TechVibe Pittsburgh

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 h...

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...

Jen Frazier of Prequel Solutions joins Jonathan Kersting on TechVibe to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping resumes, interviews and candidate assessments. While AI can streamline parts of the process, it can also inflate qualifications, help candidates generate interview responses in real time and cause strong applicants to be overlooked by automated screening tools. The result is a hiring landscape where human judgment, verification and a well-designed process matter more than ever.

Listeners will learn three key takeaways:

Is your next digital project ready to launch, or is it trapped in a meeting about scheduling another meeting?

Josh Lowery and Greg Cunneyworth of Makeway join TechVibe Radio to introduce Workshop as a Service, a fast-moving, highly structured approach designed to help organizations turn complicated ideas into clear, actionable plans. By bringing the right stakeholders into the room, asking deeper questions and challenging hidden assumptions, Makeway helps teams find alignment before they invest serious time, money and energy into a new website, touchscreen experience or digital transformation initiative.

And these are definitely not ordinary...

What if the fork you use for five minutes did not stick around for the next 500 years?

Terravive Founder and CEO Julianna Keeling and President Joe Swider join Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo on TechVibe Radio to explore how the company is building a healthier, more sustainable alternative to single-use plastics. TerraVive manufactures compostable takeout containers, cups, cutlery, plates, films and other food-service products using materials sourced and manufactured in the United States.

Keeling traces the company's roots from her early work developing a biodegradable blood-pressure cuff to TerraVive's expansion into the massive food-service market...

Is AI making hiring faster, or simply making it harder to know who is real?

Jen Frazier of Pittsburgh-Based Prequel Solutions joins Jonathan Kersting on TechVibe to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping resumes, interviews and candidate assessments. While AI can streamline parts of the process, it can also inflate qualifications, help candidates generate interview responses in real time and cause strong applicants to be overlooked by automated screening tools. The result is a hiring landscape where human judgment, verification and a well-designed process matter more than ever.

Listeners will learn three key takeaways:

What if you could walk into a studio, hit record and walk out with a polished, multi-camera video ready to roll?

That's the idea driving StudioMe, and TechVibe Radio gets a firsthand look at the technology making high-quality content creation faster, easier and a whole lot less intimidating.

Keith Parish and Joe Leachko join Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo to talk about StudioMe's evolution from traditional video production to automated communication studios that handle cameras, audio and live switching in real time. They also dig into StudioMe's AI-powered Sidekick Coach, which can listen to a...

What happens when Pittsburgh's nearly 30-year fiber powerhouse gets a jolt of fresh investment, new leadership and an AI-fueled market that can't get enough connectivity?

Nikki Marsh, Chief Revenue Officer of DQE, joins TechVibe to pull back the curtain on why fiber has become the new gold in today's digital economy. With 5,000 miles of fiber across Western Pennsylvania and beyond, DQE is helping businesses, hospitals, data centers and communities stay connected with utility-grade reliability and a Pittsburgh-first mindset.

Nikki explains why fiber is no longer a commodity, how AI and data centers are driving massive...

What if your brand isn't really your logo, your tagline or even your product features?

In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting hangs out with Carlos Tribino of The Machine for a fired-up conversation on what truly builds lasting brands: story, belief, authenticity and the emotional glue that turns customers into fans.

Carlos brings serious global branding chops to the conversation, with experience working on brands like Ferrari, Giorgio Armani, Walt Disney and The Economist. But this discussion goes far beyond big-name brand-dropping. Carlos breaks down why branding is not a cosmetic exercise, why great...

What happens when vintage race cars, Pittsburgh streets and one of the region's most beloved summer traditions all converge at full throttle?

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Executive Director Dan Del Bianco joins Mike Broeker of Bedford Management Partners to preview another action-packed year of racing, car shows and automotive camaraderie. They detail the return of the full Schenley Park course, Jaguar's starring role as Marque of the Year, a new Enthusiast Grid for tuner and import fans, drift-car rides and a packed calendar of events leading into race weekend.

Dan also explains how the Grand...

Can AI help you build software faster without leaving your business swinging from a technological tree branch?

Adam Wynne, founder of Pittsburgh-based Wynne Technologies, joins TechVibe to explain how his APES methodology, short for AI Project Engineering with Specs, takes AI-powered development beyond flashy demos and turns promising ideas into secure, scalable, production-ready products.

Wynne details why vibe coding can produce something that looks appealing but may not be ready to support hundreds or thousands of customers. His approach applies specialized AI agents across the entire product-development jungle, from customer discovery and technical specifications to c...

What happens when outside investors begin placing major bets on Pittsburgh's AI founders, ideas and talent?

