Philly Power Moves: Dyshaun Hines moves on from the Philadelphia Global Identity Partnership

Dyshaun Hines is focusing on entrepreneurship

Dyshaun Hines announced in June that he would be leaving his role as director of Philadelphia Global Identity Partnership (PGIP) after four years.

Hines wrote in a LinkedIn post that the goal during his time with PGIP was to “elevate Philadelphia’s Global Brand Narrative, to position our region as a top-tier destination for business, talent, and investment.” He said he believes that Philadelphia will continue to become a more diverse and inclusive region.

He told Technical.ly he plans to continue working on projects focused on inclusive regional development with his company METRODAO and through the teen tech festival FRSHWV, for which he is co-producer. He will also continue consulting for regional branding and tourism initiatives.

“While I’m sure I will see many of you in and around the city, please know that it has been an honor to serve you all as Director of PGIP, and I look forward to opportunities to work with you in support of future projects and initiatives,” Hines wrote in his post.

Fulton Financial Corporation has a new chief operations and technology officer

Karthik Sridharan. (Courtesy photo)

Karthik Sridharan is the new senior executive VP, chief operations and technology officer at Lancaster’s Fulton Financial Corporation as of June. In this new position, he will work with information technology and operations teams to improve the way Fulton uses technology.

Sridharan has over 20 years of experience, with past roles including chief information officer and executive vice president at OceanFirst Bank, and as chief technology officer, enterprise operations and technology at Citigroup.

rockITdata wins SBA veterans award

Center City-based IT services and consulting firm rockITdata was named the Eastern Pennsylvania District Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year award this spring from the US Small Business Administration.

“We are honored to be recognized during the National Small Business Week,” said Marlene Andersch, CEO and founder of rockITdata, in an April statement. “As a veteran-owned small business, rockITdata will continue to contribute to the growth of our local community and economy.”

Pennovation Accelerator named its 2023 cohort

Pennovation Works welcomed nine companies to its 2023 Pennovation Accelerator cohort this month. These companies will go through a six-week program learning to fine tune their pitch and storytelling skills. The accelerator will end on July 26 at the program’s annual pitch day. Meet the chosen companies:

• BactTest
• Blossom
• Guthrie AI
• LCKR
• Medicratic
• Orble
• Pocket Scribe
• Sonora
• Vertige

Startup Bucks has a new director

Gwendolyn Stoltz started in March as the new director of Startup Bucks, an organization that supports startup growth in Bucks County.

In this role, Stolz oversees funding and programs, including the Bucks Built Startup Fund. The former research scientist and candidate for state representative is also the founder of GR Medical Writing, which offers contract medical writing services.

EY announced the local Entrepreneur of the Year winners

Ernst & Young announced the winners of its 37th annual Entrepreneur of the Year awards this month. Thirty Philly-area entrepreneurs were selected to be finalists and assessed by a panel of judges based on long-term impact they’ve had. These 12 entrepreneurs were the winners:

• Dea Belazi, AscellaHealth
• Daniel Berger, Berger Communities
• Patrick Cozzi, Cesium
• Jeffrey Meiler, Best Egg
• Patricia Brennan, Key Financial
• Ira Greenberg, Keystone Technologies
• Steven Lagos, LAGOS
• Michael Schreiber, Playfly Sports
• Dr. Ellen Stang, ProgenyHealth
• Clement Pappas, Stateside Vodka
• Vaughan Buckley, Volumetric Building Companies
• BJ Werzyn, West Shore Home