Meet these 10 ecosystem leaders and more at the Technical.ly Builders Conference

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Philly Tech Week 2025 is right around the corner, and that means it’s once again time for the Technical.ly Builders Conference. The annual gathering of entrepreneurship and innovation leaders is bigger and better than ever this year, with two days of insightful discussions and opportunities to connect with like-minded peers from 20+ states.

The first day, May 8, is focused on Ecosystem Storytelling, and will take place at the Science History Institute. May 9, the conference will be at the Comcast Technology Center with conversations will be around Economic Mobility. Read on to learn about some of the Technical.ly partners you’ll find at the event, and check out the full list of speakers and sessions on the registration page.

May 8 — Ecosystem Storytelling

Vanessa Chan, University of Pennsylvania

• Who: “Vanessa Chan is an accomplished entrepreneur, angel investor, speaker and educator renowned for her expertise in commercializing technologies. She is the inaugural Vice Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Engineering School and the Jonathan & Linda Brassington Professor of Practice. In 2021, Dr. Chan was appointed by President Biden to serve as the Chief Commercialization Officer at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions.”
• Session: Discussion: The State of Ecosystem Storytelling (9:45 a.m.)

Tammi Thomas, TEDCO

• Who: “As TEDCO’s Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Tammi Thomas is responsible for the overall strategic direction, execution and management of TEDCO’s marketing and fundraising strategies. Her leadership is instrumental towards the organization’s success in identifying, investing in, and growing Maryland-based technology and life science-based start-ups. Tammi is an award-winning communicator with more than 30 years of experience in marketing, technology, economic development, higher education, and entrepreneurship.”
• Session: Ecosystem Building is a Job Now: Organizing, Connecting & Storytelling (10:30 a.m.)

Tally Wolff, Arlington Economic Development

• Who: “Tally Wolff is the Startup Ecosystem Manager at Arlington Economic Development, where she runs the Arlington Innovation Fund, an initiative aimed at supporting and growing the region’s startup ecosystem. She’s spent her career helping entrepreneurs thrive, starting at Ashoka, launching a social enterprise accelerator in Columbus (SEA Change), and later running programs at the edtech startup WeThrive. Most recently, she’s helped nontraditional talent break into tech through coding bootcamps like Generation USA and Tech Elevator.”
• Session: Remote vs. Hybrid for Startups: Recruiting & Ecosystem Engagement (10:30 a.m.)

Jason Bannon, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

• Who: “Jason Bannon believes in the power of good stories to build meaningful connections. He leads marketing and communications for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, bringing more than 20 years of brand marketing experience in for-profit and non-profit businesses to the role. A Temple University graduate and native to Greater Philadelphia, his experience with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania advocated for the growth of Greater Philadelphia and its tech, life sciences, and innovation communities. A veteran of consumer and B2B marketing roles for global and regional brands, he proudly spreads the word that Philadelphians have, can, and will continue to change the world.”
• Session: Ecosystem Storytelling is about People, not just Places (11:30 a.m.)

Ben Bartolome, JPMorgan

• Who: “Ben Bartolome is a Vice President of Startup Banking at JPMorgan, supporting pre-seed and seed-stage startups in their growth journey from start to exit. Prior to joining JPMorgan, he was the co-founder and CEO of Walkthrough, a Philly-based B2C fintech dedicated to making financial wellness and advice accessible to anyone who needs it. Earlier in his career, he was also a data scientist and quant in the energy space for different hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and large financial institutions.”
• Session: Honing Your Pitch: For Sales, Investors & Employees (11:30 a.m.)

Anthony George, Ben Franklin Technology Partners

• Who: “Anthony George is a Venture Capital Associate for the Tech Investment Group at Ben Franklin Technology Partners where he assists with sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio administration. Prior to joining Ben Franklin in 2021, Anthony held a position at the University of Delaware’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships. Prior to that role, for nearly a 10-year period, Anthony was involved with the launch, management, and growth of five small businesses in several different industries, including information technology. These businesses achieved nearly $12 million in annual sales in 2019.”
• Session: VC Roundtables: Telling Your Story to Investors (3:00 p.m.)

Kimberly Klayman, Ballard Spahr

• Who: “Kimberly W. Klayman is the Practice Leader of the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Group. Kimberly has broad experience representing privately held emerging companies, as well as venture capital, private equity funds, family offices and corporate venture groups that invest in high growth companies. She works with companies through the entire corporate life cycle, including pre-formation and general corporate counseling, venture capital financings, and mergers and acquisitions. Kimberly also counsels investors and platform companies in strategic acquisitions of high growth companies.”
• Session: M&A or IPO: What is Your Company’s Destination? (4:00 p.m.)

May 9 — Economic Mobility

Danae Mobley, 1Philadelphia

• Who: “At every age, people are owed the right to acquire knowledge and explore their true potential. Danae’s work is centered on being the conduit between what’s possible and actualization. For more than two decades, Danae has built a career centered in innovation as an educator-turned-urban planner — turned CEO. She currently sits at the helm as Chief Executive Officer of Coded by, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that equips underrepresented people with the tools needed to either lead or start their own tech or innovation-focused companies. Additionally, she serves as Executive Director of 1Philadelphia — a citywide initiative aimed at establishing Philadelphia as a hub for equitable tech and innovation.”
• Our emcee for the day!

Scott Nissenbaum, Ben Franklin Technology Partners

• Who: “Scott Nissenbaum is President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Board of Directors at Ben Franklin Technology Partners. He believes that technology can make the world a better place and has dedicated his career to that ideal. Prior to becoming President and CEO at Ben Franklin, Scott served as its Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President, where he led the organization’s investment group, a team of 10 investment professionals making seed and early-stage investments across IT, Digital Health, Life Sciences, and Advanced Manufacturing.”
• Session: Discussion: Case Studies on Entrepreneurship Access (10 a.m.)

Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown, Accenture

• Who: “Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown serves as the Senior Manager of Operations and Strategic Programs at Accenture, overseeing operations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Her role is crucial in enhancing connections with the local business community, managing operations, and fostering collaborative opportunities for social impact. She leads the Philadelphia Apprentice Network, engaging apprentices, employers, and partners to promote skill-building and career advancement. Additionally, she is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs and serves on the Board of Directors for Philadelphia Works.”
• Session: Discussion: Case Studies on Tech Workforce Access on Economic Mobility (10:45 a.m.)