Michael Araten

President and CEO
Sterling Drive Ventures LP

Michael Araten is president and CEO of Sterling Drive Ventures LP, a family office that owns The Rodon Group. Rodon is a highly automated plastics injection molder, with a focus on small parts used in over 100 industries, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical diagnostic packaging and toys. Previously, he was president and CEO of K’NEX Brands, whose K’NEX™ construction toy is distributed in 40 countries. More than 95 percent of the K’NEX component parts are made at Rodon in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

Thaddeus Bartkowski

CEO
Catalyst Experiential

Thaddeus Bartkowski, CEO and founding partner of Catalyst Outdoor and Catalyst Experiential, his fifth company. Catalyst Outdoor is one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality digital billboards in the region; he sold it in 2018 for an estimated $80 million to $90 million. That paved the way for Catalyst Experiential, his newest venture, which works with municipalities in a public/private partnership to meet community needs.

Lawrence Berran

CEO
iPipeline

Lawrence Berran joined iPipeline in 2002 and served as president and CEO until 2008, when he transitioned to the COO and CFO positions in connection with the merger of iPipeline and COSS. He was named CEO again in August 2019 in connection with the acquisition of iPipeline by Roper. He has been a key driver of growing iPipeline from $1 million in revenue with significant losses to over $180 million in revenue and being highly profitable.
Previously he was a vice president for ICG, where he played an instrumental role in preparing ICG for its 1999 initial public offering.

Emily V. Biscardi

CEO
Xelerate, LLC

Emily Venable Biscardi is founder and CEO of Xelerate LLC, an agile and data-driven recruitment process outsourcing provider. She founded the company in 2004 because she believed there was a better way to service customers in the talent acquisition industry by designing and implementing solutions that fill gaps in corporate recruiting programs. Xelerate was named to the 2018 Inc. 5000 list and received the SmartCEO Brava! Award in 2013 and the SmartCEO Hall of Fame Award in 2014.

Carole L. Borden

Founder & CEO
CB Transportation

Carole Borden founded CB Transportation, a third-party logistics company in 1995, proving that growth and solid reputations could be built virtually. Decades of experience and foresight have been the catalyst to CB’s expansion. The company now includes a fleet of trucks and a technology division offering turn-key and customizable transportation management software.

Don Braun

Managing Director
AB Bernstein

Donald R. Braun, Jr., is a Managing Director of Bernstein located in the Philadelphia office. He joined the firm in 2005 and was appointed a Principal in 2010, a Director in 2015 and Managing Director in 2016. In his role as a Principal he was responsible for advising high-net-worth families and institutions, as well as their respective trusts, estates, foundations, endowments and pension plans. Prior to joining the firm, he served for 10 years as vice president of a privately held family business, Greater Media, Inc., where his responsibilities included strategic planning, budgeting and analyzing cash-flow projections for companies targeted for acquisition. Donald earned a BS in business administration and finance from Drexel University. He is a member of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Estate Planning Councils, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), the Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT), and The Union League of Philadelphia. Donald is also active with Drexel University, serving on the President’s Leadership Council.

Michael Carter

Founder & CEO
BizEquity

Michael M. Carter is the founder and CEO of BizEquity and the inventor of the market-leading
online valuation service that is helping the small business economy and the financial
institutions that serve them. Carter has been called one of the top 100 Financial Technology
leaders globally by Hot Topics Media in London, and BizEquity was recently recognized as one
of the top 360 companies in the United States by Entrepreneur Media for two years in a row.
Prior to founding BizEquity, Carter was managing director of The Musser Group where he
worked with legendary investor Warren V. ‘Pete’ Musser to invest in small businesses. Carter
was one of the youngest executive officers ever of a billion-dollar public traded Internet
Professional Services Company; founded the first dashboard software company called
Dashboard Systems; and was one of the first to invent the ‘virtual data warehousing’
technology used in most Big Data applications today. He began his career at Cambridge
Technology Partners in management consulting.

Vanessa Z Chan

Dr.
University of Pennsylvania, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Ryan Clark

CEO
PeopleShare, LLC

Ryan Clark is among the most respected leaders in the staffing industry, known for his fierce commitment to providing outstanding customer service and his tenacious pursuit of excellence. His experience includes over twenty years in staffing as well as extensive experience in sales and sales management. Ryan spent seven years working at PDI, the world’s largest contract sales organization supporting the pharmaceutical industry, where he was continuously recognized as a top performer and was promoted several times. In 2003, Ryan was hired by a major Dallas-based staffing company where he made significant contributions. Within three months, Ryan turned the unprofitable office into one of the most profitable offices in the company. In 2005, Ryan co-founded PeopleShare, a regional staffing firm dedicated to placing candidates in light industrial, administrative and clerical positions. Ryan’s vision was to create a staffing company that provides employees and customers the opportunity to achieve their goals and enhance their overall success. Having the expertise, industry experience, and resources to recruit the best talent for each and every opportunity have been a critical factor in PeopleShare’s success. Ryan’s determination, drive and talent have propelled PeopleShare into the fastest growing staffing firm in Pennsylvania with 16 locations throughout PA, NJ and DE. Since their first year of eligibility in 2007, PeopleShare has been named “Best Places to Work” by the Philadelphia Business Journal every year and named to the Inc.500/5000 list. In 2015, PeopleShare exceeded $100MM in annual revenue and was acquired by Trivest, a Private Equity firm based in Coral Gables, Florida.

