CEO Breakfast: A Gathering of Philadelphia’s Top 100 Leaders
The CEO Breakfast brings together the newly named Philadelphia100® winners for an energizing morning of connection, insight, and celebration ahead of the formal awards events in November. This intimate, leaders only gathering sets the tone for the milestone to come—offering space for founders and CEOs to meet one another, share experiences, and build relationships within this year’s cohort of the region’s fastest growing companies.
A highlight of the morning is a candid fireside chat featuring distinguished leaders from the Philadelphia100® community. This conversation offers an inside look at the realities of scaling a high growth company—what fuels momentum, what challenges demand resilience, and what leadership looks like in moments of rapid change. The format is intentionally conversational, giving attendees a chance to hear unfiltered insights.
We are thrilled to share our fireside chat line-up:
- JIM DEVER, President, Bank of America Greater Philadelphia
Jim Dever serves as President of Bank of America Greater Philadelphia and Managing Director and Private Bank Market Executive for the Pennsylvania and Delaware region. As President, he is responsible for connecting the full range of the bank's banking and investment resources to companies, families, and individuals across the region. A Pennsylvania native who grew up in Broomall, Dever attended St. Joseph's University and has spent over 25 years with Bank of America in a variety of senior leadership positions. Beyond banking, Jim is deeply committed to the Philadelphia community, devoting his time to a variety of civic and charitable organizations and serving on the boards of directors for numerous regional institutions.
- TAD BROWN, CEO, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment & Philadelphia 76ers
As CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), Tad Brown oversees a global portfolio that includes the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Crystal Palace F.C. Working alongside Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, Brown has guided HBSE through a period of significant growth marked by record franchise valuations, expanded global reach, and major strategic investments.
Under his leadership, HBSE announced plans with Comcast for a new state-of-the-art arena in South Philadelphia and secured a WNBA expansion franchise for Philadelphia, set to begin play in 2030. Brown has also driven Prudential Center's emergence as one of the world's premier sports and entertainment venues, spearheaded innovative partnerships with leading brands, and overseen transformative commercial agreements, including naming rights partnerships with Penn Medicine and Comcast. Beyond business growth, he has championed community impact initiatives that have raised millions for youth in Philadelphia and Newark.
Prior to joining HBSE, Brown spent nearly two decades with the Houston Rockets organization, including 15 years as CEO, where he helped elevate the franchise's global profile and led its record-setting $2.2 billion sale in 2017. A graduate of Colgate University, Brown was a four-year starter and three-year captain of the school's varsity basketball team.
- DANIEL HILFERTY, Chairman & CEO, Comcast Spectacor | Governor, Philadelphia Flyers
Daniel J. Hilferty is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Spectacor and serves as Governor of the Philadelphia Flyers for the National Hockey League. A dynamic and visionary leader, Hilferty oversees Comcast Spectacor's diverse portfolio, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Flyers Training Center, and more.
Since taking the helm, Hilferty has driven transformative initiatives that position Comcast Spectacor for long-term success. He spearheaded major sponsorship deals, including Independence Blue Cross and Penn Medicine as the team's respective home and away jersey patch sponsors, and signed Bank of America as the arena's official banking partner. Under his leadership, the (then) Wells Fargo Center completed a $400 million renovation, culminating in Front Office Sports naming it as one of its "Best Venues 2024." This milestone was followed by the arena entering into a new naming-rights agreement with Xfinity Mobile, marking a new era for the venue.
Hilferty began his tenure with Comcast Spectacor by rebuilding the Flyers' front office, appointing Keith Jones as President of Hockey Operations and Danny Briere as General Manager. He also spearheaded the organization's role in creating a new joint venture with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The joint venture will be responsible for designing and building a state-of-the-art arena in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The new arena will be home to the Flyers and 76ers and the future Philadelphia WNBA team in which Comcast Spectacor is a minority owner.
Before joining Comcast Spectacor, Hilferty helped to lead Philadelphia's successful bid to host FIFA World Cup 2026™ and continues to serve as Co-Chair of the Board for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the nonprofit governing body for the city's Host Committee. Hilferty's career includes more than a decade as President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, where he guided the company to become one of the nation's largest and most respected health insurers. After retiring from Independence, he founded Dune View Strategies, advising and investing in healthcare companies and startups.
A sought-after business authority, Hilferty serves as Lead Independent Director of Essential Utilities and previously served as Chair of Healthpilot and on the Board of FS Investments Credit Income Fund. In addition, Hilferty's commitment to community was highlighted through his role as Co-Chair of the executive leadership cabinet for the World Meeting of Families, which brought Pope Francis to Philadelphia in 2015.
Hilferty earned his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and a master's degree in public administration from American University. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife, Joan. The couple has five children and five grandchildren.
What the morning will offer:
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A private, members only gathering of the 2026 Philadelphia100® CEOs and founders
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Early connection with our 2026 Top 100 CEO's before the formal celebration
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A fireside chat with notable leaders sharing real world lessons from the growth journey
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A warm welcome from Forum leadership and a preview of this year’s growth trends
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Space to exchange ideas, challenges, and insights with peers navigating similar trajectories
The CEO Breakfast is designed to strengthen the community that defines the Philadelphia100® Forum. It’s the perfect start to a day of recognition, inspiration, and shared success.
*MEMBERS: Be sure to log in at the upper right hand corner to receive member discounted pricing!
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Venue: Fox School of Business, Alter Hall, 1801 Liacouras Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Room: MBA Commons, 7th Floor (please bring ID for security check-in)
Parking Options:
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Public Parking Garages on Main Campus: Liacouras Garage is located on 15th Street, between Montgomery and Cecil B. Moore avenues & Montgomery Avenue Garage is located on 11th Street, between Montgomery Avenue and Berks Street.
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Metered Surface Lots (thru ParkMobile) on Main Campus: The Tuttleman lot is located on Montgomery Avenue between 13th and 12th streets. This is the closest but has limited spaces available & The Cecil B. Moore lot is located on Cecil B. Moore Avenue between 12th and 13th streets. Those meters accept cash (bills only) and all major credit cards and utilize ParkMobile.