Evan Sanchez & Zenith Shah

Evan Sanchez and Zenith Shah are business partners, entrepreneurs, and community visionaries dedicated to Atlantic City’s long-term renaissance. Together, they co-founded Authentic City Partners (ACP) in 2016, spearheading transformative development projects like the Orange Loop, which revitalizes the beach blocks of New York Avenue, St. James Place, and Tennessee Avenue. Their work focuses on creating spaces that unify, inspire, and contribute to Atlantic City’s growth while celebrating its rich diversity.

Evan Sanchez, born in Atlantic City and raised in Pleasantville, began his entrepreneurial journey at Columbia University, where he co-founded Olo, now an industry leader in digital ordering and delivery. After a decade of leadership roles at Olo, he returned to Atlantic City in 2015 to focus on community-building initiatives. Evan has been deeply involved in local nonprofits, serving as Board President for the Atlantic City Arts Foundation and the Atlantic City Community Fund. His latest endeavor, the ThriveAC Fund, commits $1 million over five years to support nonprofits working toward a stable and vibrant Atlantic City.

Zenith Shah, born in Surat, India, and raised in Atlantic City, graduated from Drexel University and built a successful career at BlackRock, where he held leadership positions in Portfolio Compliance. In 2016, he returned home to co-found ACP and champion community-driven development projects. Zenith also serves as Financial Advisor for The Leadership Studio of Atlantic City, a nonprofit advancing the physical, economic, and spiritual well-being of local residents through partnerships and programming.

With projects like Hayday Coffee, Cardinal, and The Leadership Building, Evan and Zenith are fostering a sense of community and purpose in Atlantic City. Their shared belief in the city’s potential and their commitment to celebrating its diversity drive their mission to build a brighter, more sustainable future.

Through their work, Evan and Zenith embody the spirit of Atlantic City as a place where vision, grit, and community come together to create opportunities and inspire progress.

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