Disrupt Together

Stephen Spinelli, Jr., Ph.D., current President of Philadelphia University, led the university's strategic transformation. The University's capital campaign of over $50 million included a $20 million single gift to endow the Maurice Kanbar College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce. Dr. Spinelli previously held several leadership positions at Babson College and serves on a number of boards, including the Berwind Corporation, Nextworth, and Planet Fitness. Dr. Spinelli is actively engaged in the community, serving on the boards of the VNA of Pennsylvania, the Episcopal Academy, and the Science Center. Dr. Spinelli is a national expert and frequent speaker and consultant in the area of franchising. Steve received his Ph.D. in Economics from The Management School, Imperial College (London), his M.B.A. from Babson College, and his B.A. in Economics from McDaniel College. He began his professional life as a cofounder of Jiffy Lube.

Heather McGowan is an entrepreneurial strategy consultant who works in both corporate and academic environments to lead and communicate transformational change through crafting a vision of future state while identifying, assessing, and addressing challenges to realize the goal. At Philadelphia University she was charged with creating the strategy, architecting the curriculum, and developing the advisory network for the innovative Kanbar College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce (DEC), which won the 2012 Core 77 international competition for innovation in design education. Heather has advised senior management in several start-up companies in strategy, business modeling, and financing and has brought more than 25 products to market. Heather holds a B.F.A. in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Babson College.