Posts Categorized: Team

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.

Shane Hvizdzak

Marketing & Interactive Innovator

@shanehvizdzak

Founder of Helpified.com, a social solution sharing platform. Fitness and start-up consultant. Entrepreneurship Lecturer at St. Bonaventure University. Really loves drinking tea, working out, and starting businesses – but not all three at once (yet). Last name is pronounced Weez-Jock. You know, like an athlete with asthma.

Favorite Pittsburgh food:
The Chicken Little from Fatheads. One of my goals this year is to be able to eat the whole thing in one sitting. I’ve yet to accomplish it, but the sandwich is amazing.

Favorite Pittsburgh museum:
I haven’t had a chance to visit any. The Natural History Museum looks great, though.

Favorite pizza:
Pizza Belagio on 5th Avenue, for sure.

Favorite coffee shop:
Coffee shops are incredibly unproductive if you’re trying to get work done. So, I try to stay out of them as much as possible. If I don’t have a choice, anywhere with access to caffeine and WiFi works pretty well.

What’s on my playlist while working:
I can’t listen to music while I work. In the car, though, I’m pretty diverse. It depends on my mood, but I’ll listen to anything from Rick Ross to Justin Beiber – seriously. Don’t judge me.

TV show I could watch all day and why:
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is my go-to. I love it. I’m a Netflix addict. So, I’ve watched every episode at least a few times. It’s the funniest show I’ve found in a while, and sadly, I can relate to quite a few of the things they do.

The last book I read:
The Four Hour Chef by Tim Ferriss. I need to learn to be a better cook, but the book is more about skill acquisition, which is fascinating to me. Also, I hate to admit it, but I’m sort of a Tim Ferriss fan-boy.

Famous person I’d like to have dinner with: 
Mark Cuban. He seems like a really impressive guy, and we could talk basketball.

What excites you about the future of Pittsburgh?
I’m really new to the area – I’ve only been coming around Pittsburgh for about a year now. I think the start-up community here rivals any in the world. It’s so much fun to be around the talented people and experience everyone hustling. It’s just a great energy, more so than I’ve seen anywhere else. And, coming in as an outsider, I’ve been amazed at how welcoming and helpful the people have been, literally from day one. I’ll be forever grateful for that, and I think Pittsburgh is stuck with me. I hope everyone is OK with that.

What have you learned about planning a TEDx event so far?
This is my first TEDx event, and the first time I’ve ever planned a real event. So, almost everything has been a great learning experience for me.

What do you hope to get from this TEDx event?
I’m excited just to be part of the event and to meet all the attendees and speakers. More importantly, I hope it inspires Pittsburgh and leads to something better.

We recently held a very exciting & strategic team meeting at the Thinktiv offices. Below is a description of the evening by our Wordsmith, Benjamin Scheiner.

John Quayle

Business Developer

@jpquayle

Native to the greater Pittsburgh area. Graphic designer by trade that has a growing passion for economics. Founder and organizer of Pittsburgh Geek Breakfast – a monthly morning technology-minded networking group.  Also a frequent listener of BBC Radio and a devout ice hockey enthusiast.

Favorite Pittsburgh food:
There are still plenty of places I need to visit but Union Pig & Chicken and The Porch at Schenley Park are up there in my book.

Favorite Pittsburgh museum:
Carnegie Museum of Art

Favorite pizza:
Mineo’s

Favorite coffee shop:
Anything but Starbucks

What’s on my playlist while working:
Ludovico Einaudi, Coldplay, Calvin Harris, Stephan Moccio, Tina Dico, Erin McCarley, Greg Laswell

TV show I could watch all day and why:
Not really a big fan of television. Other than live sports, I watch The Walking Dead and Shark Tank.

The last book I read:
How the Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In by Jim Collins

Famous person I’d like to have dinner with: 
Richard Branson

What excites you about the future of Pittsburgh?
I’m always excited to see how Pittsburgh progresses throughout the years. There are plenty of people trying to accomplish incredible things. If you look hard enough, you’ll find another side of Pittsburgh many outsiders (and even current residents to some extent) aren’t familiar with.

What have you learned about planning a TEDx event so far?
As a late addition to the team, my time planning the TEDx event has been relatively short. However, I’ve learned that just a few people can generate a substantial amount of momentum.

What do you hope to get from this TEDx event?
The real question isn’t about what I hope to get out of this TEDx event, but rather how many people can I inspire through building this event. I sincerely hope that everyone who attends or watches TEDxGrandviewAve finds the energy and courage to pursue greater things for the Pittsburgh community.

As announced in last week’s blog, we will go behind the scenes and feature a member of our team each week. Have any questions for the team? Ask away!

Sara Coffey

Lead Designer

@SaraLeeCoffey

Holds a Graphic Design position at a Pittsburgh Based company as well as various freelance projects, with a focus on non-profits. Free time consists of drawing, listening to music, reading, and being outdoors!

Favorite Pittsburgh food:
I really appreciate the many options I have as a health conscious vegetarian in the city. The food in Pittsburgh is very adventurous, which appeals to me.

Favorite Pittsburgh museum:
The Warhol museum & The Mattress Factory

Favorite pizza:
Spak Brothers in Garfield

Favorite coffee shop:
Voluto Coffee, also in Garfield, because French press is the best!

What’s on my playlist while working:
Oh man…everything from the calm absurdity of indie rock to the electronic beats of hip-hop

TV show I could watch all day and why:
Carl Sagan Cosmos is truly something I can watch over & over without growing bored. His visions of the universe are beautiful.

The last book I read:
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an autobiography of her life from living in a Somalia tribe to a political leader in The Netherlands. I also just finished the comic ‘Persepolis’ which was lended to me by a friend & is coincidentally an autobiography about a woman from Iran. I would recommend both to anyone looking for an interesting read.

Famous person I’d like to have dinner with:
Kind of famous, in the design world, Jessica Hische, so we can talk nerd-ly about hand drawn type.

What excites you about the future of Pittsburgh?
I think Pittsburgh embodies a sense of community that is contagious. Many of the people I meet in this city are bustling with ideas. While living in a community open to it, they are actively pursuing their ideas. TEDx is a great way to showcase these people & their ideas. I’ve witness a lot of transformation in the 6 years I’ve lived in the city, I’m very excited for the ride ahead.

What have you learned about planning a TEDx event so far?
I’ve never been apart of directly planning an event of this nature, so during every stage of planning I learn something new. Who knew this much went into an event? I’m super excited to see it all come together!

What do you hope to get from this TEDx event?
Just being able to attend my first TEDx event, let alone being apart of the planning! I’m hoping to gain inspiration, motivation & courage to pursue my ideas.