Philly Tech Week 2018

Erin is a Product Designer at Nasdaq where she specializes in mobile. Erin has experience in many different industries and across multiple platforms. In addition to designing mobile products, Erin is an advocate for accessibility where she’s active in raising awareness.

David Dylan Thomas serves as Principal, Content Strategy at Think Company and is the creator and host of the Cognitive Bias Podcast. He has developed digital strategies for major clients in entertainment, healthcare, publishing, finance, and retail. A co-organizer of Content Strategy Philly, he previously consulted at the Corzo Center for the Creative Economy and is the creator, director, and co-producer of Developing Philly, a web series about the rise of the Philadelphia tech community. He has given standing-room-only presentations at TEDNYC, SXSW Interactive, UX Copenhagen, and the Wharton Web Conference on content strategy and emerging content trends.

Carvin Garland Haggins is a Grammy Award Winning and Multi-Platinum Selling Song Writer, Producer, Engineer, Co-Founder of Karma Productions, Co-Creator of Forever Music Inc. and the creator of Ethical Music Entertainment. The Philadelphia native has written hit songs for Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Miguel, Faith Evans, Justin Timberlake, Raheem DeVaughn, and Musiq SoulChild. Carvin has always believed that the best songs come from real life experiences, and has earned a reputation for writing songs that “mean something.” Carvin has been making music since he was 11, and has developed a unique style. In the 1990’s Carvin began working as a producer at “A Touch of Jazz” (ATOJ) for DJ Jazzy Jeff. It was there, that Carvin started getting a lot of recognition for his work. It wasn’t long before his songs started making an impact in the music industry. Carvin’s early work was featured on “The Nutty Professor II,” “Love Jones,” and the “Rush Hour 2” movie soundtracks. He also collaborated on Will Smith’s soundtrack for the movie “Wild Wild West.” At ATOJ Carvin met and began working with Ivan Barias. In 2001, Carvin and Ivan started Karma Productions and have since become one of the most sought after producing duos in the country. The pair, who are now known world-wide, have had several songs at the top of the Billboard Charts including: “Love” (Musiq), “Customer” (Raheem DeVaughn), “If You Leave” (Mary J. Blige and Musiq), and “Gotta Find My Way Back” (Jaheem) Introducing Stokley (Stokley) to name a few. During his career, Carvin has been tapped to create music for television as well. Haggins is the “Music Supervisor” for the annual Christmas television special, “Holiday Love” created by, and starring actress Kim Fields. Since the show began, Carvin has not only overseen the music that goes into the special, he’s also written several original songs for the show too; including music for artists Marvin Sapp, Brian Wilson, Wes Morgan, Karen Clark-Sheard, Tamela Mann and Shirley Caesar.

After recently celebrating 10 years of having Top 10 Billboard Charting records, Carvin and Ivan followed that up with 5 Grammy nominations in 2011. They were nominated for Jaheem’s hit song “Finding My Way Back.” They were also nominated in the R&B Song of the Year category for “Gone Already” by Faith Evans. Most recently, Carvin worked on projects for Ledisi, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle and 2014 Grammy nominated albums for Chrisette Michele and TGT. The creator of the Ethical Music Entertainment label, Haggins is behind a movement to bring respect back to radio. His artist Montina who is one of the Momma’s who sings background for Beyonce, Mz Lynx who was on MTV, Lex Dime who has a movement called Lost Girls and BriaMarie, whose singles “IDK” and“Celebrate” was featured on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. Haggins’ mission is to make music that is positive, has clean and clever lyrics, and will keep you moving. To Haggins, not only making music, but raising up another generation of musicians, writers and producers that create “real” music is as important. In an effort to give young people the opportunity to explore their artistic potential, Carvin is one of the founders of the Creative Minds Performing Arts School. The school will house “Karma Junior Productions,” and is projected to open in 2020. Haggins also gives back in other ways. He was a teacher at Chester Community Charter School and on the board of directors for the Recording Academy- Philadelphia chapter. He has received numerous honors for his work and service, including being named a Creative Ambassador for Philadelphia, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence and Innovation for BMM 2012, and was recognized for his accomplishments and community service, at the 16th Annual Artist Ball in Philadelphia. He’s currently a member of the Philadelphia Task Force. A organization created by the city to help the creative arts. When he’s not in the studio, or working on music curriculum for his school, Carvin is in fellowship with his family and friends at Southern Baptist Church in Philadelphia. At SBC, Carvin is a Reverend and Sunday School teacher.

