CEO's You Should Know - Pittsburgh

What happens after the diagnosis? For many families, that's when the real journey begins. In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, Jonny Hartwell talks with Stephanie Ciranni, Executive Director of Cancer Bridges, about the organization's mission to provide free emotional, social, educational, and wellness support for individuals and families impacted by cancer. Under Stephanie's leadership, Cance...

Beth Anderson is the co-founder of  Sedgwick Land and Limb , a Pittsburgh-area company specializing in sustainable landcare, organic lawn care, landscaping, masonry, and outdoor living spaces. Alongside co-founder Ben Sedgwick, Beth has helped build a reputation for combining environmental stewardship with exceptional craftsmanship and customer service. Her passion for sustainable practices has gu...

This week on CEO You Should Know, we spotlight Zerorez Pittsburgh leader Rachael Kulka Rudski — a passionate businesswoman focused on building a company centered around service, innovation, and trust. From redefining what clean really means to creating a customer-first culture, Rachael shares how Zerorez has grown into one of the region’s most recognized names in carpet and surface cleaning. In th...

From a family-run HVAC business started in 1971…to leading one of Pittsburgh’s most recognized heating and cooling companies…this week on CEO You Should Know, we sit down with Jim Conley of Metro Heating & Cooling . Jim grew up around the business. His parents, John and Dolores Conley, built Controlled Climate Systems on a simple philosophy: serve the customer first. Today, Jim continues that...

On this episode of CEO You Should Know, we sit down with Jamie Bordas of Bordas & Bordas — one of the region’s most accomplished trial attorneys and the managing partner behind a law firm that has secured massive verdicts and settlements across multiple states. From multimillion-dollar courtroom battles against corporations like Walmart to high-stakes toxic tort and insurance bad faith cases,...

What does it take to lead one of Pittsburgh’s most respected family law firms—and guide people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives? On this episode, we sit down with Joseph R. Williams, partner at Pollock Begg and one of the region’s most recognized family law attorneys. Named the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in family law by Best Lawyers in America, Joe shares his philosophy on...

On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, we spotlight two inspiring leaders making a real impact in the fight against cancer—Ann Regan and Beth Wild. Their conversation centers around the upcoming Rush to Crush Cancer Weekend, happening May 16–17, and the powerful mission behind it. From community-driven fundraising to groundbreaking research at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, this episode dives i...

At Commonwealth Nutrition, it’s about more than what’s on the shelves—it’s about what people take with them when they leave. Built on a foundation of education, honesty, and community, Commonwealth Nutrition was created to give people real answers, not sales pitches. From complimentary InBody scans to personalized guidance on nutrition, training, and supplements, every experience is designed to he...

Olivia Suchko is the CEO and founder of  Shop Olive , a Pittsburgh-based fashion technology startup. She is developing a "tech-tailoring" system that uses 3D body scanning and AI to create made-to-measure, size-less apparel aimed at disrupting traditional manufacturing by offering personalized, high-quality clothing at scale. Key Aspects of Olivia Suchko & Olive: Mission: To empower women with...

What if the way we’ve handled documents for decades… is completely broken? On this episode of CEO You Should Know, we sit down with Joe Hipsky, President of U.S. Operations at Factify—a company on a mission to fundamentally change how businesses create, manage, and trust information in the age of AI. Joe is no stranger to building from the ground up. As co-founder of IRALOGIX, he helped take the c...

P3R is an innovative full-service event management organization, specializing in transformative sporting events and exhilarating experiences that unite. Our clients (like the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the National Senior Games Association, just to name a few) trust us to bring every aspect of operational excellence to their special events. From o...

On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, we sit down with Sam Milligan, co-owner of Cousins Roofing, Siding & Decks—one of the fastest-growing, family-owned exterior remodeling companies in the Pittsburgh region. What started humbly—building decks out of pickup trucks alongside his cousin and business partner Calvin—has grown into a trusted name in roofing, siding, and custom outdoor living sp...

