Pipeline Philly

Pipeline was honored to host an incredibly distinguished group of honorees and guests last night for City and State PA's 50 Over Fifty celebration.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Pipeline's annual Holiday Party and Toys for Tots toy drive! Nothng better than celebrating the season with our amazing community members, friends, and families. Special thanks to our members from Miles Table for the amazing spread (those BBQ ribs!) and Amphetamobile for busting out their incredible iPad Selfie Wall to document the debauchery. And extra special thanks to everyone who contributed a new toy for a child in need this holiday season!

We're excited to be hosting a live recording of the Third Wave Urbanism podcast in our cafe this afternoon. Thanks to co-hosts Kristen Jeffers and Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman for bringing this great conversation into our space.

The family gets a little bigger...

The wonderful folks at honeygrow stopped by with salad samples - featuring some delicious local and in-season additions like peaches, corn and cherry tomatoes - for our community to enjoy. We feel pretty spoiled when it comes to convenient lunch options here in Center City, and having honeygrow's custom, farm-to-fork salads and stir-fry right around the corner definitely proves it!

Don't let the smiles fool you; this team is all business. Thanks to the entire Business Forward crew for bringing three days of incredible programming and conversation into our space, and connecting our community to so many important thought leaders and policymakers.

As investment in and consumer demand for self-driving cars grows, policymakers, the automotive industry, and technology companies are working to redefine personal mobility. Business Forward brought together some of the leading experts in this burgeoning field to discuss strategies for autonomous vehicles and the impending changes to transportation regulations those strategies require, including: Dan Turton, Vice President for Public Policy at GM North America; Sarah Hunter, Public Policy and Government Relations Director at X (formerly Google X); and John Porcari, Senior Policy Advisor with Hillary for America and former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Companies across a range of industries invest in successful programs to boost college readiness, employee training, and encourage STEM education but face a systemic challenge filling good-paying, high-tech jobs. Business Forward invited a panel of policymakers and executives here to Pipeline to discuss how investments in STEM can promote America’s economic competitiveness. The speakers included: Dr. Alicia Abella, Assistant Vice President of Inventive Science for AT&T; Congressman Ami Bera of California’s 7th District; Congressman Derek Kilmer of Washington's 6th District; and Karen Kornbluh, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

What strategies strategies will encourage sustainable growth in the 21st century global marketplace? Business Forward opened day three of their DNC programming at Pipeline with a discussion that focused on investing in employees and R&D to promote innovation in America's most critical industries. The conversation was moderated by Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, the former White House Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, and panelists included: The Honorable Penny Pritzker, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce; Kenneth Frazier, Chairman & CEO of Merck; Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP; and Tom Nides, Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley and former Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.

What policies will boost our nation's energy efficiency? Business Forward assembled a panel of experts to discuss how government can serve as a catalyst to help bring new energy efficiency technologies to market, and the complementary efforts to create financing options that help consumers and businesses accelerate the adoption of those products. Featured speakers included: Congressman Jim Himes from Connecticut's 4th District; Carol Browner, Senior Counselor at Albright Stonebridge Group and former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Bill Mills, North American CEO of Citi; Alan George, Executive Vice President & CIO for Equity Residential; and Keith Welks, Deputy State Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. The conversation was moderated by Stephen Power, Partner at Brunswick Group.

Senior executives and policymakers sat down with members of Pipeline and Business Forward to discuss how focusing on diversity has affected their efforts to recruit and retain the best talent. The panel focused on best practices for increasing access and opportunities for minorities and women in the workplace and how to reduce barriers to leadership roles. Moderated by Hilary Rosen, Managing Director of SKDKnickerbocker, the panel also featured: Helen Burt, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Public Policy for Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Cynt Marshall, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for AT&T; Tishaura Jones, Treasurer for the City of St. Louis; and Amanda Renteria, National Political Director for Hillary for America.

As day two of DNC programming kicked off here at Pipeline, Business Forward invited our members to join a panel discussion on efforts to improve the efficiency, reliability, and resiliency of America’s energy delivery system and how these changes may affect energy users. Policymakers and energy executives discussed how preparations for severe weather and climate change, natural disasters, and security threats are shaping investments in America's complex network of pipelines, grids, and other infrastructure. Featured speakers included: Ralph LaRossa, President & COO of PSE&G; Nick Stavropoulos, President of Gas for Pacific Gas and Electric Company; and Trevor Houser, Energy Policy Advisor with Hillary for America. The discussion was moderated by Jim Doyle, President of Business Forward.