Monday, February 12, 2018

A speed coaching and networking event powered by bizwomen.

Mentors

1 | Hahna Alexander | CEO, SolePowerHahna is the CEO and co-founder of SolePower. She is a Carnegie Mellon mechanical engineer with a background in the space industry. At SolePower, Hahna leads the team to commercialize smart, self-charging work boots that improve the safety and productivity of industrial workers. Hahna was the principal investigator on two de-fense contracts, an NSF contract, and ran a Kickstarter campaign. She can advise on technical development, product roadmapping, manufacturing, customer develop-ment, and fundraising.

2 | Leslie Bockman | Leader of Product Technology, Braskem America During my career, I have worked for several different companies, including Fluor Dan-iel, Aspen Technology and my current employer, Braskem America. Braskem is the largest producer of polypropylene in North American and is the largest polyolefins producer across the Americas. In my current role, I lead a team of highly motivated and talented individuals to develop new types of polypropylene that will offer pro-cessing and performance advantages to our clients.

3 | Terri Bone | Executive in Residence, University of PittsburghTerri Bone is a strategic leader and financial expert with over 30 years of experience driving growth and innovation at large public companies in energy and manufactur-ing industries. Ms. Bone led the 2012 initial public offering (IPO) of EQT Midstream Partners and May 2015 IPO of EQT GP Holdings and raised over $6 billion in investor and financial capital. Ms. Bone was VP Finance, Chief Accounting Officer for these businesses from their inception until her retirement. Ms. Bone also led the 2015 transformation of the EQT tax function resulting in $250 million additional cash flow. Prior to joining EQT, Ms. Bone was senior manager at Ernst & Young (EY), where she acquired extensive Big 4 audit experience in the energy and manufacturing indus-tries.

4 | Susanna Chand | Strategist, Remake LearningPrior to her work with Remake Learning, Sunanna was the Community Outreach Coordinator for Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She led a multi-sector public health network, the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative (Healthy BR), that worked to better health outcomes for low-income Baton Rouge residents. Sunanna also taught 1st and 2nd grade in Baton Rouge, during which time she saw first hand how technology could engage her students, especially those who did not respond to traditional teaching practices.

5 | Dannielle Cisneros | Senior Counsel, Rivers CasinoMs. Cisneros oversees all legal matters involving the casino. She represents and advises Rivers Casino on matters involving corporate transactions, litigation, vendor contracts, real estate, labor and employment, strategic business planning, general operations, insurance claims, and regulatory compliance. Unlike many in-house counsel, Ms. Cisneros works on property, directly with Rivers Casino’s executive team, operators and front line employees on a daily basis.

6 | Susanne Cole | President and CEO, Pressley RidgeSuzanne is responsible for overall leadership for the strategic direction, fiscal, opera-tional, and administrative management of the organization. Susanne has devoted her career to serving our most vulnerable children and families in our communities. Su-sanne’s career path has allowed her to experience the many facets of social services and community work from the ground level of operations through administration, policy and management.

7 | Diana Cugliari | VP of Finance, Pittsburgh Life Sciences GreenhouseDiana Cugliari serves as Vice President of Finance for the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), and Director of the Accelerator Fund, LLC overseeing the com-plete financial operation of the organization.Since joining in 2012 Cugliari has filled many crucial roles within the business, investment management, grant proposal writing, branding and marketing, incubator management, IT network management and controller duties among other tasks.

8 | Michelle Cunningham | CEO, Highlands HospitalMichelle P. Cunningham serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Highlands Hospital. Her duties include oversight of hospital operations and finance, physician recruit-ment, fund raising, research, and employee relations. She has served as the CEO for seventeen years and has worked at the hospital in various capacities since 1989 (28 years).

9 | Ketaki Desai | Executive Director, eCenter at LindenPointeDr. Ketaki Desai is the Executive Director of the LindenPointe Development Corpora-tion, and runs the eCenter’s business incubator and the Entrepreneurship Academy for high school students. Dr. Desai recently participated as one of the Global Talents at the UNLEASH Innovation Lab in Denmark. This year, she was also awarded the Business Women’s First Award, which honors women who’ve made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for other women and are leaving a mark on the western Pennsylvania business community.