On this episode of TechVibe, Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo joins Jonathan Kersting to unpack a remarkable wave of AI investment sweeping across the region. From $50 million raises for Gray Swan and Sooth Labs to the continued growth of ProfitMind, Gecko Robotics and Abridge, Pittsburgh companies are attracting serious capital while proving that world-class AI businesses can be launched and scaled right here.

Audrey explores why investors are betting heavily on founders, how Carnegie Mellon and...

Allegheny Health Network President Mark Sevco is helping shape one of the most important conversations in Western Pennsylvania: how health care evolves in a time of rapid technology change, financial pressure and growing community need.

In this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo recap Sevco's recent Pittsburgh Technology Council Breakfast Briefing, where he shared his journey back to Pittsburgh, his vision for AHN and Highmark Health, and why technology will be a critical differentiator in the future of care.

Sevco discusses how AHN is embracing AI, ambient listening, Epic, chatbots and predictive...

Plug in and turn it up. The debut episode of TechVibe's AMP'd Pittsburgh kicks off with Paul Heffernan of Clark Testing, a company proving that some of the world's most critical products are tested, validated and battle-hardened right here in the Pittsburgh region.

Host Jonathan Kersting goes inside Clark Testing's Jefferson Hills campus, where giant shake tables, seismic simulations, structural testing, lubricant labs and cybersecurity certifications all come together to support manufacturers across nuclear power, rail, defense, energy, space exploration and more. From testing equipment bound for nuclear power plants and submarines to helping validate components for N...

Want some amazing business-building insights to crack the Inc. 5000? 

Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe sits down with Dan Desko, founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, to talk about the company's rapid growth and Inc. 5000 ranking at #433. Desko explains Echelon as a full-service cybersecurity firm offering professional and managed services, including governance, risk and compliance, pen testing, defensive engineering, and security team-as-a-service led by virtual CISOs, with partners like CrowdStrike.

He credits their success to intentionally defined core values: being client-centric, prioritizing teamwork, hiring people with personality (not clones), facing issues head-on through tr...

What happens when AI moves beyond buzzwords and starts helping pharmacists get critical medications to patients faster, safer and more accurately?

On this episode of TechVibe Radio, we welcome LiAna Tschen, VP of Platform Operations at SoftWriters, and Danielle Greer, VP of Product, to explore how the Pittsburgh-based company is bringing intelligent automation into long-term care pharmacy. SoftWriters powers pharmacy operations for facilities where accuracy, speed and scale are mission-critical, with some customers processing thousands of prescriptions every day.

LiAna and Danielle detail how SoftWriters built its AI implementation around one of the most labor-intensive...

It is not every day you get to sit down with someone helping shape the future of health care across Western Pennsylvania.

In this special TechVibe conversation, Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council talks with Mark Sevco, President of Allegheny Health Network, ahead of his upcoming Breakfast Briefing on June 11. Sevco brings deep Pittsburgh roots, decades of health care leadership experience and a clear focus on how AHN can use technology, innovation and community partnerships to create better outcomes for patients across the region.

Listeners will hear how AHN is thinking about some of...

Can food waste become one of Pittsburgh's next big innovation stories?

On this episode of TechVibe, we're talking with Dylan Lew, Co-Founder of Ecotone Renewables, a Pittsburgh company turning discarded food into data, fertilizer and serious climate impact. Ecotone's Zeus biodigesters are built inside reused shipping containers, powered by smart automation and designed to transform food scraps into a locally produced fertilizer called Soil Sauce.

We'll dig into how Ecotone got its start, why food waste is a bigger greenhouse gas problem than most people realize, how AI helps customers understand what they're throwing away...

What happens when 21 startups spend five months getting sharpened, challenged and prepared for the real world?

Innovation Works' AlphaLab Demo Day is back for the first time since COVID, and TechVibe takes you inside the room where Pittsburgh's next wave of startups stepped into the spotlight. Hear from Aaron Tainter on how AlphaLab helps founders de-risk their businesses, sharpen their go-to-market strategies and connect with the region's startup ecosystem.

Then meet four companies from the cohort building across batteries, health care, agtech and consumer intelligence: SeaLion Energy, which is developing battery technology designed to last...

What if the best seat for the 2026 FIFA World Cup isn't in the stadium, but right on your couch?

In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting talks with Vito Forlenza, VP of Sports and Entertainment at Comcast, and Kelly Wright, Director of Sports Marketing at Comcast, about how Xfinity is preparing to turn World Cup viewing into a full-on immersive experience.

With the largest World Cup ever kicking off across North America, featuring 48 teams and 104 games, Comcast is bringing serious technology to the pitch. Vito and Kelly detail how Xfinity is making matches easier to...

Artificial intelligence is racing into every corner of business, but too many organizations are still treating it like a shiny productivity toy instead of a serious cybersecurity and business-risk issue.

On this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jonathan Kersting talks with Isabelle Syring and Robert Ragan of CUSTOS IQ about how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape, especially for companies using large language models, Microsoft Copilot, browser-based AI tools and AI-powered systems in critical industries like energy, manufacturing, oil and gas.

