When I look back across my 10 years here at the Philadelphia Fed, I feel honored and proud to have been part of this institution and all that we’ve been able to accomplish — especially the innovations we’ve created that are impactful for the Third District and the nation.

Much of that impact comes from our deep expertise in data acquisition, management, and analysis. For example, the Consumer Finance Institute’s LIFE Survey  is providing deep knowledge about how American families act within the economy, the struggles they face, and the opportunities they have. In our region and across the nation, our Anchor Economy initiative is measuring the community-wide economic impacts of educational and health care institutions. The Economic Growth and Mobility Project continues to grow and expand into different areas of our region to broaden our understanding of where low- and moderate-income communities currently stand and, more importantly, to uncover collaborative ways for communities to strengthen pathways to local jobs and careers. The investments we’ve made in how we communicate, not just through face-to-face meetings and convenings but through our digital channels, are helping to amplify access to the Philadelphia Fed’s deep well of data and knowledge.

The core of our impact really comes down to listening — to people and to data. It is central to our work because ultimately, a strong and stable economy benefits all of us. And the opportunities are endless when we collaborate and build partnerships across the Third District, the Federal Reserve System, and the nation.

Sincerely,

Patrick T. Harker

  1. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia or the Federal Reserve System.