10 | Kate Dewey | President, The Forbes FundsIn January 2018 Kate stepped down as the President of The Forbes Funds (TFF) which is dedicated to strengthening the nimbleness and resiliency of community based nonprofits. She has continued on to oversee a special project of the Forbes Funds: UpPrize and do srategy consulting with nonprofits and foundations. She has more than forty years of direct experience with a variety of nonprofit organizations, foun-dations, public agencies and corporations at the local, state and national level. She also has started four for-profit ventures of which two were acquired. It is the blend of all those experiences that has enriched her track record of establishing innovative models to address daunting issues.

11 | Colleen Diehl | Director of Outreach and Program DevelopmentColleen attended Western Michigan University for her undergraduate degree and received her graduate degree at Boston College. She is originally from Pittsburgh but went on to live in Michigan and Massachusetts. Colleen landed back in Pittsburgh to be closer to family. After being the Program Director at Our Clubhouse, Colleen want-ed to cut back her hours and Director of Outreach and Program Development was the obvious choice. She has family members that have been touched by cancer and believes in the Our Clubhouse mission and understands how it can be so very helpful to those living with cancer.

12 | Beth Dodson | Director and Senior Counsel, BNY MellonBeth manages civil litigation matters on behalf of the bank on a national scale and also advises business colleagues on potential litigation risk. Prior to joining BNY Mel-lon in 2014, she represented clients in civil and criminal litigation matters in private practice. Beth is also committed to helping persons who cannot afford legal counsel get the assistance they need. She not only personally represents clients on a pro bono basis, but also serves as regional chair of BNY Mellon’s pro bono committee and an executive board member of the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership.

13 | Christine Erimias | CFO/COO Fragasso Financial AdvisorsChristine Erimias is a first generation born and bred Pittsburgher. She is also the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Her parents will tell you going against the grain was always part of her nature. This continued as she chose a non-traditional path to utilize her accounting degree from Penn State University. Instead of going the CPA route, as most of her contemporaries did, she began her career as a govern-mental auditor. She then spent years as an accounting software consultant for both Oracle and a proprietary time and billing software.

14 | Alexandra Good | Associate Attorney, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Ali is an associate attorney at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. She represents clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging market companies, advising them on issues involving mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, securities, and general corporate matters. Outside of her busy legal practice, Ali is active in the local Pittsburgh community, supporting a number of local organizations. She is on the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Opera, a founding member of the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital Trust, and a supporter of the Mattress Factory.

Mentors

15 | Sherri Grasak | Resident Managing Director, AonSherri is the Resident Managing Director and Head of Office for Aon Pittsburgh. She is responsible for the operational and financial management of the Pittsburgh Office including leading client engagements, business development and colleague develop-ment. Sherri oversees the delivery of solutions and brokerage services for property, casualty and health/benefits consulting services to prospects and clients. Additional-ly, Sherri serves as a Senior Account Executive and Executive Client Contact.

16 | Laura Griffin | Director, Network Nursing Operations, Allegheny Health NetworkPrior to serving in her network wide role, Laura was the Clinical Project Manager for Allegheny General Hospital leading projects for the Office of the CMO and AGH Administration. Additionally, she spent three years at West Penn Hospital serving in the roles of Clinical Project Manager and Nursing Finance and Operations Analyst. In addition to her work at AHN, Laura is an active volunteer for Jamie’s Dream Team, a Pittsburgh based organization providing assistance and granting dreams to adults, children, and families affected by life altering illnesses or catastrophes.

17 | Karen Hacker | Director, Allegheny County Health DepartmentDr. Karen Hacker is the Director of the Allegheny County Health Department. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Health Policy and Management and Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University Of Pittsburgh Graduate School Of Public Health and a Clinical Professor at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. In her role as Director of the Health Department she is responsible for overseeing its programs and activities that range from maternal and child health to environmental health and epidemiology and biostatistics.

