TechVibe Pittsburgh

Jonathan Kersting

Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive.

Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders.

Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation.

Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." Don't miss out—click to listen now!

TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Tune in Sundays at 6 AM 10 100.1 FM AM 1020 KDKA.

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Yesterday · 20 min
Metal With a Mission: Ellwood Group's Anna Barensfeld on Space, Steel, and Workforce in Western PA
What if the steel in your next flight's landing gear, the components in NASA's Artemis rocket, and even the "chopsticks" catching SpaceX rockets were all forged by a family-owned company in Western Pennsylvania? In this episode of AMP'd Pittsburgh, host Jonathan Kersting sits down with Anna Barensfeld, fifth-generation leader of Ellwood — a 115-year-old specialty metals and forgings company headquartered in Ellwood City, PA. Founded in 1910 by Anna's great-great-grandfather, Ellwood has evolved from a small forge shop making crankshafts into a multi-faceted powerhouse producing high-performance alloys, aluminum, and engineered components for aerospace, defense, energy, and beyond. Anna shares the bold bets that shaped the company's trajectory — from her father's decision to build their own steel melt shop in 1985 during the Rust Belt decline, to today's massive investment in a vacuum induction melting furnace that will produce some of the cleanest, most advanced metals on Earth. The conversation goes deep on: Ellwood's philosophy of "Metal with a Mission" — how their products power everyday life, from aircraft landing gear to the power grid The critical role family ownership plays in long-term, risk-taking innovation Ellwood's involvement in cutting-edge projects for SpaceX, including the rocket-catching chopsticks A passionate discussion on workforce development and the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition — Anna's initiative to re-energize manufacturing careers in Western Pennsylvania Why manufacturing is thriving, not dying, and the urgent need to inspire the next generation of skilled workers • The advanced technology behind modern steelmaking — robotics, automation, CNC programming, and precision welding Whether you're in manufacturing, economic development, or simply curious about how the materials behind modern civilization get made, this episode will change how you think about American industry. Produced at the Huntington Bank Studios as part of the AMP'd Pittsburgh series by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Listen now and discover why the future of American manufacturing is being forged right here in Western Pennsylvania.
Yesterday · 22 min
The State Line Is Not an Innovation Line, Why Pittsburgh and Morgantown Are Better Together
What happens when two major West Virginia technology conferences join forces and invite Pittsburgh to the party? TechVibe Radio talks with Melissa McKenna of Trilogy Solutions and Bill Walker of West Virginia University about the October 28 Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah conference in Morgantown, an event expected to bring together hundreds of leaders from industry, academia and government. And this isn't just another cybersecurity gathering. The conference stretches across four major areas including secure and intelligent systems, national security and mission innovation, autonomy and advanced manufacturing, and health and cyber biosecurity. Expect conversations touching AI, aerospace, robotics, healthcare, food security, federal missions and the emerging threats surrounding increasingly connected infrastructure. Walker, a former Chief of Staff at U.S. Cyber Command, explains how WVU has built deep relationships with federal agencies and industry partners to tackle real national security challenges. McKenna details how combining Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah! creates new opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and students to connect, collaborate and build. But perhaps the biggest takeaway is geographic. Pittsburgh and Morgantown are only about 75 miles apart, with complementary strengths across AI, robotics, energy, manufacturing, cybersecurity, research and federal contracting. As Walker puts it, "The state line's a political boundary. It's not an innovation boundary." Hit play to discover why Pittsburgh companies should be looking south, why West Virginia organizations should be looking north and how one connected technology corridor could create new companies, contracts, investment and jobs across the region. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Sunday · 22 min
Pittsburgh's Neya Systems Puts Autonomous Mining Vehicles in High Gear
