TechVibe Pittsburgh

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.

Enter Critical Software—a Portugal-based, mission-critical engineering firm with big ambitions in the U.S. market. Joined by COO João Brito and Chief People Officer Filipa Carmo, the conversation explores why Pittsburgh, why now, and why IQ Inc. was the perfect fit.

Spoiler: it wasn't just about engineering expertise. It was about culture.

From shared values around people-first leadership to global strategy and expansion, this episode captures a rare moment when legacy meets lift-off. With ties to Carnegie Mellon University and a deep respect for Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, Critical Software is planting a flag—and planning to grow.

This isn't just an acquisition story. It's a blueprint for building something meaningful… and knowing when it's time to take it further.

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.

The conversation moves beyond the basic question of whether companies need an AI policy. At this point, Brenasia notes, most boards have already made that call. The real challenge is the growing gap between what organizations have written down and what is actually happening inside fast-moving production environments. From shadow AI to shifting ownership of AI risk to the need for non-negotiable security controls, this episode previews the kind of practical, high-stakes discussion Cyburgh attendees can expect to hear on stage.

Jonathan and Brenasia also touch on the magic of Cyburgh itself, especially the off-stage conversations where ideas, concerns, and candid opinions bubble up between sessions. Add in Brenasia's perspective from a recent industry roundtable at NAB in Las Vegas, where content security and remediation patterns were hot topics, and this episode becomes a sharp snapshot of where AI security stands right now.

You'll get a fast, practical preview of the AI governance and security issues every enterprise is now facing.

Hit PLAY now to get ready for Cyburgh and hear why securing AI in production may be one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges of the year. Learn more about Cyburgh here.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

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 fit.

But that's just the opening act.

We also explore a powerful twist on corporate social responsibility: Outcome Logix's Democratic CSR initiative, where employees, partners, and communities nominate and vote on causes that matter most to them. It's a shift from top-down giving to something far more human and participatory—turning impact into a shared decision.

Hit play to discover:

• How AI and tools like Copilot are reshaping hiring expectations (and lowering experience barriers)
• Why "screened talent" beats traditional resumes every time
• The surprising trend toward hiring earlier-career talent in an AI-powered world
• How Democratic CSR is redefining what it means to give back as a company

The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe Radio to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

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 shares why the future of AI is not about removing people from the process, but about building better systems with humans still firmly in the loop.

For tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovation fans, this conversation offers a powerful look at what AI looks like when it moves beyond gimmicks and starts delivering value where it really counts: in the field, in operations, and in the infrastructure that keeps society moving.

And then the episode takes a fantastic turn.

Aaron closes with the story of building his own version of KITT from Knight Rider during his startup days, a tale involving a black Pontiac Firebird, a fundraising promise, a Butler County connection, a History Channel appearance, and one hilarious surprise when the car's voice box arrived from Italy.

Hit play for a conversation about AI, geospatial innovation, Pittsburgh's role in the future of technology, and a little retro-tech magic to bring it all home.

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 with careful governance to reduce administrative burden on frontline staff. The goal is simple but powerful: give employees more time to focus on people, not paperwork. Fletcher also explains why "tech first" does not mean "tech only," and why the smartest systems are the ones that strengthen human-centered work rather than replace it.

Three reasons to hit play:

• Learn how to spot and eliminate workflow friction before it drains time, energy, and impact
• Hear a practical nonprofit AI strategy grounded in governance, clarity, and real use cases
• Get a fresh take on leadership and sustainability from someone bringing private-sector discipline into human services

From foster care and housing support to behavioral health and workforce development, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how better systems can help mission-driven organizations do more good. Hit play to hear how Monica Fletcher is helping Auberle build the digital backbone for its future.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

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, and real-world product strategy.

But this episode also charges straight into one of the most important shifts happening in tech right now: vibe coding. Dan explains why AI is not killing product management, but actually making great product thinking even more essential. As prototyping gets faster and building gets easier, the real winners will be the people who know how to test ideas, validate demand, and create products customers actually want.

You'll hear why ProductCamp Pittsburgh has become such a magnet for the region's product community, why Dan is so excited to return, and why entrepreneurs should be paying close attention to tools that can turn rough concepts into working prototypes at warp speed. This one is part event preview, part masterclass, and part rally cry for anyone building in the age of AI.

