Keynote Speaker

Chris Speicher is the Executive Director of School of Business and Global Innovation at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  In addition, he directs their Entrepreneurship Program and is actively engaged in the University’s efforts to recruit students internationally. A 3x graduate of Temple University, Speicher is a continuous learner and recently attended the MIT Design Thinking Program.  He has lectured all over the world most recently in India and Bangladesh.

Outside of the Classroom, Speicher has been involved with over 30 start-ups ranging from health care to real estate. His most famous start-up is DartDrones, the nation’s largest drone education company which he started with his daughter and CEO, Abby Speicher. In addition, his family operated a 5,000 bush blueberry farm in Wayne County, PA.

Chris comes to Northeastern Pennsylvania with a background in venture investing and corporate strategy. He previously led Altria Ventures, a $100m venture fund focused primarily on Seed and Series A funding rounds. With an investment focus predominantly in identity management, manufacturing and consumer products, Chris led partnership efforts with entrepreneurs in both the US and Israel. He is excited to give a glimpse into the world of venture investing and debunk a few myths along the way.
Now living full-time in Wilkes-Barre, Chris launched GNG Capital, a search-fund dedicated to investment opportunities in traditional business sectors located in the NEPA region. Outside of work, his wife Alex and German Shepard puppy, Juice, enjoy long hikes through various trails in the area.