People

Behind the inspiring organizations, dynamic businesses, compelling events, intriguing communities, and notable news items that help make Philadelphia global, are individuals who bring a wealth of expertise and commitment. Meet the scholars, researchers, students, diplomats, curators, artists, linguists, educators, attorneys, financiers, transportation experts, scientists, administrators and others who contribute so much to the globalism of the region. (GPA members appear at the beginning of the list, followed by non-members in alphabetical order.)

Add yourself to the list today!

Focus your search

Filter by Topic

Filter by Global Region

Karen Randal

Director of Business Attraction and Retention, Department of Commerce, The City of Philadelphia

Dr. Jorge Ribas

Judith Robinson

Randall J. Rook

Randall J. Rook is interested in how cities are connected. In his engineering work he's involved with the design of rail infrastructure (presently electrification) which connects communities, along with the related analysis of rail corridor history and geography. In his planning education efforts, he's sustainably integrating the passenger and freight markets and the operations of those community-connecting rail corridors.

Raili Roy

Assistant Director, South Asia Center at The University of Pennsylvania

Brian Said

Brian Said has a well rounded combination of education and leadership experience from world class organizations in both the U.S. and Europe. With a great passion for the travel industry and more than twenty years experience, he has accumulated unparalleled experience and achieved success in all aspects of destination marketing, air service development, hotel operations, sales & marketing and revenue management at major travel destinations, luxury and high end properties in Europe and USA.

Karen Saillant

Founder and Director, International Opera Theatre

Suzie Saracoglu

Suzie has over 20 years experience as a business development and consulting professional with expertise in the Near East and Central Europe.

Ed Satell

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Progressive Business Publications

Hazami Sayed

Executive Director and Founder, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

Michael E. Scullin

Honorary Consul of France; Counsel at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP; Co-Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association International Law Committee

Francesco Sgrazzutti

Co-founder and Coordinator, Italian Professionals in Philadelphia

James Shacklett

Chief Executive Office, National Label Company

Brian Shapiro

Brian Shapiro is a dynamic professional with 18 years experience in professional training, higher education, and the performing arts. He’s a funny, knowledgeable, and insightful workshop leader! Brian’s developed and delivered theater-based training programs nationally, served on the communication faculty at several colleges and universities, and has written and performed in over a dozen original theatrical productions, as well as being singer/songwriter for the Paris-based electronic music trio, Grand Plateau.

Ilyse Shapiro

Suburban Philadelphia native Ilyse Shapiro is the founder of Let’s Be Direct LLC. The self-described “mom-preneur,” started the firm to assist small businesses who would not receive attention from big marketing and public relations agencies. Shapiro provides the same well-thought out and executed PR and direct marketing programs as the “big guys,” but at a more affordable and accessible level.

Kenneth Shear

Anastasia Shown

Anastasia Shown is a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice and Community Outreach Consultant in the School of Arts & Sciences, working most recently with the South Asia Center, Middle East Center and Center for Africana Studies.

Hether Smith

Board Treasurer

John F. Smith, III

Chair, Board of Directors The Global Philadelphia Association Of Counsel Reed Smith LLP 2500 One Liberty Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 jfsmith@globalphiladelphia.org

Craig Snyder

President, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia

Post a Person

Featured Person

Marine Havel

In 2022, the French government appointed Marine Havel to the role of Honorary Consul of France in Philadelphia.

As an official representative of the French government, and thanks to a intensive program at the Collège des Hautes Études de l’Institut Diplomatique (French Diplomatic Institute), her missions are to assist and protect the citizens of the country which she represents, to establish and grow trade and Cultural Relations between our two people.

Mikael DeThyse

Born in Quebec (Canada), Mikhael De Thyse studied the history of architecture and urban planning at the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) and specialized at the Raymond Lemaire International Center for Conservation (RLICC – KUL, Leuven).

Sheila Hess

In 2016, Mayor Jim Kenney appointed Sheila Hess to the position of City Representative.

Her office serves as the premier PR, marketing and promotional department of the City of Philadelphia, producing ceremonial and special events while celebrating Philadelphia’s diversity through citywide event creation, community engagement and innovative experiences.