The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s 3rd annual Soiree happened in early October. Here’s what you missed:
The night’s theme was “HARMONIOUS: A Celebratory Symphony of Cultures” and the evening was exactly that. A diverse crowd gathered at The Gem on the Allegheny in Aspinwall to celebrate their different backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
Guests were treated to a journey of global-yet-contemporary music to start the night which transitioned over the course of the evening, eventually transforming into an epic musical collaboration featuring DJ FEMI, violinist Emmanuel, and Jason Kendall. With a surprise trapeze performance, Duolingo photo booth, signature cocktails, and a global fusion menu, the night made for an unforgettable shared experience.
The night’s highlight was the recognition of the four Illuminate Award winners which are given to leaders in the community who are creating pathways for a more globally connected region and world. These leaders represent the Council’s values of global mindedness, global learning, and global leadership in their lives and work.
There are four categories for the Illuminate Awards: Business Leader, Community Leader, Educator, and Youth. This year’s Community Leader award recipient was Sister Janice Vandernek of Casa San Jose. The Business Leader award recipient was Robin Zoufalik of Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects. The Educator award went to Dr. Andre Samuel of The Citizen Science Lab. And the Youth award recipient was Nimet Aysan.
This year marked the Council’s 20th anniversary of the first Global Travel Scholars Program. Community leader Dr. Allyce Pinchback-Johnson, Ed.D., founder and CEO of Pinchback Consulting LLC was a member of the first group of high school students sent abroad in 2004. She provided a powerful testimonial as to how her Global Travel Scholars experience formed part of her identity and continues to inform the way she sees and navigates the world.
“That is why the Council’s work is so important…They work tirelessly to increase global mindedness and connectivity in this region. They are building the next generation of global citizens. They forever transformed the life of a 16-year-old Black girl from Knoxville, and I am committed to paying it forward in the work I do in this city. If we truly want to be a global city, we must continue to support our Council with our time, talent, and treasure.”
Dr. Pinchback-Johnson
Dr. Natalee Smith, PhD, an R&D Chemist with Covestro, praised the World Affairs Council’s Global Citizens Fellowship program: “The opportunity to spend several months as part of the fellowship program, with a group of brilliant women who serve in such diverse professional roles, has been a gift. Participating in a cohort made up exclusively of women allows for open, unreserved conversations as we dig into global topics that, as it turns out, affects all of our work.”
In attendance at the soiree were hosting committee members Rep. Lindsay Powell, Marita Garret, Meg Gleason (Board Chair), Alexis Allen, Mike Capsambelis as well as the Co-Chairs Holly & Evan Frazier, Katie O’Malley & Kevin Acklin, Leigh Solomon Pugliano & David-Michael Pugliano. Other notable guests were writer Damon Young and Executive Director of Casa San Jose Monica Ruiz.
The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of key contemporary international issues. The Council’s mission is to convene and connect people around global issues to build a competitive, thriving, and inclusive Pittsburgh. The funds raised from the Soiree support the Council’s work to provide global learning opportunities through youth and public programs to over 1,500 community members in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region and beyond.
Feeling soiree that you missed this year’s event? Connect with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh to stay up to date on all their latest and greatest events — especially when the Soiree rolls around again next year. And soiree or not, you are always more than welcome to show your support for their mission with a donation.
