Upcoming Events
February Education Event
Wednesday, February 16, 2023; 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
@ The Art Room
March Celebrate GMID
March 30th, 2023; 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm
@ The Aviary
Save The Date: April's Networking Event
When: 4.13.2023
Where: Howl at The Moon 125 7th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
May Celebration
May 5th,2023; 5:00-8:00 PM
@ The Landing Hotel
CMP Study Group Starts Soon!
About the MPI Pittsburgh Chapter CMP Study Group
The group is open to all members who are preparing to take the CMP exam within the calendar year. Participation in the MPI Pittsburgh Study group is intended to give members support and structure as they prepare to take the CMP exam.
Dates: Mondays from 6:00-8:00 pm (March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th & April 3rd)
Don't Forget to Renew
February is Black History Month
Did you Know?
Katherine Johnson (née Coleman; August 26, 1918 – February 24, 2020) was an American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights. During her 33-year career at NASA and its predecessor, she earned a reputation for mastering complex manual calculations and helped pioneer the use of computers to perform tasks. The space agency noted her "historical role as one of the first African-American women to work as a NASA scientist".
Johnson's work included calculating trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths for Project Mercury spaceflights, including those for astronauts Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and John Glenn, the first American in orbit, and rendezvous paths for the Apollo Lunar Module and command module on flights to the Moon. Her calculations were also essential to the beginning of the Space Shuttle program, and she worked on plans for a mission to Mars. She was known as a "human computer" for her tremendous mathematical capability and ability to work with space trajectories with such little technology and recognition at the time.
In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
You can read more about how Johnson and other African American women paved the way in the book "Hidden Figures"
January Education Event Recap
Member of the Month
Meet Kristen Chisholm, the Assistant Director of Event Sales in Conference Services at The University of Pittsburgh. She has enjoyed selling and planning events at The University Club and throughout campus since July 2022. Prior to joining Pitt, she spent a year as Regional Sales and Events Manager with Sullivan's Steakhouse, helping open their new location in downtown Pittsburgh. Before Sullivans and the pandemic, Kristen was the Director of Catering at The Andy Warhol Museum, planning a variety of events.
Her career began and grew in the hotel world at Park Hyatt Chicago after graduating from Indiana University's Hospitality Management Program in 2005. After nine years with Hyatt, Kristen changed direction and joined the US Peace Corps as an Agricultural Volunteer. When returning from her time in Ghana, moving back to the Pittsburgh area and her family was a given. She has had a very fun and exciting career, which she looks forward to continuing at Pitt! When not working, you will find Kristen in the woods, on her bike, or by water.
- ❤️ What do you love most about meetings & events? I get exceptional satisfaction in seeing great success for the client. As planners, our roles can range from being a small piece of the puzzle to being a major contributor of the full event. Regardless of the involvement, we have the opportunity to create relationships that lend towards sharing in the enjoyment of another's success. Knowing the event is a big win for the client is a big win for me!
- 🤔 What do you want to get out of MPI Pittsburgh? Education; gaining and giving. The gain will come from the events and from networking with a diverse group of experienced Pittsburghers. The give is the hope of being able to share what I've learned and my practices with others.
- 💡 What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Everyone is replaceable - It can come across as abrasive in terms of advice, but without surrendering self-importance or confidence, it can lend towards continual education, positive challenge, and opening oneself to learning from others.
- If you had one superpower, what would it be? Time Travel - How cool it would be to experience the world during different times, past and future!
- ✈️ What is your dream vacation? One that lasts a long time! There are many places I hope to visit and always love a mix of adventure, experiencing a new culture, and of course relaxation.
- 🍚 What is your favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh? I love food far too much to only choose one. Pusadee's Garden in Lawrenceville, Spirits & Tales in Oakland, and Kelly's in East Liberty are some of my top favorites.
- 🍿 What is your guilty pleasure? Scratch-offs!
- What is your most-used emoji? Definitely the heart. A close second is the woman smacking her forehead!❤️ & 🤦🏼♀️
Thanks for reading through our February newsletter! Have something you'd like to include in our March issue? Reach out to our Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Kristen Hammett, at kristenhammett123@gmail.com.
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Credits:
Created with an image by Andrew - "Smithfield Bridge in the winter in Pittsburgh"