Can a Pittsburgh robotics company really make massive mining trucks drive themselves — with no human behind the wheel? In this episode of Tech Vibe, Jonathan Kersting sits down with John Porter, Senior Robotics Engineer at Neya, to unpack how this Pittsburgh-based off-road autonomy company is transforming one of the world's most rugged and dangerous industries: industrial mining. From ultra-class haul trucks with 15-foot-tall tires running fully autonomous load-haul-dump cycles at a production iron ore mine in Western Australia, to building the perception systems and fleet management software that make it all possible — this is a deep dive into the engineering, the grit, and the real-world impact of autonomous mining. And yes, it's all being built right here in Pittsburgh. There are so many reasons to listen: Get an inside look at the perception systems, sensors, and path-planning algorithms that let building-sized vehicles navigate mine sites with zero human input Hear the on-the-ground story of deploying autonomous trucks in Western Australia — one of the toughest mining environments on Earth Learn how Neya's Mission Planning and Management System (MPMS) coordinates fleets of both autonomous and manned vehicles on the same site Discover why safety is the driving force behind removing humans from the cab and into remote command centers Find out what's next — from automating shovels and dozers to building fully autonomous mine ecosystems Whether you're into robotics, autonomy, industrial innovation, or just love a great Pittsburgh success story, this conversation will change how you think about the future of mining. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
September 6 · 22 min
15 Years of Assemble: Building Pittsburgh's Next Generation of Makers, Creators & Technologists
Nina Marie Barbuto, founder of Assemble in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood, joins TechVibe this Sunday to celebrate 15 years of building community through arts, technology, and hands-on maker education. What started with a backpack and a bicycle has grown into an organization that has impacted over 107,000 people — including more than 30,000 youth — through STEM and STEAM programs rooted in culturally relevant, project-based learning. Nina shares the story of Assemble's evolution from an all-volunteer effort to a generational force in Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, the ripple effects of empowering kids to build, create, and dream, and details for the upcoming Unicornapalooza celebration on September 19th — featuring carnival games, flash unicorn tattoos, the first-ever Unicorny Awards honoring community champions, and costumes strongly encouraged. Featuring honorees Gregg Behr of the Grable Foundation, Representative La' Tasha Mayes for her work passing the CROWN Act in Pennsylvania, community maker Miss Junyetta Seale, and Assemble's own Jess Gold. Learn more and get tickets at assemblepgh.org.
August 31 · 33 min
Empire of Lights: Powering and Cooling the AI Factory
How Do You Power and Cool an AI Data Center? The processors inside modern data centers are becoming more powerful, more dense and a whole lot hotter. Keeping them running requires an entirely new generation of power and cooling infrastructure. Chris Massetti of Donwil joins Empire of Lights to explain what happens between the electrical grid and the silicon, and why Donwil's mission-critical expertise has suddenly landed the company in the middle of one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Hit play to learn how closed-loop liquid cooling can dramatically reduce water consumption, how modern systems move heat directly away from powerful GPUs, and why Donwil's power modules help smooth the wildly fluctuating electrical loads created by AI computing. Massetti also explores the rapid move toward prefabricated and modular infrastructure, the growing demand for skilled technicians and why having compute located closer to Pittsburgh could become increasingly important for healthcare, research and other AI-intensive industries. It's a surprisingly accessible trip inside the powertrain and cooling system of the modern AI factory. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 31 · 29 min
AI Beyond Chatbots: EY on Agents, ERP Transformation, and the Skills That Matter
Is AI more than just chatbots — and are you leaving serious business value on the table by thinking it isn't? Jonathan Kersting hosts TechVibe from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, sitting down with EY's Natalie Freedline and Aaron Rakes for a high-energy conversation about the real-world AI revolution happening right now in business. Why you should hit play: • The human side of AI — Why your people aren't being replaced, they're being redeployed, and the new skills every professional needs to stay relevant (hint: it's not coding, it's interrogation). • AI beyond the chat box — Discover the "seven layers of the cake" and why chat is just one of them. Autonomous agents are already traversing ERPs, CRMs, and email systems — and they don't take coffee breaks. • The security wake-up call — Non-human identities, silent segregation of duties, and why governance isn't optional when your agents have access to everything. • Pittsburgh's AI moment — From $100 million in startup investments to local powerhouses like GreenCabbage and Gather AI, the Steel City is quietly becoming an AI stronghold. • The "just start" philosophy — Why waiting for perfect data, perfect documentation, or the perfect tech stack is the most expensive mistake you can make right now. Whether you're an AI skeptic, a business leader trying to see real ROI, or just curious about where this technology is heading, this conversation will change how you think about what's possible. TechVibe is your front-row seat to all things innovation and tech across the Pittsburgh region. Press play and get ahead of the curve.
