Meetings
Thank you for your interest in the Community Bridge-Building Network. If you would like to attend a meeting, please email cbridgebn@aol.com and provide your name and company.
Registration is required to attend the meeting.
Scroll down to view our upcoming meeting dates as well as an impressive listing of Past Network Presenters!
Past Presenters
Brian Butko and Sue Morris, Authors of Bettis: Where Pittsburgh Aviation Took Off
Dan Law, Founder of Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology, Associate Director at The Andy Warhol Museum
Virginia Weida, Virginia Weida Designs
Amanda Trocki, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Cares
Beth Caldwell, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, Success Coach
Leon Ford, Author, Activist, The Hear Foundation
Melissa McSwigan, Director Emeritus, Preservation Pittsburgh
Howie Ehrlichman, Author, Not a Bad Trip: A Pittsburgh Cab Story
Becky Flaherty, Regional Vice President, Satell Institute
Joann Klimovich Harrop, TribLIVE reporter
Carol Shrieve, Executive Director, Carnegie of Homestead
Caily Grube, Executive Director, Allegheny CleanWays
Elizabeth Malone, Advancement Manager, The Education Partnership
Sloan Davidson, Founder and CEO, Hello Neighbor
Kendra Whitlock, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Todd Wilson, Author, Pittsburgh's Bridges
Alonna J. Carter-Donaldson, public historian and freelance writer interested in African American Genealogy and History
Melinda Colaizzi, Founder, Women Who Rock
Chris Whitlatch, Author, Notorious Pittsburgh
Journey Gunderson, Executive Director, The National Comedy Center
Denele Hughson, Executive Director, Grow Pittsburgh
Jenn Beer, President and CEO, Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc
Trish Adlesic, Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning producer and director
Maria Caruso, Founding Director, Bodiography
Jonnet Solomon, Founder and Executive Director, National Opera House
Daniel Little, CEO, involveMINT
Terry O'Reilly, President & CEO Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation
Katie Blackley, Digital Editor/Producer, Internship Coordinator, 90.5 WESA
Andy Masich, President & CEO, Senator John Heinz History Center
Elizabeth E. Barker, Executive Director, The Frick Pittsburgh
Mark Oppenheimer, Author of Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood
Carlos T. Carter, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium President and CEO
Dr. Ken Gormley, President, Duquesne University
Anne Madarasz, Director of the Curatorial Division, Chief Historian, and Director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum
Dr. Erica Nuckles, Director of Learning, Engagements and Partnerships, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Hayley Haldeman, Executive Director, Mattress Factory
Zachary Rutter, professional artist and muralist
Andrés Franco, Executive Director, City of Asylum
David Finegold, President, Chatham University
Nathan Darity, Executive Director, The Global Switchboard
Ashley Lynn Priore, Founder, President and CEO, Queen's Gambit Chess Institute Pittsburgh
Amy Baldonieri, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Rivers of Steel
Bobbi Watt Geer, President and CEO of the United Way of Southwestern PA
Dr. James Johnson and Pamela Johnson, Founders, Executive Directors, Afro-American Music Institute
Rosemaria Cristello, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Latino Community Center
Laura Zurowski, author, artist, Mis-Steps.com: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburgh's City Steps
Deon Deshields, Founder, Lounique Financial Group LLC
Louise Sturgess, Executive Director, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
Vic Walczak, Legal Director, American Civil Liberties Union - PA
Ken Gormley, President of Duquesne University, Professor of Law
Eric Lindey, Executive Vice President of Adult ID Pennsylvania, Imperium, Inc.
