2018 Benter Vision Awardees

Under Bricker's leadership, Bike Pittsburgh has pursued an agenda that moved Pittsburgh to the top ten of the nation's bike-friendliest cities. Pittsburgh has made significant strides in becoming bike-friendly over the past decade.

Bricker planned to attend a leadership course at Stanford University or a residential planning experience in Italy to develop an integrated transit and mobility vision for the Pittsburgh region. The experience would expose him to urban leaders in Europe and help Bike Pittsburgh address how mobility issues intersect prominently with climate change, air quality, affordability, housing, race, class, and economic opportunity.

Regional tree canopy is declining significantly. In 2017 alone, Allegheny County lost 11,000 trees to development projects and residential removal. Tree Pittsburgh's research has elevated public awareness of this environmental challenge.

Crumrine planned to participate in the SyncUp Leadership program combined with interviews and shadowing of national leaders in her field. The organization had just completed a major capital campaign and launched new facilities in Lawrenceville.

These two emerging leaders have collaborated on various initiatives at this unique installation museum on Pittsburgh's Northside. Their partnership became more significant following the museum founder's passing.

Both attended an eight-month virtual Executive Program in Arts and Culture Strategy through the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. The program covered financial management, marketing, governance, and network building. They planned to convene a board committee to share learnings and identify strategic activities.

The Cultural District faces evolving audience dynamics over the next decade, including changing demographics and ticket-buying patterns. King started her career as a box office attendant at Heinz Hall and has experience across multiple Cultural District organizations.

King planned to pursue executive education at the University of Pennsylvania focusing on Customer Data Analytics and Change Management. Her goal was to analyze audience engagement in ways that could enable several regional arts groups — not just the Pittsburgh Symphony — to be more relevant to their customers.

McElwee has led the organization since 2011 through financial challenges into diversified revenue streams and expanded educational offerings. The organization is considering purchasing and renovating a Penn Avenue property in Garfield to expand its footprint.

McElwee planned a five-day immersive leadership experience at Ashridge Executive Education Center (Hult International Business School) in England, followed by ongoing virtual coaching to integrate learning back at the organization.