August 30 · 34 min
Empire of Lights: The Concrete Behind the Cloud
What Does Precast Concrete Have to Do With the Data Center Boom? Turns out, quite a lot. Marshall Sorensen of Metromont joins Empire of Lights to take us deep into one of the most overlooked parts of the data center supply chain: the concrete structures that have to be designed, manufactured and assembled before a single server can go online. Hit play to learn how precast construction can dramatically accelerate data center projects, why eliminating a single structural column can create enormous economic value, and how Metromont's test-fit process helps developers find expensive problems before construction begins. Sorensen also explains why early collaboration, site logistics and offsite manufacturing are becoming increasingly important as data center customers demand bigger campuses on tighter schedules. If you've ever wondered what physically holds up the cloud, this episode gets wonderfully concrete. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 30 · 22 min
SoftLedger Founder Ben Taylor on Building Fintech in Pittsburgh
What happens when an accountant gets frustrated enough with clunky software to build something better? You get SoftLedger. This week on TechVibe, we sit down with co-founder Ben Taylor to talk about how a problem he experienced firsthand turned into a growing fintech company. Ben and his co-founder started by sketching out ideas on printer paper. Then came the hard part: thousands of cold emails, plenty of rejection and the long process of winning that first customer. From there, SoftLedger steadily grew into a platform serving companies that have outgrown QuickBooks but don't want the cost and complexity of a giant ERP system. Today, SoftLedger is growing its team in Pittsburgh, expanding downtown and putting AI to work across accounting, reporting and software development. Ben also talks about why Pittsburgh has become such a strong home base for the company. It's a fun conversation about spotting a real problem, sticking with the solution and building something people actually need. Hit play and meet one of Pittsburgh's growing fintech companies on this week's TechVibe. TechVibe is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to showcase Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 29 · 25 min
PaceSetters: How Woolpert Uses GIS + AI to Build Digital Twins, Indoor Maps & Smarter Utilities
In this PaceSetters episode from the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe, host Jonathan Kersting talks with Jodie Gosselin of Woolpert, a geospatial-focused architecture and engineering firm founded in 1911, about Woolpert's growth in Pittsburgh following the Dawood Engineering acquisition and its global GIS organization. Gosselin explains what GIS (geographic information systems) is, how it adds geographic context to data, and how it's applied to real-world problems like indoor wayfinding for airports and network modeling for utilities, including scenario planning and customer impact analysis. She describes how AI is being used to clean and compare data, support system integrations, and enable readiness for digital twins, and highlights a GIS + AI hackathon with Esri. Gosselin also shares her career path into geography and her efforts to teach GIS to kids, including GIS Day classroom lessons and education initiatives. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 29 · 21 min
Empire of Lights: Building Data Centers With the Community, Not Around It
Can Data Centers Earn the Trust of the Communities Where They're Built? Data centers are bringing billions of dollars in investment to Pennsylvania, but what does responsible development actually look like? On this episode of Empire of Lights, Brian Regli of Dynamo takes us inside the company's planned data center development in Springdale and explains why transparency, community engagement and accountability have to be part of the process from day one. Hit play to hear how Dynamo is approaching concerns around power, water and noise, why Regli believes developers must acknowledge the problems they help create, and how closed-loop cooling, third-party verification and local hiring can help establish a better model for development. He also explains why the industry needs to stop simply telling communities that data centers are good for them and start listening to what those communities actually need. It's a candid conversation about building the infrastructure of the digital economy while building trust at the same time. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 28 · 20 min
PaceSetters: How VSP Vision Uses AI, RPA & Eyefinity to Improve Eye Care Access and Patient Experience
