End your work day with us for a laid-back but empowering virtual program and networking event from Pitt’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence focusing on women business leaders. The event will feature a panel discussion from women business leaders who have their own unique stories of turning a difficult draw into a winning hand, whether professionally or personally. Join Rhonda Carson Leach, Senior Director of IEE Membership, and Sarah Fullwood, IEE Membership Manager, as they connect the experiences and glean insights from our event’s panelists:
- April Jackson, General Manager, Mecka Fitness
- Trish Parkhill, Marketspace Agency
- Barbara VanKirk, IQ, inc.
Unwind from the day by pouring yourself a drink (lemon-forward cocktail recipes will be provided prior to the event!) and join us for some of the shared experiences fellow women entrepreneurs and business leaders face every day.
PANELIST INFORMATION:
Barbara VanKirk is President and Founder of IQ Inc., a custom software development and engineering company in Monroeville. She is responsible for creating company value by providing the vision, leadership, strategy and general management skills necessary to grow IQ Inc. into a dominant player in the Technology industry. She has earned various recognitions throughout her career, including the 2020 Tech50 CEO of the Year Award from the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
Trish Parkhill is President & CEO of MarketSpace Agency, leading the full-service, Pittsburgh-based marketing agency located in Warrendale. Trish has been with Marketspace since 2009, growing with various roles up to her current role in 2016. She started her career in larger agencies like Publicis in New York and then returned to southwestern Pennsylvania and worked at Marc USA.
April Jackson is a leadership coach, community learning director, and the general manager of Mecka Fitness. Her specialties include leadership development, conflict resolution, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and wellness. Her career has been focused of educating others and helping foster environments where people can become their best selves to better serve their companies, communities and culture.