Kimberly Coffey

President/CEO
TalexMedical

Kimberly Haze Coffey, RN is the President/CEO of TalexMedical, proud producer of InfantEar, a pediatric medical device that non-surgically corrects newborn ear deformities, preventing unnecessary surgical procedures or childhood bullying. Previously with Synthes/J&J, Kim is a clinical professional with extensive achievement and demonstrated success as a sales executive and leader, chairman of J&J women's leadership, director of product development and national trainer/educator. Kim, an innate leader and strategist, has with solid track record of combining successful business development while remaining focused on patient care.

Jason Cunningham

Vice President, Business Development
Argosy Private Equity

Jason joined Argosy in 2019 as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Cunningham leads the firm's transaction sourcing and origination activities, bringing more than 18 years of experience as an investment banker and private equity investor focused exclusively on middle market businesses. Throughout his career, Mr. Cunningham has advised middle market clients in across a broad range of industries on public and private company mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, private placements, strategic alternatives, succession planning and capital formation issues.

Joel Davne

Founder
Cloudnexa

Joel was the Founder and CEO of Cloudnexa a high growth Cloud management company. His diverse management and leadership skills have helped him leading high growth organizations with a focus on technology, software and healthcare.

Denise Devine

Co-Founder, CAO, and CFO
RTM Vital Signs

Ted Durkin

Managing Director
UBS Financial Services

Ted joined the Financial Services industry in 1994 as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch in the World Financial Center, NYC.Over the next twenty years he held numerous positions with Merrill Lynch. In April 2000 he transitioned from Financial Advisor to a career in Leadership. Those roles included: Regional Sales Manager in Washington, DC (2000-2002), Complex Director in Norfolk, VA (2002-2005), Managing Director for Philadelphia Complex (2005-20011), and PA/Delaware Markets, Head of the Affluent Segment for ML (2001-2014). In 2015 Ted had the great fortune to join UBS running the Philadelphia/ South Jersey Complex. Today, he is the Market Head for Pennsylvania. Our eight offices comprise 150 FAs, 85 CSAs, and an outstanding Leadership Team supported by incredible specialists.

Mitch Goldman

Chief Executive Officer
Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners

Mitch Goldman is a health care entrepreneur and nationally ranked health care transactional and reimbursement attorney. Throughout his professional career he has developed new health care services including an innovative medical malpractice insurance company. He has worked in almost every part of the health care industry. During the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Mr. Goldman was actively involved in advising several United States Senators on key aspects of the law. As the CEO of Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners, he brings his strategic vision and health care innovation experience to redesigning the delivery and management of community dental services.

Anuj Goswami

Partner
Ballard Spahr LLP

Anuj Goswami represents financial institutions and borrowers in structuring, documenting, and negotiating financing transactions, including secured and unsecured revolving credit facilities, term loans, asset-based loans, acquisition financing second-lien loans, and mezzanine loans. Anuj counsels financial institutions and borrowers, including buyout funds, in connection with senior and subordinated debt facilities used to finance leveraged buyouts and acquisitions.

Daniel J. Hayes

Director, Outsourcing, Life Science
CLA

Gerri Henwood

President & CEO
Recro Pharma

Jeff Hornstein

Executive Director
Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

Prior to his appointment as executive director of the Economy League in 2018, Jeff Horstein served as director of Financial and Policy Analysis for the Philadelphia City Controller, where he worked on critical issues relating to Philadelphia's fiscal health. Under his leadership, the Policy Unit produced numerous data-driven policy analyses on topics including the city's property tax system, tax delinquency, incentive programs, charter school finances and the state of retirement security.    

Ryan Hurst

Partner
RKL LLP

Christine Jones

Managing Partner
Blue Highway Growth Capital

Ted Karkus

Chairman of the Board, CEO
ProPhase Labs

Rob Kenney

Regional Executive - Director
Alex. Brown

Rob is the Regional Executive of Alex. Brown Philadelphia and is responsible for the management and growth of the office. Rob and his team work with individuals and family offices to create highly customized, comprehensive wealth management solutions. He enjoys helping his clients navigate the complexities of the financial markets and providing strategies that are tailored to their needs and objectives. He specializes in asset allocation and portfolio management, utilizing equity, fixed income and alternative investments to balance risk, returns and liquidity.

Before joining Alex. Brown (now a division of Raymond James), Rob was a vice president of investments at UBS Private Wealth Management, a vice president at the JP Morgan Private Bank and a vice president at JP Morgan Securities. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bloomsburg University.

