Have You Met…Rae Mauer
Meet Our Newest Marketing & Events Coordinator
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up along the Monongahela within walking distance of Kennywood Park. My love for Pittsburgh is deeper than our 4th river.
Q: How did you hear about Innovation Works?
A: I first learned about Innovation Works several years ago while working at Junior Achievement of Western PA. I attended an IW networking event to meet more people in Pittsburgh’s Startup community. Now, I’m ecstatic to be working at IW and creating events like the one that made such a strong impression on me.
Q: What drew you to work here?
A: When I saw the job posting, I did a double take. I felt like the job description was written for me as it combined my interests in marketing, event planning, and entrepreneurship. Once I met the team, I knew I found the right spot for me.
Q: Let’s say I’m an entrepreneur in Southwestern Pennsylvania, what can I ask for your help on?
A: I enjoy helping people think about unique ways to build their audiences and increase enthusiasm for their great ideas. I always have time to help you think about your brand and how to find unique ways to connect with your audience.
Q: Reflecting on your experience in marketing and event management, what is the number one piece of advice you would give a startup?
A: Know how to talk about what you do and don’t be afraid to talk about it! You will always be your own best advocate.
Q: What technology/industry are you most excited about and why?
A: I’m most excited to learn about the ecosystem that impacts entrepreneurs and start-ups in Pittsburgh. Seeing how the puzzle pieces fit together helps me to provide more effective support.
Q: Step back to Rae at age 18, what line of work had you envisioned for yourself? How closely aligned is your current work to that vision?
A: Young Rae wanted to become a research microbiologist, which seems like a huge step away from a Marketing and Events Coordinator. I loved the environment of working in a lab and the energy that comes with collaboration and trying something new. While in college, I struggled with conducting experiments on animals and decided to pivot my education to pursue communications. While I’m not a microbiologist, I find working in the entrepreneurial community reminds me of the energy I appreciated while working in labs.
Q: What issues that face our region are you most passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about using my abilities to create inclusive spaces. Pittsburgh is a beautifully diverse city, and we can make a better effort to make sure everyone moves forward together.
Q: Who were your influences growing up?
A: My parents. They helped instill in me a sense of pride for my city and the people who live here by simply being who they are. Growing up, I was always impressed with my dad’s dedication to his job and helping others. For years, he worked at Mon Valley Initiative. He took a lot of pride in his role connecting people to housing and financial resources and working for an organization focused on revitalizing the area and bringing in jobs.
My mom has always been a humble leader. When I was a kid, she was the most important kind of leader, a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Every week, I loved helping my mom plan activities to help our troop work towards our badges and thinking about the important details for each troop meeting, like snacks. Her ability to create a space each week for me and 20 other kiddos to learn and grow while having fun was inspirational to me. I’m excited to honor them both in this position at IW that allows me to create spaces to help connect people to resources and encourages economic growth in Pittsburgh.
Q: Do you have a recent book, TV show, movie or Podcast that you enjoyed?
A: Last summer, I listened to the audiobook of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Power of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In her book, Robin shares her knowledge of ecology and botany from both Western scientific and Indigenous perspectives, and blends them together to share a unique and powerful way of seeing the world.
Q: Tell us about your volunteer work.
A: I love volunteering when I can! Some of my favorite places to volunteer are Global Links and Cut & Sew Studio. At Global Links, volunteers help sort surplus medical supplies so that they can be sent to communities in need in the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. I value how this organization provides needed health resources while drastically reducing the amount of waste that could be in our landfills.
At Cut & Sew Studio, volunteers can use their sewing skills to make dignity gowns for breast cancer patients. I love how Cut & Sew creates a community for sewists of any skill level to come together and make pieces to help provide comfort.
Q: What does an average Saturday look like for you?
A: You can usually find me crocheting on my couch with my cat, Kali. If I’m not there, check the gym or a nearby trail.
Q: When asked for a ‘fun fact’ about yourself, what’s your go-to?
A: I’m an amateur forager! Learning how to find edible plants has helped me to develop my relationship with nature. I especially love to learn about mushroom foraging. It takes a long time to learn how to identify mushrooms properly, and you also have to learn how to identify trees.