Hit play to hear why Pittsburgh's product scene is booming, why ProductCamp keeps leveling up, and why the future belongs to builders who combine AI speed with sharp product instincts.

Register for ProductCamp Here.

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, MCM is making sure innovation doesn't get stuck in red tape.

Daniel also shares how his 20-year Marine Corps career shapes the company's mission and why that firsthand experience matters when building products and documentation for service members. This conversation is a fascinating look at how MCM works with engineering firms, defense contractors, and emerging technology companies to translate "engineer speak" into something a soldier can actually use, while helping programs move faster and more effectively through the federal pipeline.

You'll also hear why Pittsburgh is such an exciting market for MCM Learning, especially as opportunities grow around autonomy, drones, defense tech, and cybersecurity. If you're a startup founder, product builder, or tech leader curious about selling into government, this episode is packed with insight on what it takes to move from a cool product to a true program of record.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

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 data technology company that provides threat intelligence. Qintel builds and delivers a global threat intelligence solution by combining data collection, processing, integration, management, visualization, AI-driven analytics, tools, and software development into one continuously innovating and evolving solution. The goal is to give government partners what Damon calls "decision dominance" in an environment where the volume, complexity, and speed of threats never stop accelerating.

The company was founded in Pittsburgh, been in business for about 17 years and is a small cleared defense contractor. The CEO William Schambura, is a Pittsburgh native who graduated from Woodland Hills High School in 1996 and University of Pittsburgh 200/2002. Damon says Qintel accomplished everything as a private company with no outside investment. That makes it even more incredible since establishing a recent enterprise-wide partnership with U.S. Cyber Command under a sole source prime contract with an overall ceiling in the $85 million range over a base period plus several option years. While Damon was careful not to get into specifics or classified aspects, he makes clear that Qintel's multi-use solution supports a broad range of cyber, intelligence, and operational missions.

What sets the company apart, he says, is not just the breadth of its offering but the people, culture, and business model behind it. Qintel does not simply hand over software and walk away. Instead, it keeps innovating, updating, and evolving the solution for partners over time, much like the steady stream of updates users expect from their smartphones. In a federal environment where agencies often pay separately for those capabilities, that approach makes Qintel a very different kind of partner.

Just as important is the mission. Qintel helps federal agencies confront nation-state, non-nation state, terrorist groups, international criminal organizations, and hard law enforcement problems including child exploitation and human trafficking. For Damon, that work is deeply personal and deeply motivating. It is about using technology to help stop some of the worst actors in the world and "Make bad things happen to bad people".

And while Qintel's work is global, Damon says Pittsburgh is exactly the right place for it. With its technical talent, research ecosystem, and support from organizations like the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Senator McCormick, the region continues to prove that some of the country's most important innovation is happening right here at home.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

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 engineers and companies from around the globe to Pittsburgh. We explore their brand-new, largest-in-the-East-Coast shaker table, capable of simulating extreme vibration, shock, and environmental stress at massive scale.

• Why "we test everything from rockets to rollercoasters" isn't hype—it's reality

• How Clark compresses years of stress into hours of testing

• Why Pittsburgh is a global hub for rail, energy, and advanced testing

Hit play to see what happens when innovation gets shaken… literally.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council Produces Techvibe Radio to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

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 began as an undergraduate research project has grown into a platform used by more than 250 public safety agencies across three continents. From local police departments to international partners, Marinus is helping investigators uncover critical leads, share best practices, and accelerate justice.

One powerful example: over a two-year period, the company's technology helped generate online sightings for more than 700 missing individuals, many of whom were at risk of exploitation. In cases where victims might once have been labeled as runaways, the data now tells a different story — one that triggers urgent intervention and support.

CEO Cara Jones emphasizes that the company's mission goes beyond software. It's about equipping frontline professionals with the tools, insights, and context they need to act effectively and compassionately.

Operating quietly behind the scenes, Marinus Analytics represents a different kind of innovation — one measured not in revenue alone, but in lives changed, victims protected, and crimes prevented.

In Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, it stands as a reminder that the most powerful applications of technology are often the ones you don't see — but feel deeply.