Who is thePhiladelphia Equity Alliance?

Michael is the chairman and CEO of FS Investments, an alternative investments asset manager. The firm is an outgrowth of Michael's simple vision: help investors access alternative sources of income, growth and diversification formerly available to only large institutions and the wealthiest individuals.

Ryan is the business manager at Laborer's District Council of Philadelphia. Ryan negotiates contracts and oversees contract compliance and is a trustee of the union's pension, training, and health and welfare funds to ensure that all member unions comply with all the rules and regulations that govern their existence.

Madeline is the president and CEO of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She champions change with empathy and integrity, inspiring the nearly 20,000 employees in the hospital's $3.2-billion-a-year health system and research institute to create breakthroughs that have a worldwide impact.

George is a partner at Kleinbard Bell & Brecker LLP. He's been a leader in the business, civic, and political affairs of Philadelphia for more than 30 years and served as a ranking official in the administrations of two mayors.

Della is the president of The Enterprise Center, an organization that works to accelerate the capacity of minority business enterprises to compete in any marketplace through business education, access to capital, management support, and connections.

JoAnne is the senior advisor to the president & professor of law at Temple University. For more than three decades, JoAnne has served Temple as an innovative leader and distinguished educator. She has continually demonstrated her commitment to the university's mission of providing a high-quality education that is both accessible and affordable. She is a member of the Board of Ethics, former Chair of the Philadelphia Police Oversight Board, and member of the Board of Directors of the Defender Association.

John is the president of Drexel University. Under Fry's leadership, Drexel has set a national example for the execution of public-private partnerships and become a powerful force for economic development in Greater Philadelphia. He has championed major neighborhood revitalization initiatives, extensive economic development efforts and significant partnerships to support local neighborhood schools.

Mike is the chief corporate affairs officer at FS Investments. He leads the firm's communications, investor relations, government and regulatory affairs teams; oversees the firm's corporate social responsibility and environmental, social, and governance initiatives; and leads the diversity and inclusion strategy. Mike has a history of public service, having served eight years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and six years as a trustee of Pennsylvania's State Employees' Retirement System (SERS).

Sharmain is the president and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition, which unites government, businesses, neighborhoods and individual initiatives to improve the quality of life in Philadelphia. She is the first woman to lead the coalition in the organization's 51-year history. Previously, she was the associate vice president of legislative and community affairs for Mercy Health System and AmeriHealth Caritas.

Bret is the senior vice president of external and government affairs for Comcast Corporation. In this role he is responsible for local government affairs, strategic partnerships with state and local intergovernmental associations, and national policy advocacy organizations.

Pedro is president and CEO of the Philadelphia Foundation, one of the first community foundations in the nation. Pedro has spent his career guiding organizations through critical inflection points and redefining how those organizations support and communicate with the communities they serve. He is a collaborative leader with a proven track record of forging next-level partnerships in his roles serving and leading legal, business, government and nonprofit organizations in the region.

Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller is the Senior Pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A highly sought-after revivalist, vocalist, and lecturer, Dr. Waller is a true visionary of the church and the community who serves humanity far beyond the restraints of traditionalism.