1. You’re a self-proclaimed foodie. If I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, where would you send me? Why?
The typical Pittsburgher answer is Primanti Brother’s. Why? French fries on your sandwich. Need I say more?
2. Which core value do you identify with most? Why?
Family first. My family has always been a large influence in my life. My brother is my best friend, and I’m really close with all my cousins. Growing up, we would always be together during the summers and that never changed as we got older. They’re the best support system I could ask for.
3. Tell us a story from when you were a kid. It can be funny, stupid, warm and fuzzy, whatever. Just make it a good one.
When I was younger, my brother and I would video record ourselves doing different skits. We would be talk show hosts, news anchors, meteorologists, sports broadcasters, Making the Band from MTV. You name it, we probably did it.
4. Tell us about all the things coworker Molly Z has brought into your life?
Molly was one of my closest friends my sophomore and junior year of college. When we were in college, I had to put my cat down. The very next week, a stray cat that was clearly once someone’s pet kept showing up to Molly’s family’s house. She didn’t want to take the cat to the shelter, and with her knowing I just put my cat down, she offered who is now Sadie to me. Molly is also responsible for my career here at Prolink—after two long years of her attempting to recruit me from Enterprise, I finally gave in and sent in my resume.
5. How did you meet your fiancé? What does a botched trip to Cyprus and a second-degree burn have to do with it?
After college, my job was going to be to teach English in Cyprus. Four days before I was supposed to leave, I managed to dump a pan of boiling oil on my foot. Over the next two days, it got infected and I finally went to the hospital to have it looked at. I was told I wasn’t allowed to leave the country by my doctor and had to put in my resignation letter before I even started what was then my dream job. A friend of mine worked for Enterprise at the time and said that she thought I’d do really well in their management program and had me apply. Little did I know after accepting the job there, I would meet my now fiancé. We worked in the same office for a few months and absolutely hated one another. I got promoted out of his office and started to realize we had more in common than trying to sell people insurance on rental cars. I didn’t make it to Cyprus, but I met John. I guess I still made out okay.
6. You majored in both Communications and Hospitality-Tourism Management. That’s an unusual mix. What attracted you to those subjects? What were some of the most valuable takeaways or skills you gained from them?
I majored in Communications and my minor was in Hospitality-Tourism Management. When I was younger, I always thought it would be really cool to work at a hotel. When I was in 8th grade, my English teacher and I were talking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. He said with my passion for telling stories, meeting people and hearing their stories, I should look at Public Relations. I never strayed from that. I was the secretary of my class throughout high school, so planning fundraisers and events was part of my duty and I loved it. I attended Robert Morris University for college, which is known for their Business Program. Since I was majoring in Communications and loved event planning, I thought I should add in SOME aspect of business while attending one of the best business schools in Pittsburgh. When you add all those random things together, that’s how Hospitality-Tourism Management came in to the mix.
7. Name one completely useless thing you’re really good at.
I don’t know if this is useless, but I am REALLY good at sleeping. Like, for over 13 hours at a time.
8. Of all the cities you've been to, which did you connect with more than any other? Why?
I would say I connected most to Sligo when I was in Ireland, but to be honest, I connected to all the cities and towns I visited in Ireland. I’m almost 100 % Irish (my dad’s real last name is Mulligan). The people I met were so welcoming. The music was amazing, and they have incredible food and beer. I felt the most at home there than anywhere I’ve ever been.