17 | Rebecca Harris | Executive Director Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Cha-tham UniversityRebecca Harris is an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience starting and growing companies and has, over the years, served as a strategic marketing specialist. She graduated from Northwestern University as a communications studies major, received her MBA from the Fox School of Business at Temple University, and is a member of the Leadership Pittsburgh XXVII class. Passionate about help-ing women start and grow successful businesses, Harris develops strategic programming to benefit women entrepreneurs and those working in regional businesses through the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

18 | Anne Herman | Vice President of Global Operational Excellence and Cheif Custom-er Officer, MSA The Saftey CompanyAnne Herman is responsible for leading the organization’s operations, quality and customer experience functions globally. Ms. Herman has held a variety of roles of in-creasing responsibility within the organization’s R&D, quality, standards compliance, and operations groups.

19 | Rose Hoover | President, Ampco-Pittsburgh CorporationBorn and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, I am currently living in the South Hills with my hus-band of thirty years. We have two adult daughters. I obtained a Bachelor of Science Dual Degree in Business/Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh. I started em-ployment with Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation (NYSE: AP) 38 years ago on the bottom rung of the ladder and now hold the position of President. I credit my success in this male dominated industrial manufacturing company to my longevity and all the good mentors that helped me along the way. I am also a Director and Officer of various domestic and foreign subsidiaries of this company.

20 | Cynthia Hundorfean | President & CEO, Allegheny Health NetworkCynthia Hundorfean is the President and CEO of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), a non-profit, eight-hospital system serving Western Pennsylvania and parts of New York, Ohio and West Virginia. AHN is an affiliate of Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh-based integrated delivery and financing system and a leading Blue Cross Blue Shield carrier. As AHN’s CEO, Hundorfean implemented AHN’s new same-day appointment initiative in 2017, giving AHN patients same-day access to specialists as well as primary-care clinicians. She is also leading the development of AHN’s new academic cancer institute.

Mentors

21 | Anupama Jain | Inclusant, Founder and Principal Consultantanupama (anu) jain, PhD, is the owner of a small consulting business called Inclusant, which focuses on building capacity in Pittsburgh for diversity, equity, and inclusion by connecting individuals, organizations, and even sectors. Previously, anu spent more than a decade as a professor of interdisciplinary studies, conducting original research, teaching varied topics, and supporting diversity initiatives in higher edu-cation. Her scholarly affiliations have included Union College in upstate New York, Colby College in Maine, and the University of Pittsburgh.

22 | Susan Friedberg Kalson | CEO, Squirrel Hill Health CenterSusan Friedberg Kalson is the President and CEO of Squirrel Hill Health Center (SHHC), a non-profit, federally qualified health center in Pittsburgh providing com-prehensive, integrated, high quality primary and preventive medical, behavioral health, dental and support services to a diverse patient population, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. She has led SHHC since it opened in 2006. SHHC now serves over 7,000 individuals each year, including thousands of refugees and immigrants settling in the area.

23 | Meredith Klein | Public Relations Account Supervisor, BrunnerMeredith Klein is public relations account supervisor at Brunner, one of the top inde-pendent advertising agencies in the U.S. Her background in reputation management, crisis communications, content creation, media relations and social media ensures she successfully guides clients to solidified market share and strengthened brand positioning. Her brand advocacy steers clients’ companies forward, helping them to achieve both business and communications goals.

24 | Christiane Leach | Artist Relations ManagerArtist Relations Manager, Christiane Leach (an artist herself), spends time in-person, on the phone, through social media, and through email providing extensive advice and connecting artists with resources and networks. She provides counsel, coaching, consoling, networking, grant writing assistance, and more to all artists with an inten-tional eye to serving artists of color, women artists, and artists with disabilities who have traditionally not received as much support.

25 | Anya Lernatovych | Associate Attorney, Reed Smith LLPIn 2004 I moved to Pittsburgh from Lviv, Ukraine. In 2009 I graduated summa cum laude with dual degrees in business administration and international relations from Duquesne University at the age of 20. I also earned my third bachelor degree in in-ternational business administration from ICN Business School while studying abroad in Nancy, France, for a year. After graduating college, I began working full-time as a paralegal/legal assistant at a small law firm, later taking a job as a judicial administra-tive clerk in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, Criminal Division.

