SBN Philadelphia

Matty Hart (Solutions for Progress, Philadelphia, PA)

Matty Hart is National Director for Public Engagement and Project Manager at Solutions for Progress, a consulting firm which innovates and creates new public and private partnerships that benefit all involved utilizing technology, research, analysis and practical applications to improve the quality of life of the clients we serve. Specifically, Hart works on a project here called The Benefit Bank, is web-based program that simplifies the process of applying for many state and federal benefits for low- and moderate income individuals and families.

Prior to his work at Solutions for Progress, Hart founded Spiral Q Puppet Theater, a nonprofit community arts organization that brings communities together and promotes social justice through puppetry, parades, and pageantry. Hart served as executive director of the agency for eight years, growing it to an annual operating budget of more than half a million dollars and successfully establishing it as both a provider of high-quality arts education programming and as a resource for Philadelphia's activist communities.

Sara Van Aken (SA VA Division of S.V.A. Holdings Corporation, Philadelphia, PA)

Sarah Van Aken is the C.E.O and Founder of S.V.A. Holdings Corporation, an ethical & vertically integrated private label apparel business located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a strong educational and industry background in design, apparel and business management Sarah Van Aken founded the company in 2005. By 2008, she had two successful clothing brands that were manufactured in a proprietary factory in Bangladesh. As the industry, economy and her life changed in 2008, Sarah began to envision a new type of apparel company, one that was socially responsible. Considering all aspects of sustainability including: How and by whom garments are made; What they are made with; Carbon footprint reduction; Considered design; And community impact.

Ms. Van Aken resides in Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Delaware and has a background in garment sourcing and production in New York City. She is currently a Designer Critic for Kent State University and Virginia Commonwealth. She has recently been awarded the "Community Impact Award" from the Women's Opportunity Resource Center; and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's "Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012".
 

Paul Spiegel (Practical Energy Solutions, West Chester, PA)

Paul is President of Practical Energy Solutions of West Chester, PA, which he co-founded in March of 2006. The company works with businesses, schools, and municipalities to help the people that manage and occupy the buildings assess the energy consumption, and implement programs and strategies to reduce their energy costs and their environmental footprint. PES is a certified “founding” B-Corporation, and is a member of the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia.

Paul has nearly 30 years of experience in engineering, construction, and energy services, is a licensed professional engineer, a LEED AP, and has a degree in Economics from the University of Delaware. He is an adjunct Civil Engineering Professor at Temple University, and serves on the Westtown School Sustainability committee, the board of the Smart Energy Initiative, and on the Programs Committee for the DVGBC. He is also a senior member of the Association of Energy Engineers.

Mark Mills (The Metropolis Group and Lovers & Madmen Coffee Lounge, Philadelphia, PA)

Mark is the owner of The Metropolis Group, a real estate development company, as well as Lovers & Madmen Coffee Lounge in University City. Mark graduated from Temple Law and worked with Allan Domb and Pennrose Properties before launching his own company in 2003. Through The Metropolis Group, Mark has developed properties in University City with a focus on maintaining human scale and integrating the existing community and the student population. As an extension of this neighborhood vision, Mark opened Lovers & Madmen in 2009. Lovers & Madmen is also committed to serving the community and supporting local purveyors with sustainable practices and missions.