Drexel Alumni Emerging Leaders Conference

Will Ramey is the owner of Shared Leadership, LLC, a veteran-owned leadership and team development training provider. Will has honed his expertise leading teams in the U.S. Army and Fortune 500 companies. He possesses two decades of practical leadership and team development experience delivering highly engaging, educational and entertaining workshops. He obtained his doctorate from Drexel University with a focus on organizational behavior. Will is a LEGO® Serious Play® workshop facilitator and Simon Sinek certified WHY Discovery Coach.

Benjamin Baker is a senior project manager for Design Communication Ltd where he serves as project lead for wayfinding and signage for the under-construction Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium in Nashville. 

Prior to that, he served as a senior project manager for the Obama Foundation, where he oversaw the strategy, design, fabrication and installation of campus-wide wayfinding and signage for the recently-opened Obama Presidential Center. His expertise spans across physical accessibility, digital production development, and the creation of immersive and interactive environments.  

In 2005, Benjamin sustained a C7 incomplete spinal cord Injury that resulted in him using a manual wheelchair to this day. He began peer mentoring spinal cord injury patients at Magee Rehab and participating in various research studies. Over the years, he has mentored over 75 individuals and participated in over 15 research studies.  

Dan Conway is the SVP, head of operations at Famehouse, a division of Universal Music Group, whose mission is to define and deliver the industry’s best service that connects artists with their fans. He is responsible for shaping and guiding operational strategy for artist merchandise businesses across e-commerce, tour, retail and other channels.  

He graduated from Drexel University’s Music Industry program, with a minor in business administration. He was named to Drexel’s 40 Under 40 in 2023. 
 

Jamie McDonald transitioned from engineering to a dynamic entrepreneurial career in Philadelphia’s commercial construction industry, drawing on over 20 years of experience. 

As managing partner at Enliven Construction and partner at KMC Partners, Jamie shapes operational strategy to support scalable growth, and oversees sales, finance, HR, marketing, vendor partnerships, compliance and internal process improvements. 

Recognized in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 and honored by Bisnow in 2025 for excellence in commercial real estate, Jamie is a respected industry leader. She is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University and volunteers on multiple boards, including Philadelphia Women in Construction and The Independent Seaport Museum. She is a former member of Drexel’s Alumni Board of Governors.  

Evan Urbania is CEO of ChatterBlast Media, a digital marketing, advertising and stakeholder engagement agency based in Philadelphia. Founded in 2009, ChatterBlast serves brands including Comcast, Chemours, Exelon, The City of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  

In 2023, ChatterBlast launched GroundFloor Studios, a multimedia production studio in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, providing equitable access to creative spaces in partnership with Big Picture Alliance, a workforce development non-profit focused on supporting youth entering the film, video and digital media industries. 

Evan currently serves on Drexel’s President’s Leadership Council and the Board of Managers of The Philadelphia Foundation and is an appointed commissioner on the Philadelphia Gas Commission where he focuses on energy justice sustainability initiatives. 

Chris Finnin is a clinical professor and academic director of the First-Year Experience with more than 25 years of experience in business education. He focuses on teaching first-year students, designing experiential learning opportunities and helping students connect classroom concepts with real-world practice. Chris has developed and led global programs in cities such as Rome, Prague, Florence, Budapest and London, often integrating site visits, business projects, and cultural exploration. His courses emphasize reflection, teamwork, and early professional development. 

Beyond teaching, Chris co-founded ProfTalk.org, a platform for faculty engagement, and serves as founder and principal investigator at Infinite Hiatus, an incubator for EdTech and Consumer Tech innovations.  

Jennifer Kebea is President of Campus Philly, a nationally recognized nonprofit that fuels inclusive growth by attracting, engaging and retaining diverse college students and early-career talent in Greater Philadelphia. In this role, she has strengthened Campus Philly’s position as a trusted regional convener and a national thought leader in college graduate retention. She partners closely with colleges and universities, employers and civic institutions to design strategies that help communities compete for and retain emerging talent in a rapidly evolving economy.  

Jen’s work is driven by a deep commitment to Generation Z, data-informed decision-making and cross-sector collaboration. Her career reflects a focus on building durable institutions that create access, belonging, and long-term opportunity for young people.  

Previously, she served as executive director of Drexel University’s Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, where she and her team connected more than 30,000 students with meaningful community-based experiences. She has also served as graduate faculty at Drexel University, teaching in programs focused on higher education and nonprofit leadership. 

As Visit Philadelphia President and CEO, Angela Val leads a diverse team of creative thinkers in building Greater Philadelphia’s image, driving visitation and boosting the economy through day and overnight leisure stays. With more than two decades of experience in tourism marketing, Val assumed the top leadership role at Visit Philadelphia in 2022 — a homecoming after her initial tenure at the organization from 1998 to 2016. 

Prior to returning, Val was chief operating officer for integrated destination marketing agency Tempest, and chief administration officer for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). While at the PHLCVB and Tempest, she served as executive director of Ready. Set. Philly!, a post-pandemic economic revitalization initiative by the City of Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. 

Val serves on several boards, including the PHLCVB, Philadelphia Visitors Center Corporation, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Horizons Greater Philadelphia, 2026 Coalition, The Philadelphia Citizen, Philadelphia250 and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. She’s a member of the Mayor’s Business Roundtable, Mayor’s Clean and Green Cabinet, PA Society, Forum for Executive Women, International Women’s Forum and The WHAT. 

Subject line: Request to Attend the Drexel Alumni Emerging Leaders Conference on October 2

Dear [Manager Name], 

I would like to request approval to attend the Drexel Alumni Emerging Leaders Conference on Friday, October 2, at Drexel University. 

The conference is designed for professionals in the early stages of their careers and will bring together emerging and established leaders from a variety of industries to discuss leadership, creativity and professional growth. The event includes workshops, networking opportunities and a featured fireside chat with Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, and Jennifer Kebea, President of Campus Philly. 

I believe attending this conference would benefit both my professional development and our organization in several ways: 

Professional Development: Conference sessions will focus on leadership, communication, creative problem-solving and career growth. The strategies and insights shared by experienced professionals can help me strengthen skills that are directly applicable to my role. 

Networking: The opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas and learn how peers are addressing common challenges can provide valuable perspectives that I can bring back to our team. 

New Ideas and Best Practices: I will gain exposure to emerging trends, innovative approaches and practical tools that can contribute to more effective collaboration, leadership and workplace performance. 

I am confident that attending the Drexel Alumni Emerging Leaders Conference will help me further develop as a professional while providing knowledge and ideas that can positively contribute to our organization's goals. Thank you for considering my request.  

Sincerely,