Damian D. “Skipper” Pitts, PhD is a U.S. Marine turned business owner and the Founder/CEO at FlexRight Solutions™, a consulting, technology integration and manufacturing firm with several patents serving business, public safety, law enforcement and the federal government. Skipper’s expertise has allowed him to provide training and consulting as an SME on strategic execution and the integration of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) to business, local law enforcement and government agencies since 2014. Skipper is the author of 19 books with his upcoming title, Disruptive Innovation-THINK that focuses on adaptability to future-proof your projects, businesses and organizations, scheduled for release in the fall 2018.

Mike McCoy is part of ConsenSys' Ecosystem Development strategies where he helps build the teams involved in growing the Ethereum protocol around the world. Currently Mike has helped build the campus recruitment model, supports a number of ConsenSys teams such as uPort, Grid+, Linnia, Blockchain for Social Impact and D.C. Labs in their strategy to create efficient blockchain projects.

Before coming to ConsenSys, Mike helped start a software development bootcamp in Philadelphia, PA called Launch Academy, as well as working in technical sales and recruiting for a number of years before jumping into the blockchain space.

Jen began working with honeygrow as an independent branding consultant in May 2013, but committed to the team full-time as Chief Brand Officer at the start of 2014. Graduating from the University of Delaware in 2000 with a BFA in Visual Communications, with concentrations in graphic design and printmaking, Jen has been building innovative and engaging brand worlds for global and national brands. She has honed her skills as a Creative Director at advertising agencies i-Frontier (acquired by Digitas), Quaker City Mercantile (formerly Gyro Worldwide) with Comcast’s in-house creative team, and most recently as an independent consultant. She specializes in creative strategic ideation, visualization and brand development. Specializing in brand reinvigoration and new product development, Jen’s focus has revolved around branding, packaging, traditional advertising, retail campaigns, digital and social media programs for brands both domestically and internationally including Discovery Channel, AstraZeneca, Sailor Jerry Rum, Hendrick’s Gin, Cointreau liqueur, Milagro tequila, Art In The Age Spirits (Root, Snap), Metaxa brandy, Narragansett beer, Ecco shoes, Puma, J Shoes, TYR Sport and Starr Restaurant Organization. Jen is also a founding partner and President of Western Grace Brandy, a small batch, handcrafted artisanal brandy she and her partners started in 2013. The brand has launched in Pennsylvania and will be distributed regionally by Charmer-Sunbelt distribution group. Jen resides in Philadelphia where she is a 250hr RYT certified vinyasa yoga teacher and enjoys exploring the rest of the globe whenever she can manage a trip.

A practicing philosopher and social activist, Ryan has worked on campaigns for human rights, education reform, and technology education access. Before becoming the Director of Partnerships for REC Philly, Ryan started his own software company, Sandbox, that helped schools make their STEAM learning centers accessible and inclusive.

In her role on the Innovation Management team, Eliza oversees a portfolio of initiatives that increase the City’s internal capacity for innovation, creative problem solving, and cross-sector engagement. Her core work involves managing the Innovation Lab, Innovation Academy and Innovation Fund; and leading Innovation Consulting, a program that leverages specially trained City employees to provide internal consulting services for internal and external stakeholders seeking to address challenges in new ways. Prior to joining the City, Eliza worked at Project HOME; she attended the University of Virginia, where she studied history and religious studies, and pursued a Masters degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. When she’s not innovating, Eliza can be found exploring new restaurants in Philly with her husband and rescue pit bull, Brew.