RealLIST Connectors 2024: In Philly’s Tech And Startup Community, 20 People You Want To Know

Shining a spotlight on the most connected and community-oriented people in the region’s innovation ecosystem.

This is the fifth edition of Technical.ly’s annual RealLIST Connectors feature, which recognizes the most connected and community-oriented people in the region’s ecosystem. We started in 2020 by listing 100 people. The following year we highlighted another 20. In 2022 we added 22 people to the list; last year we spotlighted 20 more.

The process starts with ideas from you, our readers, offered through our nomination form. (That form is open year-round, submit away!) We also ask past honorees for their suggestions, and look back at our reporting over the previous year.

This year’s list spotlights 20 people who are connected, influential and give back to the Philly tech and startup scene. Our honorees range from STEM educators, to members of the life sciences community, to advocates for workforce development, to programming experts and people who are simply just deeply embedded in the community.

Scroll down to meet your 2024 RealLIST Connectors in Philadelphia, presented in alphabetical order.

Jason Bannon

Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia

Bannon is the new senior vice president of marketing and communications for the Chamber of Commerce. He previously spent 10 years at Ben Franklin Technology Partners, where he was VP of marketing and communications, a role that landed him on our original RealLIST Connectors list five years ago.

The past half-decade has seen Bannon’s connections grow to a new level — and those personal relationships are what he appreciates most about the Philly tech landscape. In his new position, he looks forward to continuing collaboration work with the region’s wider business community.

Ben Beaver

Nerd Street

Beaver is the head of programming and senior manager for youth camps and programming for Nerd Street, a Philly-based esports company. It’s the perfect position for him, because he’s extremely passionate about increasing access to the skills and opportunity gaming can offer. Last fall, the org expanded with a youth league that helps encourage players to pursue professional or amateur care.

Melina Blees

BioLabs Philadelphia

Blees is the business operations and strategy director and head of BioLabs Philadelphia, which offers workspace and resources to local life sciences companies. Blees has led multiple events for the global organization since its Philly presence launched in 2018.

For example, the org recently hosted ab Investor Pitch Day, bringing together founders, investors, vendors and other stakeholders in biotech, med tech and health tech. Blees also organized a Tech Transfer Showcase last winter to show off research and companies spinning out of local research institutions.

Read the full article here

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