Invest: Philadelphia leadership conference to highlight eds and meds hub

Key points:

• The Invest: Philadelphia Leadership Summit will spotlight collaboration across the region’s eds and meds ecosystem.

• Panels will explore workforce readiness, healthcare partnerships, research innovation, and infrastructure strategy.

• The event marks the launch of Invest: Philadelphia 6th Edition, highlighting institutional leadership driving regional growth.

January 2026 — As Greater Philadelphia looks ahead to the opportunities and challenges shaping its economic future, business, civic and institutional leaders will gather for the Invest: Philadelphia Leadership Summit on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown’s Liberty Ballroom.

Join us at the Invest: Philadelphia 6th Edition Leadership Summit! This premier event brings together hundreds of Philadelphia’s business and regional leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses and investors. Buy your ticket now!

The summit marks the official release of Invest: Philadelphia 6th Edition, caa’s in-depth economic review of the region, and will convene leaders from education, healthcare, finance, energy and infrastructure to examine how collaboration across the region’s eds and meds ecosystem is driving long-term growth.

“We are proud to bring Invest: Philadelphia 6th Edition to life through this leadership summit,” said Abby Lindenberg, founder and CEO of caa. “Philadelphia’s strength lies in its institutions working together. This event highlights the leaders and strategies shaping a more resilient, competitive and inclusive regional economy.”

Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by opening remarks, a keynote speech from City of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and four panel discussions focused on innovation in education, healthcare partnerships, strategic development and the infrastructure supporting regional growth.

Innovation, education and workforce readiness

The opening panel, “Emotional Health & Responsible Tech: Education’s new core learning goals, and their impact at school and in the workforce,” will explore how emotional health, neurodiversity and responsible technology use are becoming foundational to education and workforce preparation.

The discussion will be presented by Gregory Martin, head of school at Woodlynde School, and moderated by Stephen Stunder, executive director of the Life Skills through Career Program and director of neurodiversity initiatives at Chestnut Hill College. Panelists include Sarah Baker, head of school at Tower Hill School; Sally Schufreider, market leader and general manager at Cigna Healthcare; Mary Ann Newell, director of employment initiatives and partnerships at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph’s University; and Kevin Mayne, head of school at Hill Top Preparatory School.

Supporting Philadelphia’s eds and meds institutions

The second panel, “Partners in Health: The capital strategy and cross-industry partnerships behind the region’s ascent as an education and healthcare hub,” will examine how financial strategy, investment and collaboration are supporting the growth of the region’s education and healthcare sectors.

Moderated by Brad Fouss, SVP and market president of Greater Philadelphia at OceanFirst Bank, the panel will feature Yulia Murphy, senior vice president of middle market healthcare at KeyBank; Joel Boyd, CEO of Mastery Schools; and a leader from CBIZ.

Research and innovation

The third panel, “Powering Research: How cutting-edge research and innovation are critical to the region and businesses,” will focus on how thoughtful development and talent strategies are reinforcing Philadelphia’s position as a national eds and meds hub.

The discussion will be moderated by Gary Liguori, chancellor of Penn State Abington, and will include Ben Smith, executive director and president of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, along with leaders from The Wistar Institute and Temple Health.

Infrastructure behind regional growth

The final panel, “Leading the Charge: How strategic infrastructure is paving the way for Philly’s eds and meds success, and how leaders are overcoming obstacles,” will explore the critical role of infrastructure, energy and design in supporting the region’s continued growth.

Moderated by Abby Lindenberg, the panel will feature Mike Rombach, vice president and general manager at NRG Energy; Martin Kimmel, president of Kimmel Architecture; and a leader from Essential Utilities;.

The discussions will provide insight into how Greater Philadelphia’s leaders are aligning education, healthcare, capital investment and infrastructure to support sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness.

Hundreds of senior executives, public officials and institutional leaders from across the region are expected to attend the in-person summit. Register today!

About caa & Invest: Philadelphia

caa is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events, and executive interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.

Invest: Philadelphia is a comprehensive economic review examining the key issues shaping the regional economy. Featuring exclusive insights from prominent business, civic and institutional leaders, the publication is designed to provide actionable investment intelligence while promoting Philadelphia as a premier place to do business.

For more information, contact:

Ryan Gandolfo

Senior Editor

305-938-0293

Want more? Read the Invest: Philadelphia report.