City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation Chief Financial Officer Tracy Borda received the Leading Woman Award from the Women in Public Finance Pennsylvania chapter on November 12. The award recognizes a woman in any role within the public finance industry in Pennsylvania who has made a significant impact through either a notable achievement or her career. The award honors those who demonstrate exemplary professional conduct and strong leadership skills, particularly in mentoring and promoting the advancement of women in the field.
“I am truly honored and humbled to receive the Leading Woman Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of Women in Public Finance,” said Borda. “This recognition is both an incredible surprise and a profound privilege. I extend my deepest gratitude to the selection committee for acknowledging my work and for your commitment to celebrating the achievements of women in our profession.”
Over the past five years, under Borda's leadership, her team effectively sold over $1 billion in revenue and refunding bonds to fund key terminal and airfield projects, while achieving $145 million in gross debt service savings. Besides efforts to reduce the airport's cost of capital, Borda also spearheaded several successful contract negotiations that boosted the airport's liquidity and increased non-airline revenues. These accomplishments were pivotal in leading Fitch, Moody's, and Standard & Poor's (S&P) to upgrade the Airport’s bond ratings to A+, A1, and A+ respectively.
Borda manages an annual operating budget of $560 million and oversees a debt portfolio exceeding $1.5 billion. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania and a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). In 2024, Borda chaired the Finance Committee Steering Group for Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA). She was named "Large Airport Finance Professional of the Year" by ACI-NA in 2022 and recognized as one of Philadelphia Business Journal's Top CFOs.
“I extend a heartfelt thanks to my colleagues and mentors, especially my airport team members,” said Borda. “Their encouragement and guidance throughout my career have been invaluable and I share this recognition as a testament to the incredible community that surrounds me. This award serves as a powerful reminder for us all to support and nurture the next generation of women leaders in public finance.”
