Power Moves is a recurring series where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us at [email protected].

A new life sciences leader is stepping up in Philly with intentions to increase collaboration.

The Wistar Institute appointed Penn researcher Ronny Drapkin as its new president and CEO. 

Philly is also making strides in workforce development and startup support. Hopeworks announced a new skilled trades training program and the Pennovation accelerator concluded its 2026 cohort. 

Get all the details and more power moves below. 

The Wistar Institute selects cancer researcher as new CEO 

The Wistar Institute selected cancer researcher Ronny Drapkin as its new president and CEO. Drapkin will take the reins from longtime Wistar leader Dario Altieri at the end of November. 

The opportunity to work for a renowned research institution and pursue collaborations at local, national and international levels drew Drapkin to Wistar, he told Technical.ly. 

“Being in the right scientific environment, working with the right people, can lead to discoveries that are impactful,” Drapkin said. “But also collaborations that can make the whole endeavor more enjoyable.” 

Currently an ovarian cancer researcher at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Drapkin has worked with Wistar scientists in the past, he said. In his new role, he looks forward to the opportunity to mentor younger scientists at the institute. 

Drapkin is also interested in exploring the role of AI in scientific research to help advance drug discovery and vaccine development. Drapkin sees the National Institutes of Health’s Bio Genesis program as a good opportunity for the Institute to leverage its strengths in computational biology and bioinformatics, he said. 

Closer to home, Drapkin also wants to deepen the Institute’s partnerships with other local healthcare and research institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson University and Temple University. He sees opportunities to work with foundations and biotech companies too, all of which would hopefully lead to more discoveries that actually become treatments available to patients, he said. 

“Discoveries being translated to the clinic, the clinic bringing back data to refine the discoveries that we’re developing in the lab,” Drapkin said. “It’s a win-win opportunity.” 

Hopeworks launches skilled trades workforce program 

Workforce development org Hopeworks launched its Skilled Trades Workforce initiative in September, preparing young adults for careers in manufacturing, construction, water utility and healthcare. 

Young adults who join Hopeworks will still get basic technology and soft skills training, with new career pathways to choose from, Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks, told Technical.ly. 

Each of these new programs has employers signed on to teach the hard skills, and Hopeworks coaches will also be available to support trainees. This will hopefully lead to increased employee retention for companies and help Philly youth take advantage of the city’s economic activity, he said. 

“We want to make sure folks who are experiencing poverty are the ones getting [these jobs],” Rhoton said. “Embed the supportive services right there. Make sure that they’re able to grow with the company.” 

The program, which is supported by a $1 million grant from the Switchpoint Foundation, will also help employers train their workforce in digital skills, he said. 

“What we’re seeing from all of our employers is they need digitally savvy employees at every position,” Rhoton said.

AI literacy startup wins 2026 Pennovation Accelerator Pitch Day

Raile won the Pennovation Accelerator’s annual pitch day, taking home the $7,000 prize. The startup is developing an AI literacy tool that teaches children how to use chatbots with monitoring from teachers and parents. 

The prize money will allow cofounders Jake Rozran and Dan Larson to attend more conferences and events where they can meet potential customers, they told Technical.ly. 

This year’s accelerator cohort included 11 startups ranging from education tools to home repair platforms to healthcare devices. 

Animal behavior analysis platform AgriGates won best pitch, which came with a $3,000 check. 

Two men hold a large ceremonial check for $7,000 from Pennovation Works, awarded to “Raile” as the 2026 Pennovation Accelerator winner.
Raile won the 2026 Pennovation Accelerator pitch day (Sarah Huffman/Technical.ly)

Startup power moves

  • Medicinal Technologies, which develops over-the-counter biopharmaceuticals, is currently moving its headquarters from Florida to the Philly area, founder and CEO Sheryene Tejeda told Technical.ly. The company also recently raised an undisclosed round, which will support its regulatory work with the FDA. 
  • The startup Scout Robotics added rail operations leaders Matthew Igoe and Donald M. Itzkoff as strategic advisors. 
  • AI weapon detection company ZeroEyes partnered with Samson Security Fire and Facilities to combine security tech systems and bring ZeroEyes to the UK. 
  • FORT Robotics is working with physical AI company Agility Robotics to build safety infrastructure for Agility’s robot, Digit 5. 
  • JoJo Platt and Andrew Csavoy will join Actuated Medical’s Medical and Commercial Advisory Board. 
  • Peter Anastasiou will transition from senior executive vice president and COO to president and CEO of Plymouth Meeting-based Harmony Biosciences. Anastasiou will take over from Jeffrey M. Dayno. 

Academia power moves

  • Comcast partnered with Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business to develop an MBA program training executives on AI skills. 
  • Tech education org Coded by will host programming at Temple University, expanding its reach to North Philadelphia. 
  • Penn Graduate School of Education launched the Living Laboratory for Human Agency and AI. The program will bring together researchers, educators and other stakeholders to analyze how AI could be used in classrooms. 
  • Temple University’s School of Pharmacy awarded biotech founder Stella Vnook this year’s Pharmaceutical Innovation Award. 
  • Accelsius, a liquid cooling startup in Austin, Texas, is donating hardware to Villanova University’s Energy-Smart Electronic Systems lab. This contribution will help the university advance its direct-to-chip cooling research with an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center supported by the National Science Foundation, according to Rich Bonner, CTO of Accelsius. 
  • Penn Engineering launched the Schlein Center for Cybersecurity. The center will research security strategies and tools to test online safety. 
  • Temple University introduced the Responsible Business Institute, an initiative through the Fox School of Business to research ethical business practices. 

Nonprofit power moves

  • The Wistar Institute added Dana Nae Garcia to its Board of Trustees. 
  • The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia rebranded to the Greater Philadelphia Chamber. The org also announced its new Board of Directors. 
  • Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania was named to Inc.’s 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors list. 
  • Melissa Callum joined the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau as executive director of its life sciences division. 
  • Comcast partnered with the Cobbs Creek Foundation to provide tech education resources to the TGR Learning Lab. 

More power moves

  • Mayor Cherelle Parker signed an executive order in September establishing a data center task force. The group will take nine months to gather information about the potential impact of the developments on the city. 
  • Independence Blue Cross appointed Christine Kourouklis as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Brian Iaia will become the new executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary.  
  • Oaks-based fintech company SEI opened an office in Singapore, selecting Connall McGuckian as managing director and head of Singapore. The company also recently appointed Kristie Edling-Day as its new chief information officer. 
  • Pennsylvania’s Office of Administration won the 2026 Enterprise Technology Management Award from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. 
  • Keystone Life Sci Collaborative launched a Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Ecosystem Map. The searchable tool is intended to help talent find jobs and companies find resources, Managing Director Maurie Smith told Technical.ly. 
  • Real estate firm Ensemble Investments kicked off the Kaazi workforce development program, a training program for pharmaceutical and advanced therapy manufacturing workers in Philly.