In this TechVibe PaceSetters episode from Huntington Bank Studios, Jonathan Kersting talks with VSP Vision leaders Emily Traupman and Kathleen (Kat) Lovett about how VSP—one of the nation's largest eye healthcare providers serving 80+ million members with 42,000+ private practice doctors and 700+ retail locations—uses technology to expand access to care and improve efficiency. Traupman shares how VSP applies UiPath robotic process automation and generative AI to automate repetitive work, testing, and test-script/data creation, and explores AI agents to further reduce manual effort. Lovett highlights Eyefinity practice management software, insurance/pre-authorization workflows, and AI Scribe to capture clinical notes so doctors can focus on patients, along with AI tools to help sales reps and AI-driven frame assortment, virtual try-on, and inventory optimization, including collaboration with Carnegie Mellon. They also discuss retinal imaging for broader health insights and VSP's mobile clinic providing free eye exams and glasses in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the region's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 28 · 37 min
Empire of Lights: Turning Stranded Infrastructure Into Digital Opportunity
Could Pennsylvania's Industrial Past Become Its Data Center Advantage? Across Western Pennsylvania, former power plants, steel mills and industrial sites still contain valuable infrastructure that was built decades ago. Kenneth Birkenstock of Nittany Digital Infrastructure believes those assets could play an important role in the region's digital future. On this episode of Empire of Lights, Birkenstock explains the concept of stranded infrastructure and why reusing existing industrial sites can make more sense than developing farmland or previously untouched property. Hit play to hear why NDI starts with community conversations before development begins, why Birkenstock says transparency is an obligation for developers, and why expectations around noise, water, power and infrastructure should be clearly defined and put in writing. He also explores how data center investment could become the first domino in broader community revitalization, creating opportunities for skilled trades, manufacturing and additional development. It's a fascinating look at how old infrastructure could find an entirely new purpose. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 27 · 28 min
PaceSetters: Matt Beale on 50 Years of Daedalus, Industrial Design & Engineering in Pittsburgh
Jonathan Kersting interviews Matt Beale of Daedalus on TechVibe's PaceSetter series about the Pittsburgh-based industrial design and product development firm's nearly 50-year history and evolving, multidisciplinary approach. Beale explains Daedalus' work across robotics, energy, healthcare, medical devices, and safety, and how the team shifted to include more engineers than designers as projects require full execution from concept to done. He recounts roots tied to Westinghouse-era companies and long-running client relationships including Medrad (now Bayer), Automated Healthcare (now Omnicell), Fresenius Kabi (formerly Renal Solutions), and Industrial Scientific. Beale describes how Daedalus plugs into client teams, supports startups from programs like AlphaLab Health and Robotics Factory, leverages university expertise when needed, and increasingly uses AI and machine learning while protecting confidentiality and preventing errors. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 26 · 31 min
PaceSetters: Andrew Moore on Lovelace Building Investigative AI in Pittsburgh That's 100x Faster
Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council's TechVibe interviews Andrew Moore of Lovelace AI about why Pittsburgh is a place to "build something that works" versus the Bay Area's "big splash." Moore explains Lovelace AI's name (Ada Lovelace) and its focus on investigative AI that brings together massive amounts of evidence to answer complex, chain-of-reasoning questions. He describes a "context engine" that sits between an agent and vast data sources to rapidly identify relevant information, run probabilistic reasoning, and maintain secure, traceable sourcing. Moore says Lovelace matched the quality of Google Gemini Deep Research while using tens of thousands of tokens instead of millions, and shares efficiency gains that cut an inference from about $7 to under one cent on a two-year-old server. The discussion covers applications in financial crime, national security, safety, and disaster response coordination, and highlights Pittsburgh's mix of infrastructure and mathematical engineering talent. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 25 · 23 min
PaceSetters: MESCIUS Powers AI-Powered Spreadsheets, Developer Tools, and Saving Time with SpreadJS
Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council interviews Chris Bannon of MESCIUS on TechVibe Pace Setters about the Pittsburgh-rooted company's evolution from ComponentOne to GrapeCity to MESCIUS and its mission of building developer tools—charts, data grids, spreadsheets, reporting, and document services—that "sell time" by accelerating application development. Bannon explains why spreadsheets remain central to business-critical decisions despite attempts to move away from them, and how AI assistants layered on spreadsheets can build pivot tables, analyze trends, and answer questions quickly without deep Excel expertise. He shares MESCIUS's work adding AI features to SpreadJS and using AI to generate reports, plus an MCP server that gives coding agents deep knowledge of MESCIUS APIs and best practices to speed development and improve results. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 23 · 22 min
Pittsburgh's Gecko Robotics on Building Technology That Works in the Real World
What happens when you stop building technology for the lab and start building it for the people working in some of the toughest environments imaginable? On this episode of TechVibe Radio, Gecko Robotics founder and CEO Jake Loosararian joins Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, industrial innovation and why Pittsburgh gives Gecko a powerful advantage. Loosararian traces Gecko's roots back to a Pennsylvania power plant, where he saw workers risking their lives to inspect aging infrastructure with outdated tools. That experience sparked an idea: build robots that can go where people shouldn't have to, gather critical real-world data and help companies understand the health of the physical assets around them. From there, the conversation gets especially interesting. Loosararian explains why he turned down Silicon Valley investment that would have required Gecko to build its technology in a lab, arguing that companies solving physical-world problems need to stay close to their customers and collect real-world data. That philosophy ultimately helped keep Gecko rooted in Pittsburgh. He also delivers a provocative take on SBIR grants, warning entrepreneurs not to confuse grant funding with genuine customer demand, and details how Gecko's commercial traction helped pave the way for major work with the U.S. Navy. And perhaps most importantly, Loosararian lays out a bigger vision for Pittsburgh: a city that builds and scales category-defining companies instead of simply serving as an outpost for companies headquartered somewhere else. It's a fast-moving conversation about robotics, AI, infrastructure, defense, entrepreneurship and what it really takes to build technology that works when the stakes are real.
August 17 · 37 min
What Is Your Business Really Worth? Pittsburgh-based Fragasso on Equity, Value and the Exit
What is your business really worth, and are you building it to thrive without you? Fragasso Financial Advisors' Christine Robinette and Bryan Reft join TechVibe to unpack equity compensation, ESOPs and the fundamentals of smart exit planning. They explain how ownership strategies can help attract and retain great employees, why founders need to understand both the wealth gap and value gap, and how factors like leadership depth, customer concentration, documented processes and company culture can dramatically impact what a business is worth. Hit play for practical insights on building value now, reducing risk and creating more options when it's finally time to step away. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
August 9 · 22 min
Defense, AI and the Future of Pittsburgh Technology
What happens when Pittsburgh technology companies get a direct path to defense leaders, investors and potential partners? Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo headlines TechVibe Radio for an inside look at Sen. Dave McCormick's Defense and Innovation Summit, where approximately 40 Council member companies connected with decision-makers from government, the military and industry. Audrey explains why the summit's emphasis on collaboration could help Pennsylvania companies move beyond pursuing opportunities alone and begin building stronger teams capable of winning major defense contracts. The conversation also offers an early glimpse at findings from the Council's upcoming State of the Industry Report. One emerging trend demands attention: employment in the information technology cluster declined 5.5 percent over three years, while average wages increased more than 23 percent. Audrey and cohost Jonathan Kersting explore what those numbers could mean for talent, economic inclusion and Pittsburgh's opportunity to lead in robotics, physical AI and advanced technology. Plus, get a preview of TechVibe's upcoming Tech Pacesetters interviews featuring companies and leaders shaping Pittsburgh's next technology chapter, including Andrew Moore and Lovelace AI. The episode closes with a line that perfectly captures the region's innovation DNA: other places may build something flashy, but in Pittsburgh, you build something that works. Hit PLAY for defense opportunities, fresh industry intelligence and a front-row seat to the people building Pittsburgh's technology future. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
August 7 · 12 min
Pittsburgh Tech Community! Can You Help Jamie's Dream Team Dream Bigger?
