The Business Symposium, “Careers Disrupted: Thriving in an Innovation-Driven Economy,” will feature speakers who will share their insights about relevant topics related to entrepreneurship, and will include a Q&A panel following the individual speakers. The event will also provide opportunities to network with speakers, guests, and one another.
Tentative Schedule
Guest Speaker Profiles
Jeff Hornstein
Executive Director, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
Jeff Hornstein has been at the helm of the Economy League since February 2018 and has helped the organization position itself as a leader in the inclusive and equitable growth space. He serves on the City’s Special Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Mayor’s Small Business Roundtable, and the Tax Reform Advisory Commission.
In 2019, he was invited to attend the Aspen Institute’s Executive Seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society. He has taught public policy and nonprofit leadership development as an adjunct faculty member at Penn, Temple, and Drexel. He is involved with the Saturday Morning Group, a civic leadership group that supports the Philadelphia Equity Alliance and served on the Fiscal Stability Subcommittee for Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker's Transition Team.
Jeff holds a PhD in Business History and published a book on the real estate industry, A Nation of Realtors. Jeff spent a decade in the labor movement, helping low-wage workers in the service and education sectors build workplace and political power. Jeff has earned degrees from MIT, Penn, and the University of Maryland.
Chiamaka Stellamaris Nwede
Educator, Social Entrepreneur, and Public Affairs Specialist
Chiamaka Stellamaris Nwede is a Public Affairs Specialist, Educator, and Social Entrepreneur, focused on the intersection of educational access, technology policy, and community development. She is the Founder of the Stellamaris Foundation, where she leads initiatives that expand educational opportunities and civic engagement among young people in Nigeria.
Her research and policy work have been featured by the New Jersey State Policy Lab, and she is a recipient of the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Student Civic Engagement from Rutgers University–Camden. Chiamaka’s work focuses on advancing innovative solutions that bridge talent gaps and promote equitable access to opportunity in an innovation-driven economy.
She holds a Master of Science in Public Affairs/Community Development from Rutgers–Camden and a Bachelor of Science in Education/Chemistry from Enugu State University of Science and Technology in Nigeria.
Autumn M. Carter
Vice President, Learning and Development, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Autumn M. Carter is a seasoned learning and organizational development executive with a proven record of driving enterprise wide performance, engagement, and organizational effectiveness. She currently serves as Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, where she leads enterprise-wide learning, change, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives that align to business priorities and enhance long-term organizational effectiveness.
Previously, Autumn held leadership roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, where she provided strategic consulting and operational guidance to the Supervision, Regulation, and Credit department, strengthening employee engagement and performance. Earlier in her career, she worked at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, advancing employee development initiatives, enhancing employer brand recognition, and empowering leaders and teams across the organization.
Autumn holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BA), with a minor in English, from William Paterson University. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and holds New Jersey Life and Health Sales licenses.
Dr. Walter E. Copeland II
Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University–Camden
Founder & Principal, Your Health is Wealth Coaching
Dr. Walter E. Copeland II is an adjunct professor at Rutgers University–Camden, and the Founder and Principal of Health Is Wealth Coaching Group, where he provides professional development and strategic guidance to organizations navigating leadership, automation, and innovation in a rapidly changing economy. His work focuses on preparing professionals and organizations to adapt to technological disruption, while developing sustainable career and leadership strategies.
Dr. Copeland holds a Doctor of Medical Science with a specialization in artificial intelligence (AI) applications in business and health sciences from Northeastern University, along with a Master of Science in Applied Nutrition from Lamar University and an MBA from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Through his teaching, speaking, and consulting, he brings an interdisciplinary perspective to conversations surrounding career readiness, innovation, and sustainable success.
Dr. Keanna Ralph
Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University–Camden
Leadership Strategist | Authenticity Coach | Educator
Dr. Ralph serves as a Lecturer at Rutgers University–Camden and is the Founder of DreamCatchers International Consulting Group, where she partners with entrepreneurs and professionals to strengthen leadership capacity, sharpen strategic thinking, and foster personal alignment. Her work bridges the academy and the real world—translating research-informed frameworks into transformative, actionable results.
Dr. Ralph is committed to helping individuals lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose in a rapidly evolving world. With over 15 years of experience spanning higher education, nonprofit leadership, and public sector initiatives, she brings a richly multidisciplinary approach to leadership development.
A proud holder of a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, Dr. Ralph is widely recognized for her engaging teaching style and impact-driven work. Her dedication to excellence in the classroom has earned her the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, among other honors. Her areas of expertise include authentic leadership, mindset transformation, and preparing leaders to adapt and thrive in complex, fast-changing environments.