Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania Appoints Four New Board Members
New leadership and the upcoming Center City move underscore the organization’s commitment to Greater Philadelphia’s innovation community.
PHILADELPHIA (Jan. 8, 2026) – Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) today announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors, strengthening the organization’s leadership as it continues to expand its role as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the Greater Philadelphia region.
The newly appointed board members are:
- Laura Plunkett, Vice President of Startup Engagement and Head of LIFT Labs, Comcast
- John Swartley, Chief Innovation Officer, University of Pennsylvania
- Mitch Vidovich, Vice President of Government Affairs, Independence Blue Cross
- Patrick Ward, EVP Pennsylvania Market President, WSFS Bank
“Strong community and strong leadership go hand in hand,” said Scott Nissenbaum, President and CEO of Ben Franklin. “As we welcome new board members and prepare for our move to Center City, we’re reinforcing our commitment to being a visible, connected partner in the Greater Philadelphia region’s innovation ecosystem.”
The new members join a board composed of leaders from business, finance, academia, and the public sector who collectively support Ben Franklin’s role as one of the region’s leading seed-stage capital providers in tech sectors.
Ben Franklin’s Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and guidance to support the organization’s mission of delivering capital, counsel, and connections to technology-driven companies. The addition of these members reflects Ben Franklin’s continued focus on regional collaboration and long-term impact as the organization builds new opportunities to convene and support the innovation community.
The new appointees began their first three-year terms last month, as three board members concluded their service after reaching Ben Franklin’s nine-year board term limit.
The departing members are James Narron, former First Vice President and COO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; Denise Devine, founder and CEO of FNB Holdings LLC; and Matthew Callahan, founder and board director of Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. From 2017-2025, these departing leaders helped oversee the approval of $76.8 million in funding, supporting 261 companies and helping to create 2,946 jobs across southeastern Pennsylvania.
