The 250th Anniversary of America's Independence, celebrated through Arts and Culture

Michael Newmuis is a solutions-driven executive with a 16-year track record across for-profit and non-profit sectors.  

He most recently served as Head of Impact at FS Investments, a global asset manager with $76 billion in assets, and Executive Director of the FS Foundation. In this role, Michael supported the firm’s philanthropic and civic engagement efforts in United States.

Prior to FS Investments, Michael served as Chief External Affairs Officer and Chief of Staff at Visit Philadelphia, the region's official tourism marketing agency. Michael focused on stimulating the regional economy, supporting local businesses and job creation, and providing a sense of pride for residents. In 2022, Michael provided interim leadership for Visit Philadelphia while overseeing advocacy and grant development. During his tenure, he contributed to the successful execution of visionary events including the 2017 NFL Draft, the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and the 2015 World Meeting of Families commemorating Pope Francis' first United States visit.

Michael is a passionate advocate for Philadelphia, promoting inclusive economic growth, community empowerment, and civic pride throughout his career. Michael is a board member of the Avenue of the Arts, Inc., Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, and Wawa Welcome America, Inc., host of the largest Fourth of July festival in the nation. He chairs the advisory board of City & State PA.

With a deep sense of civic responsibility, Michael has volunteered at organizations focused on increasing access to affordable housing in Philadelphia’s 14th Ward, alleviating homelessness in the local LGBTQ+ community, and reducing recidivism rates among first-time juvenile offenders in Philadelphia’s 6th Police District. He is an active mentor of Philadelphia adolescents through the KB Foundation.

An alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, Michael holds a bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Computation and Cognition.

Michael’s leadership has earned recognition as a 40 Under 40 honoree by the Philadelphia Business Journal and other distinguished honors.

Valerie V. Gay (Val Gay®) is a Creative, Certified Financial Planner, non-profit administrator, recording and performing artist and thought leader. 

In 2024, Mayor Cherelle Parker appointed Val as chief cultural officer for the city of Philadelphia and executive director of Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy), and a member or her Cabinet. For 20 years Val has held leadership positions across several sectors, including deputy director and chief experience officer for the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, where she oversaw public programming, community engagement and family programming and the combined front line and security team, executive director of Art Sanctuary in Philadelphia, assistant dean for Institutional Advancement for the College of Education at Temple University and vice president and portfolio manager with PNC Advisors where she managed investment portfolios of high-net-worth individuals and family trusts.

A serial entrepreneur since 2006, the companies and organizations Val leads have at their core improving the lives of others, and includes an arts nonprofit, business consulting and a lifestyle apparel brand. Val is also an active civic leader, serving on the board of directors for several Philadelphia and New York-based nonprofit organizations. In 2019, Val received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from St. Joseph’s University and has earned a Professional Studies Certificate and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of the Arts and completed degree course work at Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.

Danielle DiLeo Kim, AIA, is the President and CEO of PHILADELPHIA250, the nonprofit leading the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence in Philadelphia in 2026. Leveraging her urban design and community engagement experience, Danielle is shaping this once-in-a-generation milestone by bringing the 250th to the people and neighborhoods of Philadelphia through civic activations, local celebrations, and enduring transformations.

Prior to PHILADELPHIA250, Danielle was instrumental in the design and realization of institutional and cultural buildings, citywide and campus master plans, and engagement processes for community and high-level stakeholders across Philadelphia. Her past clients and projects include The Salvation Army Kroc Center, The Mann Center, the Planning Commission’s Philadelphia2035, PIDC’s Lower Schuylkill Master Plan, the Centennial District Master Plan, University City District, and Temple University. 

Danielle is actively engaged in the design community. She currently serves as the President-elect of the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia; she is full  member of the Carpenter’s Company; and she is an active member of the Urban Land Institute. Danielle holds a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia where you’ll find her running or riding her bike.

Steve has been the Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park since November 2023.  Previous assignments include Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Historic Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, and the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail.  Steve has also worked in the National Park Service’s Northeast Regional Office, previously at Independence National Historical Park and at the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Prior to Steve’s NPS career he was an engineering consultant as well as a commissioned army engineer officer.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Business Administration from Norwich University, and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri. He is also pursuing a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy from George Washington University.

Steve is originally from Tehachapi, California. He is married and has two children. His hobbies include hiking, gardening, fly fishing, and beekeeping.

Jane Golden has been the driving force of Mural Arts Philadelphia since its inception, overseeing its growth from a small city agency into the nation’s largest public art program. Under her direction, Mural Arts has created over 4,000 works of transformative public art. In partnership with innovative collaborators, she has developed groundbreaking and rigorous programs that employ the power of art to transform practice and policies related to youth education, restorative justice, environmental justice and behavioral health. Golden currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and as Critic-in-residence at the Maryland Institute College of Art.