Bill Flanagan, Chief Corporate Relations Officer, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Erica Knuckles, Director of History and Collections, Fort Ligonier & Braddock Battlefield History Center
Bonnie Baxter, Founder/Executive Director of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh
Steve Turner, Marketing Manager of Turner Dairy Farms
Natalie Bencivenga, SEEN Editor/Ask Natalie Advice Columnist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rick Sebak, film director/producer, WQED Mulitmedia Pittsburgh
Brian O'Neill, author, columnist for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Bill Fuller, President and Corporate Chef, Big Burrito Restaurant Group
Rossilynne Culgan, Author of 100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die and Director of "The Incline"
Therese Rocco, the City of Pittsburgh's first female Assistant Police Chief
Tim Hindes, Principle and CEO of Trailblaze Creative, designer of STRONGER THAN HATE logo
Carol Shrieve, Executive Director, Carnegie of Homestead
Leah Lizarondo, CEO and Co-Founder of 412 Food Rescue
Dr. Jessie Ramey, Director of Women's Institute, Chatham University
Mila Sanina, Executive Director, PublicSource
Anita Buzzy Prentiss, Buzzy Photography
Dr. Bethany Barone Gibbs, Associate Professor of Health and Physical Activity, and Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Weida of Virginia Weida Designs.
Pete McQuillin and Laura Faessel, Penn Forest Natural Burial Park
Indea Herndon, August Wilson Center
Mike Priganc, Network Member
Melanie Linn Gutowski, Author, Kaufmann's Department Store and Pittsburgh’s Mansions
Cody McDevitt, Author, Pittsburgh Drinks: A History of Cocktails, Nightlife and Bartending Tradition
Sam Gottesman, Holocaust Survivor
Lauren Bairnsfather, Director, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh
Joe Zgurzynski, Owner, Operator, Master Beekeeper, Country Barn Farm
Matt Webb, Urban Bird Conservation Coordinator, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Emily Catalano, Founder, Good Food Pittsburgh
Cynthia Caul, Center for Regional Agriculture, Food and Transformation (CRAFT) at Chatham University
Regina Able, Deputy District Director, Small Business Administration, Pittsburgh District
Dr. Sarah Tambucci, Director, Arts Education Collaborative
Therese McShea, My Write Tool
Melanie Patterson, “The Good Ol’ Days House,” America’s first Nostalgic Guesthouse
Vivien Li, President and CEO, Riverlife Pittsburgh
Felicia Richards, Creative Beyond Control Photography
Meg Pryor, Director, Henry Mancini Academy at Lincoln Park
Kim Adley, Owner and Custom Tour Designer, Passport to Pittsburgh
Helen Wilson, Vice President, Squirrel Hill Historical Society
Wasi Mohamed, Executive Director, The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh
Cory Van Horn, Owner/Head Guide, Food Guy Adventures
Adam Nelson, Director and Founder, The City of Play
Wendy Long, Owner and Operator, Solutions for Independence
Pat Clark, Managing Partner, Jackson/Clark Partners
Matthew Craig, Executive Director, Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh
Robert Messner, Director, Braddock’s Battlefield History Center
Rich Salvante, Yard to Table Garden Builders
Judi Vitale, Astrologist and Author
Todd Wilson, Author, Pittsburgh's Bridges
Fred Thieman, Esq., President of Buhl Foundation
John Fetterman, Mayor of Braddock and Candidate for United State Senate
Patricia McElligott, Author, Irish Pittsburgh
Wendy Lydon, Vice President/Business Coach, ThistleSea Business Development
Sarah Mayer, Partner, UpToKnowGood
Carrie Pavlik, Owner, Steel City Grazers
Arthi Subramaniam, Food Editor, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Eric Sloss, Principal, Creative Strategist for SHIFT
Keri Rouse, Allegheny Land Trust
"Homestead Jenn" Tompkins, Founder, Rent the Chicken
Douglas Heuck, Founder, Editor and Publisher of Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine
Dana Brown, Director, Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics and Public Policy at Chatham University
Patricia Penka French, Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational Cultural Center
Robin Nicholson, Director, Frick Art & Historical Center
Laura Zorch, one of the authors of Food Lovers' Guide to Pittsburgh
Leslie Bonner, BonnerSpahr Consulting
Richard Piacentini, Executive Director, Phipps Conseratory