CUSTOS IQ breaks down why the "Wild West" phase of AI adoption is creating real e...

What happens when national security, advanced data technology and a culture of "people first, mission always" all collide inside one fast-moving Pittsburgh company?

That is exactly what we're digging into on this episode of TechVibe as we welcome back Damon Mathews of Qintel.

The last time Damon joined us, we only scratched the surface of what Qintel is building, and we knew we had to go deeper. This time, we're pulling back the curtain on the secret sauce behind Qintel's global threat intelligence work, from helping government partners track and disrupt serious threats to using d...

Last week's Cyburgh's keynote address brought together law enforcement, legal prosecution and frontline cybersecurity perspectives to deliver a ransomware reality check rooted in action, timing and preparation.

Featuring Richard Evanchec, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office; Kelly Locher, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and David Kane of Ethical Intruder as moderator, the conversation set the tone for the day's ransomware discussions by focusing on what actually changes outcomes once an organization is under attack.

This Sunday's TechVibe features key insights from both Evanchec and Locher that...

What if Pittsburgh held the blueprint for helping more young people become innovators in an AI-driven world, and it was built through gaming, storytelling, digital twins, and STEAM?

In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we talk with Damola and Wole Idowu of TOYZ Electronics about the bold vision behind DAH Varsity AI and TOYZ STEAM. Their platform is designed to help students discover their strengths, connect personal passion to real opportunity, and build the mindset needed to thrive in what Damola calls the "Intelligence Age." From hip hop and culture to robotics, VR, engineering, and AI agents...

Is the marketing funnel dead... or has it simply mutated into something far messier? In this episode of Techvibe's Mash Up Rewind, Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Cooper Munroe of the Motherhood unpack one of the biggest questions facing marketers today: has the traditional funnel collapsed into a maze of search, social, AI, Reddit, reviews, referrals, and word-of-mouth? What follows is a lively, candid conversation with marketers, founders, and business leaders wrestling with how people actually make decisions now.

From the rise of "shopping media" and the growing distrust of polished brand messaging to...

What does it take to build a company that lasts more than three decades… and then have the courage to hand it off so it can grow even bigger?

In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Barbara VanKirk, founder of IQ Inc, to unpack a story that's been 30+ years in the making. From her early days at Westinghouse Electric Corporation to building a people-first engineering company in Pittsburgh, Barb shares how curiosity, culture, and a commitment to growth shaped IQ Inc.'s journey.

Then, the story takes a global turn.

En...

What happens when AI is already in production, but security teams are still racing to catch up?

In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting talks with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell, Senior Security and AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, about her upcoming AI Security in Production panel at Cyburgh. Brenasia works with organizations across the country, helping them think through modern security strategy, and she brings that frontline perspective to one of the most urgent conversations in tech right now: how to secure AI tools that are being adopted faster than many organizations can inventory, govern, or measure.

...

What if hiring the right tech talent wasn't a gamble… but a precision-engineered system?

In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Sandesh Sukumaran, founder of Outcome Logix, to unpack how he's rewriting the rules of hiring in a world where speed, accuracy, and AI-driven insights matter more than ever.

Sandesh takes us inside his "tech-enabled staffing" model, where proprietary platforms, video-based screening, and expert-led interviews converge to eliminate guesswork and dramatically improve hiring outcomes. Instead of resumes getting lost in translation, candidates are evaluated based on real competencies, real conversations, and real-world fi...

What happens when AI stops being a buzzword and starts helping the physical world work better?

In this episode of TechVibe Fireside Chat, Jonathan Kersting sits down with Aaron Morris, Head of AI at Woolpert, to explore how one of the world's most fascinating architecture, engineering, and geospatial firms is using artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems at serious scale.

You'll hear how Woolpert is turning massive streams of raw geospatial data into actionable insights that can improve infrastructure, monitor terrain, support utilities, and help clients make smarter decisions about the built environment. Aaron also...

What happens when a nonprofit starts thinking like a high-performing tech-enabled organization?

In this TechVibe/Fireside Chart conversation, we sit down with Monica Fletcher, Chief Administrative Officer of Auberle, to explore how a 75-year-old human services organization is embracing data, digital tools, and AI to better serve thousands of people across Western Pennsylvania. Fletcher shares how her 27-year career in consulting, research, and strategy is helping Auberle move from paper-heavy legacy systems to a more efficient, insight-driven culture.

You'll hear how Auberle is identifying friction in everyday workflows, digitizing processes, and rolling out Microsoft Copilot...

What happens when one of the country's fastest-growing product communities brings in one of product management's biggest names for a live, idea-packed showdown?

You get this episode of TechVibe!

