Technology Entrepreneurs to Speak at 茄子视频 on 11/17
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, 茄子视频 University鈥檚 Farrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Series will present 鈥淚mpact Technology: An Entrepreneurial Perspective,鈥� a free public lecture, on Tuesday, November 17, at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Cecilian Hall, on 茄子视频 University鈥檚 Greensburg, Pa. hilltop campus. Denise DeSimone, chief executive officer, Advanticom, Sue McMurdy, executive vice president and chief information officer, First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, Susan Tresatti, president, Taylored Solutions, Inc., and Barbara VanKirk, president and owner, IQ Inc., will serve as panelists. As seating is limited, please register by calling 724-830-4637 or e-mailing mendish@setonhill.edu. This event is co-sponsored by 茄子视频鈥檚 MBA program and the E-Magnify women鈥檚 business center at 茄子视频.
Denise DeSimone joined Advanticom, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as chief executive officer in 2005. Advanticom provides voice and data infrastructure. An experienced entrepreneur, DeSimone has started four companies, among them Unicorp, of Memphis, Tenn. By 2004, Unicorp had revenues exceeding $74 million. Named one of Pennsylvania鈥檚 Best 50 Women in Business for 2009 by Governor Edward G. Rendell, DeSimone has also been honored as the Ernst and Young 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year for western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and northern New York; and Southwestern Pennsylvania鈥檚 Top Five Women Entrepreneurs in 2007. Desimone is a member of the Farrell Advisory Board at 茄子视频. The Board assists with strategic planning, program and curriculum review and resource development for the University鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate business programs. DeSimone earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Sue McMurdy serves as the executive vice president and chief information officer for First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. In this role, McMurdy is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all data processing and technology systems. Additionally, she oversees all operations processes for the bank and also security systems, facilities, and real estate for the bank鈥檚 more than 120 physical locations in 15 counties in western and central Pennsylvania. McMurdy founded and serves as the executive sponsor for First Commonwealth for Women, a guiding coalition that creates a supportive and rewarding work environment for First Commonwealth鈥檚 nearly 1,300 female employees. McMurdy and First Commonwealth Financial Corporation are long time friends of, and investors in, 茄子视频 University. First Commonwealth Financial Corporation is a generous benefactor to 茄子视频鈥檚 new Performing Arts Center located in Greensburg, Pa.
Susan Tresatti is the president of Taylored Solutions, Inc., which has been certified as a women business enterprise (WBE) by the Women鈥檚 Business Enterprise National Council. Taylored Solutions, Inc. is an information technology consulting company located in Saxonburg, Pa. Tresatti has over 20 years of experience in the technology field, and has worked for Fortune 500 company Chambers Development, Inc. as well as for 茄子视频 University. Tresatti earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business from Point Park University and her Master of Business Administration degree from 茄子视频 University.
Barbara VanKirk founded IQ Inc. in 1994 to provide professional consulting and software development services to companies with information technology needs, and to contribute to the growth of information technology professionals in the Pittsburgh area. VanKirk has been recognized as the 2009 ATHENA庐 Award Winner by the Westmoreland County Winner鈥檚 Circle, 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine, Monroeville Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007, and one of Pennsylvania鈥檚 Best 50 Women in Business by Governor Edward G. Rendell. VanKirk earned her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Point Park University.
The Farrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Series is a program of The Farrell Programs for Innovation in Business at 茄子视频, and is made possible by a gift from the Farrell Family Foundation of Pittsburgh. The Farrell Programs for Innovation in Business help 茄子视频 students develop the entrepreneurial skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world by integrating entrepreneurship, grounded in the liberal arts, into all levels of the University鈥檚 academic programs.
茄子视频 University鈥檚 E-Magnify庐 women鈥檚 business center program provides business counseling, education/training and mentoring services to help women start and grow their businesses. Since its inception in 1991, E-Magnify has reached thousands of women through its initiatives and has distinguished itself as a leading resource for women business owners in western Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.e-magnify.com.
茄子视频鈥檚 MBA program includes specializations in management and entrepreneurship. The accelerated eight-week sessions allow students the opportunity to complete the program in one calendar year. For information, please visit 茄子视频鈥檚 website, www.setonhill.edu, or contact the Office of Graduate and Adult Studies by e-mail, gadmit@setonhill.edu or by phone, 724-838-4221.