age what a diverse community truly looks like.
Her parents, originally from Puerto Rico and Peru, found new job opportunities in Allentown. As the oldest sibling, she didn’t understand why they had to move, but the change opened new horizons for her. The chosen city was becoming a hub for Latinos from both New York and New Jersey, offering a more affordable lifestyle.
But Zoraida Cordero is far from someone who can be defined by simple categories. Her journey is a thoughtful, complex map that connects the rigor of military service with the pedagogy of civic engagement and the strategic vision of large-scale social work.
As a veteran of the United States Army, the discipline forged during her service shaped a career that spans the public and private sectors, as well as nonprofit organizations.
During her time at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cordero focused on the core of justice: advancing environmental equity. Likewise, her work at Safe-Hub Philadelphia reinforced this conviction. She committed herself to a mission of local transformation, helping develop neighborhood spaces that evolved from simple geographic points into true centers of opportunity. She achieved this through youth-focused programming, building a model in which young people’s potential becomes the lever for community change.
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With a Master’s in Social Work from Temple University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Muhlenberg College, Cordero grounds her practice in academic rigor. She now brings that experience directly into the classroom as a Civic Engagement instructor at Drexel University. Her commitment to local governance also extends to her role on the Montgomery County Commission for Women, where she advocates for policies that directly impact women’s lives.
But her beginnings were far from easy. As the daughter of immigrants and the oldest child, responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders. She began working at just 16 years old, and each experience made her stronger and more aware of what young people truly need.
“I did what I had to do, but I didn’t have what I needed to succeed—not because of any fault of my own or my parents, but because public school students, especially those outside honors programs, had limited access,” she said in an exclusive interview with El Sol Latino Newspaper.
Her professional path has evolved hand in hand with what she has learned. Her motivation to study psychology and social work has always been rooted in understanding why people do what they do—and how patterns can be changed. “I’ve always believed people are powerful. Once you show them the path to claim that power and move forward, you’re doing the right thing. That’s how you create social change,” she explained.
Local Businesses, Sustainable Businesses
The mission of The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN) is to support thousands of independent local businesses across the region, helping build profitable enterprises that serve the community and protect the environment. “SBN wants to get closer to a triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit,” Cordero added.
For Zoraida, this is an ideal opportunity to bring more diverse communities into environmental and community stewardship—through businesses of all sizes, not only small enterprises. “If we can see these three things together instead of as separate pieces, you can create impact and change at every level.”
SBN understands the importance of successful businesses for the country and for Philadelphia, but from a sustainable approach, it is essential to think about the environment and community conditions that allow businesses to survive. “It is our job now to create the space for the next generation.”
But the national landscape is challenging. A recent economic report published by CNN noted that “hiring is stagnant, inflation is rising, loan defaults are increasing, and Americans are giving this economy one of its lowest ratings in history.”
Zoraida is fully aware of the difficulties, but she insists that “there is a lot of power in community.” Speaking about small businesses, she said: “I have a lot of empathy and compassion for businesses that are hanging on because funding is limited, but I also want them to avoid getting lost in things beyond their control and instead focus on finding the resources that are accessible. It’s about finding the right person or organization to guide them.”
A Networking Event for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
All communities are a priority for The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia—and for Zoraida Cordero. She admits, however, that “the Latino and immigrant communities are the reason we are who we are. My mission is for them to feel represented, heard, and seen. I hope to amplify that in this role and show why we are essential.”
To strengthen this work, SBN will host a Holiday Party at Triple Bottom Brewing (915 Spring Garden, Philadelphia, PA 19123) on Wednesday, December 10, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.—a special event designed to foster connections among small and mid-sized businesses in Philadelphia, with a strong zero-waste message that reinforces SBN’s values. More details at sbnphiladelphia.org.
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