Josh Ballen

About Josh Ballen

I am the General Manager of IFEC Innovation & Growth Strategy at Delta Air Lines, where I lead a team responsible for shaping the next generation of onboard digital experiences, defining growth strategies, forging strategic technology and content partnerships, and ensuring innovation delivers measurable value for customers, partners, and Delta.I was previously the General Manage of Corporate Development at Delta Air Lines, where I built partnerships across the enterprise that extend Delta’s capabilities through strategic equity investments, business acquisitions, and joint ventures. Focus areas include commercial & private aviation investments and digital engagement & AI‑driven commercial excellence partnerships. I’ve helped shape partnerships with Wheels Up and Joby, and supported innovations like AI for Revenue Management (Fetcherr), while also advancing cross‑company digital integration to make customer journeys more seamless.Before Delta, I spent ~15 years across investment banking (RBC Capital Markets), private equity (Updata Partners), principal investing (SEMA Capital), and operating roles (founder of two travel businesses). I’m a GCIF Top 100 Global Leader in Finance (2020), completed Delta’s ERA program (2025), and was nominated for Delta’s 2026 Chairman’s Club. I also serve on enterprise committees driving AI adoption and customer‑centric policy, and I’m President of Delta\'s EQUAL BRG.My passion for airlines started early - sparked by Gordon Bethune’s \"From Worst to First\" book. I hold an MBA from the University of Michigan and a BA in Management & Finance from Tulane, plus executive learning in Digital Transformation (IMD) and Negotiation Design (Columbia Business School). Outside of work I’m an avid traveler, aviation enthusiast, DEI advocate, and a Board of Advisors member for REAP (Rwanda).

Experience

1. Innovation & Growth Strategy

   Delta Air Lines

   Mar 2026 — Present

   Lead a team responsible for shaping the next generation of onboard digital experiences, defining growth strategies, forging strategic technology and content partnerships, and ensuring innovation delivers measurable value for customers, partners, and Delta.

Education

• University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting and Finance

  2012 — 2014

• St. Luke's School

  High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

  1999 — 2002

• The Wharton School

  Semester "Abroad", Finance, Managment

  2005 — 2005

• Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business

  B.S. in Finance and Management, Summa Cum Laude

  2002 — 2006

Skills

• Investment Banking
• Fixed Income
• Strategic Consulting
• Capital Markets
• Lbo
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Dcf
• Deal Execution
• Business Valuation
• Deal Sourcing
• Investments
• Strategy
• Private Placements
• Private Equity
• Growth Capital
• Ipo
• Financial Analysis
• Early Stage Companies
• M
• Venture Capital
• Securities
• Financial Structuring
• Bloomberg
• Due Diligence
• Equity Valuation
• Financial Modeling
• Corporate Development
• Cleantech
• Valuation
• Corporate Finance
• Mergers
• Capital Iq
• Analysis
• Bloomberg Terminal
• Business Case
• Start-Up Consulting
• Mergers
• Competitive Analysis