26 | Denise Letcher | Cheif Data Officer, The PNC Financial Services GroupDenise M. Letcher is Executive Vice President, Chief Data Officer within Indepen-dent Risk Management for PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. In this role, she leads Enterprise Data Management, which includes Data Strategy, Data Risk Framework, and Risk Information. She is also the Director of Corporate Insurance. Ms. Letcher’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the data warehouse, analytics infrastruc-ture investment and delivery, data quality and remediation, data governance, which includes data risk metrics and aggregation, as well as regulatory information and reporting

27 | Deborah McDonald | Women’s Health Program Director, Allegheny Health NetworkDeb began her career in healthcare as an RN specializing in Maternal Child Health at Sewickley Valley Hospital. She left bedside nursing and accepted a position with Heritage Valley Health System as the Manager of the Maternal Child Health Unit, Level II Nursery and Pediatric Unit for Beaver. A position with McKesson Corporation followed as the Implementation Consultant for Women’s Health. In 2014, Deb joined the newly formed Allegheny Health Network as the Women’s Health Program Director.

Mentors

28 | Suzanne Mellon| President, Carlow UniversitySuzanne Mellon, PhD was appointed the tenth president of Carlow University in July, 2013. She is a visionary leader with a strong track record in strategic planning, academic program development, and community collaboration. She has published articles in national journals and made presen-tations at local, national and international conferences. She has received numerous professional awards and honors in health care and in higher education. Dr. Mellon was honored by the Pitts-burgh Business Times as one of the Most Admired CEOs and Top Executives in 2016.

29 | Shea Murtaugh | President, Hoffmann MurtaughHoffmann Murtaugh was started by Shea Murtaugh in 2004. Shea had a successful career in media sales, but wanted to do more for her clients and knew she could. Her goal was to take her sales-side knowledge directly to clients to help them achieve the lowest rates and best value across their media mix Over a decade later, Shea still ensures that her agency delivers on her rates down, value up philosophy by training best-in-class negotiators. Shea is a fierce protector of her clients – their budget, their business, and their bottom line.

30 | Nadyli Nuñez | Director of the UpPrize Social Innovation ChallengeNadyli Nuñez is the Director of UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, a platform to ad-vance social good through capital investments in technology, while also meaningfully accelerating a culture of social entrepreneurship in southwestern Pennsylvania. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Decision Sci-ence, which seeks to understand and improve the judgement and decision making of individuals, groups, and organizations. In 2017, Nadyli was named one of Pittsburgh’s “30 under 30” by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

31 | Jo Ellen Parker | President & CEO, Carnegie Museums of PittsburghDr. Jo Ellen Parker became the 10th president of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh in August 2014. She is the first woman to lead CMP. In 2017 Dr. Parker was named one of Pittsburgh’s “Outstanding CEOs” by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Among her earliest initiatives at CMP were the creation of a “Diversity Catalyst” position and of the “Innovation Studio,” both field-leading innovations. She has led the development of Carnegie NEXUS, a collaborative program addressing issues of compelling and current public interest.

32 | Deborah Rice-Johnson | President, Highmark Inc.Deborah L. Rice-Johnson is president of Highmark Inc. In this role, Ms. Rice-Johnson is responsible for providing senior leadership and strategic direction for Highmark’s core health insurance business, serving 5.3 million customers and managing more than $15 billion in revenue. Additionally, she has responsibility for product develop-ment, provider networks and reimbursement, clinical services, sales and operations. Ms. Rice-Johnson is also responsible for Highmark’s insurance-based subsidiaries: United Concordia Dental (UCD) and HM Insurance Group (HMIG).

33 | Mary Richter | Shareholder, CPA, Schneider Downs & CoMary, a tax shareholder, has been serving tax clients for over 25 years, working in both public accounting and private industry. Mary has a diverse tax background with experience in federal, state and international tax and business issues, providing dedicated client service to multinational manu-facturing and service entities in all phases of the business cycle, from start-up to exit strategy. Mary’s experience includes domestic and international tax planning, tax credits, accounting for income taxes and specific transactionplanning and implementation.