Host Jonathan Kersting sits down with Nathan Mancine, the force behind ProductCamp Pittsburgh, and Dan Olsen, author of The Lean Product Playbook, to talk about why this year's event is shaping up to be a must-attend gathering for product leaders, builders, founders, and curious entrepreneurs. From ProductCamp's unconference roots and growing leadership track to Dan's live on-stage product dissections, this conversation is loaded with insight, energy, a...

What does it really take to get innovative technology into the hands of the people who need it most, especially when the customer is the U.S. government?

In this episode of TechVibe Radio, Daniel Mihalcik of MCM Learning breaks down how his company helps bridge the gap between great engineering and real-world deployment. With roots in audio, video, and performance-based training, MCM Learning has evolved into a powerful behind-the-scenes partner for defense, government, and industry, helping turn complex products into usable, understandable, field-ready solutions. From technical manuals and training systems to logistics support and cybersecurity education...

For most Pittsburghers, Qintel is the company with the big sign on the North Side skyline. For their numerous federal partners across law enforcement, the intelligence community, and the Department of War, it is something else entirely: a data technology-driven threat intelligence company supporting national security to help make sense of a world full of fast-moving threats.

We reached out to Damon Mathews, Senior Director of National Security Operations to demystify Qintel. He describes the company as a "data technology company at heart," but that label only hints at the scale of what it does as a...

What if you could simulate five years of wear and tear in a single afternoon?

You're about to step inside one of Pittsburgh's most quietly powerful innovation hubs -- Clark Testing -- where products are pushed to their limits before they ever hit the real world.

From rocket components heading into deep space to roller coasters at Disney and Universal from IndyCar racing systems to critical infrastructure inside nuclear power plants, Clark Testing is where performance gets proven.

In this episode, CEO Paul Heffernan takes us behind the scenes of a facility drawing e...

Some technology optimizes efficiency. Marinus Analytics saves lives. 

Spun out of Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, this Pittsburgh company operates at the intersection of data science and public safety, using open-source intelligence to combat human trafficking and online exploitation. 

Its platform helps law enforcement agencies identify victims who might otherwise remain invisible — individuals often unable or unwilling to seek help due to trauma, coercion, or fear. By analyzing patterns across online data, Marinus enables proactive, victim-centered policing that shifts the focus from reaction to prevention. 

And the impact is global. 

What bega

Some companies chase headlines. Carnegie Robotics builds what makes them possible.

Tucked inside a massive, repurposed steel facility in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood, the company has spent more than a decade doing what it does best: engineering the brains and eyes behind some of the world's most advanced autonomous systems.

If Pittsburgh is "Robotics Row," Carnegie Robotics didn't just move in early — it helped create the neighborhood.

Founded in 2010 as a spinout of Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), the company was born out of a simple but critical gap: universities could pr...

What if you could measure an athlete's performance with the simplicity of a stopwatch — but the intelligence of a full sports science lab? 

That's the vision behind Sensi Fit, a Pittsburgh startup reimagining how athletic data is captured, understood, and applied. 

At the center of its innovation is a deceptively simple device: a 360-degree sensor mounted on a cone. But don't let the form factor fool you. This system tracks everything from acceleration and reaction time to vertical jumps and change of direction — metrics that traditionally require multiple tools and platforms. 

Sensi Fit consolidates a...

What if companies could help people before they even realized they needed it? 

That's the promise behind BlastPoint, a Pittsburgh-based AI company that has quietly spent the last decade mastering the art of predicting human behavior — not to sell more, but to serve better. 

At its core, BlastPoint builds auditable AI systems that help organizations understand when customers are likely to struggle — whether that's paying a utility bill, navigating financial services, or accessing support programs. Unlike many modern AI platforms, BlastPoint emphasizes transparency and fairness, ensuring its models can be understood and trusted. 

The impact is b...

Diesel engines have powered the global economy for over a century. Optimus Technologies is making sure they can power the future, too. 

Based in Pittsburgh, Optimus has developed a system that allows existing diesel engines to run on renewable fuels — like biodiesel derived from used cooking oil or agricultural byproducts — without sacrificing performance. 

It's a deceptively elegant solution to a massive challenge. 

While electric vehicles dominate headlines, the reality is that heavy-duty transportation from freight trucks to municipal fleets still relies heavily on diesel. In fact, roughly 70% of freight in the U.S. moves by tru...

What happens when warehouse systems can't adapt, but customers still expect next-day delivery?

In this episode of TechVibe, Lucas Systems CMO Ken Ramoutar breaks down the company's latest warehouse automation study and reveals why agility has become the new currency in modern distribution. From labor shortages and supply chain disruptions to rising customer expectations and outdated systems, Ken explains why warehouses are under more pressure than ever and how rigid technology is driving up costs.

You'll hear why supply chain leaders are rethinking automation, what the "dynamic warehouse" really means, and how AI, smarter software...