Jamie Ward has spent more than 20 years making dreams come true for people facing life-threatening illnesses, serious medical needs and extraordinary challenges. Through Jamie's Dream Team, she and her team have impacted more than 30,000 individuals, providing everything from dream experiences and bedroom makeovers to housing, food, basic necessities and support for families navigating some of the toughest moments imaginable. But in this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jamie has a dream of her own, and Pittsburgh's technology community may be able to help make it happen. Jamie's Dream Team is looking for technology expertise that can help the organization operate smarter, reach more families and scale its impact. That includes help with IT infrastructure, moving servers, email and database systems, social media, digital collaboration tools and practical ways to use AI to streamline everyday work. Jamie says she wants someone who can help her understand AI and identify tools and processes that could make things easier for her small team. The need is especially timely after Jamie's Dream Team lost access to a Facebook presence that had built roughly 19,000 followers, forcing the organization to essentially restart its social audience from scratch. So consider this episode an APB to Pittsburgh's tech community: If your company can donate expertise, volunteer hours, IT support, AI guidance, database help, social media assistance or other technology services, Jamie's Dream Team could put those capabilities to work helping more people. Hit play to hear Jamie's remarkable story, meet her daughter Daisy, learn how Jamie's Dream Team is changing lives, and discover how a little bit of technology expertise could help this organization create a whole lot more smiles. Contact Jamie at jward4617@icloud.com.
August 3 · 31 min
Pittsburgh's Angela Domhoff Helps Businesses Survive Their Own Growth
A great idea can launch a company. Smart operations keep it from flying apart when growth hits the accelerator. Angela Domhoff, founder of Advantage Operations, joins TechVibe to explain how entrepreneurs and business leaders can turn their vision into a sustainable, scalable operation. Drawing on more than 25 years of healthcare and corporate leadership experience, Angela shares why nearly anything can be "operationalized" when you clearly understand where you are, where you want to go and the systems needed to connect those two points. Angela also takes us inside her leap from a successful corporate career to launching Advantage Operations, where she provides fractional operational leadership to companies that need executive-level expertise without the expense of hiring a full-time COO. She explains why rapid growth can overwhelm an unprepared business and how better workflows, policies and planning can help companies scale without overhiring, crushing their budgets or creating chaos. The conversation also cuts through the AI hype. Angela believes AI can eliminate repetitive operational "noise," but only when companies first understand their workflows, people and processes. Dropping AI into a broken operation without that groundwork, she warns, can create expensive new problems instead of solving old ones. Hit PLAY to: Prepare your company for growth. Learn why winning a big contract or experiencing a sudden surge in demand can become a serious threat when your operational foundation is not ready. Get practical entrepreneurial advice. Angela offers candid guidance on managing expectations, protecting cash, structuring your days and resisting the urge to spend ahead of actual revenue. Understand where AI really fits. Discover how AI can remove repetitive work, improve efficiency and free employees for higher-value tasks without automatically replacing them. See why human skills still matter. Angela previews her work with the Pittsburgh Technology Council's LAUNCH program, where she teaches students how empathy, listening, collaboration and meaningful communication can become career superpowers. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh, technology and entrepreneurial communities.

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