Speakers

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  Tom Olenzak

  Tom Olenzak is the Director of Innovation for Independence Blue Cross, a $10 billion health plan based in Philadelphia, where he leads an innovation program that marshals internal and external resources to address some of the largest issues impacting the cost and quality of healthcare in the region. He is currently helping to leadDreamIt Health, a health care Accelerator co-sponsored by IBC and the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Tom’s past experience includes twenty years of entrepreneurial, venture capital, and senior management experience in the health care and information technology industries. He has held senior operating and investment positions at several Philadelphia-area health care and technology companies including Safeguard Scientifics, First Consulting Group, and Integrated Systems Consulting Group. Tom is a graduate of Princeton University and lives in Malvern.

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  Karina Sotnik

  Karina Sotnik is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, adviser and an educator. She spent over a decade in Silicon Valley in senior positions helping companies grow globally. She also launched three ventures of her own. In the last five years her concentration has been on growing WorldUpStart, a consulting practice focused on providing mentorship, consulting and advice to academic incubators, including UPstart at University of Pennsylvania, Accelerlife (Scandinavia) and ITMO QD (Russia). In addition, Karina recently conceived and launched AppITUP, an accelerator program for Mobile Apps at the University of Pennsylvania.

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  Chris McDemus

  Chris McDemus has spent 18 years helping start, build, grow and exit early stage, emerging growth and later stage companies as both a deal lawyer and entrepreneur. As a Managing Partner with Baer Crossey, LLC, a Philly-based boutique corporate transactional and technology law firm, he represents start-up, emerging growth and late stage companies, venture capital funds, private equity funds, corporate venture units, angel and other private investors. Chris is also a co-founder and Managing Partner with Cairn Venture Partners, LLC, an advisory firm looking to unlock value in underperforming B2B software companies.

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  Jameel Farruk

  Jameel leads Brolik’s team efforts towards fostering new client relationships while keeping current clients happy as Brolik's Director of Client Relations. Jameel comes from a strong background in media sales and brand development, having worked with some of the world’s largest brands including Airbus, Eli Lilly, Heinz and Verizon.

  @jfarruk
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  Will Crowder

  William Crowder is Managing Director at DreamIt Ventures where he works closely with DreamIt’s NYC and Philadelphia cycles, overseeing the DreamIt Access track. He is responsible for the operation of DreamIt Access; a partnership between DreamIt Ventures and Comcast to increase the number of minority-led startups. Outside of DreamIt, William leads the investing activities of the Comcast Ventures Opportunity Fund, a $20M seed stage venture fund; and is the Founder and Managing Director of Growth Strategy Advisors, a boutique strategic advisory and business development company that launched in 2008.

  @williamcrowder