"Ultimately, passion is the driving force behind success and happiness that allows us all to live better lives." - Dave Kerpen, Founder and CEO, Apprentice
To know me is to know what I'm passionate about. Here are nine of my top passions in no particular order:
1. Equity, inclusion, and social justice 2. Dogs (I will pet every dog I see on the street even if I'm late to a meeting) 3. Brunch (who doesn't love having two meals at once?) 4. The intersection of technology & social work and the impact on nonprofits 5. Hiking and riding my bike on amazing wooded trails 6. Long conversations with good friends 8. Digital marketing & social entrepreneurship 9. Helping other women to move forward in their careers & professional development I have been lucky to create a life I love filled with things that I'm passionate about. I have a supportive husband, a new baby daughter, and two rescue dogs that make our house a home. On weekends I explore Pittsburgh's green spaces by foot or pedal, and our excellent cuisine with my knife and fork. I have spent most of my career in meaningful positions that I have learned from and have made a difference to myself and others.
I am currently the Director of Professional Education for the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work where I manage the Continuing Education program and educate over 5,000 statewide licensed social workers and other helping professionals by coordinating professional educational programming. My recent projects include developing a new online learning program (featuring 40+ asynchronous educational courses) using a technology-based continuing education model for adult learners, and receiving a $200,000 grant to create and implement an innovative supervision and mentorship program for licensed social workers with marginalized identities in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Previously, as the Senior Marketing and Community Affairs Manager for VisitPITTSBURGH, I developed local and international marketing and branding campaigns with the intent of showcasing Pittsburgh as an innovative and evolving destination for leisure and convention travelers alike. I partnered closely with many community stakeholders on collaborative planning efforts around inclusion and equity issues, and I managed the organization's digital content including the website, blog, and social media. Formerly, I was the Community Relations Associate at Center for Victims, the most comprehensive and inclusive provider of services, advocacy and education for victims of all crimes in Allegheny County.
As a proud graduate of The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in 2011, I focused my studies on nonprofit management. My specific area of interest is in marketing, digital and social media, grant writing, and donor development.
Evolving my leadership skills is important to me, especially working with and learning from diverse women. I am a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh's Leadership Development Initiative and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's TOGETHER Leading Program. I first became passionate about working to enhance the lives of women in Southwestern Pa was fueled by my time learning about the barriers facing women in the Coro Pittsburgh Women in Leadership program.