kacey250

Kacey Wherley

Founder, Director

@kaceyraewherley

Raised in Ohio, Happily Living in Pittsburgh. Art Institute of Pittsburgh graduate, event coordinator in the security software industry and avid supporter of the Pittsburgh startup community. Fan of anything tech, inspiring talks, yoga, meeting people and planning.

 

 

Favorite Pittsburgh food:
I’ve recently discovered some great breakfast spots: Dor-Stop in Dormont (go while you’re very hungry) and Waffles, INCaffeinated in Southside Works (waffles you didn’t even know existed!)

Favorite Pittsburgh museum:
The Carnegie Science Center. Robots, fish, astronomy – who said it was just for kids?

Favorite pizza:
Mineo’s in Squirrel Hill, or Piccolo Forno in Lawrenceville if you want to get fancy

Favorite coffee shop:
Caribou Coffee in Southside Works, I should start paying them rent.

What’s on my playlist while working:
My Spotify playlists include everything from techy soundtracks, hipster classics, to M83, Citizen Cope, etc.

TV show I could watch all day and why:
New Girl. The awkward humor and life moments of Jess are all too familiar. And who doesn’t love a little Schmidt every now and then?

The last book I read:
“F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters” – He’s one of my favorite authors and seeing his writing in an unedited, more candid form is interesting.

Famous person I’d like to have dinner with: 
If I could go back in time – Steve Jobs (spoken like a true Apple follower)

What excites you about the future of Pittsburgh?
The huge possibility of growth and development. Pittsburgh is in a great state right now of excitement around new businesses, buildings and community advancement. With all eyes on us, we can continue to make top lists throughout the country and prove we’re leaders in industries across the board.

I’m especially intrigued in the recent increase in startup and technology activity. With new events and content, local leaders have begun to provide a thorough environment for realizing your plan and putting it into action. It’s exciting to see what else can come out of Pittsburgh.

What have you learned about planning a TEDx event so far?
You’re not crazy for having a big idea. Creating this TEDx event has definitely shown me that Pittsburgh is filled with people wanting to help and support in any way possible.

I have already gained so much insight as to what community members are looking for in terms of personal and professional growth. Everyone that applied to attend the event has a deep passion for learning and seeing what’s going on around them.

Now if you’re talking about the small details and logistics of planning an event…let’s not get into that until the after-party :)

What do you hope to get from this TEDx event?
Everyone involved with this event has already inspired me. I hope that anyone attending or watching the event is also inspired by the end of the talks and feels empowered to go out and create something, do more and find their passion.