Emil Heintzinger, Small Business and Group Benefits Specialist, Legal Shield
Mark Valenti, Director of Education and Coaching, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative
Jim Bonner, Executive Director, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Tracy Certo, Founder and Publisher, NEXTpittsburgh
Etty Reut, Therapist who practices John F. Barnes Myofascial Release and Mind Body Therapy
Michele de la Reza, Managing Artistic Director, Attack Theatre
Denys Candy, Consultant to schools, businesses, and organizations interested in creating sustainable communities
Arthur P. Ziegler, Co-Founder and President, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
Michael Sriprasert, Real Estate Development Projects and Initiatives, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
Melanie Linn Gutowski, Author of Pittsburgh's Mansions
Amanda Priebe, CFP, Associate Wealth Planner, PNC Wealth Management
Barney Oursler, Executive Director, Pittsburgh United
Angela Garcia, Deputy Director, Global Links
Drew Goldstein, PA Brew Tours
Kate Dewey, Executive Director, Forbes Funds
Matt Gaston, Co-Founder and Trustee, Awesome Pittsburgh
Mike Schiller, Executive Director, Green Building Alliance
Court Gould, Executive Director, Sustainable Pittsburgh
Cindy Howes, Morning Mix Host, 91.3 WYEP Pittsburgh
Abby Goldstein, General Manager, 91.3 WYEP Pittsburgh
Cynthia Pulkowski, Executive Director, ASSET STEM Education
Louis Butler, The Pittsburgh Pie Guy
Peter Greninger, President, Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group
Bruce Klein, Founder, Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History
Hoddy Hanna, Chairman and CEO, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Al Condeluci, Executive Director, UCP/CLASS
Maura McCall, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Research
Jennifer Antkowiak, KDKA TV News Anchor, Author
Rick DiClemente, Astrologer, Author of The Exquisite Zodiac
Julie Ann Sullivan, Author, Facilitator of Enhanced Learning, Learning Never Ends
Bradley Hilbert, Owner, Three Rivers Wealth Management Group
Mary Lou Bradley & Joe Groom, Owners, Paint Monkey, a BYOB Painting Studio in Lawrenceville
Chris Anthony, Owner, Chris Anthony Fitness
Lynn Figgins, Director of Business Development, Eyetique
Dr. Guy Caruso, Western Coordinator, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
David L. Donahoe, Executive Director, Allegheny Regional Asset District
Hilda Pang Fu, Founder and President, Luminari
Mary Gregg, Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti Inc. and winner of 2012 Jefferson Award for community and public service in America
Barbara Johnstone, Carnegie Mellon University Linguist Professor and Expert in Pittsburghese
Brian O'Neill, Author of The Paris of Appalachia and Lifestyle Columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
MaryLynne Pitz, Reporter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Erika Peterson, Owner, Green Circle Farms
Bob Firth, Founder, Informing Design
Deb Mortillaro, Owner, Palate Partners and Dreadnaught Wines
Bobby Zappala, Chief Executive Officer, Thrill Mill
Dottie Coll, Owner, Two Men and a Truck Moving Company
Lisa Brown, Executive Director, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association
Mike Kaus, Curator, Soldiers and Sailors Museum
Bob Bruce, formerly WPXI TV News Anchor, currently with Integrity Wealth Consulting
Heather Walsh, Co-founder, Living Pittsburgh
Deborah L. Acklin, President and Chief Executive Officer, WQED Multimedia
Scott Bricker, Executive Director, Bike Pittsburgh
Dorit Brauer, Teacher of Meditation and Author of Girls Don't Ride Motorbikes: A Spiritual Adventure Into Life's Labyrinth
Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive
Tony Norman, Columnist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Harish Saluja, Founder, Silk Screen Asian Arts and Cultural Organization
Linda Benedict-Jones, Curator of Photography, Carnegie Museum of Art
Bill Flanagan, Host of Our Regions Business, Executive VP Allegheny Conference
Scott Leib, President of the Board of Directors, Preservation Pittsburgh
Janet McCall, Executive Director, Society for Contemporary Crafts
Georgia Berner, President and CEO, Berner International Corporation
Heather McElwee, Executive Director , Pittsburgh Glass Center
Bill Peduto, City of Pittsburgh Mayor
Registration is required. Email cbridgebn@aol.com and provide your name and company.