34 | Christina Salgado | Director of Education and Community Engagment, Pittsburgh Ballet Theaterhristina Salgado oversees all in-school, accessibility and community programming. Prior to joining PBT, Christina served as early learning coordinator at New Jersey Community Development Cor-poration in Paterson, New Jersey. She has also served as a curriculum developer and researcher for Head Start, integrating creative movement and motor development techniques, through Columbia University’s Teachers College. Christina has presented in various conferences as part of the team that developed SKIP! (Small Kids in Physical Activity), a curriculum aimed at parent-child interaction and engagement through movement and dance.

Mentors

35 | Stephanie Sciullo | Deputy General Counsel, MSA SafteyStephanie L. Sciullo is Deputy General Counsel & Director of Litigation for MSA Safety, where she oversees MSA’s litigation portfolio. Her expertise includes insurance recovery and nationwide coor-dination of complex claims.Stephanie has lead efforts to recover hundreds of millions of dollars’ of insurance proceeds. By applying process improvement and efficiency tools to legal work, Stephanie has also driven multi-million dollars in cost savings. These programs have been honored by the Association of Corporate Counsel (“Value Challenge Champion, 2014”), The Legal Intelligencer (“Best Legal Department in Pennsylvania for Outside Counsel Management, 2015”), the Pittsburgh Busi-ness Times (“In-House Counsel Awards, 2017”), and the College of Law Practice Management

36 | Delvina Smith | Director of Development, Delvina L. SmithDelvina L. Smith is the Director of Development at Providence Connections. As a member of the se-nior leadership, she spearheads development efforts as Providence Connections continues to grow. Within her role she is responsible for developing and executing Providence Connections annual fundraising plan, and securing financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations, and developing and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors, while creating and execut-ing a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors.

37 | Dr. Helen Sobehart | Retired Associate Vice-President Academic Affairs, Point Park UniversityDr. Helen Sobehart retired as Associate Academic Vice-President, Point Park University, after a career spanning nearly 50 years. Helen began teaching special education, retiring from public education as school district superintendent. She began the second half of her career directing Duquesne University’s Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She there became Associate Academic Vice-Presi-dent. She subsequently was chosen as President of Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

38 | Suzy Teele | Head of Marketing & Communications, Advanced Robotics for Manu-facturing InstituteSuzy has been an essential contributor to the growth of Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial and business community for over 20 years. She is currently the Head of Marketing & Communications for the Ad-vanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, a public-private partnership that leads the acceleration of innovation and expertise in robotics and automation to fuel growth of U.S.-based manufactur-ing and high value careers. Suzy has a long history working as an executive at early stage or high growth companies.

39 | Taneshya Williams | Program Manager - 3 Cups of Coffee, PA Women WorkTaneshya Williams is the Program Manager for 3 Cups of Coffee. Ms. Williams holds a Master of Sci-ence in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University. She has seven years of experience working in human services and education, including work as a career/vocational counselor. Ms. Williams is a National Career Development Association Member and is certified in Mental Health First Aid. She brings her counseling background to 3 Cups of Coffee through engaging and training mentors, recruiting and assessing mentees, and facilitating the mentorship process from match to follow-up.

40 | Sharmon Winters | CEO, Rig ConsultingMs. Winters has long recognized the attributes common among the industry leaders: exceptional management, accountability and loyalty, and set forth to establish RIG as a direct reflection of these principles. Ms. Winters advances the firm’s proactive approach to building the next generation of leadership, creating solutions and achieving aggressive goals. Professional growth as it relates to performance is a primary focus in team building and creating a rewarding work environment. Ms. Winters actively promotes open communication, allowing consensus in the development of many processes to shape exceptional solutions.

41 | Linda Yankoski | President/CEO, Holy Family InstituteSister Linda Yankoski, has more than 40 years of experience in the executive management of Holy Family Institute, a nonprofit organization which offers services to children, youth, and families in the Pittsburgh area. She is responsible for the operations of HFI’s subsidiaries, Holy Family Foundation and Holy Family Academy. The combined budget of these entities is approximately $19,000,000. With staff of nearly 300, she oversees a wide continuum of programs designed to meet the needs of children and families in Western Pennsylvania. Active in many professional and community organizations, Sister Linda is on the board of Council on Accreditation, New York; and is an emeritus member of the Duquesne University Board of Trustees and the Mentoring Partnership.

Mentors

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