Great events don’t happen by accident. Behind every unforgettable wedding, festival, or corporate celebration is someone making sure the right talent meets the right moment. In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, we talk with Jackie Danko, Founder and President of Sound Advice Entertainment, a Pittsburgh-based full-service entertainment and event booking agency. For more than a decade, Jackie ha...

In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, we sit down with Brian McMahon — an entrepreneurial powerhouse who took the reins of his family’s business and transformed it into one of South Pittsburgh’s go-to home improvement and repair teams. As Owner and CEO of Ace Handyman Services South Pittsburgh, Brian brings over 7 years of hands-on leadership and business management experience to a company that...

In this episode, we talk with Christi Robinette, CEO of Fragasso Financial Advisors, about her journey from financial advisor to leading one of Pittsburgh’s most respected wealth management firms. With degrees in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, Christi brings a unique, people-first perspective to financial planning and leadership. We discuss how empathy shapes client relationships,...

On this episode of CEOs You Should Know, we spotlight Kim Hudson, Chief Operating Officer of Seniors Helping Seniors Pittsburgh Northeast. A nurse with more than 30 years of experience in long-term care and senior services, Kim has built her career around compassionate, high-quality support for older adults. Today, she and her husband lead a non-medical home care agency dedicated to helping senior...

In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, we sit down with Lisa McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association (GPADA), the powerhouse organization representing over 200 franchised automobile and truck dealers across Western Pennsylvania. Lisa takes us behind the wheel of one of the region’s most influential trade associations — from championing local aut...

Val Porter sits down with Eric Wabrick, Founder and CEO of Autology AI, to talk about making artificial intelligence practical and profitable for today’s businesses. Eric breaks down the myths around AI and explains how companies—especially small and midsize organizations—can use smart automation to streamline operations, boost productivity, and drive real ROI. He shares his entrepreneurial journe...

Andrea Soltis of GrandEvents knows how to turn “overwhelming” into effortless. Based in the Pittsburgh area, Andrea brings 10+ years of event-coordination experience, helping clients plan everything from weddings and private celebrations to professional business events. Her style is personal and flexible—whether you need full-service planning or just support bringing your vision to life, she’ll me...

The 9th annual Pittsburgh Travel Showcase™ returns to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center  for three big days: Friday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 25. AAA’s travel data shows that excitement  for traveling is at a high, and the Showcase is the best spot to book vacations this year! The one-of-a-kind  event brings travel service representatives from various international, national, and region...

Tony Mazzarini turned his entrepreneurial vision toward Pittsburgh’s heritage by transforming a 19th-century rickhouse into The Distillery Complex — a six-story, multi-use landmark that is home to Big Spring Spirits’ distillery, tasting room and bottle shop, a rooftop bar with panoramic city views, a cigar lounge, event spaces and more. Under his leadership, the project blends historic preservatio...

Brandon Mullen is the CEO and driving force behind MPWR Aesthetics + Wellness, a fast-growing brand dedicated to helping people look and feel their absolute best. With a focus on personalized care, cutting-edge treatments, and a compassionate client experience, Brandon leads a team committed to confidence, empowerment, and whole-body wellness. His vision blends medical expertise with modern aesthe...

This week on CEO’s You Should Know, Jonny Hartwell sits down with Mike and Lizzy Connors, the husband-and-wife team behind Leacon Digital, one of Pittsburgh’s fastest-growing creative and marketing agencies. From reimagining brand identities to building high-performance websites, Mike and Lizzy have helped more than 100 businesses sharpen their message and expand their reach. Their approach blends...

In today’s episode of CEO’s You Should Know, Val Porter sits down with Rachel Petrucelli – a passionate and visionary leader whose 25-year career in development, fundraising and operations spans pediatric healthcare and higher education. Rachel serves as President & Chief Development Officer of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, where she leads more than 55 mission-driven profes...

Major Marcus Jugenheimer serves as Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, overseeing programs and services across 28 counties. A lifelong Salvationist ordained in 1994, he most recently served as General Secretary of The Salvation Army’s Greater New York Division and has also held key leadership roles in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Ohio. Alongside his...