Instructors

Ron Williford

Ronald Williford is the CEO and Founder of Philadelphia Financial Consultants, LLC, where he has spent over two decades helping individuals and small businesses achieve financial security and independence. With a career spanning more than 30 years in financial services, Ronald specializes in retirement planning, personal financial strategies, and financial literacy education. He has facilitated numerous workshops to empower clients with the knowledge and tools to make confident financial decisions, consistently increasing client retention through personalized service. A graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Economics, Ronald has also served on multiple community boards, reflecting his commitment to financial empowerment and social impact.

John Kahler

John Kahler is a seasoned media and communications leader with over four decades of experience spanning education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. As CEO of CINEai and Producer at Prospect Productions, he creates innovative audio, video, and web content while consulting on media strategy and technology. He previously served as Executive Director of CollegeAnywhere.org, guiding a national consortium in advancing online learning, and has held leadership roles in media services at the University of Pennsylvania, WHYY, and Bryn Mawr Hospital. John also contributes as a Board Member and Online Learning Facilitator at The Business Center for Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise, reflecting his passion for education, technology, and community empowerment. A Temple University graduate, he brings expertise in instructional design, digital media, and organizational storytelling to every project he leads.

William Williams

Mr. Williams is a Philadelphia native, a double graduate from Winder University, and the Owner of The Management Consultants. He is a
member of the board of The Business Center and is serving currently as board treasurer. Will has been in the financial industry since 2007.
Starting in the insurance industry, doing a short stint in mortgages, then Bookkeeping with tax prep. He has a Masters in Business
Administration as well as a Masters in Business Process Innovation.

Derrick Liburd

Derrick Liburd is a senior business leader with more than 25 years of experience driving growth, transformation, and innovation across global organizations. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Business Development & Transformation at IKEA, where he led the U.S. rollout of the company’s global transformation program and managed cross-functional initiatives spanning customer service, last-mile delivery, people operations, and DE&I accountability. Prior to this, Derrick spent a decade as Senior Director of Regional Marketing at IKEA, collaborating with 17 stores to drive local market demand, launch new locations, and deliver over $400 million in incremental growth. Earlier in his career, he held strategic marketing, consulting, and product development roles at Johnson & Johnson, Navigant, and GE, contributing to breakthrough product launches and business performance improvements. Derrick holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, a Master of Science in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Alabama State University, where he served as President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Senator in Student Government. He is passionate about leading high-performing teams, building inclusive business strategies, and delivering measurable results that advance both people and organizations.

Camille Simpkins

Camille Simpkins is a dynamic business development leader with more than two decades of experience helping businesses access capital, strengthen operations, and achieve sustainable growth. Currently serving as Senior Business Development Manager at PIDC, she works with companies across Greater Philadelphia to connect them with financing, real estate solutions, and technical assistance to fuel expansion and success. Camille’s career spans leadership roles at Wells Fargo, Citizens Bank, and Santander, where she specialized in commercial lending, relationship management, and small business development. A graduate of Norfolk State University, where she studied English Language and Literature and honed her communication skills on the Debate Team, Camille brings a unique blend of analytical insight and persuasive storytelling to her work. Beyond finance, she is the founder of Camille Creates LLC and author of Black Licorice, a novel exploring themes of love, faith, and self-discovery. With expertise in client relations, community engagement, and new business development, Camille is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic opportunity while also pursuing her creative calling as a storyteller.