Challenge Judges

Brian Lobley
VP Office of Strategy & Innovation, Independence Blue Cross (IBC)

As head of IBC’s Strategy & Innovation Office, Brian focuses on forming and cultivating critical partnerships throughout the company with a concentration on developing and driving corporate strategy, portfolio management, and business process improvement. In addition, Brian is responsible for the emerging Individual Business segment. Prior to this, Brian held numerous leadership roles within the company’s eBusiness and Operations Divisions, and serves as a founding member of both the G. Fred DiBona, Jr. Memorial Foundation (Fred’s Footsteps) and the Future Blue Leaders Forum.

Kim Eberbach
VP Wellness & Community Health, Independence Blue Cross

Kim is responsible for the development and execution of wellness-related strategies and programs for employees, members, and the surrounding community. Kim was previously Vice President of Human Resources for IBC. Prior to joining IBC Kim spent ten years consulting in the arenas of strategic planning, change management, leadership, and process improvement.

Stephen M. Sammut
Venture Partner, Burrill & Company

In addition to managing overseas venture capital funds for Burrill & Company, Steve has been a Senior Fellow and Lecturer at The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania for the last 19 years. Steve’s primary areas of research coincide with his venture activity: health care and biotech capacity building in the emerging markets; private equity and venture capital approaches to economic development; and the role of the private sector in addressing needs in global health.

Giridhar Mallya, MD, MSHP
Director of Policy and Planning, Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Giridhar helps to define public health priorities for the City, coordinates the Department’s research and data analysis activities, and works with key leadership — including the Board of Health — to set policies and develop regulations. He also leads the Department’s Get Healthy Philly tobacco control and obesity prevention initiatives.

Decio K. Mendes
Innovation Capability Director, ?What If! Innovation Partners

Decio is responsible for ?What If!’s Innovation Culture & Capability practice in the Americas. Decio has a passion for helping organizations and their employees achieve their full creative potential and breakthrough business performance. He and his team work with clients across industries to develop truly innovative new products, services, brands, and customer experiences. They also work with clients to help them to maximize the commercial value of their innovations.

Elliot Menschik
Founder of Venturef0rth, Managing Director of Acuity Health

Elliot is a physician, neuroscientist, engineer and overall tech geek turned entrepreneur. He is the founder of Venturef0rth, providing Philadelphia tech startups and early-stage companies a physical space designed for coworking and collaboration, a community of peers, and guidance from entrepreneurs-in-residence including strategic and operational support. Elliot is also managing director of Acuity Health, a healthtech-focused consultancy. Both independently and in connection with DreamIt Ventures, Elliot mentors and advises a handful of of early-stage healthtech companies.

Gary J. Kurtzman, MD
Managing Director Safeguard Scientifics

As Managing Director at Safeguard Scientifics, Dr. Kurtzman partners with emerging companies in healthcare IT, diagnostics, devices, regenerative medicine, and specialty pharmaceuticals. With more than 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, board member, financier and operator, Dr. Kurtzman leverages his medical expertise to empower businesses to enhance their products, grow their services, and identify strategic partnership opportunities. Presently, Dr. Kurtzman is a lecturer in the Health Care Systems Department at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he teaches entrepreneurship in life sciences.