The Enterprise Center President, Della Clark, Named 2026 Praxis Award Recipient

VILLANOVA, Pa – The Villanova University Ethics Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences named Della Clark, president of The Enterprise Center, the recipient of the 2026 Praxis Award in Professional Ethics. The Praxis Award recognizes a professional or academic who exemplifies the highest ethical ideals of their profession or who has contributed to professional ethics scholarship.

Since 1992, Clark has served as president of The Enterprise Center, leading the nonprofit organization’s efforts to promote racial and economic equity by investing in low-moderate income Small-Medium businesses and partnering with West Philadelphia communities on revitalization strategies. As a trusted mediator, the Center bring together businesses, communities, partners and resource providers with the shared goal of equal opportunity and prosperity for all.

“I believe that Ms. Clark exemplifies the criteria associated with the Praxis Award. She has focused on using her professional expertise to serve the needs of some of the most vulnerable communities in the greater Philadelphia area,” says Brett Wilmot, PhD, associate director of Villanova’s Ethics Program, who nominated Clark for the Praxis Award.

In addition to her role at the Enterprise Center, in 2022 Clark helped launch Innovate Capital Growth Fund, a licensed Small Business Investment Company as designated by the US Small Business Administration. Innovate Capital is a for-profit entity focused on investing in low-moderate income small-medium businesses. In 2016, Clark received the Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement from Secretary Penny Pritzker, US Department of Commerce. She currently serves as a board member for the Philadelphia Equity Alliance, University City District and Bridge of Hope CDC. She also serves as a trustee of Drexel University.

Clark will formally receive the Praxis Award and present a lecture about her commitment to supporting entrepreneurs on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Villanova Room of the Connelly Center. The event is free and open to the public.

About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.