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www.communitybridge-buildingnetwork.com
Community Bridge-Building Network
A network unlike any other professional network
Pittsburgh skyline photo credit: Joyce Scott-Kliber
Serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the Greater Pittsburgh area
We have a specific protocol to get the most out of our Network. Here are some important things regarding our meetings:
1. You need to submit an RSVP to attend.
2. You are encouraged to invite a guest; your guest will need to submit their own RSVP directly to us.
3. If you submit an RSVP that you will be attending, we do expect to see you at the meeting. Our meetings are designed around the attendance.
4. We expect you to be able to stay for the entire meeting, unless we hear from you prior to the meeting. This is very important for our networking sessions.
Meetings are held:
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Courtyard by Marriott
401 Waterfront Dr W, Homestead, PA 15120
412.462.7301
Upcoming Meetings
August 20, 2025
9:30am - 11:30 am
During the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, Anita Buzzy-Prentiss photographed almost 200 “porchraits” – pictures of people on or near their porches all around Pittsburgh. She felt like she was on a mission to spread, love, gratitude, joy and hope.
She and her collaborator, Ellen Beckjord, asked the same five questions of everyone who is pictured in this book. What you’ll read is an excerpt from their answers. This collection of images and thoughts is inspiring, insightful, delightful, and wise – guidance and grace to help all of us navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anita Buzzy-Prentiss, Buzzy Photography
November 19, 2025
9:30am - 11:30 am
Since 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, a non-profit arts organization, has worked to make the Steel City a place where the arts can flourish. Our efforts have focused on the cultural and economic development of the Cultural District, a 14-square-block area of downtown Pittsburgh. What was once a downtrodden red light district now thrives as a vibrant center for culture, art, food, and community. Pittsburgh’s Cultural District stands as a nationwide model for how the arts can play a pivotal role in urban revitalization.
After graduating from Duquesne University, Kendra Whitlock Ingram went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska in Omaha, and then to a career in arts management. She served as executive director of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, and vice president of programming and education at the Omaha Performing Arts Center, before becoming president and CEO of Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit arts presenter quite similar in mission to the Pittsburgh Trust Cultural Trust where she currently serves as President and CEO.
Ms. Ingram grew up in Scranton and attended Duquesne University. She’s now made it a goal to give Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District a more neighborhood feel.
Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President and CEO, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
September 17, 2025
9:30am - 11:30 am
Chris Whitlatch is an author, game creator, and nonprofit marketer, but he likes to be best known as a storyteller. For the past several years, he hosted two walking tours in downtown Pittsburgh, telling stories of Pittsburgh’s Notorious past. He collected those stories as well as several more of his favorites into this book. He has a journalism degree from New York University but grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania and returned to the area in 2000.
Chris Whitlatch, author,
October 15, 2025
9:30am - 11:30 am
The Market Women of Diamond Square is Pittsburgh writer Jan Ellen Kurth’s tale of feminism, displacement, and misogyny set in Downtown Pittsburgh. In the book, Kurth taps into events that played out more than 100 years ago and themes recognizable to many 21st century yinzers.
Though born in Kansas City, Jan Ellen Kurth finds herself drawn to the rich history of northern Appalachia--especially New York State’s Southern Tier and Western Pennsylvania. A graduate of Vassar College with a master's degree from SUNY Buffalo, Kurth’s work has appeared in various regional publications including Print - Pittsburgh’s East End Community Newspaper, NEXTpittsburgh, and the Jamestown [NY] Journal. Recent awards for her work include a Golden Quill from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania and two Keystone Media Awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association.
Jan Kurth, author,
Notorious Pittsburgh
The Market Women of Diamond Square
