Chairman, Equus Capital Partners, Ltd.

DiLella is a principal of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd., serving as the Firm’s Chairman. Under DiLella’s leadership, Equus has grown to become a multi-faceted national real estate investment company with expertise in development, investment, asset management, and property management. DiLella’s career as a real estate specialist spans nearly four decades and includes experience in all types of real estate investment and developments throughout the United States. Prior to joining Equus, DiLella was Vice President of Girard Bank in Philadelphia, where he had a 10-year career in the Commercial Real Estate Department as a lender and a member of the asset recovery team.

Villanova University Trustee

DiLella was a member of the Board of Trustees of Villanova University and funded the establishment of the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate at the Villanova University School of Business where he is Chair of the Real Estate Advisory Council. Mr. DiLella is the recipient of the St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal and the Villanova Bartley Alumni Medallion.

Roman Catholic High School Chair and Benefactor

DiLella is a 1969 graduate of Roman Catholic High School and has served on Roman’s board since it was incepted in 1991. In 2025, DiLella made a $10 million contribution to Roman Catholic High School to benefit the construction of a new Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic Center. He said, “I want to create the best STEM Center in the region for the young men of Philadelphia.”

U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Chair

DiLella served as Chairperson of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission from February 2018 to July 2022, following his prior appointment by Congress as one of the Commission’s 16 private citizens. 

Additional Volunteerism

Dilello serves on the Boards of the National Italian American Foundation and the Museum of the American Revolution. Previous board appointments include the President of the Union League of Philadelphia as well as Chairman of the Scholarship Foundation. 

He has also supported the Barnes Foundation, the Battleship New Jersey, the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, the Committee of Seventy, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Police Foundation, the Philly Pops, and the Drexel University Real Estate Advisory Council.

Mark your calendar for the 2026 Barry Dinner – November 24, 2026!

The American Catholic Historical Society will be honoring Daniel DiLello at the 2026 Commodore Barry Award Dinner on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at the Union League of Philadelphia.

The Commodore Barry Award is presented annually to any American who, by their character and their contributions to the church, the community and professional accomplishments, has distinguished themself.