On July 7, I turn 30. I've been thinking about what I want this milestone to mean, and I realized there's one thing I really want: to give something back to the city that's given me so much.

So instead of birthday gifts, I'm asking for your help. I want to help Pittsburgh answer a simple but important question:
How connected are we, really?

We pride ourselves on being a city of neighborhoods, but when it comes to connection, we've never actually measured the key variables. We're operating mostly on instinct.

Through my work as Founder of the Pittsburgh chapter of the US Chamber of Connection, we have the opportunity to run Pittsburgh's first-ever State of Connection survey. For $3,000, we can gather real data about how people are experiencing connection and belonging across our city.

Just as important, we'll share those findings with the organizations, leaders, and community builders who can use them to make Pittsburgh stronger.

My goal is 30 people at $100 each, but this is bigger than any one gift. Every contribution helps, and every person who joins in becomes part of bringing this project to life.

If more than 30 people decide to join in, every extra dollar helps us turn the survey into something even more useful—publishing the findings, sharing them widely, and helping more people put them into action.

If you've ever loved Pittsburgh, believed in community, or wanted to help make this city a little more connected, I'd be honored to have your support.

My Birthday Wish: A More Connected Pittsburgh

Help me make connection visible, measurable, and actionable in PGH

Team Members