Power Moves is a column where we record the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us: [email protected].
Teryn Thomasthe Moorestown, New Jersey-based founder CEO and cofounder of the edtech startup EdLightwas chosen for the latest cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders.
EdLight is an app that teachers can use to digitally view student work and provide feedback. The platform can also be used to collaborate with peers and connect with students’ families. The company’s goal is to make teachers’ lives easier, and improve student outcomes.
Thomas said he applied for the accelerator because he felt there weren’t many opportunities for seed startups at the Series A stage with mentorship targeted at technical development. As part of this program, he will hire two mentors, one with expertise in scaling and one with expertise in technology — “so it really helps you figure out, how can I improve my product development so that what’s being put ko out is something really more in terms of the adaptations we use?” he said.
The accelerator will start in September. 13 and will run for 10 weeks, culminating in a pitch day. One thing Thomas said he’s most looking forward to getting out of the program? A community. This may include co-founders, as well as potential investors.
“When you think about Google, I think it’s synonymous with the idea of having quick access to a lot of resources,” he said. “And I think this accelerator is really an opportunity for us to have access to other leaders and businesses that are growing at a similar rate to us.”
From a mobile platform that provides real-time legal guidance for pulled-over drivers to AI that digitizes student handwritten work—meet our newest Accelerator: Black Founders cohort : https://t.co/0i9VeMUFPU #AcceleratedWithGoogle pic.twitter.com/dnKauhT8Ty
— Google for Startups (@GoogleStartups) August 30, 2022
He said he hopes to build the company’s brand prestige by increasing the number of EdLight users. And as a lifelong educator, Thomas hopes to spread the company’s mission to “make great teaching easy.”
“This gives us more opportunities to contribute to the larger education community and all the struggles that have really happened in the last three years since the pandemic,” said the founder.
Some of the other Black founders in the Philly area have gotten support from Google programs, including Google for Startups’ Black Founders Fundwhich offers up to $100,000 in non-dilutive capital. Seshie co-founder Kofi Frimpong is in the 2021 cohort, while Stimulating founder Tiffany Standard and Switchboard Live co-founder Rudy Ellis entered the 2020 cohort.
The Philadelphia Inquirer brings on a new VP of DEI from Comcast
The Philadelphia Inquirer announced in late August that Kendra Lee will be vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Most recently, Lee served as by Comcast senior director of inclusive leadership development where he worked to create an inclusive workplace for all. Prior to that, he was the partner in the infrastructure diversification business at Facebook.
“In addition to being a certified leadership coach, Kendra brings more than a decade of executive experience in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, professional development and talent management to The Inquirer ,” said the publisher and CEO of the news org, Elizabeth H. Hughes, in a statement. “His strategic and inclusive approach will be a great asset at all levels of the organization, helping us advance our goals to better serve our employees and the Philadelphia region.”
Lee said she is excited to join The Philadelphia Inquirer and lead initiatives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion with positive impact.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to create positive change in the city I love and call home, while working for an organization dedicated to providing important journalism for Philadelphia’s diverse communities,” Lee said.
Lee’s rent arrived a few weeks before the members of the Journalism Accountability Watchdog Network (JAWN) Coalition published a letter about the lack of Black male reporters in the newsroom, outside of the sports desk. The letter was published in Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists’ website and called on the Inquirer to meet with them and discuss “broader trends of inequality” and how they can address those issues.
Savana has revamped its C-suite
Malvern fintech company Savannah announced at the end of August Emily Steele will join the company as president and COO. With this change, the former Savana President and CTO Mike Wolfel will be CEO of the company, and is a former CEO Michael Sanchez will be executive chairman.
Steele has more than 20 years of experience in the banking software industry. He previously served as president of the Temenos, North America, a banking software solutions company. As the new president and COO, Steele will focus on GTM, customer delivery and employee success and expansion.
“I’ve worked for all different types of companies in the banking sector, and what gets me most excited to get out of bed every morning is the entrepreneurial spirit of a company like Savana,” Steele said. “I’m a big advocate of banks transforming their technology. Savana’s technology unifies how the bank works, creates a consistent customer experience, and removes much of the risk and fear that comes with digital transformation.”
Sanchez, who is also Savana’s founder, said he is confident the company will continue to grow under his leadership. Wolfel said he is honored to work with a fintech veteran like Steele and is also proud to step up as the company’s new CEO.
“I have been with the company since the beginning and I have seen how our technology has helped to support banks in their transformation,” he said. “With this powerhouse team of leadership and talented employees, I know we will continue to help banks innovate and thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”
Mike Wolfel of Savannah. (Courtesy photo)
Boomi appoints new board member…
Boomthe software-as-a-service cloud integration platform based in Chesterbrook, has announced the appointment of Larry Quinlan as an independent, non-executive member of its board of directors.
“We are delighted to have Larry as part of our board and strategic counsel, where he will bring his proven expertise to help us navigate our next phase as a company,” said David Meredith, CEO at Boomi, in a statement. Referring to the company’s summer 2021 deal where investment firms acquired Boomi Dell on a deal valued at $4 billion: “The recent launch of Boomi as a standalone organization — combined with our category-leading technology and rapid customer growth — gives us the opportunity to continue to build an unparalleled team of leadership.”
Quinlan previously served as Global CIO for Deloitte and was responsible for the company’s technology strategy and operations. He has more than 35 years of experience advising Fortune 500 boards and CEOs.
Quinlan currently sits on numerous boards, including public companies Service Today and Jones Lang LaSalle. He also leads the Technology and Cyber Forum of board for UBS Americas Holding LLC.
… and so is Patina
patinaa health care company for the elderly, designated Dr. Reed V. Tuckson to its clinical advisory board on Tuesday.
Tuckson is the managing director of Tuckson Health Connections LLC and he is also the cofounder of Black Coalition Against COVID, an organization that uses community partnerships to share information about the COVID-19 vaccine in communities of color. He also previously served as EVP and chief of medical affairs for UnitedHealth Grouppresident of American Telemedicine Associationcommissioner of public health for District of Columbia and was named one of the Modern Health Care 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives.
Tuckson said he was inspired by Patina’s commitment to improving health care for people as they age.
“I have spent my career working to deploy technology and integrated health care services to better reach patients in their communities,” he said in a statement. “Patina is transforming the delivery of care to create a better experience centered around the priorities and preferences of their patients.”
Sarah Huffman is a 2022-2023 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. -30-