Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the format of iTalk and what does it stand for?

People have been asking me if iTalk literally translates to mean “I” (versus “you”) talk or “innovation” talk. The “I” stands for innovation. The delivery format is meant to use popular music, powerful light changes, vivid color, set design and dramatic staging to enhance the power of the “talks” or “theatrical monologues” written and delivered by the iTalkers to the audience. Innovation talks are centered on themes that have been pre-selected and each iTalker has been aligned to a theme. The following themes will be presented in this years’ iTalk series: courage, vision, change acceleration, endurance and “the challenge.”

2. What makes iTalk Different from other leadership workshops, symposiums and seminars?

(WHY ITALK?) Let’s be honest, business seminars, symposiums and conferences need a face lift. No more boring Power Points and hour-long speeches. The theatrical stage evokes emotion, reflection and understanding from audiences in a manner that stands unmatched by any other platform. By merging pop culture, leadership content and stage drama, iTalk will challenge attendees to think out of the box and drive creative thinking and innovation within their specific industries.

3. The iTalkers you selected are very diverse. What was your reasoning behind leader selection?

Diversity and inclusion are the reasons, period. The iTalkers are a reflection of who is welcome to attend, EVERYONE. We’ll have leaders like Tom Spann — founding CEO of Accolade, one of the most successful healthcare organizations in the word; Meisha Johnson, former CBS Philly anchor and a fellow millennial☺; Desiree Rogers — former White House social secretary under the Barack Obama administration; The International DJ Casper, one of the most successful DJs in entertainment today. They might all seem to have little in common. But they all share a genuine drive to move the ball forward.  My hope that this event will reach people at opposite ends of every spectrum.

4. Where did you come up with this idea?

I am literally a bank of ideas. I have always been a visionary. If I’m not creating, I am atrophying. I have an undergraduate degree in music and theater drama from The Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins and I’ve been expressive and creative since I was born. When I decided to transition into a corporate career after business school, part of me was melancholy about it, despite the financially stable life that I knew it would afford me. After about 10 years in that world, I experienced a little bit of a crisis. I knew I wasn’t reaching my potential. What is “authentically you” always asserts itself. The old saying — “you can run but you can’t hide” — is very real.

5. What are five reasons why the Philadelphia business community should attend iTalk?

There are so many more than five but If I had to narrow it down they would be:

1. The diversity of the speaker slate. Multiple industries are represented
2. A completely out-of-the-box “retro” format.I love to challenge the status quo. For example, the use of DJ-ing as the musical art form of choice (an art form that experienced tremendous creative growth since the 19050’s), set design, stage lights and theatrics. This is a full-blown performance and it will certainly feel that way. It’s not a conference, symposium or even a gala.
3. Networking outside of your usual circle. We’ll offer an environment where the creative energy felt by people can literally collide
4. The majestic Kimmel Center on a Friday night. I want people to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a not-your-average corporate event. Friday night was deliberately chosen for this reason
5. You will leave energized. With so much going on in our country and across the globe, people are searching for a silver lining, a reason to believe they can drive continued innovation within their respective fields and build a brighter future.

6. How will you know the iTalk series has made a positive impact on the business community?

It’s really important that this series produces major change within our communities and my production team is actively evaluating ways in which we can quantify that impact. After ITalk Philly on April 12, 2019, we will tour other cities. In addition,  ITalk will provide seed funding to support entrepreneurship in the cities that we visit. ITalk Philly will donate a portion of proceeds to The City of Philadelphia Innovation Lab, in partnership with Philadelphia University, which will allow iTalk to drive continued personal professional, social impact post the event.