Debbie Graver joined Signature Financial as a partner and senior advisor in 2015. With more than two decades of experience in financial planning and investment management, Debbie is passionate about working with women, corporate executives, business owners and other investors and clients. An active community volunteer, Debbie and her husband Matt live in Squirrel Hill with their two daughters, Shoshana and Aviva, and their greyhound Chloe.
Monday, June 5
I’ll start the week off right by volunteering with my daughter’s kindergarten class at Community Day School.
After that, I’ll rush to the office to call, meet and strategize with the clients who depend on me for lifelong financial planning and goal achievement.
Assuming the weather cooperates, we’ll head Downtown for a picnic dinner and listen to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra perform at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival at Point State Park.
Tuesday, June 6
Tuesday is a typical office day with a great networking event at night. As an executive committee member of the United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, I always enjoy getting together with this amazing group of philanthropists. These talented women give their time and their money to help make our communities better for women in crisis. I am looking forward to meeting up with other members of the Women’s Leadership Council for a fun evening at the Rivers Club.
Wednesday, June 7
Wednesday is my flex day. I drop off and pick up my almost four- and six-year-old daughters at school and then take my greyhound, Chloe, for a nice hike in Frick Park. Working from home one day a week allows me to better balance responsibilities at home and work.
Thursday, June 8
This is a busy day! Why are there always so many events scheduled on Thursdays?
I’ll start the day with a “Moving Up” ceremony for my energetic kindergartener who is moving on to first grade next year at CDS.
Then I’ll rush to the office and meet with my partners to discuss business opportunities and upcoming events, and then enjoy a company-wide lunch with all members of the Signature family.
After lunch, I head to Carlow University where I serve on the Board of Directors and Financial Oversight Committee for an afternoon meeting.
The day’s not over until I enjoy one more celebration with Leadership Pittsburgh as we watch the Leadership Development Initiative XXIV class graduate at Pittsburgh Opera in the Strip District. As a graduate of this fine program, I had the honor of sponsoring one of our shining employees for the XXIV class. I can’t wait to see her graduate and celebrate her achievements with her on this night!
Friday, June 9
I end the work week with the last Carlow University Board meeting until the Fall. We’ll meet in the beautiful new University Commons which opened in August 2015, and is the university’s first LEED-certified eligible building. This building is the center of campus life, buzzing with student activity.
The board meeting ends at noon, and I’ll head back to the office to clean up emails, answer phone calls and get everything in order for the following week.
Saturday, June 10
Today, my husband is participating in the Laurel Highlands Ultra race. The 70.5-mile race is along the entire Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, beginning in Ohiopyle. He’s participating in the 50K (which is only 31 miles). But, regardless, as much as I enjoy the Laurel Highlands, the kids and I won’t join him. And, I secretly think he’s crazy for doing it. Instead, we’ll enjoy a day at the pool with other friends, at Longue Vue Club.
Dinner will be spent at a friend’s son’s first birthday party. It’s a Korean Dol ceremony to bless the child with a prosperous future.
Sunday, June 11
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is honoring those who have made a lasting impact in Jewish education at a celebration for “Unsung Heroes” at the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh. My daughter’s Hebrew teacher is being honored, as is one of the preschool teacher’s at the JCC where my almost four-year old goes. So, once again, we’ll show our support and attend this great event.
I hope to make it to the Squirrel Hill Farmers Market to pick up some farm fresh fruits and vegetables and peruse other tents.
In the early afternoon, I’ll join some friends to celebrate one son’s 16th birthday and their other son’s high school graduation from Allderdice, at a BBQ in their backyard.
My husband plans to take the kids to the 7th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler, PA, the birthplace of the jeep. It’s an annual pilgrimage that his uncle and father make, so it’s nice for the kids to see them and nice for me to get a break.
If we’re not totally exhausted by the end of the day, we always enjoy Citiparks‘ Sunday night “Cinema in the Park” at Flagstaff Hill in Oakland. I used to go there when I was a kid, and I love bringing my children now that I have my own family.
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