Rob serves as a board member of Handi-Crafters, one of the largest employment and disability focused service programs in Chester County. A West Chester, Pennsylvania, native, he lives with his wife, Kelly, and their three children..

Lee M. Koury

Managing Partner
Smart Business

Lee is managing partner of Smart Business Network, a national events, media and marketing company founded in 1989, primarily responsible for expanding the company’s Aspire deal-making conference throughout the U.S. He plays a key role in establishing corporate policies and developing long-term strategy and growth plans. Previously, he founded and chaired the Growth Group at national law firm Arter & Hadden LLP (now Tucker, Ellis & West), which focused on working with middle-market and high-growth technology companies.

John Lee

Senior Managing Director
Griffin Financial Group

Frank Lordi

Partner
BDO, USA LLP

Daniel McDonough

Partner
Pepper Hamilton LLP

Bryan McGrath

Senior Wealth Director
BNY Mellon Wealth Management

Bryan T. McGrath, CWS® is a senior wealth director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management. In this role, he is responsible for new business development in the Mid-Atlantic region, and works with individuals and families to identify how BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s investment and wealth management capabilities can help them reach their overall financial goals.
Prior to joining BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Bryan was a Wealth Advisor and Vice President at Key Bank. Bryan also worked as a Senior Wealth Advisor for PNC and TD Bank in addition to serving as a Regional Executive at Sovereign Bank/Santander in Philadelphia.
Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ursinus College, with minors in Finance and Business Administration. He has completed other certifications from Bucknell and Northwestern University in Chicago.

Jeffrey McGroarty

Chief Financial Officer
Annovis Bio, Inc.

Jeff McGroarty is a financial executive with experience in investor relations, working with analysts, creditors and financial institutions, planning and analysis, IPOs, capital allocation, SEC communications and reporting, accounting, acquisitions and turnarounds. He is currently the CFO of Annovis Bio, Inc., a clinical stage biotech developing drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and was previously CFO of Safeguard Scientifics.

Randall C. Raifsnider

Partner
Herbein + Company, Inc.

Randall C. Raifsnider, ASA, MBA is a Partner in Herbein’s Management Advisory Services group. Randy‘s work in transactions is highly specialized and each project is unique. His experience includes many industries including food and agricultural, manufacturing, services, and entertainment. In addition to quality of earnings reports, cash flow forecasts, operational analysis, and fairness opinions, Randy also conducts business valuations. A graduate of Kutztown University, Randy also earned a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Villanova University.

Louis Rappaport

Partner, Co-Chair, Corporate, M&A and Securities Practice Group
Blank Rome LLP

Charles Robins

Managing Director
Fairmount Partners

Stephen Robinson

Master Chair
Vistage

Stephen Robinson is a business adviser who utilizes his entrepreneurial leadership and CEO background to facilitate CEOs, presidents and owners of companies in achieving successful professional and personal goals. He enjoys working in the strategy world and has been a master chair with Vistage for more than 11 years.

James Santore

Chief of Staff
SeventySix Capital

James Santore is the Chief of Staff at SeventySix Capital, the go-to platform for executives, influencers, and professional athletes, offering unique opportunities for them to invest in sports tech startups, and for entrepreneurs to access the financial and social capital that they have to offer. As the Chief of Staff, James helps to optimize strategic growth within the organization and also runs the investment team that helps decide which companies SeventySix Capital will add to it's portfolio. Prior to SeventySix Capital, James spent two and a half years in Corporate Finance at Independence Blue Cross. James graduated from La Salle University in 2016 with a degree in Finance and 4 years of Division 1 baseball experience.

Kiera Smalls

Executive Director
Philly Startup Leaders

A true advocate for equity, entrepreneurship, and wellness, Kiera Smalls is the Executive Director of Philly Startup Leaders (PSL), the largest network of startup entrepreneurs in Philadelphia, and Co-Founder of City Fit Girls, a health and wellness company for women. She brings years of experience in strategic partnerships, community building, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kiera reminds us all that the key ingredient to being a true steward of success is paying it forward. She is committed to being a change agent and believes that voices from all communities deserve a seat at the table. Even if that means building a bigger table.

Steven Staugaitis

Director, Audit & Accounting
Kreischer Miller

Steve Staugaitis is a director of Audit & Accounting at Kreischer Miller, an accounting, tax, and advisory firm. Steve works exclusively with privately-held companies, many of which are family-owned. He helps companies analyze and understand their financial position, reviews their buy-sell agreements, and assists with business valuations, structuring business transfer plans for family and non-family businesses, and merger and acquisition activities. Steve joined Kreischer Miller in 2004. Previously, he worked for a national accounting firm headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

Adam VeVerka

Managing Director
NewSpring Capital

Adam leads business development efforts for all of NewSpring's investment strategies. Before joining NewSpring, Adam was an Investment Banking Analyst at Credit Suisse where he assisted on several transactions in the financial services and financial technology sectors.  Adam is highly involved in the private equity and venture community with leadership roles in Mid-Atlantic ACG, PACT, AMAA the New Jersey Entrepreneur Network.